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Judge Judy Smart, savvy and opinionated, the irrepressible Judge Judy Sheindlin holds court as presiding judge over real-life cases on the syndicated reality courtroom show, "Judge Judy." Having made a name for herself as a tough but fair judge in New York's Family Court, Judge Judy retired from the bench in 1996 and segued to television to host the successful series. Judge Judy brings her trademark wit and wisdom to the only half-hour series currently on the air that takes viewers inside an actual courtroom where justice is dispensed at lightning speed.
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.
Judge Alex Former police officer, attorney and Florida Circuit Court Judge Alex E. Ferrer hosts "Judge Alex," the new court room strip from Twentieth Television that will make its launch in first-run national syndication on September 12, 2005. The first new court show in four years, the half-hour strip features Judge Alex, the only television judge with extensive police, legal and judicial experience, presiding over a wide array of cases, resolving complicated issues with his straight forward approach and cogent rulings. Most recently, Judge Alex served as the Associate Administrative Judge of the Criminal Division of Florida’s Eleventh Judicial Circuit, which services Miami-Dade County, the largest trial court in the state and fourth largest in the United States. Born in Havana, Cuba, Judge Alex and his family escaped from Fidel Castro’s Communist regime to America when he was one year old. Growing up in Miami with a passionate interest in law enforcement, at 19 he joined the Coral Gables Police Department, making him one of the youngest officers in the state. While on the police force, he served as a patrolman, detective and in an undercover capacity. He was also trained to be on the department’s SWAT force. Intent on building a career in the legal profession, Judge Alex performed his duties as a police officer while attending both college and law school.
Judge Marilyn Milian Judge Milian is probably the most popular judge on television. In her courtroom justice is fast, fair, and often fierce. She provides a compassionate voice for victims while verbally beating the bad guys. With humor, compassion, and a temper that can make grown men tremble, there is no doubt that Judge Milian owns the courtroom. I've been to two tapings and can tell you the show is run like a regular courtroom. You hear Curt Chaplin speaking as each litigant enters. Douglas swears them in and then asks the audience to rise and Judge Milian enters. The cases begin, and if it weren't for the cameras you would think you were in a regular courtroom. It's case after case until lunch break. Before going to lunch, the judge comes out and greets the audience, answering questions and posing for photos with fans. This is repeated after the last case of the day.
Dr. Keith Ablow Keith Ablow is a psychiatrist, writer and television personality who treats men and women across the country, in Europe and in Asia who come from every corner of society—college students, married couples, Fortune 500 executives, the homeless, mental health professionals and high-ranking government officials. In addition to Dr. Ablow’s ongoing work with patients, he has testified as an expert witness on forensic psychiatry in some of America’s most highly-publicized trials. The root of Ablow’s unique ability to "reach" patients and the foundation of his writing is that all of us suffer, that none of us is born evil, and that we must be helped to confront the truth about our lives. Ablow graduated Brown University and the Johns Hopkins Medical School. While a medical student, he worked as a reporter for Newsweek magazine and a freelancer for the Washington Post and Baltimore Sun, as well as a medical editor and producer for Lifetime Medical Television in New York and Los Angeles. He also wrote his first book, a guide to gaining admission to medical school and preserving one’s humanity during the four grueling years that follow. Following his studies, Ablow entered a psychiatry residency at Tufts/New England Medical Center hospitals (where he is now an assistant professor). He continued to write about psychiatry and social issues for publications such as U.S. News and World Report and USA Today. He also wrote three more books: How to Cope with Depression, To Wrestle with Demons, and Anatomy of a Psychiatric Illness. In 1990, Dr. Ablow’s close friend and fellow psychiatry resident was murdered. This tragedy prompted him to write Without Mercy, a true crime book examining the killer’s life and the use of the insanity defense at his trial. After residency, Ablow served as medical director of the Tri-City Mental Health Centers, one of the country’s oldest networks of community psychiatry clinics. He also was medical director of Heritage Health Systems, a state-wide spectrum of medical, psychiatric and addiction facilities. Today, Ablow is busier than ever. His USA Today bestselling psychiatric thrillers featuring Dr. Frank Clevenger include Denial, Projection, Compulsion, Psychopath, Murder Suicide and The Architect. His true crime book, Inside the Mind of Scott Peterson, hit the New York Times Bestseller list this year. He is a contributing editor to Good Housekeeping magazine, and his columns have appeared there, as well as in The New York Times and Cosmopolitan. He is also a frequent guest on programs including Oprah, Tyra, Good Morning America, Good Day NY, Catherine Crier Live and many others. Dr. Ablow is now at work on a self-help book (Little, Brown, April, 2007) that will make his healing philosophy and techniques available to readers everywhere. His syndicated talk show, Dr. Keith Ablow, produced by Telepictures and LMNO TV, will begin airing across the nation in September.
