Dr. Kelly R. Little
Transformational Leader, Maternal Health Equity Advocate, and Global Fatherhood Systems Architect
Dr. Kelly R. Little is a nationally respected thought leader, international speaker, and systems strategist whose work centers on fatherhood, STEM, healing, strengthening families, advancing maternal health equity, and cultivating emotionally intelligent leaders.
As Founder and CEO of the Urban Institute for Strengthening Families (UI4SF), he leads a comprehensive ecosystem of PD, retreats, fatherhood, youth development, and healing-centered modalities that serve Black and Brown boys, fathers, men, women, and families across local, national, and global platforms.
Dr. Little is widely recognized for his pioneering leadership in fatherhood and maternal health equity, where he mobilizes fathers as advocates, protectors, and informed partners throughout all four trimesters of pregnancy. Through innovative models such as the Dynamic Doula 4 Trimester Paternal Emotional Intelligence Maternal Health Workshops, he equips men with the knowledge, communication skills, and emotional awareness needed to support mothers, reduce stress-related birth disparities, and promote healthy family outcomes. His work bridges public health, father engagement, and emotional intelligence to address systemic inequities impacting Black maternal and infant health.
A champion for Black and Brown boys, Dr. Little designs rites-of-passage, STEM leadership, mentoring, and social-emotional learning experiences that cultivate identity, belonging, discipline, and purpose. His youth initiatives, including Imhotep Journey of Champions, Global Fatherhood Leadership Institute, Diplomatic Collegiate Exchange, Military Veteran Oasis Retreat, Freeway to Elevation, and social justice mentoring programs, empower young men to explore heritage, master emotional intelligence, and envision themselves as scholars, leaders, and global solutionaries. He is deeply committed to interrupting cycles of trauma and expanding pathways to college, career, and entrepreneurship through culturally grounded sponsorship and exposure.
Dr. Little’s influence extends beyond direct service into national and global leadership. He serves and collaborates with multiple boards (The Academy of Goal Achievers, Greenlight Fund, Practitioners for Fathers and Families, Harmony Health, Wake Forest University, Civility Localized, Mothering Justice, Leadership Charlotte ), advisory councils, and cross-sector coalitions focused on fatherhood inclusion, health equity, workforce development, and family- centered policy transformation. In these roles, he advances systemic and organizational excellence by integrating data-driven strategies, emotional intelligence frameworks, and healing- centered engagement models that strengthen institutions while humanizing the services they provide.
Central to his philosophy is the belief that sustainable leadership begins with inner healing and holistic wellness. Dr. Little intentionally invests in future leaders through emotional intelligence development, self-care practices, nature-based healing retreats, philanthropy, and mentorship pipelines that prepare men and youth to lead with compassion, resilience, and purpose. His restorative programming incorporates mindfulness, storytelling, brotherhood circles, and outdoor experiences that reconnect participants to peace, identity, and community responsibility.
A decorated combat military veteran, legacy builder, and global cultural ambassador, Dr. Little’s work is anchored in a profound commitment to belonging, brotherhood, and generational impact. Whether guiding fathers through transformational healing, mentoring Black and Brown boys toward excellence, or advising national and global initiatives on systems change, he continues to elevate a bold vision: healthy fathers, empowered mothers, thriving children, and communities restored through emotional intelligence, equity, and collective leadership.