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< Back To Speakers Geoffrey Klein AI Speaker & Consultant | Best-Selling Author | Wharton Lecturer Contact For Booking Geoffrey Klein works with organizations to leverage AI for efficiency as well as effectiveness. It’s not only about faster and cheaper, but also about better and more innovative. Geoffrey is grounded in helping develop more effective communication to increase engagement and connection. He is a dynamic keynote speaker, TEDx presenter, MIT AI-certified consultant, and best-selling author of THE CONTENT BEAST. He teaches business communication at Wharton School of Business and social media marketing at Temple University, as well as produces video and animation projects. Geoffrey specializes in providing a clear, simple and actionable AI strategy to drive business outcomes. He works with organizations to develop an AI roadmap to enhance and improve how the workforce approaches their roles to optimize their output and embracing their strengths. With a human-centered approach to AI, Geoffrey believes it is not about machine intelligence, or about human intelligence. Instead, it’s about the combination of both, a term he expresses as Connected Intelligence™️. Geoffrey has a bachelor’s degree from Amherst College and a law degree from Temple University. As a life-long learned, Geoffrey has earned an AI Certification from MIT, as well as others from SmarterX, CAIO.com, LinkedIn Learning. With the speed that AI evolves, Geoffrey continues to ensure he is staying ahead with continued AI education. KEYNOTE TOPICS • Connected Intelligence • The Content Beast • The Art of Visual Storytelling

< Back To Speakers MSgt. Israel Del Toro, Jr Father | Husband | First 100 Percent Combat-Disabled Active-Duty Air Force Technician Contact For Booking After suffering catastrophic injuries as the result of a landmine in Afghanistan, Israel “DT” Del Toro was given a 15 percent chance of survival. Then his doctors told him he was going to be in the hospital for another year, that he may never walk again, and he’d probably be stuck on a respirator for the rest of his life. But DT had a promise to keep to his son: that he would never have to grow up without a father. Author of: A Patriot's Promise: Protecting My Brothers, Fighting for My Life, and Keeping My Word KEYNOTE TOPICS • Veterans • Resiliency • Teamwork • Commitment • Military Leadership • Overcoming Adversity

< Back To Speakers Dr. William Watson Author & Anti-Racist Content Creator grounded in Higher Education Equity, Democracy, NonViolence and NonStealing Contact For Booking Dr. William Watson first learned democracy watching his Mississippi parents risk their lives (and his) in the 1960s Civil Rights Movement. Defying odds set by childhood poverty and then alcoholism, William earned degrees in Philosophy, Comparative Religion, Anthropology, and Counseling Psychology before completing a social justice Focused education doctorate from San Francisco State University. He completed a Presidential Fellowship for College Excellence with The Aspen Institute and Stanford University while prototyping equity innovations in California higher education. When he left higher education in 2020 after a 20 year career, he founded Waterbrook, LLC, a USA democracy project that works for peace and prosperity through justice then liberty for all. Cognella Press published his book, Twelve Steps for White America: for a United States of America, and its companion workbook with contributor, Christine Sleeter, Ph.D., in 2023. The book recently won The BookFest Gold Medal for Society & Social Sciences: Race, Culture, Class & Religion. An audiobook version will be released, Fall 2024. KEYNOTE TOPICS • Twelve Steps for White America (Recovery Principles for a Nation) • It says “White People” on the Cover: Who is White? What is White? • Rigged Advantage: Older Than The USA • Repentance, Atonement, Renewal: Sounds So Preachy • Unshackle the Past • Strengthen U.S. Security and Global Competitiveness • Make Way for All – Our Best Days to Come • Intro to Contextualized Family History: 2 – hour Practice Workshop • Compassion and Respect: Let Love Linger

