Speakers (G-Z)
Dr. Jacqualyn F. Green
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Dr. Jacqualyn F. Green is a marriage and family therapist and author of the SPIRITUAL RESILIENCE BOOK AND WORKBOOK. She works with numerous groups on identifying spiritual practices and finding ways to incorporate these strengthening tools into daily. Her book highlights concrete strategies for addressing the demands faced by African Americans and provides a template for enhancing a spiritual connection. Her belief is that with the strength of the ancestors, the support of friends and family, and strong faith in God or a Higher Being, all things are possible. Dr. Green has presented workshops throughout the United States, in Africa, Canada and the Caribbean. Her website is www.green-enterprizes.com. |
Dr. Anita Heiss
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Dr. Anita Heiss is a member of the Wiradjuri nation of central New South Wales and is one of Australia’s most prolific and well-known authors of Indigenous literature.
Her published works include the historical novel WHO AM I? THE DIARY OF MARY TALENCE, Sydney 1937, the poetry collection TOKEN KOORI, satirical social commentary SACRED COWS, non-fiction text DHUULUU-YALA (To Talk Straight) – Publishing Aboriginal Literature, and a children’s book entitled ME AND MY MUM. Anita has also edited LIFE IN GADIGAL COUNTRY and co-edited with Penny van Toorn, STORIES WITHOUT END. In 2007 Anita released three titles: NOT MEETING MR. RIGHT (Random House) for which she won the Deadly Award for Outstanding Contribution to Literature. Her poetry collection I’M NOT RACIST, BUT… (Salt Publishing) won the Scanlon Prize for Indigenous Poetry and her kids novel YIRRA AND HER DEADLY DOG DEMON (ABC Books), was launched at the 2007 Sydney Writers Festival by Her Excellency Marie Bashir, Governor of NSW. In 2008 Anita released AVOIDING MR. RIGHT (Bantam Books) and THE MACQUARIE PEN ANTHOLOGY OF ABORIGINAL LITERATURE (Allen & Unwin) which she co-authored with Peter Minter. The Anthology won the 2008 Deadly Award for Outstanding Contribution to Literature. Anita has performed her works nationally (Sydney Writers’ Festival, Perth International Arts Festival, Adelaide Writers’ Week, Byron Bay Writers’ Festival, Message Sticks, Brisbane Writers Festival, Somerset Festival of Literature, Watermark, Big Sky, Sprung, Wordstorm, among others) and internationally in Spain, Austria, the USA, Canada, Fiji, Japan, New Zealand, China, France, the UK, Tahiti and New Caledonia. She has also been published widely in journals, anthologies and on-line. Anita was Communications Adviser for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Board (2001-2003), was a member of the Australian Society of Authors (ASA) Committee of Management from 1998-2004 and Chaired the organisation 2008-2009. Anita was Deputy Director of Warawara Department of Indigenous Studies at Macquarie University from 2005-2006. In 2003 in recognition of her literary achievements Anita was awarded the ASA Medal for Under 35s for her contribution to Australian community and public life. In 2004 Anita was awarded the NSW Indigenous Arts Fellowship and was listed in The Bulletin magazine’s “Smart 100.” In the same year she wrote and directed her first short-film “Checkerboard Love” as part of the Lester Bostock mentorship program through Metro Screen, Sydney. She was writer in residence at Macquarie University, and was also nominated for a 2004 Deadly Award for Outstanding Achievement in Literature. Anita has made guest appearances on the Einstein Factor, Message Stick, Vulture, Critical Mass, A Difference of Opinion, The Catch Up and 9am with David and Kim. Anita is currently working as full-time writer and Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Western Sydney, attached to the Badanami Centre for Indigenous Education. Anita volunteers her time as a Books in Homes Ambassador, and Indigenous Literacy Day Ambassador and as a Board Member of the National Aboriginal Sporting Chance Academy community. Anita’s latest book is MANHATTAN DREAMING [Bantam, Australia]. For more information on Anita go to www.anitaheiss.com. |
Marc Lacy |
Walter Marcellus (aka “Marc”) Lacy is the second child and first son of three children born to Walter and Julianne White Lacy. Alongside maintaining a current residence in his birthplace of Huntsville, Alabama, Marc has also resided in Korea and Germany. Mr. Lacy is a Cum Laude Mechanical Engineering graduate of Alabama A&M University (AAMU). In having been well schooled and traveled, his knack for creative writing and poetry was discovered at an early age. In high school, Marc received numerous awards for excellence in English, German, political science, mathematics and athletics.
