Moderators:

Keynote Speakers

He inspires that God wants us to care for people in our families, our neighborhoods, and our world. Learn to put love in yourself first with empowerment of education, reading and literacy.

Moderator

Sybil Wilkes is the co-host of the Tom Joyner Morning Show, a nationally syndicated radio program heard in over 115 markets with an audience of more than eight million. An original member of the show, initially joining the crew as a news anchor, each morning Wilkes provides “the voice of reason” alongside host Tom Joyner and co-host J. Anthony Brown.

This native Chicagoan began her radio career in 1985 as a production assistant with WKQX-FM, Chicago. She eventually went on to news management and reporting jobs at WINK-AM/FM, Fort Myers, Florida; WRCC-FM, Cape Coral, Florida; and WCKZ-FM, Charlotte, North Carolina. In 1989 Wilkes joined WGCI-AM/FM, Chicago, as a talk show host. In 1990 she became a reporter for Chicago's Shadow Traffic Network. While with Shadow, Wilkes delivered morning and afternoon drive traffic updates and worked as one of Tom Joyner's WGCI-FM sidekicks.

A noted news and political journalist, Wilkes has landed major interviews with some of today’s top newsmakers including joining Senator Barack Obama and Senator John Edwards on the campaign trail for exclusive one-on-one interviews as well as a candid interview with Former President Bill Clinton. As an avid reader, she created “Sybil’s Book Club”, started in 1996, which features African-American authors at live events and offers an opportunity for book lovers to meet and engage with their favorite writers.

Being a celebrated radio personality and journalist she has received a number of accolades including The President’s Award from the NAACP Image Awards, and an honorary Doctorate Degree from Bennett College in Greensboro, NC. Most recently, Wilkes has become a national ambassador for the Susan G. Komen Circle of Promise Campaign.

A graduate of Northwestern University, she received a Bachelors of Science in Political Science and Communication Studies.

Wilkes lives by the biblical saying handed down by her parents, “To whom much is given, much is required.” When not using her “Big A” words on the show, Sybil has an interest in politics, photography, and sports.

Wilkes resides in Dallas, Texas.

Moderator

Tia Ross is the producer and director of the Black Writers Reunion & Conference (www.blackwriters.org), a nationally acclaimed workshop-intensive program for writers of fiction, poetry, nonfiction, screenplays, plays, copy, proposals, technical and travel guides and more.

The fourth BWRC is being held in Tampa, Fla., June 19-21, 2008. Tia has served as the executive director of three nonprofit associations, including the Black Writers Alliance, Inc. (1998-2003), the first professional association to organize online for Black writers; Houston African-American Writers' Society (1997-1998); and National Black Writers Foundation founded in 2007 to further the cultural legacy of African-American literature and the professional growth and development of African-American writers and editors. She has also served as Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Houston Council of Writers (1999-2000); Secretary of the Convention & Tourism Committee of the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce (2001-2002); and Coordinator of the African-American Read-In Writer's Walk (2002-2003) in addition to chairing and serving on countless other advisory boards and committees.

For more infomation visit: Tia on the Web at www.tiaross.com

Moderator

Janie is currently in the process of releasing her second novel "Wife in the P.I."
An adventurous novel dealing with corruption, crime, adultery and teen prostitution; “Wife in the P.I." is based on real life experiences military wives faced while stationed in the Philippines during the rise and fall of President Marcos. Of course the names have been changed to protect the innocent or not so innocent.

As a playwright, Janie is busy adapting Visions for a theatrical play due to be released at the Black Repertory Theater in Berkeley, Ca. in August 2008.

Achievements:
-Member of Toastmasters International
-Published in the Commissioned Magazine
-Works on the writing staff at Mount Calvary
-Author on the Move Award 2006” for memoir, VISIONS.
-Table Topics Speech Competition 2nd Place Winner

Listed in:
-Kipling’s Who’s Who in Business
-Who’s who Among America’s Teachers ®
-Cambridge Who’s Who in Business
-Business owner/ Certified / Credentialed Cosmetology Instructor Retired Stylist

Moderator

Dana Pittman, JD, is President of Nia Promotions and Pittman Unlimited. Pittman Unlimited, founded in 2001, is a website design business and Nia Promotions is a marketing company that specializes in virtual marketing. We use the skills learned through our website design business and traditional marketing techniques to promote small business, entrepreneurs and authors. Both businesses aim to cultivate business development.

To learn more please visit: http://www.niapromotions.com/ and
http://www.pittmanunlimited.com/.

Moderator

Toya L. Evans is an author, speaker and businesswoman with an MBA from Howard University and a BSBA from George Washington University. Her experience spans over twenty years in marketing and strategic consulting with large corporations such as General Electric, Microsoft and America Online. Additionally she has spent considerable time operating her own small business and consulting with other small businesses.

To learn more please visit: http://www.changethings2day.com

Moderator

Enrique R. Wiggins (www.stepinfather.com) is the author of Step-in Father. As a servant to God, his country, and the community, Enrique brings a voice for men saving children. As an educator for over seven years, he has seen the need, the impact, and the difference men have on children. Founder of Men Of Excellence, he has first hand experience of conditioning young men for prosperity. As a field supervisor, he has applied and seen the impression men have on children when they have broken the law and believe they still have an honest opportunity for success.

To learn more please visit: http://www.stepinfather.com

Moderator

Stephanie “Stef” Williams started writing in middle school for the school newspaper in her home town of Goldsboro, NC. From an early age, she exhibited such an enchanting a way with words that, for the years to follow, she has been called upon by family members and friends to write speeches, love poems and letters for them. After years of writing for others, Stef finally decided to showcase her talent for writing and storytelling; thus Joy Happened was born.

Joy Happened not only reflects Stef's passion for writing, but her passion for people and relationships. The book, written mostly during the evenings after her children were asleep, is an amalgam of her imagination, lifelong observations, and personal experiences, all woven into a fascinating tale.

To learn more please visit: www.joyhappened.com

Moderator

Dr. Allen C. Barham, Sr., (Dr. B.) is the author of; Remember, It Is Your Charge, Go Master The Day. He is the Founder of Destiny Driven Ministries; a ministry founded to spread the gospel of Salvation, Purpose, Success, and DESTINY

He is also the owner of Purpose2Destiny Publishing, a full service publishing company founded in order to help authors live their literary purpose and pursue their writing destiny.
Dr. Barham (Dr. B.) is a high school dropout, but a self-described education "drop-in." He obtained his GED, and continued on to higher education. He is a graduate of Ashworth College, and the Jacksonville Theological Seminary. He holds Ph.D.s in Christian Psychology, Christian Counseling, and Christian Education, and a Doctorate in Theology.

To learn more please visit: www.gomastertheday.com

Moderator

Sara Freeman Smith is a motivational speaker and self help author. She has written three books - Turning Stones into Gems along with a companion Prayer & Gratitude Journal and How to Self-Publish & Market Your Own Book. Sara has been featured in national magazines such as Black Enterprise & Black Issues Book Review along with numerous radio and television appearances. Sara started her career in Houston and moved to Chicago in 2007 to take a position as Recruiting Manager for a major oil company. She was inspired to help encourage others and pass on the blessings. She has placed thousands of individuals in various capacities within countless organizations.

Sara had to overcome enormous obstacles on her road to success, including being a child of a single parent, never knowing her birth father, growing up in a low income environment with seven siblings, and having dreams to achieve but no means to fulfill them. Reading and writing were Sara’s escape tools while growing up.

To learn more please visit: www.sarafreemansmith.com