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Name Description
Coach Carter Coach Carter is a coach, author, educator and inspiration for the movie Coach Carter, featuring Samuel L. Jackson. The movie recounts Carter’s decision to literally lock his undefeated, state play-off bound basketball team out of the gym and force them to hit the books. Coach Carter is an advocate for Richmond's youth and is active in his community. He is diligent in providing them with opportunities to build meaningful relationships with their peers and caring adults, and recognizes the advantages inherent in a sound sports program. In October, 2000 he announced his plans to travel from Richmond High School to the steps of the California State Capitol in Sacramento. Using only a kick scooter, Carter traveled for 3 days to Sacramento hoping to draw awareness to the deteriorating state of our schools and the need for students, parents, teachers, and school board officials to commit to making a difference. His efforts proved successful, and subsequently Richmond High received building enhancements and computers from the Office of the Secretary of Education. Under the direction and guidance of Coach Carter, in December of 2000, 11 students from Australia arrived in the U.S. to promote peace and to learn first hand what it takes to be an American high school basketball player. Coach Carter found a way to bring something positive to the lives of Richmond High students, where heroes and positive role models are few and far between. Using basketball as the common bond, the intention of the visit was to offer these students an opportunity to meet each other, gain awareness about each others' culture and communities, and to learn hands-on about what it takes to be a top-notch American athletic. Carter feels that exchanges such as these are needed to promote a more just and peaceful place for us all to live in.
David Blankenhorn Founder and president of the Institute For American Values, authority on family issues and author of the provocative best-selling book, Fatherless in America.
John Bradshaw Marriage and family therapist and best-selling author.
Sherry Brantley Inspirational speaker and author of the book Choices: The Power Is Within You,Sherry Brantley is known for her dynamic, energetic seminars and workshops. As she states: "I was homeless, jobless, car-less and hopeless--all at the same time, but thankfully not clueless!" Sherry's belief: "We all have a Spiritual, Personal Power. We have always possessed this power. The power is within us. All of us. Without exception. We can learn to tap into this power on a daily basis, to begin to make positive choices in how our lives should go, resulting in the changes that we want to accomplish. There is a universal law that states: 'What you focus on in life, you expand in your life.' Begin to focus on what you want to expand in your life!" Start To Exercise Personal Power (STEPP) a program founded by Sherry, is designed to not merely assist people of various backgrounds to realize their potential, goals and purpose in life, but also assist them Sherry Brantley is known for her dynamic, energetic seminars and workshops.
Berry Brazelton, MD World renowned pediatrician, parenting expert and author.
Judge Mablean Ephriam With over twenty years of experience behind her as a trial attorney and mediator, Mablean Ephriam brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the bench of DIVORCE COURT, the half-hour, relationship-oriented courtroom show by Monet Lane Prods., Inc. and Twentieth Television. DIVORCE COURT features real-life couples, real conflicts and powerful human drama in a compelling true-life courtroom setting where litigants abide by Ms. Ephriam’s legally-binding decisions. Ms. Ephriam began her legal career in law enforcement as a correctional officer at the Women’s Division of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Terminal Island. Pursuing her childhood dream of becoming a lawyer, Ms. Ephriam, while raising a family, accepted a job as a legal secretary. Simultaneously, she attended and completed Whittier College of Law. (Ms. Ephriam is divorced and the mother of four.) After five years as a Deputy City Attorney in Los Angeles, where she served as Domestic Violence Coordinator for spousal, parent and child abuse, Ms. Ephriam’s hard work and dedication paid off. In 1982, she went into private practice emphasizing family law, personal injury and probate. She also served as a Hearing Examiner for the City of Los Angeles, Civil Service Commission. Formerly a member of the Executive Committee of the Los Angeles County Bar and State Bar of California Family Law Sections, Ms. Ephriam is well known for her noteworthy contributions to the Los Angeles legal community. Additionally, her commitment and dedication to community service in the area of family law has earned her many prestigious awards throughout her career. In 1993, the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles recognized Ms. Ephriam with the Distinguished Service Award for her numerous contributions as co-founder of the Harriet Buhai Center for Family Law, a legal assistance program that provides services to indigent persons in the areas of family law, guardianship and paternity. Ms. Ephriam also received the 1995 Woman of the Year Award -- California State Assembly -- 48th District. The following year, the Los Angeles County Bar Association bestowed Ms. Ephriam with the Spencer-Brandeis Award. The Harriet Buhai Family Law Center paid tribute to her with the Zephyr Ramsey Award for her many years of exceptional service to the community. In 1997, Whittier College of Law, Ms. Ephriam’s alma mater, named her Alumni of the Year.
