SAN ANTONIO, TX, April 10, 2024 /24-7PressRelease/ — Brenya Twumasi, JD, has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
To honor Brenya Twumasi with this recognition of a lifetime commitment in Human Service is our honor. She is an incredible individual. Dr. Twumasi has established a multifaceted career that spans decades of work within community, local, national and international service including USA government service, Artificial Intelligence, criminal justice, global dynamics as it relates to international law, humanitarian law, law of the sea, territorial jurisdiction issues, and war crimes and her fourth profession of mental health. Her leadership roles over the decades includes being appointed by the Governor of Maryland as the Child Abuse and Neglect Specialist, lobbying on behalf of foster children in Annapolis.
In academia she is semi-retired as both a face to face Professor and a remote learning Faculty Champion. Her designation in the role of Faculty Champion was given her know how in technology, curriculum development and design. She supports faculty with remote and online teaching. Her diverse students express keen interest in her teaching style and diverse knowledge. Years before her current semi retirement from academia she was as an Associate Professor and Area Chair in Social Sciences, and Security and Criminal Justice. Prior, decades ago as one of four she lobbied in Annapolis to have the option of “Other” placed on all Federal Forms where the designation of race is required. Her work with three others had Federal forms in 1994 include such designation “other.” States soon followed, thus giving Americans choice.
Her keen interest in supporting global development comes from her heart and empathy for people. Her work includes briefing on sub-Sharan African developmental issues, and Native American advocacy. Dr. Twumasi’s students speak very well of her. She is approachable, pleasant, empathetic, and most compassionate.
In her law school days between catching buses, working full time and being a nanny, her mentor Hung Dung Chou mentored her to comprehend the dynamics in China, Tawain and Hong Kong. From that mentorship she has become a specialist on law of the seas and advises all to comprehend the dynamics of commerce, ports and banks. She has been awarded with the USA Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award.
One of her former students expresses that:
“Dr. B is is an insightful, supportive, and forward-thinking expert professor. She has first-hand experience in multiple fields or study, and to know her is to learn constantly. Under her tutelage, we were guided through the field of business law in multiple jurisdictions within Ghana and around the world. I developed extensive knowledge of common law, civil law and customary law, as well as skills in legal writing and research. Dr. Brenya is an unmatched builder of community who understands how to bring the best out of people. Her compassion shines through in the classroom and beyond. Years later fellow students remain connected and inspired by the experience of taking her Business Law class together. She motivates all who are privileged to know her and to strive to embody those same characteristics, and motivates me to strive for greater solutions for humanity.”
Another student shares: “Brenya has the kindest of hearts. I will quote her as a former student she always shares: “until my last breath, I will be serving.”
Her colleague states “Brenya is a bright shining light. She radiates with inner strength, knowledge and kindness. I worked with Brenya together at UTSA and her resourcefulness and brilliance in and outside of the classroom is remarkable. I feel fortunate to know her.”
Her longtime friend and Johns Hopkins classmate has known Brenya for over 40 years she states: “I have known Brenya since our undergraduate years and maintained the connection. She balances an incisive mind and an ability to unravel complex policy issues with a deep understanding of the obstacles facing those who are disenfranchised or excluded. I consider her insights into programmatic objectives as crucial.”
She has been an agent of change as an educator for tens of thousands of students over the past thirty plus years.
Her classes have waiting lists and are much sought after by diverse students.
Given her four specialties she is a sought-after Guest Speaker locally, nationally and internationally. Most recently she served on a Panel from Keiv Ukraine to speak on international law as it pertains to jurisdictional laws and law of the seas. She has also been sought after to brief on Artificial Intelligence.
Dr. Twumasi also served as a consultant for the business development branch at The World Bank in Washington, D.C., in 1991 and held research assistant positions at Johns Hopkins University from 1980 to 1985.
Before “terrorism” unfortunately became a household term, Dr. Twumasi in 1986 was a guest speaker at Villa Julie College briefing on “terrorism.” She has continued such work. As a training specialist for the care of thousands of migrant teenage boys she reflected her passion and care to support a healthy status quo for diverse many. The same as when she was the mental health lead at a major shelter hub on a local military base. She performed all this service in between regular work hours. Her energy is astonishing. Her most recent publication is published in the Journal of Forensic Sciences and Criminal Investigation ISSN: 2476-1311 March 2024. Title: Internet Radicalization of Extremists.
