|
|
Robert Jackson, a Motivational Speaker, Trainer and author of No More Excuses, Black Men Stand Up! and No More Excuses: The Workbook is an award winning Specialty Rep with Teva Pharmaceuticals where Robert is currently ranked in the top 5% of his company. He is Six Sigma Certified and trains teachers, students, drug reps and administrators nationally. He successfully ran a basketball program with over 150 men ages of 16 to 30, while teaching them life skills, job preparation, college prep, and interview skills. After completing the program, over 80 percent of the participants either enrolled back in school or found employment. He has also taught Information Technology and coached high school track and field where he coached a state champion at Arlington High School in Indianapolis. Robert received his BS, Industrial Technology degree from Western Kentucky University where he lettered four years in both football and track. After being cut by the Minnesota Vikings during training camp in 1995, Robert returned to Indianapolis where he has remained deeply rooted in his commitment to serve his community. Mr. Jackson is a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc where he is the Kappa League Chair mentoring young men in six high schools, and the Beautillion and Health and Wellness committees of 100 Black Men of Indianapolis. In May of 2009 Robert received the Key to the City from the Mayor of Miami, Florida for his Keynote address at the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Program where 45 Black and Latino Males received laptop computers and scholarships to any college in Florida. Robert speaks on various topics and has presented at high schools, colleges and universities, and conferences throughout the US. A few of his stops include The Indiana University Men and Women of Color Conference, The National Alliance of Black School Educators National Conference, The National Urban Education Conference at Central State University, and The Southern Black Student Leadership Conference at Texas A & M. Robert is a faculty member of Student African American Brotherhood (SAAB) and has conducted workshops and keynote addresses for SAAB Regional and National Conferences. He has received numerous awards and recognitions for his work.
Robert’s motto is, “If you aren’t part of the
solution, then you are part of the problem.” |
|
|
|
Founder/Executive Director SAAB (Student African American Brotherhood) |
resides in
Toledo, Ohio and
serves as
Special
Assistant to the
President at The
University of
Toledo. He founded
SAAB
in the
fall of 1990 on
the campus of
Georgia
Southwestern
State University
responding to
the needs of
African American
males at the
university.
Dr. Bledsoe is the Executive Director of the SAAB National Headquarters to enhance funding and staffing needs that affect the mission of the organization. He is very active in the arena of higher education and is highly recognized by several professional associations for his research, publications, presentations and scholarly work. He has been a keynote presenter and seminar leader for a large diversity of colleges, universities, church and fraternal organizations along with other groups. He was invited to Oxford, England to serve as a participant to discuss his work with African American men at the Oxford University Roundtable Institute, which is sponsored by the British Council.Through his consulting firm, “2 Care Unlimited”, he is deemed as one of the most exciting and dynamic motivational presenters by the thousands who have had the privilege of hearing him speak. Read Full Bio |
|
|
|
|
|
Larry Sykes worked for Fifth Third Bank in Toledo for thirty years to retire as Vice President and Community Affairs Officer. He is a long time community organizer and active change agent for minority businesses within the community of Toledo. Mr. Sykes has been involved in children’s education with Toledo Public School (TPS) for the last 30 years and served on the TPS Board for 10 of those years, twice as the board president; and currently serves on the board in a community relations capacity. Under the leadership of Mr. Sykes as board president, the policy of student uniforms was adopted creating nationally recognized and innovative school programs, such as Grove Patterson; Old West End Academy; Stewart Girls Academy; Lincoln Boys Academy; Polly Fox School for Pregnant Teens; and Toledo Early College High School. Mr. Sykes is currently president/CEO of LJSJB & Associates, a business consulting firm for areas with high minority populations that specializes in banking and community relations; marketing and sales, healthcare and urban education. He is married with two grown children. |
|
|
|
|
|
William Lamar Pierce is a dynamic young leader in the field of higher education with a proven track record of enrollment success and change management. He holds a B.S. in Administrative Services and an M.B.A. in Executive Management, both from The University of Toledo. Mr. Pierce is the Director of Admissions Technology at The University of Toledo . In addition, he holds the position of Diversity Coordinator in a supportive role to the initiatives of the Interim Vice President for Equity and Diversity. I this role, Mr. Pierce supports the University's vision and mission to change the culture at The University of Toledo to one that is more welcoming to individuals with diverse backgrounds and abilities. William is also very active within the university community as a mentor; member of the President’s Council on Diversity and diversity ambassador. He serves as an advisor for the Toledo SAAB Chapter; is a member of the Reynolds Corners Rotary Club; and a member of the National Achievement Scholarship Selection Committee. He is a member of the 2009 College Board Greenhouse Grant Committee; and a national and regional conference presenter. He is a devoted member of Friendship Baptist Church in Toledo, Ohio and is very happily married to Rebekah with whom he has three daughters - Jordan, Sierra and Naomi. |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
William
L. erce