Diversity Speakers Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadows. Helen Keller JOHN
ALSTON - Diversity,
Change and Common Sense - John Alston offers
opportunities to learn about and grow from the demands emerging from
diversity as framed by changes in politics, technology, economics and
sociological events. WALLY AMOS As founder of the Famous Amos Cookie Company, Wally Amos is considered the father of the gourmet chocolate-chip cookie industry -- and his latest business venture, Uncle Wally's Muffins, is also off to a roaring start. An expert on overcoming overwhelming odds and turning adversity into opportunity (and ultimate success,) Wally's "fame" is grounded in quality, substance, and his unique positive mental attitude. BARRY BRADFORD, a History teacher, and three students helped to bring to justice the Ku Klux Klansman Edgar Ray Killen, found guilty of manslaughter in the notorious 1964 lynching of three civil rights workers. The group from Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Illinois secured the first on-the-record interview with Killen, the former member of the white supremacist group accused of organizing carloads of Klansmen who hunted down and killed the three young men. The teacher and his high-school group also helped draft a resolution adopted by America's Congress in 2004 calling on Mississippi authorities to reopen the 41-year-old case - all as part of a history project. LENORA BILLINGS-HARRIS - DIVERSITY IN THE WORKPLACE Today's most challenging topics require a speaker who is thought provoking, appealing, informative and compelling. Lenora Billings-Harris possesses these abilities, resulting in powerful and effective events. Lenora Billings-Harris, is a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), diversity consultant and author of The Diversity Advantage: A Guide to Making Diversity Work. With more than twenty five years of experience in the public and private sectors, Lenora has developed a unique way of presenting sensitive topics in a fun, thought-provoking and non-judgmental way. Her interactive style, and immediately applicable "how to's" have caused clients to invite her back again and again. She designs and delivers presentations and helps facilitate diversity initiatives for Fortune 500 companies as well as professional associations and educational institutions. LES BROWN Renowned Motivational Speaker - As a renowned motivational speaker, author and television personality, Les Brown has risen to national prominence by delivering a high energy message which tells people how to shake off mediocrity and live up to their greatness. It is a message Les Brown has learned from his own life and one he is helping others apply to their lives. STEDMAN GRAHAM is chairman and CEO of S. Graham & Associates (SGA), a management and marketing consulting company that specializes in the corporate and educational markets. As a sought-out businessman, educator and lecturer, he presents, consults and conducts training with corporations, organizations and nonprofits on the topics of maximizing leadership, achieving success, growing a business, embracing diversity, achieving optimal health, and personal and professional branding. DR. FARRAH GRAY is an internationally known and respected entrepreneur and business leader who addresses more than half a million people per year on leadership, personal development, diversity, strategic planning, creativity, business development and financial management. Gray is a 21-year old African-American man who has risen to national prominence in an American “rags-to-riches” story of success, perseverance and hard work. Raised in the projects on Chicago’s south side, Gray defied the odds and became a self-made millionaire by the age of 14. Gray is one of the great business minds and icons of his generation. At the age of 21, he has achieved more than many achieve in a lifetime. MICHAEL HINGSON As was the case with many Americans, Michael Hingson's life changed dramatically on September 11th. He and his Guide Dog, "Roselle" were the lucky ones, however, in that they escaped the World Trade Center attack. As a WTC survivor and as a Guide Dog user, he was thrust into the international limelight. He has become a national speaker on the topic of trust and teamwork, something he doesn't believe is diminishing despite the parade of headlines about political, corporate and church scandals that have left people questioning their faith in institutions. On April 3, 2001, at the age of 27, CHAD HYMAS life changed instantaneously when he was involved in a a serious accident that left him a quadriplegic. Chad's dreams were not paralyzed that day. Since that fateful event, Chad has motivated businesses and corporations to "use their wings and reach seemingly impossible heights." The Wall Street Journal calls Chad Hymas one of the 10 most inspirational people in the world! Chad Hymas will not only inspire, motivate, and move your audience... He will create an experience that will touch their hearts for a lifetime. Chad's topics focus on the areas of Leadership, Teambuilding, Customer Service, Safety and Mastering Change! When Chad rolls out on stage, your audience will have an immediate respect for his circumstance. His disability and what he is overcoming is a true example of, "set your mind to it and you can accomplish anything." Through his unique sense of humor and his emotional story, your people will fly higher than they ever thought possible. EARVIN "MAGIC" JOHNSON Among the elite of professional basketball history, there are few whose greatness compares to that of Ervin “Magic” Johnson. A hero in the annals of NBA record books, his 12-year career, his five titles, and even his multiple MVP recognitions are second thoughts compared to the legendary on court rivalries that brought professional basketball into the mass media limelight. Speaking to audiences as an athlete, an entrepreneur and an HIV survivor, Magic's presentation is captivating and inspiring. WILLIE JOLLEY is a captivating speaker, singer