MEET THE SPEAKERS
A Virtual Interactive Summit
JUNE 4, 2024
US UK SUMMIT ON RACE
BLACK HISTORY: PERIL or PROMISE? PART TWO
FREE & OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC WORLDWIDE
11am EDT • 10am CST • 9am MST • 8am PST
4pm GMT UK/Nigeria
KEYNOTE SPEAKER & PANEL MODERATOR
REV. ELIJAH McDAVID
United States
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The Reverend Elijah Llewellyn McDavid III is a passionate disciple, dynamic preacher, and cultural architect. Since September 2020, Pastor McDavid has proudly served as Senior Pastor of the Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota (US).
Under Pastor McDavid’s leadership, the church has grown from 500 to 1,100 members, and a new youth center is under construction to provide after school programming, mental health care, and worship opportunities for all ages. Fellowship’s rapidly growing ministry offerings support the church’s mission to advocate for the vulnerable and combat economic, educational, and health disparities. To that end, in February 2021, Fellowship became the first faith-based Covid-19 vaccination site in the state of Minnesota. Pastor McDavid received his Master of Divinity from the Union Theological Seminary (Columbia University) in New York City, and while there, held the distinction of being the James Forbes Scholar. He is also a magna cum laude graduate of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. Pastor McDavid is a native of Arlington, Virginia, and prior to coming to Fellowship, he served on the pastoral staff of the Alfred Street Baptist Church of Alexandria, Virginia. In July 2012, he became the youngest person to be licensed to ministry in the 200-year history of Alfred Street. He is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the Downtown Minneapolis Senior Interfaith Clergy Council, and sits on the board of the African American Leadership Forum. In addition to his love for ministry, Pastor McDavid is an avid runner, piano player, and part-time restaurant critic. Above all, he is grateful for his amazing friends and family, whose love and support play an undeniable role in his life. |
DISTINGUISHED PANEL SPEAKERS
DEBORAH WATTS
United States
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Deborah Watts is a powerful driving force and influencer. As the cousin of Emmett Louis Till, whose death in 1955 at age of 14 was the catalyst to the Civil Rights movement, she uses the platform built from her Corporate and Civic leadership experience, author-driven research, political candidacy, philanthropy, entrepreneurship, and as an inspirational speaker, to ensure that time will always remember; Emmett, his mother Mamie Till Mobley, their legacy, and the historical/current, unjust societal conditions, and the horrific tragedy that caused Emmett's death.
She also connects the past to the present and future by bringing attention to the injustice and violence that continues to impact the lives of other black men, women, and children today. With the support of her family, board of directors, ambassadors, and sponsors, She remains committed to seeking the truth, justice, and accountability for Emmett and bringing about positive change for others by utilizing her global network to diligently work with activists, social justice organizations, faith and civic leaders, policymakers, educators, families, civic clubs and students all across the United States and abroad. She is as fearless as she is tireless. Her energy, voice, and persistence have captured national attention for many years and led to recognition on an international level as well.
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DAVID HUNDEYIN
Nigeria
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David Hundeyin is an award-winning investigative journalist and author whose work has appeared on Al-Jazeera, The Africa Report, Channels Television, West Africa Weekly, and CNN.
In 2019, he was nominated by the U.S. State Department to take part in the International Visitors Leadership Program. He won the 2020 People Journalism Prize for Africa and the following year, he was one of 12 global journalists selected to join the $1 million Substack Local Fellowship.
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CAROL ANN WHITEHEAD
The United Kingdom
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*Please note in respect to our Distinguished Speakers from the United Kingdom, some of the words spelled here are the correct spelling for those countries in the UK
Carol Ann Whitehead is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and an award-winning Managing Director of The Zebra Partnership. It serves as a Publishing, Events, and Campaigns agency working with consultants and performers on a project-by-project basis in the United Kingdom. The Zebra Partnership also serves a diverse overseas audience, from festivals to royal visits. Her community service includes:
Carol Ann, now in her tenth year, is a bi-monthly BBC Radio Manchester contributor known as a 'Trender' discussing current affairs nationally and internationally. She is the Host of 'The Whitehead Files,' an Oprah-styled fireside interview in studio, online, or on location across many platforms. Carol Ann serves as a guest lecturer at the University of Manchester, is on the Northern Power Women Power List, and is a Pankhurst Trust Ambassador. She delivered an 'Improving Wiki Diversity' lecture at the United Nations Youth Association in Denmark and mentored young people to host their own Wikieditathon event. In 2019, she was honoured with Global Goodwill Ambassador status from the foundation and visited the UN in Bonn, Germany. In 2021, Carol Ann was named Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Champion in the top 100 Social Media Influencers. Carol Ann was awarded the 2022 Inspiring Women Worldwide accolade from the Women's International Network (WIN) based in Geneva and added to 'Women Who Change the World' Diversein list based on submissions during Women's History Month 2023. |
AMANI SIMPSON
The United Kingdom
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*Please note in respect to our Distinguished Speakers from the United Kingdom, some of the words spelled here are the correct spelling for those countries in the UK
Amani Simpson is a multi-talented individual with a strong passion for making a positive impact on this and future generations. Most of his projects are run through his social enterprise, AVIARD Inspires CIC, where he has successfully implemented various impactful youth initiatives, including collaborations with The Mayor of London, former 2-time Heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, and Goldman Sachs. Additionally, Amani is involved with other notable organisations, such as Apprentice Nation and The Commission On Young Lives, further showcasing his commitment to creating national change. Amani uses his inspirational story of transformation, creativity, and expertise in youth engagement to challenge, uplift, and enrich. He is a renowned filmmaker with two impactful social impact movies that are used nationally and have now been viewed over four million times. This has gained him a stellar reputation as a role model and 'man of purpose,' and in celebration of Black History Month (Oct 2020), Amani was recognised as a Next-Gen Trailblazer by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex. In June 2021, he was also awarded the Governor-General's Diaspora Achievement Award for Excellence from his mother country, Jamaica, for his work supporting young people with their mental health before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Beyond his social enterprise work, Amani holds a number of high-profile strategic roles. He serves as a secondary school governor, a trustee of London's largest creative college, an advisory board member for The Mayor of London's 'Black on the Square' festival, and a board member of a prominent Christian media production company funded by The Sainsbury's Family. These positions have allowed him to positively contribute to the growth and development of his community while also gaining valuable insights into the youth empowerment, education, and creative sectors. |
BILL WELLS, JR
Lead Program & Panel Organizer
United States
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Bill Wells is President, W. Wells & Associates, LLC, a management consulting firm specializing in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategy development. In his work, Additionally, Bill provides customized human capital and talent acquisition & retention solutions as well. Bill also works closely with senior leaders providing coaching and guidance during culture change and transformation.
Previously, Bill served as Vice President - Global Diversity/Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) for Traveler's Insurance. Earlier in his career, Bill held a variety of executive and general management level positions in both the telecommunications industry, including leadership roles in Human Resources, Information Technologies, Marketing, Operations, Strategic Planning, and Business Development. Bill holds an MBA degree with a major in Marketing, a graduate certificate in Business Administration, and a Bachelor of Arts degree with a Psychology major. Bill is a life member of the National Black MBA Association, including former Chairman, and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. Also, Bill is married, has two sons, is a freelance writer, avid music-lover, jazz enthusiast, and enjoys golf. |
Friday June 7, 2024
FREE & OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC WORLDWIDE
11am EDT • 10am CST • 9am MST • 8am PST
4pm GMT UK/Nigeria
