Adrian N. Carter

Adrian N. Carter, Ph.D., is a conflict resolution practitioner, people and culture strategist, and executive coach whose work has influenced how corporations, government agencies, educational institutions, and nonprofits approach leadership and organizational health. Carter holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in Conflict Resolution Studies and is the founder and CEO of Carter Development Group, a firm specializing in leadership development, conflict resolution, and equity. He earned his doctorate from Nova Southeastern University’s Conflict Analysis & Resolution program, a master’s degree in higher education leadership, and a Bachelor of Science in journalism with a political science minor from Florida International University.

Carter is a certified facilitator, mediator, and coach with more than two decades of experience working with government agencies, corporations, educational institutions, and nonprofits. He is recognized for guiding organizations through complex change management, fostering inclusive environments, and advancing racial equity. Central to his methodology is The Ellison Model, a diversity, equity, and inclusion tool for social development developed by sociologist and professor Deryl G. Hunt. The model provides a framework for inclusion, multicultural appreciation, conflict resolution, mentorship, and relationship building across corporate, government, nonprofit, and educational sectors.

Carter is the author of "Emerging as the Right Person in the Right Place at the Right Time: Leadership in the 21st Century Using the Ellison Model" and "Black Fragility: Addressing the Unaccountability of Black Men & Women in the 21st Century to Heal, Encourage, Love, & Protect Blackness." His publications address leadership development, accountability, and community building within the Black community. Carter is also a poet whose collections reflect his commitment to human connection and social development.

Carter developed the Inclusive Leadership Certification, a 24-hour program designed to equip leaders with skills to create psychologically safe environments. He is the founder of the Center for Advanced Leadership and Conflict Resolution, a nonprofit organization focused on educating men and boys on conflict resolution and equity. The organization’s signature event, the EmpowerMEN Conference, is a male empowerment initiative centered on conflict resolution, leadership development, and redefining the identity of men. Carter’s work examines identity, emotion, and power, specifically in the context of race relations, gender roles, and the education system, and how these factors contribute to interpersonal and organizational conflict. Through keynotes, coaching, and community initiatives, Carter provides expertise in inclusive leadership, conflict resolution, and organizational development.