OUR SPEAKERS

 

 

 

 

 

Duane West, nationally acclaimed On-Air, Motivational, TV Personality (formerly NBC Universal Television, 10 years), author, health and fitness guru, former professional football player.  He was honored on national TV as America’s leading celebrity youth motivator.  

Mr. West progressively navigated from poverty, special needs, at-risk student and homelessness, the Inner-Cities of Newark and Irvington, New Jersey to first generation college graduate, to renowned fitness guru, to inspirational speaker, to author, to professional football player, to national motivational on-air TV star.  West was an exclusive endorsed health and fitness personality/spokesperson for Nike, Inc. (3years), Fila, USA (4 years) and Footlocker (1 year).  He is the Founder and CEO of Pro Athletes.  West has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Rutgers Newark-University.  D. West is a former Seton Hall University EOF student athlete. 

 

 

Bobby Jackson, Former New York Jets (8 years) and Member of the Jets All Time Team, Florida State University Hall of Fame Football Team.  Mr. Jackson has a Bachelor’s degree from Florida State University.  From poverty, the Inner-City of Albany, Georgia, to the NFL, New York Jets and Atlanta Falcons.  Nothing is impossible, you can achieve the unthinkable.

 

 

Dr. Kevin West, Superintendent of Roselle Public Schools, New Jersey Principal of the Year 2003, he has a Bachelor’s degree with honors in Elementary Education from Seton Hall University, a Masters’ degree with honors in Educational Administration and Supervision from Seton Hall University, a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University, Florida (graduated with honors 4.0 GPA).  Dr. West was a finalist for the 2014 - 2015 New Jersey Superintendent of the Year.  Dr. Kevin West progressively navigated from poverty and homelessness, the Inner-Cities of Newark and Irvington, New Jersey to first generation college graduate, to teacher, to principal, doctor in education, to assistant superintendent of schools, to elite Superintendent of Roselle Public Schools in New Jersey.  Dr. Kevin West is a former Seton Hall University EOF student athlete.  Aim high, set goals.

 

 

Mark Larkins, Comptroller of New Jersey, Former US Federal Prosecutor, he has a Bachelor’s degree with honors Seton Hall University undergraduate and a Law degree with honors from Seton Hall University Law School.  Mr. Larkins graduated from high school at age 16, he was only 16 years old his freshman year at Seton Hall University.  From the Inner-Cities of Newark and Irvington, New Jersey to scholar student, to elite national Attorney/Prosecutor.  Use education as a lifeline to achieve your dreams.

 

 

Dr. Kenneth Hamilton, Superintendent of Mt. Vernon Public Schools, NY, Retired New Jersey Superintendent of Schools, Seton Hall University undergraduate and masters degree, doctorate degree in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University, Florida. Dr. Hamilton was the first African American Superintendent of Schools in Westampton Public Schools and Monroe Township, NJ.  From the Inner-City of Newark, New Jersey to doctor in education.  Dr. Hamilton is a recent cancer survivor.

 

 

Renee Kelly, Former pro basketball player in Italy and Brazil, 2014 SEC Women's Basketball Legend Honors, the Hall of Fame and the University of Missouri Basketball Hall of Fame.  Her Jersey #42 is retired.  Renee Kelly is an Academic All American, she has a Bachelor's degree in Marketing from the University of Missouri, a Masters' degree in Leadership, University of Troy, a Specialist degree from the University of Cambridge.  Ms. Kelly is an elite educational leader, a high school Principal in Augusta, Georgia.  Success is not an accident, you have to plan and take action.  The Hall of Fame is a dream for most, make it happen like Renee Kelly.

 

 

Mark Lockhart, Former pro basketball player in Belgium and Holland, McDonald's High School All American.

 

 

Chris Slade, Super Bowl Champion, New England Patriots.  If you believe you will win big in life, most likely you will.  Think positive.

 

 

Vanessa Brantley-Newton, an award winning celebrity children's book illustrator and author, she has illustrated over 60 children’s books.  Some of Mrs. Newton’s clients are Simon and Schuster, Disney, Scholastic, Random House, Harper Collins, Hallmark, American Girl, and American Greetings.  Mrs. Newton attended FIT University and the School of Visual Arts for children's book illustration.

From the Inner-Cities of Newark and Irvington, New Jersey to award winning author and artist.  Wow, dream big!

 

 

Lewis Benfatti, Former New York Jets.