SPEAKERS DIRECTORY

Your events missing piece. Naomi’s call in life is to help people reconcile. She helps people reconcile with themselves by teaching techniques and coping skills that encourage a healthy, whole, and balanced mind, spirit, and soul. She help people reconcile with others through courageous conversations, dynamic workshops, and engaging dialogue, and creating and hosting community and cultural events. She also connects people to the heart of the father through poetry, worship, and itinerant ministry.

Dr. Janice Fortman, Ed.D believes that communication is the foundation for personal and professional relationships, therefore, people's opinions of you or your organization are formed by the way you communicate verbally and non-verbally. She is an author, award winning international motivational speaker, corporate trainer, and effective communication coach. As a Distinguished Toastmaster, Dr. Jan provides memorable and engaging, presentations focusing on giving people peace and power through the use of effective communication skills.

Dr. Ebony Stone, a renowned corporate executive, scholar, author, and coach, openly discusses her challenges advancing up the corporate hierarchy as a black woman both before and after widespread implementation of DEI initiatives. In her book "The Power of the Pause," she recounts her path to regaining mental and emotional well-being. Dr. Stone provides keynote speeches, coaching, and workshops centered around the PAUSE framework to assist leaders in utilizing the profound impact of pausing.

Valerie Yvette Peterson has been writing for over 35 years. Work includes the G.A.R.E. Annual Conference, four Anthologies: (L.A. Poet Society Press and Moonstone Press), latest book; GOD’S SEASONS, experimental film: THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL. She has worked with the Poetry Society of New York and Fertile Ground Festival of New Works. Her MUSICAL POEMS can be found on all streaming platforms; and the Numberz Radio 96.7FM.

Dr. Kendrick Johnson is the founder of Frontier Education Consulting and a nationally recognized educator, author, consultant, and speaker. With a background as an English teacher, instructional coach, administrator, and curriculum director, he brings deep expertise in critical thinking, engagement, restorative practices, SEL, and culturally responsive practices. Dr. Johnson is known for delivering dynamic, equity-centered professional learning that equips educators and leaders with practical, research-based strategies to transform instruction and build thriving, inclusive learning communities.

DR. SAUNDRA WALL WILLIAMS, CEO of WMS Corporation, equips emerging and established women leaders in leadership and career development. A certified Gallop Strengths Champion and Life Transformation Coach, Dr. Saundra is the creator of the L.E.A.P. (Launch Exceptionally into your Accurate Position) System, designed to help women increase their influence, impact, and income. Retired as the Sr. VP of the NC Community College System, she serves on corporate and higher education boards.

Dr. Epps is a leadership expert who is self-motivated and pragmatic, with strong problem-solving skills and a passion for crafting great solutions. He understands the best approach to transformational and organizational changes is made due to the company's progress and level of trust. Dr. Epps recently published his new book, New Principal, No Problem: Leading a Winning Culture Without Losing Your Mind. The focus of the book is to provide research-based best practices.

Karwanna D. is a Government Contracts Strategist, based in San Francisco, CA. This 20+ year business vet has successfully built 2 lucrative small businesses and now teaches women and minority small business owners how to grow their business with massive government contracts just like the movie War Dogs. Over the past few years Karwanna has helped thousands of small business owners generate millions of dollars in combined revenues with a simple 3 Step System.

Esther Dillard, a 2024 Gracies Award recipient, is a seasoned journalist, author, and public speaker known for her impactful storytelling. She reports for The Black Information Network and hosts "The Color Between the Lines" podcast, interviewing authors of color. With a rich background in media, including roles at WBGO-FM, KTVU-Ch2, and CBS-3, Esther also served as a communications professor at Bloomfield College, teaching various media and journalism courses.

Freddy's LoveNoEgo philosophy serves as the foundation for pushing the human spirit into greatness. He delivers powerful and relevant presentations, mentors, consults, and conducts workshops for individuals, teams, and organizations around the world. Freddy enables participants to grow and perform better than their everyday pressures, and gain optimal performance!

I am a former Backrub employee... (which is now Google) - where I helped code and patent the search algorithms the world uses today. I teach people how to meet the mathematical algorithmic equation to rank on the first page of Google without paying a dime in ad spend.

Dr. Mary Canty Merrill is an Industrial & Organizational Psychologist with 30+ years of progressive leadership, management and organizational development experience in the private, non-profit and public sectors. She is lauded for her ability to connect and inspire individuals across diverse segments of society, and known for her dynamic work in unleashing latent human potential to ignite personal and social change.