Oscar Arias Arias was elected president of Costa Rica in 1986 and through negotiations drafted the Arias Peace Plan, which called for internal dialogue, cease-fire, freedom of speech, and free elections in El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua. This initiative culminated in the signing of the Esquipulas II Accords, or the Procedure to Establish a Firm and Lasting Peace in Central America, by all the Central American Presidents on August 7, 1987. Arias was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987. He used the monetary award to establish the Arias Foundation for Peace and Human Progress. Under the auspices of the Foundation, three programs were established: The Center for Human Progress to promote equal opportunities for women and gender equality; the Center for Organized Participation to strengthen the participation and action of civil society in Central America; and the Center for Peace and Reconciliation to work for demilitarization and conflict resolution in the developing world.
Lance Armstrong Lance Armstrong became a household name by showing his determination, dedication and strength. The number one ranked cyclist in the world, Armstrong was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Not only did his cycling career seem over, but his doctors game him a 50/50 chance to survive. Armstrong survived and he went on to become the first professional cyclist to win the Tour de France seven times. In the process, he became a leading advocate in the search for a cancer cure and for people living with the disease. The Lance Armstrong Foundation disseminates grants focused on improving the quality of life for cancer survivors and funds research that is not readily fundable from traditional sources. Since its inception, the foundation has awarded more than $9.6 million in research grants. It focuses its funding on cancer survivorship centers and research grants. From the podium, Armstrong delivers lessons of courage from his battle with cancer and his career as a cyclist. He talks about teamwork and what it takes to turn dreams into realities.
John Artis Arrested with Rubin "Hurricane" Carter in 1966, and convicted of a triple murder that he did not commit. At the time of his arrest, Artis was 19 years old, preparing to attend college on a track scholarship and dreaming of making the U.S. Olympic track team. Artis was offered his freedom if he would falsely testify against Carter, but he refused to lie to prosecutors. After spending fifteen years in prison, he was exonerated and now lives in Virginia and works with troubled youth. He is a man who does not know the meaning of the word resentment. Without question, he is one of the most uplifting and motivational speakers you will ever come across.
Carlos Carsolio Both a professional motivational and testimonial speaker, Carlos Carsolio has dedicated himself since 1985 to share, mainly with corporate audiences, his experiences on the highest mountains of the planet. He is a world record mountain climber, who has become a leader in personnel training based on his powerful team building skills. The fourth and youngest person to climb the world's 14 tallest peaks is now a corporate trainer who teaches a philosophy of full team work, assertive communication, self confidence and trust, basic concepts that apply to all walks of life.
Oscar De La Hoya The only fighter to win eleven world titles in six different weight classes, and as CEO of Golden Boy Promotions the first Hispanic to own a national boxing promotional firm, Oscar de la Hoya is one of the most charismatic and beloved figures in the history of the sport. From the podium he recounts the thrilling story of his journey from a scrawny, bullied child in East Los Angeles to Olympic gold medal-winner, six-time world champion, revolutionary fight promoter and businessman. He talks about his Foundation and his biggest battle, to knockout Cancer. Oscar uses his experiences to motivate others to aim high and achieve their dreams too—no matter what obstacles seem to stand in their way. Boxing’s Golden Boy streaked to fame with his gold medal victory in the 1992 Olympics, a medal he had promised his mother he would win as she lay dying of cancer. His electrifying success inside the ring, as well as his personal character and charisma, have made him a worshiped figure in the Hispanic community and one of the most respected fighters in the world. While continuing his quest as a fighter, Oscar is revolutionizing the business side of the sport as CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. Founded in 1994 and already one of the nation’s leading fight promotion firms, but Oscar's business interests extend well beyond Boxing, he has applied his golden touch to land development, boxing promotion and newspaper publishing. From the Podium, he shares the lessons he's learned as a boxer, businessman and father, and the message that any dream can be achieved through hard work, vision and a desire to be a world champion, whether in business, life or philanthropy. SPEECH TOPICS: § From East L.A. to World Champ § Turning Dreams Into Reality § Battling Cancer: Oscar’s Biggest Fight
Gabriel Bol Deng Gabriel Bol Deng has overcome unbelievable obstacles. He was 10 years old when North Sudan Arab militiamen led a violent attack on his village in South Sudan. He fled, not knowing the whereabouts of his parents or siblings. After his escape, Gabriel embarked on a harrowing, four month journey across the Nile River and the untold miles of Desert, surviving disease and paralyzing hunger to reach Ethiopia. While at the Dimma Refugee Camp in Ethiopia, Gabriel first learned English by writing on cardboard with pieces of charcoal. Four years later, he fled from violence again, leaving Ethiopia and traveling cross-country to Kenya, where, with the help of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Gabriel received an education at the Kakuma Refugee Camp. In 2000, he was offered the chance to join a refugee resettlement program in the United States. Gabriel is one of the Sudanese orphans known as The Lost Boys of Sudan.