< Back To Speakers Jon Dorenbos World-Renowned Keynote Speaker | Best-Selling | Former NFL Pro Bowler | World-Class Magician Contact For Booking Jon Dorenbos is a world-renowned keynote speaker whose rare ability to combine elite performance insight, emotional storytelling, and awe-inspiring magic has established him as one of the most in-demand voices on today’s global stages. A former NFL Pro Bowler and world-class magician, Jon’s journey - from profound personal loss to peak success - serves as a powerful framework for resilience, leadership, and perspective. His keynotes do more than inspire, they equip audiences with actionable tools to embrace change, strengthen culture, and perform at their highest level. Fortune 500 companies, global associations, and elite teams trust Jon to captivate rooms, arenas and stadiums, to create moments that truly matter. With humor, heart, and unforgettable visual metaphors, he brings abstract concepts to life - proving that mindset is everything and adversity can become a competitive advantage. This best-selling author delivers more than a speech. He delivers a transformative experience that reshapes how people think, lead, and show up in their lives and workplace. KEYNOTE TOPICS • Overcoming Adversity • Living in Vision • Embracing Change • Teamwork • Self-Talk

< Back To Speakers Desiree Talley 2024 LA Times In-house Counsel Rising Star Award Recipient | Attorney | Strategic Advisor | Business Leadership | Stakeholder & Partnership Engagement | Risk Management | POPLAW Podcast | Speaker | Executive Producer Contact For Booking Desireé Talley is an award-winning attorney and global thought leader at the crossroads of law, media, and pop culture. Founder of POPLAW, she simplifies legal complexities to protect artists and entertainment professionals. Born in Vallejo, CA, Desireé has held key roles at BDG Media, Paramount, ASCAP, Pandora, and Turner. Currently, she is Vice President of Legal & Business Affairs at REVOLT Media & TV, advocating for creatives and shaping media law standards. Her accolades include the 2024 LA Times Rising Star In-House Counsel Award, XO Necole’s It Girl 100, National Black Lawyers Top 40 Under 40, and 2023 Woman of the Year (Seeds of Fortune). She is also honored by Evals Equity and Glitz & Glam Women in Power. A graduate of Hampton University, St. John’s University School of Law, and NYU’s Clive Davis Institute, Desireé blends passion, advocacy, and expertise to protect artistry in today’s evolving entertainment landscape. KEYNOTE TOPICS • Pioneering Paths • When AI Meets Law and Entertainment: Navigating the New Frontier • Breaking Silence: Healing in the Fight Against Domestic Violence • The POPLAW Paradigm: Empowering Creators through Legal Literacy • Roots and Wings: The Enduring Legacy of HBCUs

< Back To Speakers Jeff Salzenstein Contact For Booking Jeff Salzenstein is a former Top 100 world-ranked tennis player, two-time Stanford All-American, and now a leadership speaker and performance coach. He knows the impact of pressure, the stress that comes with it, and how high achievers can sabotage performance and well-being without realizing it. Through his Own Your Zone framework, Jeff helps leaders, teams, and organizations recover faster, rewire mindsets, regulate emotions, unlock excellence, and optimize performance and well-being. Blending the Pro Fundamentals elite athletes and performers use with cutting-edge performance psychology and neuroscience, Jeff shares a human-centered, thought-provoking approach backed by inspirational stories and data-driven insights. Jeff delivers practical tools, techniques, and strategies to help people thrive in today’s uncertain environment. This is how we Own Our Zone. KEYNOTE TOPICS •Own Your Zone: The Elite Performance System For Winning Leaders •The Champion’s Way: Lead, Perform, and Stay Resilient Through Pressure and Uncertainty •Winning Together: The Culture-First Sales Playbook to Attract, Inspire, and Grow •The Energy Edge The New Bottom Line for Leadership and Team Success

< Back To Speakers Martin Luther King III Civil Rights Advocate and Global Humanitarian Contact For Booking Martin Luther King III is shepherding the healing of our nation and the world, connecting the important lessons of the past with the critical needs of our future and motivating a new generation of authentic leaders. As the oldest son of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Mrs. Coretta Scott King, Martin Luther King III is a thought leader on the world stage, a peacemaker, and a negotiator on some of today’s most critical national and international platforms for social change. Amplifying the work of his father, Mr. King has devoted his life to promoting global human rights and eradicating racism, violence, and poverty — referred to by his father as the “triple evils” and the “scourges of humankind” — on every continent except Antarctica. KEYNOTE TOPICS • Realizing the Dream of Dr. King & Coretta Scott King • Eradicating the Triple Evils Across the Globe • Endurance for Equality: The Marathon Towards Justice • The Future of Inclusive Leadership