Marc is most noted for his smooth flowing lyrics and creative mind which are exuded in his eloquently written poetry. He is the author of THE LOOKING HEART and ROCK & FIRE, two award-winning books of poetry. Marc has also produced two masterfully crafted spoken word cds: “REFLux” and “RTIQLation.” The energy within Marc’s work can certainly be attributed to his strong faith in God. His website is www.marclacy.com. |
Nakia R. Laushaul
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Nakia R. Laushaul was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, and now resides in Houston, Texas. Nakia is currently employed as a Finance Administrator for an international furniture retailer. She also serves as a trainer during implementation of new global systems. She has been in the accounting industry for over ten years positioned in several capacities.
She is a poet, novelist, motivational blogger, and entrepreneur. Nakia regularly performs her captivating poetic words of inspiration in the form of spoken word. She recently penned her first collection of poetry and prose titled THE TRUTH AS I SEE IT, set to be released in early 2010 through the publishing company she founded, Serendipity Bound Books. Nakia is determined to present the truth as she sees it in all facets of her writing and hopes that her writing will inspire and serve a meaningful purpose for her readers. She is committed to challenging everyone in her reach to find compassion and empathy in the differences that exist among us all. She is currently working on a novel, RUNNING FROM SOLACE, to be released summer 2010. Her website is www.nakiarlaushaul.com. |
Cheryl Pullins
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A transformational and audience engaging speaker and trainer, Cheryl Pullins provides a dynamic atmosphere for learning. Cheryl’s mission is ultimately to inspire her listeners to greatness and at the same time provide an array of applicable and useful information for aspiring and published authors.
Cheryl uses an engaging and interactive style mixed with a very simplistic approach. With over 20 years of human resources experience which includes training, Cheryl uses both her corporate and ministry experience to share proven and effective methods. She specializes in seminars and workshops that are practical, interactive and impactful. Cheryl is the Executive Editor of live magazine, Managing Partner of Suber Pullins Publishing, Executive Director of Victorious Living for Women, Member of the Maryland Healthcare Human Resources Association, Member of National Association of Female Executives and Member of the 2009-2010 Christian Authors on Tour. Her websites are www.cherylpullins.com and www.suberpullinspublishing.com. |
Dr. Jewell Parker Rhodes |
Jewell Parker Rhodes is the author of five novels: Voodoo Dreams, Magic City, Douglass’ Women, Voodoo Season, and Yellow Moon; and a memoir, Porch Stories: A Grandmother’s Guide to Happiness. A sixth novel, Hurricane Levee Blues, and a children’s novel, Ninth Ward, will be published in 2010.
She has also authored two writing guides: Free Within Ourselves: Fiction Lessons for Black Authors, and The African American Guide to Writing and Publishing Non-Fiction. Her play, Voodoo Dreams; was cited as “Most Innovative” Drama in the 2000-2001 Professional Theater Season by the Arizona Republic and she is currently at work on a theatrical version of Douglass’ Women. Her work has been published in Germany, Italy, Canada, Turkey, and the United Kingdom and reproduced in audio and for NPR’s “Selected Shorts.” Her literary awards include: Yaddo Creative Writing Fellowship, the American Book Award, the National Endowment of the Arts Award in Fiction, the Black Caucus of the American Library Award for Literary Excellence, the PEN Oakland/Josephine Miles Award for Outstanding Writing, two Arizona Book Awards, and a finalist citation for the Hurston-Wright Legacy Award. She has been a featured speaker at the Runnymeade International Literary Festival (University of London-Royal Holloway), Santa Barbara Writers Conference, Creative Nonfiction Writers Conference, and Warwick University, among others. Recent fiction and essays have been anthologized in Rise Up Singing: Black Women Writers on Motherhood, (ed., Berry), In Fact: The Best of Creative Nonfiction, (ed. Gutkind), Gumbo, (ed., Golden and Harris) Children of the Night: Best Short Stories By Black Writers, (ed., Naylor) among others. She has been awarded the California State University Distinguished Teaching Award, ASU’s Dean’s Quality Teaching Award, Outstanding Thesis Director from the Barrett Honors College, and the Outstanding Faculty Award from the College of Extended Education. She is a member of the Arizona/International Women’s Forum and a Renaissance Weekend invitee. Dr. Jewell Parker Rhodes is the Artistic Director for Global Engagement and the Piper Endowed Chair of the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing at Arizona State University. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Drama Criticism (Honors) a Master of Arts in English, and a Doctor of Arts in English (Creative Writing) from Carnegie-Mellon University. Her website is www.jewellparkerrhodes.com. |
Mack Smith &
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Mack E. Smith is publisher and chief operating officer of U R Gems Group, Inc. He is fond of saying: “I did not choose publishing, publishing chose me.” His wife, Sara Freeman Smith, a motivational speaker and trainer, was inspired in 1997 to write her first book, TURNING STONES INTO GEMS, an inspirational, self-development system. Having acquired years of experience in finance and marketing in the business world, Mack offered to lend a hand with some of the details. U R Gems Group was then formed. The primary focus of the company is motivational and career development training through workshops and personal coaching.
