Category: Featured Speakers

Hill Harper is an award-winning actor, best-selling author, and philanthropist. Harper starred on the CBS TV drama CSI: NY form 2004 to 2013. He most recently starred on USA Network’s “Covert Affairs” and returned to CBS as Agent Boyle in the new drama “Limitless”. He can also be seen co-starring alongside Will Smith in Sony Pictures release of CONCUSSION. Harper is the author of four New York Times best-sellers and has earned seven NAACP Image Awards for his writing and acting. Harper is the founder of the Manifest Your Destiny Foundation, dedicated to empowering underserved youth through mentorship, scholarship, and grant programs.

Harper graduated magna cum laude as valedictorian of his department with a bachelor’s degree from Brown University and cum laude with a Juris Doctorate degree from Harvard Law School. He also holds a master’s degree with honors from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and has Honorary Doctoral Degree from Winston-Salem State University, Cheyney University, Westfield State College, Tougaloo College, Dillard University, LeMoyne-Owen College and Howard University. Harper travels frequently as a motivational speaker, addressing a wide range of audiences, including youth, adults. Couples, and business leaders.

Will Packer, one of Hollywood’s most successful filmmakers, has produced or executive produced a wide range of movies that have grossed more than $1 billion worldwide at the box office. Some of his most notable works include Ride Along, Think Like A Man, Night School, Stomp the Yard, Obsessed, and the widely lauded Girls Trip. Through his production company, Will Packer Media, Packer makes it his mission to create space for artists and stories that need to be told. He’s a film maven whose films have been a staple in the fabric of Hollywood history.

Regarded by many as one of the most engaging and energetic professional athletes of all time, Roland Williams takes pride in bringing passion, purpose, and excellence to every endeavor. Born in Rochester, NY, Roland overcame incredible odds to graduate from high school and attend Syracuse University on a full athletic scholarship. Roland graduated with a BA in Speech Communications with a minor in Management all while maintaining his football career. Roland also attended the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications to pursue his Master’s Degree in Public Relations. After a stellar college football career, Roland was drafted into the NFL and won the Rams’ Rookie of the Year award. The following year, Williams caught seven touchdown passes and was an integral part of the Rams’ legendary “Greatest Show On Turf” offensive unit that broke NFL scoring records en route to winning Super Bowl XXXIV. After suffering a career-ending injury in 2005, Williams retired and dove into his passions as a sports analyst, entrepreneur, philanthropist and teamwork expert helping clients across the world improve productivity and profitability. In 2015, Roland founded the Champion Academy Extreme Mentoring & Empowerment Initiative, a groundbreaking program helping hundreds of urban teens in his hometown overcome obstacles and maximize their potential at school, at home, and in their communities. Williams also serves on Syracuse University’s Whitman School of Management and Falk College of Sports and Human Dynamics Board of Advisors.

Roland is a proud dad of three sons and currently resides in Los Angeles, California.

The Reverend Reginald Wayne Sharpe, Jr. serves as Associate Pastor of the Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois, led by Pastor Charles Jenkins. Sharpe is a proud native of Lithonia, Georgia, a product of The Greater Travelers Rest Baptist Church ~ The House of Hope Atlanta and continues to be impacted by the church’s two most recent pastors: the Late Reverend Hubert Floyd Shepherd and Dr. E. Dewey Smith Jr. Sharpe earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia (2013), a Master of Theological Studies degree from Vanderbilt University Divinity School in Nashville, Tennessee (2016), and a Master of Theology degree from Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia (2018). Sharpe is one of the proud charter members of the Academy of Young Preachers and was one of the youngest inducted into The Martin Luther King Jr. Board of Preachers at Morehouse College in 2018. Sharpe taught as an Adjunct Professor in the Religion and Philosophy Department at Morehouse College. Among his many distinctions, he is a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.

Although Rev. Sharpe is mostly known for his preaching ministry, those closest to him know that he values quality time with family and friends, is a committed student of theology and homiletics and believes that you are never too important to be nice to everyone. In December 2015, Rev. Sharpe married his best friend, the gifted and talented, Brianna Sullivan Sharpe. Together they serve in ministry and currently live in Chicago, Illinois.

Manteo Mitchell is a World Champion and Silver Olympic medalist whose performance captured the attention of millions around the world during the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London. As Manteo ran for Team USA in the preliminaries of the 4×400-meter relay, his left fibula bone snapped. Manteo kept going. His endurance allowed the relay team to earn a spot in the event finals. The team ultimately won second place, earning the silver medal. Manteo’s story is considered “one of the most memorable of the Summer Olympic Games”, and now, his name is synonymous with athletic achievement, determination and success on and off the field. When the U.S. Olympic team visited the White House on September 2012, President Obama stated that Manteo’s performance was one of his “favorite stories of the whole Olympics.” Manteo’s story is one that is rare and unique, but incredibly inspiring. He always keeps going.