Charlotte Fedders Domestic violence survivor and author of Shattered Dreams, a personal account of spousal abuse which was aired nationally as a made-for-television movie on the CBS-TV network.
Susan Forward Nationally known psychologist, talk-radio host, and author of Men Who Hate Women and The Women Who Love Them.
Jon Haggins Motivational speaker who inspires people to get up and go, that anything is possible. My background includes fashion, travel, interior and food. I have been featured in and have written for numerous publications. I have also been a spokesperson for Procter and Gamble's Ultra Detergents. The Museum of the City of New York is presently exhibiting a retrospective of my fashion designs. And the Schomburg Library has acquired my fashion archive of photographs and editorials. I am the producer and host of GlobeTrotter Jon Haggins TV; a half-hour weekly travel show that's available in 2 million Time Warner subscriber homes in New York City and streamed over the Internet. In addition, I have contributed travel segments to NPR Radio. NPR has a listening audience of 25 million. GlobeTrotter Jon Haggins TV is a fun, informative and entertaining program that features destinations, foodies and guests from around the world. The main goal is to expand our audience horizon beyond their couch and allow them to discover many dreamy far away places where they can reach for the stars. I have written The African American Travel Guide, which is an informative book, that offers advise on where to get a passport, where to exchange money, security precautions, bartering in the markets and what to pack etc. I also share narratives of my travel experiences. In addition to my book, I have contributed short stories to Eric Copage's -Soul Food Book. I was an invited speaker at the Smithsonian Museum in DC and have appeared on numerous radio and TV shows such as: CNN-Daybreak, Joan Hamburg-WOR Radio, Sunday Classics with Hal Jackson WBLS Radio, Sean Cort-Breakfast Cort and the Bob Law show on WWRL Radio, Geraldo, Regis & Kathie Lee, Saturday Morning Tribune, Midday Live, Evening Magazine and The McCreary Report, just to name a few. And let me not forget that I was a voice for FOX-TV's public service announcement, "It's Ten PM. Do you know where your children are?" My fashions have graced seven Cosmopolitan Magazine covers and eighty-five inside pages. They have also appeared in Harper's Bazaar, Vogue, Essence, New York Magazine, Town and Country, New York Times etc. Celebrities such as Diana Ross, Helen Gurley Brown, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Debbie Allen, Felicia Rashad, Racquel Welch, Diahann Carroll, Lynn Redgrave have worn my fashions. Cornel University honored me with a month long exhibition of my designs in the Johnson Museum. I have also designed costumes for several Off-Broadway shows and several Soap Operas and TV shows, such as: The Debbie Allen Special, As the World turns, One Life to Live, Love boat, Star Search and Good Day-New York. And special projects for Clairol, Matrix, Estee Lauder, Revlon, Seagram, Procter & Gamble and Chesebrough Ponds.
Quay Hanna Authentic is one of the best ways to describe Quay Hanna. When he began his career as a speaker, he didn't get paid for any engagements for the first 3 years. In fact, he would take time off from his construction job to visit the schools that were in need. He is truly dedicated to the cause of getting teenagers to respect one another, regardless of differences they may have. His interaction with students has been shown to effectively change attitudes of young people and the entire school environment. Not only do students begin to break through the labels they are given, but they also begin to look at others very differently. In 1993, Quay set out on a mission. After graduating from college with a B.A. in English, he left his small town of Strasburg, PA to see America. He hopped on a Greyhound bus and began traversing the country. Nine weeks, thirty-seven states, and twelve-thousand miles later, he got more than an incredible journey and hundreds of stories to tell. As he traveled he was forced to confront his own racist and prejudiced beliefs, causing him to realize that life had more to offer than his lifelong hatred of others. Upon his return to Strasburg, he had a new objective: to reach out to his subculture- rural, white America – and to challenge racist beliefs as his were challenged on the trip. Quay published a book about his life-changing experience entitled, Bus America: Revelation of a Redneck and began telling his story to audiences around the country in 1997. Nine years and hundreds of schools later, he is still entertaining and educating students on a daily basis. He is not your "bells-and-whistles" type of speaker. It is only a man in his t-shirt and jeans with a microphone. No multimedia. No magic tricks. No stand-up routine. Quay presents in a simple and honest way that has caused hundreds of thousands of students to take an introspective look at their lives. Quay's programs are extremely effective in schools that are looking to act in a proactive way towards student relations, or for schools that are currently struggling with racial and prejudicial issues. In addition to his assembly speaking, he also offers consultation to school officials and communities dealing with hatred and violence, along with private consultation for individuals or groups that are showing interest or are involved in hate-filled beliefs and activities. Rest assured, Quay's participation in your school will help put it on the path to reconciliation and peace.