Kate Dillon Plus-size model Kate Dillon talks about body acceptance and the necessity of having self-esteem- no matter what your size. Named one of People magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People," she is also the founder of Echo, a nonprofit organization that develops programs in the arts for children. Kate Dillon started modeling and walking the Paris runways at age 16, landing such major campaigns as L'Oreal, Christian Dior and Missoni. Pegged to be the "New Cindy Crawford," she was, however, anorexic and run-down from years of starving herself. Finally, she began eating normally and gaining weight- against the advice of clients and her manager, who wanted her 5'11" figure to stay a bony size six. At first, she tried to lose the pounds again, but then had a revelation that she was free to look however she wanted and did not have to conform to the modeling business' standard of beauty. Now a natural, healthy size 14, Dillon is taking the full-figure market by storm and not limiting beauty to what the scale says. One of People magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People," she was named the 1998 "Model of the Year" by Mode magazine and has been featured on a Times Square billboard. Called the "Curvy Comeback Kid" by Glamour magazine, she has appeared on several television spots, including The Maureen Boyle Show and Today, and has graced ads for Liz Claiborne, Gucci and Lane Bryant. Dillon is also the founder of Echo, a nonprofit organization benefiting arts programs for children. "We don't have enough role models who used to be skinny but gained weight and said, 'That's okay.' We're all different; we all have different bodies - so let's stop trying to make them all alike." -Kate Dillon
Phoebe Eng Activist and attorney Phoebe Eng is author of Warrior Lessons, a memoir-based account of race, leadership and empowerment in a rapidly changing world," said Karen Shih, advisor to students of Asian descent. "She has worked with a broad range of institutions, helping them understand the complexities and challenges of providing access and opportunity in a multicultural society." Former publisher of A Magazine, the national magazine for Asian-Americans, Eng attended the recent U.N. World Conference Against Racism in South Africa. Her views have been heard on NPR, PBS and in The New York Times and other national news forums
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.
Juliet Funt Juliet Funt, daughter of Candid Camera's Allen Funt helps businesses nurture the human capital that is the fuel behind every organizational success. She has been featured in the L.A. Times, Chicago Tribune, Shape, and Professional Speaker Magazine. She is co-author of "The Communication Path" and "The Wellness Path," in the Path Training Series. In addition to her first career as an improvisational comedienne, Ms. Funt has had a varied business resume which includes managing in a large live events company, Human Relations training for the Los Angeles Police Department and even liaison work in a Palestinian/Israeli peace project.
Judge Glenda Hatchett Judge Hatchett is a nationally-syndicated television program produced and distributed by Sony Pictures Television. It stars the Honorable Glenda Hatchett and is modeled after "judge shows" such as The People's Court and Judge Judy. In addition to dealing with traditional small-claims lawsuits (with a plaintiff, a defendant, and monetary awards sought), she also handles DNA Paternity Tests and Out of Control Teens. Judge Hatchett is criticised by some for being overly harsh to younger defendants, especially minors in her "Out of Control Teens" situations. Her fans, however, interpret her seemingly harsh demeanor as "tough love" and proof that she cares about them and wants to set them on the right path. Judge hatchett's program is featured on the news station Fox 5 at 3 P.M. through 4 P.M., after the hour-long Judge Alex and preceded by another hour-long Fox 5 News At 5 program. It features real cases in a variety of different kinds of civil cases, from unprotected sex and pregnancy at a young age to fights at an older age, as well as rich cases of harassment and classic civil lawsuits.
John Hennessy The founder of MIPS Computer Systems Inc., is currently serving as the 10th President of Stanford University. He earned his Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Villanova University, and his Master's degree and Ph.D. in computer science from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. Hennessy became a Stanford faculty member in 1977. In 1984, he used his sabbatical year to found MIPS Computer Systems Inc. to commercialize his research in RISC processors. In 1987, he became the Willard and Inez Kerr Bell Endowed Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Hennessy served as director of Stanford's Computer System Laboratory (1989-1993), a research center run by Stanford's Electrical Engineering and Computer Science departments. He was chair of the Department of Computer Science (1994-1996) and Dean of the School of Engineering (1996-1999). Hennessy and David A. Patterson have written two well-known books about computer architecture, Computer Organization and Design: the Hardware/Software Interface (2 editions; latest is ISBN 1558604286) and Computer Architecture: A Quantitative Approach (3 editions, latest is ISBN 1558603298). They have been widely used as textbooks for graduate and undergraduate courses since 1990.
