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Teaching is and always has been my passion. I started grad school with the goal of becoming an American literature professor, but I developed an interest in the intersection of pedagogy and technology as a Liberman Fellow for Teaching with Technology near the end of my graduate career. I earned my Ph.D. in English, specializing in 19th century American Literature with a certificate in American Culture Studies, from Washington University in St. Louis and taught writing and literature courses at a community college. My interest in teaching with technology soon led me to educational development positions at Georgia Southern University and the University of Georgia. My co-authored book project, Critical Teaching Behaviors: Defining, Documenting, and Discussing Good Teaching (Routledge, 2023), stems from my passion for improving teaching and learning. The book offers instructors a framework for identifying, implementing, and documenting effective teaching behaviors as well as aligned peer observation and student feedback instruments to help them gather external perspectives on their teaching. My current research interests include helping instructors showcase and administrators evaluate teaching.
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Nathaniel Alston is the President and founder of THE HORIZONS GROUP, Inc., a human capital consulting firm specializing in human resources strategic planning, succession planning, talent acquisition, executive search, business coaching, and management/leadership development training. Nat has over 45 years of executive-level and mid-level human resources experience in a variety of positions covering such industries as financial services, health care, hospitality, food service, food distribution, and higher education, local and state government. Prior to the December 2000 founding of The Horizons Group, Nat was the Vice President of Human Resources for State Employees Credit Union of Maryland. Before joining SECU, Nat was the Regional Director for Human Resources for Service America Corporation, a major food service contractor. Nat has been employed by The Marriott Corporation as Corporate Manager of Employee Relations and Manager of Employment, by Holiday Inns, Inc. as Manager of Employment, by Baptist Memorial Hospital Health Care System as Manager of Human Resources, by PYA Monarch a division of Sara Lee Corporation as Manager of Corporate Employee Relations, and by The HBH Corporation as an Overseas Recruiter. Prior to entering corporate America, Nat spent 10 years in Law Enforcement serving as a Maryland State Police Officer, a Prince George’s County Police Officer, and as Director of Public Safety, at Bowie State College (now Bowie State University). ORGANIZATIONS In 1998, Nat along with twelve other senior human resources executives founded the National Association of African Americans in Human Resources. In 2001 he was elected as the National President. This is an organization that represents over 7,000 African-American Human Resource professionals in 30 cities and the US Virgin Islands. In 2007 Nat was bestowed the Lifetime Member Emeritus designation by the organization. In 2013, Nat was elected Chairman of the National Board of Directors of the National Association of African Americans in Human Resources. .
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In 2016, Lorraine R Hyde embarked on a transformative journey into entrepreneurship, marking the inception of her third-party logistics (3PL) company. Her company primarily emphasizes supply chain management, logistics, and transportation. Her unwavering commitment to professionalism was pivotal in transitioning from a corporate professional to a thriving entrepreneur. Expanding her business horizons in 2019, she ventured into establishing a supply company. This versatile entity operates as an agent, seller, reseller, and distributor of various commodities, encompassing not only fuels but also essential medical supplies, as well as a wide range of health, beauty, and wellness products. As the esteemed owner of Genesis Venture Investments, Lorraine adeptly manages physical assets with a specialized focus on the dynamic realm of commercial real estate. Her diligent work ethic and unwavering professionalism have been instrumental in the continued expansion of her enterprise, all while ensuring the highest standards of client service. Beyond the realms of business and academia, she is a devoted philanthropist. Guided by her unwavering values of faith, family, and love for her country, she channels her passion into assisting those in need and positively impacting society. Her dedication to giving back is just as remarkable as her achievements in the professional and entrepreneurial arenas. Lorraine R Hyde embodies the principles of professionalism and hard work in every facet of her life. She has achieved remarkable academic and professional success through sheer determination, unwavering commitment, and an indomitable spirit. Her life journey stands as a beacon of inspiration, serving as a source of motivation not only for aspiring entrepreneurs but also for individuals striving to balance multiple pursuits without compromising their core values.