Jean Harris Advocate of prison reform, education and women’s rights.
Elizabeth Holtzman United States Congresswoman from New York for four terms and the youngest woman ever elected to Congress. While in Congress she was the first Democratic woman to serve on the House Budget Committee and was a member of the House Judiciary Committee during the impeachment hearings of Richard M. Nixon. Ms. Holtzman won international recognition for her work against Nazi war criminals and was the first member of Congress to expose government inaction against suspected Nazi war criminals. She forced the Justice Department to create a Nazi-hunting unit and authored the law barring Nazi war criminals from entering the United States and authorizing deportation. In 1981 she was elected Brooklyn District Attorney and served in that capacity until 1989. In 1990 she was elected Comptroller of New York City and served in that position until 1994. She is now in the private practice of law.
Magic Johnson Earvin Johnson, Jr. may best be known for his winning ways during his illustrious 13-year NBA career, but today the basketball legend directs his efforts toward his growing business and philanthropic empire, Magic Johnson Enterprises (MJE). Unparalleled Athletic Success Earvin Magic Johnson is famous for his brilliant passing skills, all-around sublime talent, illuminating smile, and engaging personality. During his 12-year pro basketball career, Johnson led the LA Lakers to five NBA championships and nine appearances in the NBA Finals. After announcing that he was HIV-positive and retiring from basketball in 1991, he was voted as a starter in the 1992 All-Star Game, and later chosen as a member of the 1992 U.S. Olympic Basketball Team. We Are the Communities We Serve While Mr. Johnson may be best known for his prowess on the basketball court, he is also a successful businessman and committed philanthropist. The Magic Johnson Foundation (MJF) is a non-profit organization that provides support to community-based organizations that serve the health, educational and social needs of inner-city youth and organizations. In addition, the Foundation is committed to raising awareness about several health and social concerns that threaten under-served communities.
Marjorie Johnson Founder of the international organization, the Stay-At-Home-Mothers (S.A.H.M.) Motherhood Network. She speaks to groups throughout the U.S. and abroad about reaching fulfillment both as a mother and as a woman through exercising good decision making, maintaining a healthy self-esteem, establishing a solid game plan, possessing a winning attitude and asserting a positive outlook.
Dr. Timothy Johnson Dr. G. Timothy Johnson is one of the nation's leading medical communicators of health care information. As Medical Editor for ABC News, Johnson provides on-air medical analysis for "World News Tonight," "Nightline" and "20/20." He has provided commentary on medical problems and answers for viewers of ABC News' "Good Morning America" since the program's debut in 1975. Johnson's programs and feature reports have won several awards, including a National Emmy Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences as well as two Emmy Awards from the Boston/New England Chapter of the same organization. He earned a Gabriel Award in 1999 in the best news story category for the two-part piece, "Alzheimer's: A Faded Memory." Johnson was selected as the recipient of the 1998 Bradford Washburn Award presented by the Museum of Science, Boston — an honor also bestowed upon Jacques Cousteau, Walter Cronkite, Dr. Jane Goodall and Alan Alda, among others. In 1988, he received the Lewis Thomas Award for Communications from the American College of Physicians, and in 1987 and 1989, he won the Howard W. Blakeslee Award given by the American Heart Association. Johnson is the founding editor of the Harvard Medical School Health Letter and co-editor of the "Harvard Medical School Health Letter Book." He is also co-editor of the book "Your Good Health," co-author of "Let's Talk," and author of "Dr. Timothy Johnson's OnCall Guide to Men's Heath" and "Finding God in the Questions: A Personal Journey."