The success of Sara’s books led to many inquiries from other aspiring writers. Consequently, the company started a series of career development seminars for aspiring writers and motivational speakers. HOW TO SELF-PUBLISH & MARKET YOUR OWN BOOK was later published to further assist writers and meet the demand for this information. Sara is president and chief executive officer. She can inform while at the same time inspire. Sara has been speaking since 1989 on a variety of topics to diverse audiences. She has more than 20 years of executive management experience. Sara has assisted in placing thousands of individuals in various positions within small to Fortune 500 size companies. Sara’s website is www.sarafreemansmith.com. Mack and Sara reside in Chicago, Illinois, and have a teenage son, Rashod. Their website is www.writershelpdesk.com. |
Melanie Trausch
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Melanie Trausch is a financial marketing consultant and owner of Melanie Trausch Consulting LLC, a boutique firm offering unique marketing and outreach strategies to help financial service providers connect with the interests of emerging markets. She provides consultancy services to various types of financial providers ranging from financial institutions, payment network companies, credit card companies and government agencies such as US Bank, Discover Network and the Internal Revenue Service. Her continual objective is to connect innovative products, programs, services and partners together to create new opportunities for servicing the various segments of the unbanked market.
Ms. Trausch has worked in the financial services industry as a marketer and product manager for over fourteen years and employed her passion for writing to author thoughtful whitepapers and case studies for her clients. She has served on numerous panels at prestigious industry conferences, been featured in several televised news segments (CBS and NBC affiliates) and financial trade publications such as US Banker and Credit Union Journal. She is thrilled to be a part of the collaborative work, IT AIN’T CUTE, BUT IT’S REAL. Ms. Trausch is the devoted wife of Michael and loving mother of two young children, Mia Ashley and Michael Julian. She resides with her family in Phoenix, Arizona. |
Bryan-Keyth Wilson
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Dubbed the Literary Prince of Urban Theatre & Inspirational Fiction, Bryan-Keyth Wilson is a trail blazer in theatre, screenwriting and directing. He is sure to have the masses in stitches with his urban and edgy writing style. A native of La Marque, Texas, he has studied Musical Theatre & Dance at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas and Hunter College in New York. Under the tutelage of Penelope Hasekoester, Jonathon Charles, Dana Nicolay, Dr. Cindy Gratz and Dr. James Miller he has been able to refine his God given talents. In the fall of his first year as a Musical Theatre Major at Sam Houston State University, Wilson released his first play, No Ways Tired, during Experimental Theatre Night and received rave reviews. The success of No Ways Tired reinforced Wilson’s belief that God called him to be a writer. He has also studied dance at The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre and The Martha Graham School of Dance.
Bryan-Keyth has choreographed a number of shows such as Mame, Once on This Island, Dreamgirls, and Suessical the musical, off-Broadway and in regional theatres across the United States. His television credits include: Stuart Little 2 (Columbia Pictures) NYPD Blue (NBC), and A&E’s 100 Centre St. with Alan Arkin. He has written, produced and directed two plays Off-Broadway, Pamlet and The Subway Series Pt1; both of which received rave reviews in Backstage Magazine. He is one of the writers and Associate Directors for a Public Service Announcement titled The Letter, for All-State Insurance, and director of the upcoming film short titled Blake & Michelle, a story about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (Undercrank Films). He has worked with some of the industries great dancers/choreographers such as Danyale Taylor, Elijah Gibson, Fatima, Mia Michaels, Anne Reinkin and Ben Vereen. Bryan-Keyth is a classically trained actor, singer and dancer who have traveled abroad, perfecting his craft over the years. He is currently working on his first two feature films titled, Hood Boy and Coffee Date along with the gospel musical, Confessions of a Preacher’s Wife. Not only a Theatre and Television guru, Bryan-Keyth Wilson has developed and molded the career of R&B Vocalist Nichole Cordova who is currently a member of the Pop group Girlicious! His scripture of purpose is Psalm 121:1 “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.” Visit Bryan on the web at www.bryankeythwilson.com. |
