MEET THE SPEAKER & HONOREES
A Virtual Interactive Event  
The Black History Virtual
Empowerment Recognition Breakfast
​Thursday, March 9, 2023
​FREE & OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC WORLDWIDE
​2pm GMT  •  9am EST  • 8am CST •  7am MST • 6am PST
​
BLACK RESISTANCE BOLD, BRAVE, & BODACIOUS

DISTINGUISHED KEYNOTE SPEAKER


CHRIS JONES, Ph.D.

 Dr. Chris Jones, the 2022 Democratic nominee for Governor of Arkansas, was the first African American to be nominated Governor by a major political party in Arkansas. His campaign launch video was the country's most viewed campaign launch video for the 2022 election cycle.

With graduate degrees in nuclear engineering and urban planning, and 20 years of experience in energy, infrastructure, community development, and business, Jones has used his background to advance innovation and entrepreneurship. He has led and participated in projects in engineering, physics, and urban planning, including a study on the future of nuclear power.

​As a principal at BCT Partners, Jones was the lead executive on numerous multimillion-dollar federal projects. He has served on several boards of directors and spent one year teaching in the Boston Public Schools. During his time as Assistant Dean for graduate education at MIT, Jones led efforts that doubled minority enrollment and more than tripled minority applications to MIT's graduate programs.

Prior to his run for Governor, Jones was the executive director of the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub, where he helped dozens of entrepreneurs launch and grow businesses and created programs that trained thousands of Arkansans on various STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) topics. 

One program launched during his tenure, The Skills to Launch Program, provides young adults with certification and training in roofing, welding, HVAC, and carpentry trades. This unique initiative continues to provide workforce development and upskilling, generating a high job placement rate for graduates. 
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jones pivoted the organization to virtual training that addressed digital literacy, and he developed the Arkansas Maker Taskforce to address the supply chain issues.

Jones holds five degrees, math and physics bachelors degrees from Morehouse College, an M.S. in nuclear engineering and an M.S. in technology and policy from MIT, and a Ph.D. in urban studies and planning from MIT. He and his wife, Dr. Jerrilyn Jones, an emergency room physician, live with their three daughters in Little Rock. 


​DISTINGUISHED HONOREES

MICHAEL MUNN

Michael D. Munn returned to Meet Boston (formerly known as the Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau) in May of 2022 as the Community Engagement Liaison. In his new role, Michael works with community stakeholders, members, local businesses, and internal departments to develop programs that support the visitor experience. Prior to his return to Meet Boston, Michael served as Chief of Staff and Director of Business Development for the Boston Convention Marketing Center. 

He began his career in the Hospitality and Conventions industry at The Interface Group, where he assisted in expanding the newly developed International Sales Division. He was instrumental in recruiting individual international corporations and government-sponsored joint ventures to participate in the US Information Technology industry's most successful events. Michael's work set the foundation for the US Department of Commerce to bestow upon the COMDEX events - the International Buyer Program Certification. 

His extensive experience in the industry is essential in his new role at Meet Boston. As a lifelong Bostonian, Michael enjoys meeting people, sharing his vast knowledge, history, and experience of the city, and showcasing its residents' diverse talents and hospitality to all visitors to the city!

Michael and his wife, Margo Munn, are the parents of two sons and one granddaughter.

GRETA DOUGLAS, CPC, ELI-MP

 Through her passion, authenticity, confidence, and faith, Greta Douglas is blessed to inspire, motivate, and empower women to rediscover their God-given talents and gifts. She has the privilege of working with those who are ready to embrace their passion, live their purpose, and stand in their power and truth. This work is successfully done by becoming unapologetic, non-negotiable, and relentless in manifesting their vision to live their purpose-driven life. They are taking off the masks that hide who they truly are and basking in all they are created to be. 

These phenomenal women define success on their terms, not what others say it should be.

Greta is a certified transformational life coach who supports her clients in understanding and aligning with their God-given potential. She is blessed to be a motivational speaker, coach, trainer, Amazon international bestselling author, and member of the John Maxwell Team. She was awarded the Trailblazer Award from the Network for Women in Business in New York. She received a Citation Award from the State of Massachusetts for her work as a motivational speaker. 