Dr. Twumasi has authored many articles such as “Israel and Palestine: War and Enmity — Do They Have to Last Forever?” via Global Ghana in 2014. As a serial entrepreneur, Dr. Twumasi has notably owned five different corporations over the past five decades. She created her first corporation at age 11 as she observed her elders work and learned how to incorporate her own.
Due to her commitment to social justice, Dr. Twumasi is active with several organizations, such as the San Antonio Criminal Justice Action Coalition. She is also a co-founder of the community and restorative justice office at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Other civic contributions include affiliation with the Texas Diversity Council, the San Antonio Woman in Technology, and the World Affairs Council of San Antonio. Moreover, Dr. Twumasi is an advocate for human trafficking as a core group and human trafficking committee member of the Bexar County Reentry Council. She began her journey as an advocate against human trafficking given her work with the human trafficked.
Dr. Twumasi’s academic background is equally impressive. She completed a bachelor’s degree in political science and systems theory at The Johns Hopkins University and a master’s degree, with honors, from St. Mary’s University. Moreover, she earned a Doctor of Law with a concentration on corporate and international law from the University of Maryland.
During her younger college years working full time to be able to attend college and send items home to Ghana (that at the time was under military dictatorship), she also was active in athletics, community service and socially. She was elected as an officer in several organizations and inducted into Chi Sigma Iota, a professional honors society. Additional educational pursuits to Dr. Twumasi’s credit include certification in conflict resolution education and credentials in alternative methods of dispute resolution, distance learning, and quality matters, as well as being an advanced hostage negotiator and trained within the Texas Gang Investigators Association over almost a decade.
In addition to her professional roles, Dr. Twumasi a triathlete (having begun her competitive sports at age eight). She won two championships in marital arts in Texas championships and loves her dance classes and instructor. Her hip-hop dance friends are known as the Dance Divas. Her Peace Gardens are designed to support diverse many including war torn areas. Her TLC for self design supports military vets and diverse others in self care. She designed both in the 1980’s.
Dr. Twumasi is also an artist and loves to communicate and care for not only with and for diverse people but also with and for diverse animals.
She is also actively involved with several professional organizations, including the National Association of Women in Business, that reflect her diverse professional interests. In light of her success, she received a U.S. Presidential Award for Lifetime Achievement, several faculty awards and commendations from the University of Phoenix, and, among other accolades, a Sheriff’s Award for Excellence in Service from Frederick County, Maryland.
Dr. Twumasi shares, “I recall as I lived in Washington, D.C. I met on the bus a number of stellar, good, good men. I did not know what their lives flowed through when they were younger but knew them as older – Elders. Non-assuming, trusted men of valor. They had been at the White House as trusted custodians. They had worked there for upwards of fifty plus years. They took the bus from Pennsylvania Avenue back and forth, home over the Anacostia River across the dividing bridge. Shuffling as they walked. They lived across the proverbial railroad tracks, a stark contrast from the White House. My dad had taught us that a member of the janitorial staff was to be the most respected person for numerous reasons. Dad would lay out the reasons. I absorbed that throughout. Two reasons they are to be respected is they see and hear it all and are fully trusted. These men in D.C. stayed in the White House seeing and hearing it all, were trustworthy and stayed as USA Presidents came and left. Quietly in the background. Home across the bridge each fully neighborhood leaders – yet non assuming. I shall model after them and serve quietly in the background till my very last breathe. Thank you, Dad. I shall continue standing for muted voices.”
Family means everything to Dr. Twumasi. Family defined as her two families of origin from Ghana and also The Netherlands, adopted family from Ghana, Maryland, and Texas and also her spiritual family including those who know the soul is everything. She shares that her family is absolutely wonderful. Her two grown children share:
“Mom is really nice. I love her. She is great” and “My mum is like no one you have ever met before.”
About Marquis Who’s Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who’s Who in America®, Marquis Who’s Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Marquis celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2023, and Who’s Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who’s Who® website at www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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