BFSA Leadership

Tony is the Associate Director of Faculty Development and Support at the College of Continuing & Professional Studies (CCAPS), where he has worked for 19 years. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Youth Studies, African American Studies, and Child Psychology from the University of Minnesota, and an MBA from the Carlson School of Management. He also attended the University of Michigan’s School of Education, focusing on Secondary Teacher Education for Physical Education. Tony enjoys spending time with his family, coaching basketball and volleyball, reading Black Panther comic books, and collecting coins.

Gayle currently serves as the Associate Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the School of Public Health and has been a part of the University of Minnesota since 2018, first serving in the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Program in CLA. Gayle received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and completed his master’s degree at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He was born and raised in Minneapolis and is the first in his family to receive a bachelor’s degree and/or a master’s degree. Gayle is passionate about antiracism, justice and the development and utilization of human potential. He is also unapologetically Black!

Jessica P. Cameron is a dynamic higher education practitioner with a strong commitment to student success, antiracism, social justice, and innovation. She has served the University of Minnesota for almost a decade and is currently the Assistant Director for the President’s Emerging Scholars Program.  She holds a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Iowa State University and a Master of Art in Organizational Leadership and Policy Development from the College of Education and Human Development here at the University. Her academic excellence, professional experience, and passion for equity have been instrumental in shaping her approach to creating opportunities for improvement and implementing strategic solutions that drive positive change.

Abdou Manjang is the Treasurer of the Black Faculty and Staff Association and serves as the Quality Improvement and Safety Coordinator for the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Minnesota. He holds a Master’s in Healthcare Administration from Minnesota State University Moorhead and brings over a decade of experience in both clinical and administrative hospital settings. Abdou specializes in performance improvement, project management, and change management, with a strong focus on enhancing service delivery and achieving operational excellence.

Passionate about community involvement, Abdou enjoys spending time with his family and engaging in volunteer work. He serves on the African American Health State Advisory Council, appointed by Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, where he works to promote health equity and eliminate healthcare disparities within African American communities.

Abdou is also the founder of Impact Health The Gambia (IHTG), a nonprofit organization that supports public hospitals in his home country through the provision of medical supplies, quality improvement consultations, and clinical care seminars.