She is the President of the Christiana R. Gray Women's Missionary Society at Bethel AME Church, Boston, MA, Past Worthy Matron of Rising Sun Chapter No. 2, Prince Hall Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, Jurisdiction of Massachusetts; Inc., the founder and group facilitator of the Sankofa Sista Circle, the CEO of Greta A. Douglas & Co., and the Employee Support Program Manager of the Resilience in Stressful Events (RISE) Program at Mass General Brigham. 
 

PRESIDING ELDER JOCELYN HART LOVELACE
​ MR. EDDIE LOVELACE

Reverend Jocelyn Kahn Hart Lovelace is the second of four children born to the late Filmore and Marion Kahn Hart of Baltimore, Maryland. 

Reverend Lovelace is an Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She acknowledged the call to preach in 1993 at Bethel A.M.E. Church of Reading, Pennsylvania, under the pastorate of the late Rev. Bealie Stancil, Jr.

In June 2016, Presiding Elder Lovelace was appointed Presiding Elder of the Boston Hartford District of the New England Annual Conference. Here she serves 25 congregations spanning the states of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. Under her leadership, three congregations have been established. Presiding Elder Lovelace created two volumes documenting the Boston Hartford District’s response to COVID 19 and “Pastoring In A Pandemic: The First Episcopal District’s Response to COVID 19.” 

In 2021 Presiding Elder Lovelace was appointed President of the First Episcopal District Presiding Elders Council. Prior to this appointment, she served as Presiding Elder of the Philadelphia District of the Philadelphia Annual Conference. In this capacity, Presiding Elder Lovelace facilitated the first church merger within the Philadelphia Annual Conference.

She also assisted the efforts of the Bensalem Heritage Foundation in the renovation of Bensalem A.M.E. Church. Led by the Township Mayor, this project involved every area of the community: Bensalem A.M.E. Church, Town Council and Township Departments, youth agencies, social service agencies, educational institutions, veterans, labor unions, and retailers. All to the glory of God and bringing a community together in ways no one could have imagined. 
 In 2012,2016, and 2021, Presiding Lovelace was elected to the General Board of The African Methodist Episcopal Church. She is currently the Vice Chairperson of the Commission on Ministry and Recruitment. 

Before her elevation to Presiding Elder, Reverend Lovelace served for five and one-half years as Pastor of Hickman Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she distinguished herself as the first woman appointed lead pastor to a charge of this caliber. 
During her tenure at Hickman Temple, Presiding Elder Lovelace served as Chairman of the Board of Examiners, a Conference Trustee, and was twice elected a Delegate to the General Conference. Additionally, under her leadership, Hickman Temple was selected as a Partner for Sacred Places, resulting in much-needed improvements to the physical plant. She was blessed with successfully hosting the 193rd Session of the Philadelphia Annual Conference. 

An inspired and anointed preacher, Presiding Elder Lovelace was honored to deliver the Annual Sermon for the 195th Session of the Philadelphia Annual Conference in May 2011.
Presiding Elder Lovelace has served in the Western New York Annual Conference as Pastor of Bethel A.M.E. Church in Schenectady, NY, and St. John’s A.M.E. Church in Niagara Falls, NY. There she was a member of the Board of Examiners, a Conference Trustee, the Conference Treasurer and Christian Education Chairperson. Presiding Elder Lovelace has also served as Pastor of Bethany A.M. E. Church in Parkesburg, PA, and Associate Minister of Administration and Training at St. Mark A.M.E. Church in Atlanta, Georgia.


Presiding Elder Lovelace has been very active in the communities in which she has lived, serving on boards and committees that address health care, education, and the needs of the elderly and youth. She was a founding member of NOAH: Niagara Organizing Alliance for Hope, a congregation-centered, community organizing group, and she established AMEmerge, a community development corporation in the West Philadelphia community served by Hickman Temple. She was recently appointed to the Simsbury Greater Together Advisory Committee of The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving and elected chairperson of the committee. 

