Alex Ellis is redefining the meaning of style.  An author, speaker, custom clothier, mentor, and gentleman of integrity and distinction, Ellis is turning heads across the nation through his well-dressed stature and inspirational words.  He has been recently featured on CNN’s “Reclaiming the Dream”, Black Enterprise’s Our World Television Show, The 700 Club, BET and the Steve Harvey Morning Show.  Honored with the distinguished 40-Under-Forty award from the Network Journal, Ellis is heralding a powerful message on image from the inside out.

In every role of leadership, this native of New Jersey proves to be one of this era’s leading men.  A man of conviction, Ellis accepts his responsibility of social impartation, fervently taking a hands-on approach with his campaign, “Tied to Greatness”, a national outreach program targeting the image, character and esteem of inner city high school males.

Ellis shows no sign of slowing down, as it is apparent in his passionate drive to revive the impeccable fashion chic of the Renaissance man.  He also wears an entrepreneurial hat as CEO of Simply Ellis LLC, a custom clothing company.  Ellis aims to restore the pride of men in his African American Award winning book, Restoring the Male Image…A Look From the Inside Out. 

Ellis completed his formal education by receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree at North Carolina A & T State University and Masters Degree of Theological Studies at the New Brunswick Theological Seminary.  A strong advocate for “maintaining the posture of a student”, Ellis is currently pursuing his Doctorate Degree in Urban Ministries.  Ellis is also member of The Berkeley College Fashion Advisory Board, The Custom Tailors and Designers Association of America (CTDA), 100 Black Men of America, and National Urban League Young Professionals (NULYP).

Lasana Omar Hotep is a consultant, educator and researcher committed to providing insight and practical strategies in the arenas of community development, student engagement and organizational efficiency. He uses the mediums of public speaking, workshop facilitation, panel discussions, writing and one-on-one consultation to communicate his erudition, ideas and techniques.

Lasana’s fact-based, witty, multi-media presentations inform and inspire individuals to think critically about society. He leverages his combined experience in media, business and education to provide a refreshingly informed perspective on history, culture and politics. Professionally, Lasana has served as an associate producer in television news, vice-president of a wireless phone franchise, an elementary school teacher and a program coordinator at the university level.

One of his most notable achievements is developing the nationally recognized African-American Men of Arizona State University (AAMASU) program. AAMASU is a college readiness program targeting high school students in the Phoenix Metropolitan area and a college organization. The program has been the subject of doctoral dissertations and serves as a model for several institutions with initiatives targeting Black males. He shared his programmatic insights with the Turning the Tassel Symposium at Morehouse College and has consulted several colleges and universities on their Black male enrichment programs. Lasana also serves as a faculty member of the Student African-American Brotherhood (SAAB).

Authors of edited volumes have solicited his unique perspective and analysis.  Lasana has contributed chapters to several publications including African-American Men in College (Jossey-Bass 2006), The State of Black Arizona (ASU 2008), Be A Father to Your Child: Real Talk from Black Men of the Hip Hop Generation (Soft Skull 2008) and The Black Male Handbook: A Blueprint for Life (Atria 2008).

Lasana is currently the Lead Consultant of Hotep Consultants and a graduate student in the department of History at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. 

Robert Jackson, author of “No More Excuses: Black Men Stand Up”, “No More Excuses: The Workbook” and “No More Excuses: Educating Black and Latino Males” is a Motivational Speaker, Workshop Presenter and Trainer and Coach.

Robert received his BS, Industrial Technology degree from Western Kentucky University where he lettered four years in both football and track. After being cut from the Minnesota Vikings in 1995, Robert has remained deeply rooted in his commitment to serve his community. He mentors young men and presents workshops, seminars and speeches nationwide to youth and adults. 

Mr. Jackson is an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and 100 Black Men of Indianapolis.  Robert was awarded the Key to the City of Miami, Florida by Mayor Manuel L. Diaz after his Keynote address at the 5000 Role Models Scholarship Program.

Robert has done keynote addresses and workshops at the National Urban Education Conference at Central State University, The Indiana University Men and Women of Color Conference and The Southern Black Student Leadership Conference (SBSLC), The National Alliance of Black School Educators National Conference (NASBE), Student African American Brotherhood (SAAB) Regional and National Conferences and many more. Robert’s motto is, “If you’re not part of the solution, then you are part of the problem.”

Mr. Ernesto Mejia,

CoolSpeak

Mr. Bryant Smith
Founder and President
Smith Consulting