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Meet Pierre Wilson, a visionary leader, professional speaker, and founder of the BLEXIT chapters, who is making a significant impact in the world today. Pierre's life journey is one of resilience, determination, and hope, as he overcame a tumultuous childhood marked by instability, family challenges, and a sense of being unheard. Growing up in Maryland, Pierre experienced firsthand the difficulties and challenges that many minority families face today. However, his challenging upbringing served as the fuel that ignited his passion to make a difference in the world. In 2018, he stumbled upon a video featuring Candace Owens, and it was a life-changing moment. It marked the beginning of his journey towards a conservative mindset, which helped him overcome his victim mentality. Inspired by Candace and Brandon Tatum's courage, Pierre founded the inaugural BLEXIT chapter in North Carolina in 2019. Since then, he has spearheaded the launch of 44+ state chapters and overseen the growth of BLEXIT into one of the most impactful movements in minority America today. Currently, he serves as BLEXIT Director for Turning Point USA. Additionally, he plays a key role in advising Be The People, a non-profit founded by Dr. Carol Swain, focused on restoring America's founding constitutional principles. Pierre's unique experiences enable him to understand the victim narrative deeply, and he is passionate about helping others fight out of it and become the best version of themselves. He firmly believes that no matter the challenges one faces, we all have the power to achieve the American dream. He refuses to subscribe to groupthink and rejects the notion that black people are incapable of achieving more because of their skin color. He is committed to breaking every chain and empowering individuals to embrace the freedom that is rightfully theirs. Pierre's story is a testament to the power of determination, hope, and resilience. His work is changing lives, and his impact is felt across the country. Through his vision and leadership, Pierre is bringing hope to many, and his unwavering commitment to freedom is an inspiration to many around the world. He currently resides in Florida with his wife, whom he met in college. Together, they have three children.
$251 - $1,500
Pavel Tchigirinski distinguished himself with his in-depth expertise in sales and a steadfast commitment to customer service. Possessing a natural talent for identifying sales opportunities, he effectively utilized his persuasive skills to enhance sales figures and customer retention. However, his professional identity extends beyond mere task completion. He is a meticulous planner and a skillful manager of multiple tasks, significantly contributing to the profitability and success of his organization. Beyond his prowess in sales, he has also excelled in financial stewardship. Utilizing his analytical skills, he effectively safeguards an organization's finances, devising strategies to boost sales and ensure maximum profitability. His comprehensive understanding of finance enables him to analyze complex business scenarios and engage in intensive investment market research. His strategic financial decisions are crucial in enhancing the overall success and financial stability of the businesses he is involved with. Yet, his life is not solely defined by his professional achievements. He has a profound passion for tennis and chess, interests that he nurtured from childhood. These activities have shaped him into an individual who is constantly ready to face challenges with strategic planning and determination. His enthusiasm for tennis and chess goes beyond physical activity; they represent his commitment to continuous learning and self-improvement. Engaging in these sports sharpens his strategic thinking and fortifies his physical and mental resilience. For him, each game or match is a new learning opportunity for personal growth and discovery. His story involves hard work, continuous learning, and strategic thinking. Whether in finance, sales, tennis, or chess, Pavel's approach is marked by intense dedication and unwavering determination. His life is not just a tale of personal success but also a narrative of positively influencing those around him.
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Matthew Mitsis Hawaii, also known as Mateo Mitsis Hawaii, is a seasoned professional in the hospitality industry. Hailing from Chicago, IL, Matthew graduated from Amos Alonzo Stagg High School in 2008 and Moraine Valley Community College in 2011 with a degree in Liberal Arts. His culinary journey began in New Orleans, LA, where he held leadership roles at esteemed establishments such as Palace Café and The Old Saint on Royal. Matthew's passion for hospitality flourished at Wyndham Destinations, setting the stage for a successful career in the hotel and timeshare industry. His expertise now extends to ventures in Hawaii, where he continues to leave a mark on the world of hospitality.
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Buffy, a trailblazing Sustainable Fashion Designer/Instructor with a rich 15-year career, work showcases a vibrant, eccentric style using mixed media, eco-friendly, and upcycled materials. Buffy defies tradition, crafting unique statement pieces—be it street art, abstract painting, or hand-sewn/free motion embroidery & beading, each design infused with creative skill and imagination. Passionate about sustainable fashion alternatives, Buffy not only creates but educates, fostering a community that empowers others to embrace their YOUnique Style with a conscience.