Arianna Huffington Arianna Huffington is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post, a nationally syndicated columnist, and author of eleven books."Arianna Huffington is also co-host of "Left, Right & Center," public radio's popular political roundtable program. In May 2005, Arianna Huffington launched The Huffington Post, a news and blog site that has quickly become one of the most widely-read, linked to, and frequently-cited media brands on the Internet. In 2006, Arianna Huffington was named to the Time 100, Time Magazine's list of the world’s 100 most influential people. Originally from Greece, she moved to England when she was 16 and graduated from Cambridge University with an M.A. in economics. At 21, she became president of the famed debating society, the Cambridge Union.
Immaculee Ilibagiza Immaculee Ilibagiza is a survivor of the Rwandan genocide and author of Left to Tell and Led by Faith. Immaculee is a living example of faith put into action. Immaculees life was transformed dramatically during the 1994 Rwandan genocide when she and seven other women spent 91 days hiding, huddled silently together in the cramped bathroom of a local pastors house. She emerged to find that nearly her entire family had been brutally murdered. Immaculee found solace and peace in prayer and began to pray from the time she opened her eyes in the morning to the time she closed her eyes at night. Through prayer, she eventually found it possible, and in fact imperative, to forgive her tormentors and her familys murderers. This is a powerful presentation of faith and forgiveness.
Martin King, III Son of the late civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. he is the president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). Martin Luther King, III is founder of the civil rights organization, American United for Affirmative Action.
Bill Kurtis Acclaimed documentary host and producer, network and major market news anchor, and multimedia production company president, Bill Kurtis is celebrating his fortieth anniversary in the field of broadcasting. Over the years, Kurtis has created a body of work that is virtually unparalleled. Born in Florida and raised in Independence, Kansas, Kurtis graduated from The University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism. He attended Washburn University School of Law where he was awarded a Juris Doctor degree. Kurtis began his television career at WIBW-TV (CBS) in Topeka, Kansas. In 1966, after being recognized for his 24-hour coverage of a devastating tornado, Kurtis was hired by WBBM-TV in Chicago where he was a field reporter and later anchor of The Channel Two News. Kurtis moved on to the network level at CBS where he anchored the CBS Morning News and contributed to CBS Reports. During his career as a network newsman, Kurtis covered such notable stories as the Richard Speck murders and the Charles Manson trial. He is also credited with breaking the Agent Orange story and the story of Amerasian children in Vietnam. Returning to Chicago and WBBM-TV as news anchor in 1985, Kurtis began his career as a documentarian, traveling to the far ends of the earth for the Peabody Award-winning series The New Explorers, which aired on A&E®. In 1990, he founded Kurtis Productions and began producing programs for the A&E Network, including the long-running, award-winning Investigative Reports and Cold Case Files® as well as Investigating History for The History Channel. Kurtis has also served as the host of A&E's AmericanJustice – the longest running non-fiction justice series on cable. Cold Case Files® was nominated for 2004 and 2005 Primetime Emmys for Outstanding Nonfiction Series. Kurtis also provides satirical narration for the feature film comedy Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, starring Will Ferrell and has provided spoken word elements to the recent Dandy Warhols' album released by Capitol Records. Kurtis is also an author. The Death Penalty on Trial: Crisis in American Justice (PublicAffairs) is his most recent book, which explores issues surrounding capital punishment in America. By profiling two murder cases, Mr. Kurtis reveals his change of mind regarding capital punishment.
Dr. Henry Lee Dr. Henry C. Lee is one of the world’s foremost forensic scientists. Dr. Lee’s work has made him a landmark in modern-day criminal investigations. He has been a prominent player in many of the most challenging cases of the last 45 years. Dr. Lee has worked with law enforcement agencies in helping to solve more than 6000 cases. In recent years, his travels have taken him to England, Bosnia, China, Brunei, Bermuda, Middle East, South America and other locations around the world. Dr. Lee’s testimony figured prominently in the O. J. Simpson trial, and in convictions of the “Woodchipper” murderer as well as hundreds of other murder cases. Dr. Lee has assisted local and state police in their investigations of other famous crimes, such as the murder of Jon Benet Ramsey in Boulder, Colorado, the 1993 suicide of White House Counsel Vincent Foster, the murder of Chandra Levy, the kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart and the reinvestigation of the Kennedy assassination. Dr. Lee is currently the Chief Emeritus for the Scientific Services and was the Commissioner of Public Safety for the State of Connecticut from 1998 to 2000 and served as Chief Criminalist for the State of Connecticut from 1979 to 2000. Dr. Lee was the driving force in establishing a modern State Police Forensic Science Laboratory in Connecticut. In 1975, Dr. Lee joined the University of New Haven, where he created the school’s Forensic Sciences program. He has also taught as a professor at more than a dozen universities, law schools, and medical schools. Though challenged with the demands on his time, Dr. Lee still lectures throughout the country and world to police, Universities and civic organizations. Dr. Lee has authored hundreds of articles in professional journals and has co-authored more than 30 books, covering the areas, such as; DNA, Fingerprints, Trace Evidence, Crime Scene Investigation and Crime scene reconstruction. His recent books; Famous Crimes Revisited, Cracking Cases and Blood Evidence have been well received by the public. Dr. Lee has been the recipient of numerous medals and awards, including the 1996 Medal of Justice from the Justice Foundation, and the 1998 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Science and Engineer Association. He has also been the recipient of the Distinguished Criminalist Award from the American Academy of Forensic Sciences; the J. Donero Award from the International Association of Identification, and in 1992 was elected a distinguished Fellow of the AAFS. Dr. Lee was born in China and grew up in Taiwan. Dr. Lee first worked for the Taipei Police Department, attaining the rank of Captain. With his wife, Margaret, Dr. Lee came to the United States in 1965, and he earned his B.S. in Forensic Science from John Jay College in 1972. Dr. Lee continued his studies in biochemistry at NYU where he earned his Masters Degree in 1974 and Ph.D. in 1975. He has also received special training from the FBI Academy, ATF, RCMP, and other organizations. He is a recipient of seven honorary Doctorate Degrees from Universities in recognition of his contributions to Law and Science.