Presiding Elder Lovelace maintains an interest in and devotion to local and global missions. In 1999 she traveled to Kenya, East Africa, for a two-month preaching and teaching tour. In 1997 Presiding Elder Lovelace was among a delegation of 50 African Americans who participated in the Travel and Study Institute of the All-Africa Conference of Churches General Assembly held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In 2008 she was selected to an elite group of clergy for a pastoral retreat in the Holy Land and has subsequently been invited to return several times for preaching and teaching missions.


Presiding Elder Lovelace served on the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia Urban Theological Institute Committee of Advisors and as an instructor in the Certificate Program. She has also served as an adjunct professor in the Department of African America Studies at the University of Buffalo and instructor for the Payne Theological Seminary Alternative Theological Education Program held in Albany, New York, in addition to having positions as Assistant Dean of Admissions at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania; Team Manager of the Greater Philadelphia Girl Scout Council and Field Executive for the Tarheel Triad Girl Scout Council.


Presiding Elder Lovelace has distinguished herself in the academic community. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from High Point College in North Carolina, a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling Psychology from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, and a Master of Divinity Degree in Theology from Turner Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia. While enrolled at the I.T.C., Presiding Elder Lovelace was a Dean’s List Scholar, the recipient of several denominational awards, and the 1997 and 1998 recipient of the United Negro College Fund Pennsylvania Scholarship. 

Presiding Elder Lovelace was also included in the 1997 edition of the National Dean’s List and the 1997 and 1998 editions of Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. In 2018 Presiding Elder Lovelace was inducted into the Turner Theological Seminary Alumni Hall of Fame. Presiding Elder Lovelace was also nominated for recognition in the Ninth Edition of International Who’s Who of Professional and Business Women and the 2001 Women of the Year. Presiding Elder Lovelace was appointed as a biographical candidate for the Manchester Who’s Who of Female Christian Leaders and Professionals 2005/2006 “Honors Editions.” 
​
Presiding Elder Lovelace is married to Mr. Eddie J. Lovelace. They look forward to many years of serving the people of God.  
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Mr. Eddie Lovelace
Eddie Joseph Lovelace is the son of the late Joseph and Jessie Lovelace of Levittown, Pennsylvania. His early Christian development began in the home as he listened to his parents' prayers, observed their hospitable spirits, and served alongside his father and mother at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church of Bristol, Pennsylvania. Upon accepting Christ at age 14 and joining Bethel A.M.E. Church Bristol, Bro. Lovelace immediately began what would become a lifetime of serving in the household of faith. He has been of member of Bethel A.M.E. Church for 54 years. During this time Bro. Lovelace served as Junior Usher, ProTemp of the Steward Board, Class Leader, Senior Usher, President of the Scholarship Committee, and President of the Lay Organization. 

Over the years Brother Lovelace has been elected to serve as Alternant and Delegate to the General Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. He was active in the Philadelphia Annual Conference Lay Organization, having served as Chaplain, Historiographer, and Delegate to the Frist Episcopal District Mid-Year and Annual Meetings. He has also served on the First Episcopal District Lay Organization Nominating Committee. In addition to his numerous appointed and elected positions, Brother Lovelace can be found helping wherever needed, escorting elderly members across the street, visiting the sick, taking down tables, witnessing to others, and driving. He has continued his commitment to service by participating in the activities of the New England Annual Conference Lay Organization. 

He is a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and attended Bucks County Community College. He received a full football scholarship to attend Maryland State University Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD. For 3 years, Brother Lovelace was Quarterback for the Semi-Pro Bucks County Redskins. 

After 31 years of employment, he retired from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare as a Social Worker Supervisor.

On September 17, 2016, Brother Lovelace was united in marriage to Reverend Jocelyn K. Hart. Together they joyfully and proudly serve as Presiding Elder and Frist Gentleman of the Boston Hartford District of the New England Annual Conference.  

Favorite Hymn: A.M.E. Hymnal #364 “My Hope Is Built”
Favorite Scriptures: Micah 6:8, Matthew 6:33 and Romans 12:1 

Thursday March 9, 2023
​FREE & OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC WORLDWIDE
​2pm GMT  •  9am EST  • 8am CST •  7am MST • 6am PST