Deloris Jordan The mother of basketball's greatest player, Michael Jordan, Deloris Jordan, a motivational speaker is the author of Family First. Using warm anecdotes and never before told family stories, she paints a realistic and uplifting portrait of the potential power of parents. Ms. Jordan explores the universal goals parents set for their children, and explains the practical tools she used to help her children realize those goals.
Mel Kinder Relationship expert, psychologist, and author of the best-selling book, Smart Women/Foolish Choices.
Lawrence Kutner Psychologist, columnist and authority on parent/child communications.
Marjorie Lynn Johnson Founder of the international organization, the Stay-At-Home-Mothers (S.A.H.M.) Motherhood Network. She speaks to groups throughout the U.S. and abroad about reaching fulfillment both as a mother and as a woman through exercising good decision making, maintaining a healthy self-esteem, establishing a solid game plan, possessing a winning attitude and asserting a positive outlook.
John Niland Dallas Cowboys football great and outspoken advocate against domestic violence.
Diana Nyad Champion long distance swimmer and television sports analyst.
Dr. Mehmet Oz Dr. Oz is vice-chair and professor of surgery at Columbia University. He directs the Cardiovascular Institute and Complementary Medicine Program at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. His research interests include heart replacement surgery, minimally invasive cardiac surgery, complementary medicine and healthcare policy. He has authored over 400 original publications, book chapters and medical books and has received several patents.
Esmeralda Santiago ESMERALDA SANTIAGO was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She came to the United States at thirteen, the eldest in a family that would eventually include eleven children. Ms. Santiago attended New York City’s Performing Arts High School, where she majored in drama and dance. After eight years of part-time study at community colleges, she transferred to Harvard University with a full scholarship. She graduated magna cum laude in 1976. In 1977, she and her husband, Frank Cantor, founded CANTOMEDIA, a film and media production company, which has won numerous awards for excellence in documentary filmmaking. Her writing career evolved from her work as a producer/writer of documentary and educational films. Her essays and opinion pieces have run in newspapers like the New York Times and the Boston Globe, in magazines like House & Garden, Metropolitan Home, and Sports Illustrated, and as guest commentary on NPR’s All Things Considered and Morning Edition. Upon publication of her first book, the memoir When I was Puerto Rican, Ms. Santiago was hailed as “…a welcome new voice, full of passion and authority,” by the Washington Post Book World. Her first novel, América's Dream, was published in six languages, and was an Alternate Selection of the Literary Guild. “Thrilling and page turning, the fabulous story of América Gonzalez…is laid out masterfully,” according to the Chicago Tribune. Her second memoir, Almost a Woman, received numerous “Best of Year” mentions, in addition to an Alex Award from the American Library Association. Her adaptation of the memoir into a film for PBS Masterpiece Theatre, was greeted with critical and audience acclaim and was awarded a George Foster Peabody Award for excellence in broadcasting. Her third memoir, The Turkish Lover, has received enthusiastic reviews as “an earthy, heartfelt tale of liberation, desperation, and the crippling grip of love.” (Booklist) It was selected a BookSense recommendation for September 2004 and appeared on several “Best of 2004” lists. With Joie Davidow, Ms. Santiago is co-editor of the anthologies, Las Christmas: Favorite Latino Authors Share Their Holiday Memories and Las Mamis: Favorite Latino Authors Remember their Mothers both published by Knopf. She is also the author of the illustrated children’s book, A Doll for Navidades. In addition to her literary endeavors, Ms. Santiago is an active volunteer. She is a spokesperson on behalf of public libraries. She has designed and developed community-based programs for adolescents, and was one of the founders of a shelter for battered women and their children. She serves on the boards of organizations devoted to the arts and to literature, and speaks vehemently about the need to encourage and support the artistic development of young people. Her community activism was cited when she received a Girl Scouts of America National Woman of Distinction Award in March 2002 along with Alma Powell and Elizabeth Dole. Ms. Santiago has earned a Master of Fine Arts in Fiction Writing from Sarah Lawrence College and Honorary Doctor of Letters from Trinity University, from Pace University and from Metropolitan College. The mother of two adult children, she lives in Westchester County, New York, with her husband, filmmaker Frank Cantor. She’s currently at work on a novel.
Marilyn Van Derbur Motivational speaker and former Miss America who lectures on child abuse and domestic violence.
Ken Wooden Child abuse and domestic violent expert and author of Weeping in the Playtime of Others.