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Cameron Lee Cowan M.A. MFA is the author of several books, a political commentator, and observer of culture. He has a history in music, fashion, and theater. I’m Cameron Lee Cowan; I’m originally from Denver via Northwest Arkansas. I started writing in 2005, writing essays and short stories. I have a vintage flair in much of my work. All the twists and turns on my journey through music, fashion, theater, and writing have provided the background for my writing. I’ve seen exciting people and interesting things, and I do my best to find ways to tell those everyday stories and try to leave my readers with something profound. Whether I’m writing about the world around us at The Cameron Journal or creating a novel, I try to make an observation and leave the reader to decide for themselves how they think or feel about it. My first passion of politics and public policy has been a part of my life since I was in high school. My background is in political science and creative writing (shout out to the University of Northern Colorado, Norwich University, and Goddard College), and I've been involved in politics in some form most of my adult life. I got my start in politics at the local level in Colorado with local organizations that lead to me working in the State Senate when I was 17 and then moving into media through magazines and terrestrial radio during college and the early stages of my career. In 2013, I revived my passion for fiction as a compliment to my work in media on the politics and public policy side of things. My artistic journey has taken several interesting twists and turns. I started out as a musician, worked in politics, and ran magazines. For many artists, the creative call a singular one. For me, I had to really choose to do this. There were other paths available to me. I could have had a Ph.D. before I was 30 in my academic field. I could have pursued a corporate path. Instead, I decided to create. One of my first memories of this was a childhood writing group. Remember that I could hardly articulate myself on paper at the time. From childhood, I knew that I wanted to write. At 12 years old, I could not form a coherent sentence in English. But I had much to say, and I wanted to write that down. By 17, I wanted to write articles, take adventures and perhaps be an essayist. College robbed me of much writing time, and graduate school wasn’t much help either. During this time, I put my attention towards making the written word pay by freelancing and doing copywriting work. It was hard, and some of it didn’t pay well. However, the discipline of writing in that way is something that has served me well. My favorite thing about writing is that through research, you can talk about almost anything. I like to explain things to people and try to make sense of the world. That is my hope for all my readers, is that you'll come away with something very much lacking in modern socio-political debate: context.
$1,501 - $5,000
Jimmy Graham is the CEO of Able Shepherd, an Emergency Readiness Training Center based in Denver, Colorado and co-founder of Able Nation, a 501 (c)(3) scholarship program established to protect our nation’s children in schools and churches by providing training and medical kits. Jimmy is a veteran US Navy SEAL and former CIA Protective Officer in Benghazi, Libya who has developed an incredibly successful training program that is now setting the National Standard for Violent Encounter Readiness and Active Shooter Response. Due to the tragic current events of school shootings, Jimmy has been a guest speaker on Dan Bongino’s Unfiltered, Sean Hannity’s radio show, as well as the Mike Huckabee Show, just to name a few, in order to discuss solutions to help prevent more active shooter scenarios in the future. This year, he was also requested to speak on Capitol Hill to present solutions to this growing threat. For the past couple of years, Jimmy has been working with his professionally trained staff to provide consulting and personalized training for schools, churches, businesses, as well as responsible citizens. Jimmy is a husband and father of 4 children who understands first hand the most important job we have, is to take care of the ones we love.
$5,001 - $10,000
JoAnn Bechtold, a prominent businesswoman from Omaha, boasts an impressive track record in the software industry. With Newtek Accounting Systems, Inc. under her belt, she now excels in contract work, focusing on the Ag sector. When she's not making strides in her career, JoAnn enjoys perfecting her golf swing, tending to her garden, and crafting beautiful decor. Her love for music is evident as she plays the piano, organ, and clarinet. Football season brings out her passionate cheers for the Vikings and IA Hawkeyes.
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Andrea King was born in Jamaica and migrated to the U.S. at the age of 9. Andrea is a highly accomplished CEO with a distinguished track record of success spanning multiple ventures, including her role as the President & CEO at King Davis Electric & King Davis Contracting. President of the Union Women Minority Contractors Association (UWMCA), and founder of Yvonne Castle Foundation. Additionally, Andrea is a member of the Maryland Black Business Chambers of Commerce and the Prince’s Georges Chamber of Commerce, she sits on the advisory and legislative committee. Andrea is a dedicated project transformer, combining her business acumen with a commitment to excellence.
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A Christian luminary, Albert Fortna's life narrative revolves around a steadfast commitment to integrity. Having embraced Christianity in 1985, he navigated diverse ventures, from owning a Tampa-based Honda Motorcycle & Car Dealership (1970-1978) to a Motorcycle salvage business (1977-1984), ultimately becoming a real estate developer (1980-2008) in Tampa Bay. His online assets mirror a reputation for reliability. Albert, a connoisseur of scenic train rides, envisions adding the Pacific Rim to his travelogue. His global explorations include Japan, Mexico, Hawaii, St. Kitts, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Aruba, Alaska, Canada, Israel, and the Bahamas.
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