Judge Greg Mathis Popular television judge who is featured on the nationally syndicated TV show "Judge Mathis". The youngest judge in Michigan history, Greg Mathis was a Michigan Superior Court Judge before the start of his television series. Mathis worked hard to win the judgeship in the city of Detroit. He had many obstacles to overcome. He had failed the Michigan bar exam once, and had been denied a license to practice law for several years after graduating from law school because of his criminal past. He had not accrued an extensive portfolio of legal work, and he was seen by the establishment as someone who lacked the necessary experience and insight to handle the hectic and heavy docket. Yet in 1995, he was elected a superior court judge for Michigan's 36th District, making him the youngest man in the state to hold the post. During the five years he was on the bench, he was rated in the top five of all judges in the 36th District; there are about thirty judges each year. He was trying to have a movie made about his youth when a partner was contacted by Blackpearl Productions about starting a television show. He has been hosting a television series, Judge Mathis, since 1999, in which he mediates disputes much like a real courtroom. In 2001, Mathis appeared in "1st Annual BET Awards" as himself. He also was a guest star as himself in the Steve Harvey show episode "Here Comes the Judge". Mathis has been parodied on Saturday Night Live by Tracy Morgan in the "Judge Horace" persona. At a rally commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, Mathis said, "They (the Bush administration) all need to be locked up because they are all criminals and they are all thieves. It is indeed criminal to steal an election and within two years run up a federal deficit of half-a-trillion dollars, send our young people over to Iraq to die for an unjust war. What they are doing is criminal."
Dr. Antonia Novello Antonia Coello Novello, M.D., M.P.H., Dr.P.H., was nominated by Governor George Pataki and confirmed as the thirteenth Commissioner of Health for the State of New York on June 15, 1999. Dr. Novello was born in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, and earned her B.S. and M.D. degrees at the University of Puerto Rico. Dr. Novello served a pediatric internship and residency at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and completed subspecialty training in pediatric nephrology at the University of Michigan and Georgetown University. She also earned Masters of Public Health and Doctor of Public Health degrees from Johns Hopkins University. She is a board-certified pediatrician. Dr. Novello has a long and illustrious career in public health. From 1979 to 1990, she worked for the U.S. Public Health Service at the National Institutes of Health, where she served in various capacities, rising to Deputy Director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. In 1990, Dr. Novello was appointed by President George Bush as the U.S. Surgeon General, a position she held until 1993. From 1993 to 1996, Dr. Novello served as the Special Representative for Health and Nutrition with UNICEF. Immediately prior to joining the New York State Department of Health, she served as Visiting Professor and Special Director of Community Health Policies at the Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health. Dr. Novello is Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the Georgetown University School of Medicine and the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. She is also Adjunct Professor of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases at the University of Michigan and Adjunct Professor of International Health at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. Dr. Novello is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a member of the American Society of Nephrology, the American Society of Pediatric Nephrology, the American Pediatrics Society, and the Society for Pediatric Research. She is a member of the Institute of Medicine and a member of Alpha Omega Alpha. She is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including Surgeon General's Exemplary Service Medallion and Medal, Distinguished Service Medal of the U.S. Public Health Service, the American Medical Association's Nathan B. Davis Award, the National Women's Hall of Fame, the American Academy of Pediatrics Excellence in Public Service Award, the Johns Hopkins Society of Scholars Award, the Elizabeth Blackwell Award, the Public Health Service Commissioned Officer's Association Health Leader of the Year Award, the Charles C. Shepard Science Award for Scientific Excellence, and the Ronald McDonald Children's Charities Award of Excellence. She holds over 45 honorary degrees.