and author and is has recently recorded a new PBS Special that will begin airing in affiliates across America in December. He is a former jingle singer who became a drug prevention coordinator for the DC Public Schools. Since becoming a speaker, he has spoken to over a million young people across this country and in other countries. AZIM KHAMISA is an inspiration. Hailed by dignitaries such as the Dalai Lama, Former President Bill Clinton and Al Gore, Azim carries his inspirational message of forgiveness, peace and hope into a world in desperate need of each. Following the loss of his only son Tariq in 1995 to a senseless, gang-related murder, Azim chose the path of forgiveness and compassion rather than revenge and bitterness, and this amazing choice led to the establishment of the Tariq Khamisa Foundation and the subsequent forgiveness movement which has reached millions. CORNELIA MCDONALD was born in Apex, North Carolina, the daughter of a sharecropper and great-great-grandchild of slaves. Her father, who was a preacher, was a strict disciplinarian whose favorite motto was "spare the rod and spoil the child." He did not hesitate to use the rod on his children whom he raised in an atmosphere of fear and repression. Cornelia was singled out by her father as a target for constant verbal and physical abuse. From the age of nine she was forced into the back-breaking labor of planting and picking tobacco, milking cows, and cleaning the family's shack -- while her father kept up a relentless barrage of insults and beatings. Not surprising, Cornelia developed into a dysfunctional adult, overwhelmed by feelings of inferiority and insecurity. Her healing process were painful and gradual, but she ultimately reclaimed the person within whom she believed to be lost. It was a hard-won triumph of will. KAREN MEYER joined ABC 7 in Chicago as a feature reporter in 1991. Her segments, which deal with issues pertaining to people with disabilities, appear on the ABC 7 Sunday Morning News and on ABC 7 News each Thursday at 11:30 a.m. Profoundly deaf since birth, Meyer has been the president of Karen L. Meyer and Associates, a consulting firm specializing in disability issues, since 1992. She also directs DePaul University's Office of Students with Disabilities and has taught at DePaul since January 2003. JACKIE NINK PFLUG Powerful and Inspirational Speaker, an Airline Hijacking Survivor and an Author! Jackie recounts the spell-binding tale of how a weekend trip to a volleyball tournament in Greece in 1985 put her in the middle one of history's deadliest airline terrorist attacks and how she survived, recovered, suffered, struggled, and through commitment and determination, persevered and even flourished. Jackie has reached thousands with her message of how we can all become peak performers through our attitude and our reaction to change, adversity, and challenge. She reminds us that tragedy, suffering and everyday issues always contain the seed of new growth and learning. Mountains don't seem as tall as before, and trivialities in life lose their importance, leading the listener to focus on more important professional and personal issues. PEGGY O'NEILL stands 3 feet 8 inches tall. Tiny in stature, but huge in presence, Peggy delivers a far-reaching message: WALK TALL! Be big on the INSIDE! Honor yourself, accept others, and express your inherent magnificence. Triumphantly meeting life from waist level, Peggy O’Neill offers inspiration and insight to audiences nationwide -- from ages 5 to 85. Peggy speaks on a variety of topics in the areas of: Celebrating Diversity, Personal Empowerment & Overcoming Challenges MIKE SCHLAPPI Inspirational speaker, author, MBA, husband, father and two-time Olympic gold medal winner - Mike Schlappi has proven that Just Because You Can't Stand Up, Doesn't Mean You Can't Stand Out. He was a star athlete who survived an accidental gunshot that left him paralyzed for life. Mike's patented “Attitude Therapy” has inspired thousands of audiences to adapt, overcome, and Light The Fire Within. Mike’s life story earned the “Special People Award” by the American Medical Association and he is listed by the State of Utah as one of it’s TOP 50 ATHLETES OF THE PAST CENTURY. MICHAEL SEGAL Keep Hope Alive! He doesn't want to be perceived as handicapped, disabled, limited or as a hero - a triumphant survivor of tragedy perhaps. After being shot in the head as an innocent bystander to a robbery, Michael Segal defied all odds and very few people thought he would survive. After much pain and time in rehab, he returned to UT where he graduated with many honors. Michael went on to graduate school where he obtained a Masters of Social Work degree and married his high school sweetheart, Sharon. He has devoted his life to showing that lives can be changed through hard work and positive thinking. That is a key element of his numerous presentations where participants find themselves inspired and motivated. Mike works primarily with families and patients in the Neuro Trauma Intensive Care Unit (NTICU). He's also a contributing author for the Chicken Soup Books and inspirational speaker sharing his recipes for recovery and happiness. The Chicken Soup series is a collection of inspiring stories from people who have had life-altering experiences. The stories are meant not only to tell what the experiences taught the authors but to encourage readers' hope and strength. RANDY SNOW Compete - Don't Compare! Randy Snow is a persistent and focused athlete whose prowess in sports did not end when he became a paraplegic after a farming accident. As a result of his determination to continue an active lifestyle, he has dominated international wheelchair athletic competition. Randy motivates audiences across the country with the stories of his willful determination to "compete with ourselves". His electrifying presentations leave audiences stimulated as he touches every individual with renewed energy to soar to their individual goals. Please
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