Judge Mathis is the longest-running African-American male host on television, now entering Season 21 of the Emmy® winning nationally syndicated, reality-based court show Judge Mathis. Judge Mathis is a national figure known for his advocacy campaigns for urban youth and equal justice. His inspirational life story of a street youth who rose from jail to Judge has provided hope to millions who watch him on the award-winning television court show, Judge Mathis, each day.

In each hour-long episode, Mathis lays down the law, presiding over real, hard-hitting cases, and Mathis’ decisions are legal and binding. The hallmark of Judge Mathis is the judge himself, as he combines a refreshing mix of social commentary, humor, and humanity. His use of the bench to provide resolution and counseling to litigants before him during each episode has catapulted Judge Mathis to the forefront of a national dialogue about real issues facing contemporary society ranging from responsible fatherhood to the opioid epidemic. Judge Mathis has had many success stories, particularly with litigants seeking treatment for drug addiction. Judge Mathis has sent many litigants to drug rehabilitation programs that they wouldn’t have access to otherwise and helped them regain control of their lives. His long-term personal involvement exemplifies his dedication to uplifting those who step into his courtroom as well as those who tune in to the show.

In 2009, in honor of his years of work and commitment to his hometown of Detroit, the city named one of the streets, Mathis Avenue, after him. The street is part of a new housing development, which replaced the housing projects he grew up in.

Judge Mathis is married, and the proud father of four children, and recently became a grandfather.

Joe Holder is the founder of The Ocho System, an integrative wellness strategy that seeks to help people improve their personal health by taking advantage of their physical health first. Joe’s time as a student-athlete at the University of Pennsylvania coupled with his upbringing made him take a wide-ranging view on modern wellness. He currently lives in New York where in addition to his work with The Ocho System he serves as the Creative Director of wellness for SmartWater, co-founder of non-profit System of Service, Master Trainer for Nike, Performance Consultant for wearable WHOOP, and is a contributing writer to many publications including his own wellness column at GQ Magazine.

Ian Brock is a 15-year-old Chicago native, co-founder of Beyond The Cookie® and Dream Hustle Code, rookie coder, and “soon to be” author. For his upcoming book, Dream Hustle Code, he has already interviewed forty-eight amazing individuals from entrepreneurs to Hollywood figures, to tech billionaires. His mission is to inspire kids to help them develop a stronger belief in themselves and their ability to learn computer science/coding. Dream Hustle Code is on a mission to create innovators and level the playing field for underrepresented individuals in the tech industry, especially students from under-resourced communities. By empowering schools and communities with tools to reinvent themselves in the 21st Century, Dream Hustle Code hopes to create and inspire future computer scientists, entrepreneurs, and visionaries. He has been featured in several notable publications including Forbes and Black Enterprise. Also, Brock has been invited to speak at Google (Los Angeles and Mountain View) and Startup Grind Global 2018 just to name a few. Outside of his work, Ian is a Board Member of the Student Voice Foundation. He is an avid reader, loves to play video games and basketball, and hang out with his friends.

Gary “G-Thang” Johnson burst onto the comedy and acting scene in 1994 from St. Louis Missouri. He started his stand up career in The Funny Bones Comedy Club, where he fine-tuned his act. Gary has featured some of the biggest names in comedy today like Mike Epps, Cedric The Entertainer, Steve Harvey, DL Hughley, and Chris Rock. He’s currently touring with Mike Epps on the “Don’t Take It Personal” Comedy Tour. Johnson is also a skilled and accomplished actor with credits starring in several notable shows including BET’s “The Game”, “Girlfriends”, FX’s “The Shield”, “Blackish”, Showtime’s “Mike Epps Presents”, and many more. Gary also has experience in the theater. He starred in The Broadway Play “It’s Cheaper to Keep her” with Ms. Vivica Fox and Brian McKnight. His credits don’t stop there, he co-hosted The NAACP Image Awards and The Soul Train Music Award Shows. Gary “G-Thang” Johnson is a triple threat, comedian, actor, and writer. He’s currently touring and headlining The Improv’s and The Funny Bone Comedy Clubs all around the World, coming to a city near you. The best is yet to come from Gary “G-Thang” Johnson. Stay Tuned…

Mr. Erskine Reeves is a man of many talents. Master educator, barber, stylist, entrepreneur, business consultant, and a trendsetter. He coined and created the “Man Weave” technique. Through his expansive platform, he’s been able to teach his technique and was featured on radio and day time television talk shows such as ‘The Real’ for his ingenuity. Reeves’ hairstyling barber techniques have graced the television and billboards all across the country. His talent has catapulted him into the world of celebrity with NBA players and other notable people seeking him for his work. Erskine holds a cabinet full of awards from several competitions including Bronner Brothers International and Proud Lady Barber Competitions. Additionally, Erskine Reeves sits on the board of Directors for the Illinois Association of Cosmetology Schools as Secretary/Treasurer and owns the Erskine Reeves Barbers and Erskine Reeves Salon. Along with the salon and barbershop, Mr.Reeves owns Erskine Reeves Barber Academy where he gives underserved youth the opportunity to learn the craft of barbering and “Cultivate The Entrepreneur Barber” within!