Dr. Jo Ann Pina Inspiring Leadership and Personal Success Dr. Jo Ann Pina is a Professional keynote speaker who has inspired thousands of people to take charge of their lives, realize their dreams and live up to their full potential though leadership development programs and motivational speaking engagements. Participants who have attended Dr. Pinas seminars and presentations rave about the wealth of knowledge and inspiration as well as the authentic way she connects with her audience Motivational speaker: No one exemplifies the idea of success over adversity better than Dr. Jo. She is a success specialist and shows you how you can achieve it! One of the few women of Hispanic heritage with advanced degrees in psychology and counseling, Dr. Jo also excels in cross-cultural communication, gender communication, and cultural diversity training --to enhance understanding between cultures and the sexes.
Dr. Drew Pinsky A trusted source of information and advice for millions of young adults, Dr. Drew Pinsky has been co-host on the nationally syndicated call-in radio show Loveline for 18 years. Loveline evolved when Dr. Drew, then a medical student, volunteered to answer a few questions on the radio. The show is now heard on more than 50 radio stations across the country. In 1996, he and his co-host Adam Carolla took their show to MTV, which had a successful five-year run. In 1998 Dr. Drew and Adam Corolla released a book from Dell Publishing entitled The Dr. Drew and Adam Book: A Survival Guide to Life and Love. After receiving his undergraduate degree from Amherst College and his M.D. from the University of Southern California School of Medicine, Dr. Drew continued at USC for his residency. He then became chief resident at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena. He is a board-certified internist and a board-certified addictionologist. Dr. Drew is the Medical Director for the Department of Chemical Dependency Services and the Chief of Service in the Department of Medicine at Las Encinas Hospital in Pasadena. He continues to run a private clinical medicine practice and was recently named Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Los Angeles Children's Hospital. A regular on Politically Incorrect and The View, Dr. Drew has been a guest on numerous national television outlets, including Larry King Live. He is a regular contributor to USA Weekend, writing extensively on a variety of topics related to addiction, adolescent health, intimacy, and relationships. Dr. Drew has been profiled in Time, Newsweek, U.S. News & World Report, and other national media. A popular guest at college campuses across the country, Dr. Drew speaks to sold-out crowds at over 30 colleges per year. Dedicated to helping young people, Drew has been a spokesperson for the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and has participated in AIDS charity events such as Macy's Passport with Michael Jordan, and drDrew.com, a lifestyle online community for 14- to 24-year-olds was launched in 1999. The Internet is the logical medium for Dr. Drew to communicate with young adults. The site is rich with content, chat rooms, forums, exclusive celebrity interviews, home pages, user polls, and great information on relationships, sex, and health issues.
Rachael Ray Rachael Ray is an Emmy-winning television personality and author who currently hosts the syndicated series Rachael Ray. In addition, she currently hosts (either in first-run or reruns) at least four different programs on cable television's Food Network (30 Minute Meals, $40 a Day, Inside Dish, and Rachael Ray's Tasty Travels), and has authored a series of cookbooks based on the 30 Minute Meals concept.
Roger Rosenblatt Roger Rosenblatt is a journalist, author, playwright and teacher. His essays for The NewsHour have won a Peabody and an Emmy award. His essays for Time magazine have won two George Polk Awards, awards from the American Bar Association, the Overseas Press Club, and others.Roger's journalism career began in 1975 as literary editor of The New Republic. He has also been a columnist and editor-at-large for Life magazine, the editor of U.S. News & World Report, a columnist and editorial board member of The Washington Post and editor-at-large of Time, Inc. His work has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Vanity Fair, The New Republic, Esquire and elsewhere.A Fulbright scholar with five honorary doctorates, Roger has a Ph.D. from Harvard, where he taught writing and modern literature from 1968-73 and was, at age 29, the youngest House Master in Harvard's history. He is the author of ten books, including a collection of his writings, "The Man in the Water," "Coming Apart: A Memoir of the Harvard Wars of 1969," and the national bestseller, "Rules for Aging." His Children of War (1983) won the Robert F. Kennedy Book Prize and has been published in seven languages. Roger is married, has three children and lives in New York City.