< Back To Speakers Frances West Founder, TED Talk | International Speaker | Author | Corporate Board Director |C-Suite Advisor | Former IBM Chief Accessibility Officer Contact For Booking Frances West is a globally recognized thought leader, trusted advisor, and technology executive with extensive experience in the tech industry. A pioneering authority on digital inclusion, she has led efforts to integrate human-first design into technology, driving innovation and growth. Frances’s career includes key leadership roles at IBM, where she became the company’s first Chief Accessibility Officer, shaping their accessibility strategy and setting new industry standards. After founding FrancesWest&Co, a global advisory firm, she has advised Fortune 500 companies, startups, and non-profits on leadership, emerging technologies, and inclusion. Frances’s expertise empowers organizations to align inclusive practices with business goals for lasting market differentiation. The author of Authentic Inclusion Drives Disruptive Innovation presents a framework that leverages inclusion as a competitive advantage. Recognized by the United Nations and other global organizations, Frances is a dynamic speaker on digital inclusion, AI, women in leadership, and the future of work. Her journey as a first-generation immigrant underscores her unique perspective on leadership, resilience, and the importance of inclusive leadership in today’s complex, interconnected world. KEYNOTE TOPICS • Driving Innovation Through Authentic Leadership • Embracing Authenticity: A Leaders Journey • AI, Technology, and Human-Centric Innovation • Women in Leadership: Breaking Boundaries and Redefining Success • Think Differently: The Power of Inclusion in Organizational Transformation • Aging for All: Inclusive Innovation for a Sustainable Future • Thriving in Complexity: Leveraging Personal Skills and Cultural Insight for Today’s Global Challenges

< Back To Speakers Dr. Mahalia Hines Educator | Retired Principal | Author, Speaker | Board President for Common Ground Foundation Contact For Booking A pillar in education for over 45 years, Dr Mahalia A. Hines is known for her wisdom, candor, and unwavering dedication to children. While raising her son, Grammy Award-winning artist COMMON, she shattered barriers in education leadership. Dr. Hines' journey began with leading three preschools on Chicago's Southside. For the next 35 years, she served as a teacher and principal. As principal, she revitalized not only her school, but also the surrounding neighborhoods, fostering community engagement in unprecedented ways. Dr. Hines currently serves as Board President of the Common Ground Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by COMMON and Dr. Hines, two decades ago, dedicated to empowering and developing urban youth. In 2017, Dr. Hines was appointed to the Board of Directors for The Obama Foundation. In 2011, then-Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel appointed Dr. Hines to the Chicago Board of Education, where she served for 8 years. Drawing from her extensive personal and professional experiences, Dr. Hines has recently penned an insightful manual, “Tomorrow’s Children: How Raise Children to Stay Human in a High-Tech Society.” This guide reflects on timeless methods for parents and educators navigating the complexities of raising children in an era of advancing technology. Dr. Hines received a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois, an MBA from Northeastern University, and a BA from Central State University. She currently resides in Florida with her husband of 45 years. KEYNOTE TOPICS • Retro Roots vs. New Age Rhymes • Bytes vs Beats • The “Digital Parent • Tech vs. Touch • The Power of Play • Your Mental Matters • The Importance of Reinvention • The Power of Passion • Don’t Blur The Beginning

< Back To Speakers John Berry Award-Winning | Veterans’ Advocate | Experienced Litigator | Dynamic Speaker | Forbes Contributor Contact For Booking John is a popular media contributor discussing the perspectives of Veterans and the latest news in criminal and civil law having been featured on such outlets as the Washington Post, Thrive Global, ESPN, and ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, and CW stations in several markets. Recently, John’s firm Berry Law won the Department of Labor’s HIREVets Platinum Medallion Award for being one of the top Veteran employers in the nation. Berry Law is an accredited member of the National Organization of Veteran Advocates John is also member of the Forbes Business Council. KEYNOTE TOPICS • Injured Not Broken: How To Turn Nearly Any Tragedy Into A Triumph • Winning The Next Battle: How Leading Military Officers & CEOs Overcome Obstacles • Veterans & Our Economy: Helping Our Warriors Unleash Their Full Potential • Principles Of War For Business: 3 Strategies To Grow Veteran-Owned Businesses • No Substitute For Victory: Unleashing & Sustaining Triple Digit Growth • Strategies To Protect 2nd Amendment Rights