Kathrine Switzer Kathrine Switzer is a dynamic and effective speaker. She is a woman who has pioneered an obscure activity into global movement, has made positive change in women's lives around the world, and has parlayed her success as an iconoclastic athlete also into successful careers in corporate sports marketing, public relations, as an author, fitness expert and TV sports commentator. Switzer is also in demand as a personality, with compelling and inspirational stories to tell. She has been featured in publications around the world and on hundreds of radio and TV shows, including Oprah, Today, Good Morning America, Tonight, Nightline, HBO, NPR, BBC and CBC. She is popular with the media and garners excellent publicity for her clients and their events. Whether business, sports or health, Switzer is sought after to speak to corporate, university, association, convention and sports groups because she is a fit, authentic success herself, and conveys high energy in the following topic areas:
Susan L Taylor Susan L. Taylor has been the driving force behind one of the most celebrated African American owned business success stories of the past three decades. She is the senior editorial executive at the venerable communications company and writes the popular In the Spirit column each month. She is currently working on her newest book, All about Love: Favorite Selections from in the Spirit on Living Fearlessly. The book draws from the 25 years of her In the Spirit column. A fourth-generation entrepreneur, Taylor was the founder of her own company, Nequai Cosmetics, before becoming Essence fashion and beauty editor and, in 1981, its Editor-in-Chief. She is the author of three books: In the Spirit: The Inspirational Writings of Susan L. Taylor, Lessons in Living and Confirmation: The Spiritual Wisdom That Has Shaped Our Lives, the latter coauthored with her husband, Khephra Burns. She is also a greatly sought-after speaker, delivering inspiring messages of hope and possibility that encourage us to reclaim and reorient our lives and society and create peaceful, productive, sustainable communities. In 1999 Taylor became the first African American woman to receive The Henry Johnson Fisher Award from the Magazine Publishers of America, the magazine industry's highest honor. In 2002 Taylor was inducted into the American Society of Magazine Editors Hall of Fame, which celebrates the career-long records of excellence, creativity and impact of a select group of highly influential magazine journalists. Taylor's visionary leadership was acknowledged when NAACP President Bruce presented her with his first President's Award in 2006. She is an avid supporter of a host of organizations dedicated to moving the Black community forward. Her passion and focus are on creating equity in education and turning around the nation's failing schools, which, she says are "the pipeline to prison." Taylor has received more than a dozen honorary degrees from numerous colleges and universities, including Lincoln University, Spelman College, Dillard University, Bennett College for Women, the University of Delaware and her alma mater, Fordham University. Most recently Taylor has been focusing her attention on the Essence Cares initiative. She launched this call to action to the African American community at the 2006 Essence Music Festival. It is a massive mentoring campaign that asks every able adult and our leadershipelected and appointed officials, educators, business, religious and secular leaders and college students to rally their communities to guide and secure our vulnerable children who are crying out for help. The goal is to create the largest mentoring campaign in the history of the nation and increase high school graduation rates among African American students by 10 percent annually. Taylor is also a cofounder of The Future PAC, the first national political action committee devoted to providing progressive African American women opportunities to hold more federal and state political offices by creating a network of support and funding. In addition, Taylor and Danny Glover co-chair a capital campaign to raise money to build housing in the rural areas of South Africa. She serves on the board of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies in Washington, DC, and is an official on the Louisiana Recovery Authority, which she joined to assist the devastated people of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region.
Tom Tso Tom Tso played a pioneering role in establishing modern Anglo-American law and legal processes in the Navajo Nation while upholding tribal values, independence, and integrity. As the first Chief Justice of the Navajo Nation Supreme Court at its establishment 1985, Tom served as its widely respected leader until his disability retirement in 1991. After graduating from high school in 1965, Tom served as a Marine, earning the Purple Heart in 1966 for wounds he sustained as a sergeant in Vietnam. His training in legal services began in 1970, at the Navajo Legal Aid and Defender Services, where he was an interpreter, investigator, and court advocate. In 1978, he was appointed director of the Tribal Law and Development Litigation Unit of Department of Native Affairs-People's Legal Services, Inc. In March 1982, Tom was appointed District Court Judge, where he presided over civil, criminal, and juvenile cases for four years before being appointed Chief Justice of the Navajo Nation. At his confirmation in 1985, Tom said, "No person can be guaranteed fairness and impartiality from the courts unless the judges and courts are free to carry out their duties without the possibility of any type of influence from any other person or government body." Because the Navajo Nation operates without a constitution, there has been serious debate about the role of the tribal courts in deciding legal issues about the structure of the Navajo Nation government. Tom's calm and steady efforts to maintain the independence and primacy of the Navajo judiciary over Navajo Nation affairs and to keep the court's focus on its judicial mission amid intense controversy won praise from every quarter. Tom rejects the melting pot image where "everybody blends together to form an indistinguishable mixture. This is fine for people who come to this country and want to jump into the pot. The real measure of tolerance and respect may well be how successfully the outside world can coexist with tribes." Tom has been particularly successful in helping non-Native Americans better understand the Navajo emphasis on traditional relationships with nature and the effect this has on cases involving natural resources and the environment.
Xu Wenli One of China's most recognized pro-democracy advocates, Mr. Xu spent 16 years in prison for his activities as a dissident. He was a leader in the Democracy Wall movement from 1979 to 1981, edited the samizdat-style journal April Fifth Forum, and played a major role in establishing the Beijing-Tianjin branch of the China Democracy Party. Mr. Xu's health suffered while in prison. In reaction to his declining condition, international human rights groups, the U.S. ambassador to China, and Western officials called for his release. The Chinese government finally relented and released him on medical grounds in December 2002. He and his wife left China immediately for the United States to be reunited with their daughter, Xu Jin, who lives in Rhode Island.