< Back To Speakers Ryan Wilson Entrepreneur | Civic Leader | Keynote Speaker | Community Builder Contact For Booking Ryan Wilson is the co-founder and CEO of The Gathering Spot, a private membership network that fosters business, political, and cultural connections. Through TGS, he has built a national community that drives collaboration and change. At 24, he co-founded The Gathering Spot, successfully raising capital to launch a hub for Black excellence, innovation, and collective power. Under his leadership, TGS has expanded to Washington D.C., Los Angeles, and beyond, serving as a space for meaningful connections and impactful conversations. A sought-after speaker and advocate for small business empowerment and civic engagement, Ryan has addressed audiences from the White House to Fortune 500 companies. His work has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, Bloomberg Businessweek, and Black Enterprise. He has been named Small Business Person of the Year by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, one of Goldman Sachs’ Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs, and a Root 100 and Ebony Power 100 honoree. In 2023, he was recognized as Philanthropic Leader of Tomorrow and received Atlanta’s highest honor, the Phoenix Award. Ryan serves on the boards of The Carter Center, Goodwill of North Georgia, and The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta. A Georgetown University and Georgetown Law graduate, he resides in Atlanta with his wife and two children. KEYNOTE TOPIC • The Power of Community: How Relationships Build Movements and Scale Impact • Building While Black: The Realities of Capital, Culture & Ownership • From Idea to Icon: The Startup Journey of The Gathering Spot • Culture Is Currency: Designing Spaces Where People Feel Like They Belong • Leading with Purpose: The Role of Entrepreneurs in Civic and Social Change

< Back To Speakers Lori Greiner Star on ABC’s Shark Tank | Entrepreneur | Inventor | Producer | Humanitarian Contact For Booking Lori is a star Shark on the 5x Emmy Award winning and 11x Critic’s Choice Award winning show, Shark Tank. Shark Tank is a hit entrepreneurial business show, on ABC, where she invests in companies and helps turn people’s dreams into a reality. Well known as one of the most prolific inventors of retail products of our time, Lori started with one idea and turned it into a multi-million dollar international brand. She has created & marketed over 1,000 successful products and holds 120 US and International patents. Her accomplishments come from her sharp instincts and strong business sense. Well known for telling instantly if a product is a “hero or a zero”, she has a 90% success rate on new items launched. She is hands-on in all facets of taking a product from concept to creation, to market within months in lightning speed. She oversees the legal and patent processes, and has driven her business to the success it has achieved. She’s also well known for her impeccable negotiating skills and her uncanny ability to know and identify emerging brands and people and invest in them. She has helped many budding entrepreneurs turn their ideas into hit products and has 10 of the top 20 most successful companies on Shark Tank to date. A strong role model and true inspiration to so many, she was honored with the Sherry Lansing ‘Woman of the Year’ Award and by the Paley Center as an Important Woman in Television, listed as one of Success Magazine’s Top 25 Personal and Professional Development Influencers to Follow, ranked by Business Insider Magazine as one of the Top 30 Best Women Early-Stage Investors of 2023 and voted as a fan favorite on Shark Tank. Throughout her career, Lori has always been a maverick. Having written, produced, directed and edited hundreds of videos and written scripted works – she became expert at how to grab someone’s attention visually within seconds. She started her production company to expand her talents in the film, video and television arenas. Exciting things coming! A great believer that, “if you are lucky enough to be successful, you have a responsibility to give back”, Lori is well known for giving back to the community. Living more simply than others in her position and not nearly as wealthy as the un-factual internet states, she is known as a kind hearted humanitarian. She and her company annually donate a substantial amount of their profits to a diverse variety of charities. From sponsoring full ride 4 year scholarships to college for underprivileged women, programs to uplift and encourage our youth, or supporting first responders and health care workers and everyday heroes to name a few. Many of her most gratifying moments have come when she has been able to help budding entrepreneurs achieve the same success she feels lucky enough to have enjoyed. Presented in collaboration with artist&brand.