Linda Wertheimer Before assuming this post in 2002, she spent 13 years as a host of NPR's daily news program, "All Things Considered." In this position, she helped build the afternoon news program's audience to record levels.Having joined NPR in 1971, she has been with the organization almost since its inception. She served as NPR's congressional correspondent and, in 1976, was named political correspondent- a position she held until 1989 when she became an "All Things Considered" host.In 1976, she became the first woman to anchor network coverage of a presidential nomination convention and of election night. She also is the first person to broadcast live from inside the U.S. Senate chamber.
Dr. Ruth Westheimer Dr. Ruth Westheimer is a psychosexual therapist who helped pioneer the field of media psychology with her radio program, "Sexually Speaking." Dr. Ruth has made wide use of the mass media to help spread what she has labeled "sexual literacy." In print, she circles the globe with her column, "Ask Dr. Ruth." She is the author of 15 books, the most recent being, Dr. Ruth Talks About Grandparents. Dr. Ruth Westheimer is a psychosexual therapist who helped pioneer the field of media psychology with her radio program, "Sexually Speaking." It began in September 1980 as a 15-minute, taped show that aired Sundays after midnight on WYNY-FM (NBC) in New York. One year later it became a live, one-hour show airing at 10 p.m. on which Dr. Ruth, as she became known, answered call-in questions from listeners. Soon it became part of a communications network to distribute her expertise, which includes television, books, newspapers, games, home videos, computer software and a web-site. Born in Germany in 1928, Dr. Ruth was sent at age ten to a school in Switzerland that became an orphanage for most of the German Jewish students sent there to escape the Holocaust. At 16, she went to Israel where she fought for the country's independence as a member of the Haganah, the Jewish freedom fighters. Dr. Ruth then moved to Paris where she studied psychology at the Sorbonne and taught kindergarten. She immigrated to the U.S. in 1956 where she obtained her master's degree in sociology from the graduate faculty of the New School of Social Research and a doctorate of education in the Interdisciplinary Study of the Family from Columbia University. She worked for Planned Parenthood for a time and that experience prompted her to further her education of human sexuality by studying under Dr. Helen Singer Kaplan at New York Hospital-Cornell University Medical Center. She later participated in the program for five years as an adjunct associate professor. She has also taught at Lehman College, Brooklyn College, Adelphi University, Columbia University and West Point. Dr. Ruth is currently an adjunct associate professor at New York University. A fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine, she has her own private practice and leads regular seminars for residents and interns in pediatrics on adolescent sexuality at Brookdale Hospital. She lectures frequently at universities across the country and has been twice named "College Lecturer of the Year." Dr. Ruth has made wide use of the mass media to help spread what she has labeled "sexual literacy." In addition to radio, her television career has spanned both broadcast and cable. In print, she circles the globe with her column, "Ask Dr. Ruth", syndicated by King Features. She is the author of fifteen books, the most recent of which, Dr. Ruth Talks About Grandparents: Advice for Kids On Making the Most of a Special Relationship (co-authored with Pierre Lehu) was published in 1997. Dr. Ruth is currently at work on several projects. She is producing two documentaries: the first, No Missing Link, is about how grandparents transmitted values, particularly religious values, during the 70 years of communism in Russia and the second is about her 1997 visit to the Trobriand Islands in Papua New Guinea. Her books also include: Dr. Ruth's Pregnancy Guide for Couples, published in 1998, a human sexuality textbook published by Williams and Wilkins and Grandparenthood. The National Mother's Day Committee has honored Dr. Ruth as "Mother of The Year" and she received a Liberty Medal from the City of New York. She has been nominated for an Ace Award by the cable industry on five occasions and her program, The "All-New Dr. Ruth Show," won an Ace Award in 1988 for excellence in cable television. What's Up, Dr. Ruth was awarded the Gold Medal from the International Film and TV Festival for excellence in educational television. People magazine included her in their list of the "Most Intriguing People of the Century."
Lisa Williams Lisa Williams is a gifted Medium and Clairvoyant she has the ability to communicate with loved ones and give clear accurate messages from those whom have passed on to the 'other side'. Lisa works with your loved ones and her spirit guides to inform you of situations that you may find yourself in, or places that you will visit. She will also help you to resolve issues and problems that have troubled you for years that could be a result of one of your past lives. Lisa will pass on messages from Spirit to members of the audience, talk about her life, clairvoyance, and answer questions about her spiritual experiences. Lisa's hit show on Lifetime "Lisa Williams; Life among the Dead" is about to go into second season starting October 12th. Lisa has appeared on Oprah, Today Show, Jimmy Kimmel, KTLA, Insider and Entertainment Tonight.