Meet our Speakers & Entertainment
Dr. Wanza Jackson Dr. Wanza Jackson started her career with Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) in 1989. She was appointed to the position of Warden in 2000. She was the first female Warden at Dayton Correctional Institution and Warren Correctional Institution. In August 2010, Dr. Jackson was appointed to the position of Religious Service Administrator for ODRC. She works with Wardens and Deputy Wardens to plan, direct and monitor religious services and programs for offenders; she provides leadership to ODRC Prison Chaplains. She also plans and directs the Ohio Death Row ministry to offenders and their families. She has a bachelor degree in Business Administration from the University of Cincinnati; a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Xavier University in Cincinnati; and a Doctorate of Ministry in Theology from Life Christian University. She is also an executive board member of the YWCA (Butler County) and a Victim/Offender Dialogue Facilitator for the State of Ohio. In July 2008 she received the “Medgar Evers Award” for demonstrating unselfish ideals of fair play by developing policies, enforcing regulations and ensuring that all persons including those who are institutionalize receive equal justice under the law. This award was received from the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice. |
Ophelia Averitt Ophelia Averitt was born in Demopolis, Alabama, moved to Mobile, when she was very young, for fear of retaliation from whites for her mother helping black farmers. The family later relocated to Akron, leaving behind 180 acres of land and her father's restaurant. Ms. Averitt's mother was a teacher at a time when blacks could not teach in Akron schools. Her father and mother had to go to work in local factories. Ophelia attended Bryant Elementary and West High Schools before moving to New Jersey. She attended Patterson School of Nursing and took classes at New York City College. There, she won a beauty contest which enabled her to pursue a career in cosmetology. Ophelia returned to Akron to attend Sayers School of Cosmetology and worked as a nurse evenings. She opened her first salon in 1968 and currently owns Simone’s Beauty Salon on Copley Rd. Ms. Averitt was married to the late John "Andy" Averitt and together raised three children. Ophelia has been involved with the NAACP since she was three and has been an active member for more than 60 years. After serving in many capacities she was appointed president in 1993. As president, she established college scholarships and has provided funds for the mentoring of school age children, youth orchestra, and oversaw the establishment of chapters on six college campuses including the University of Akron and Kent State University. She was also instrumental in helping to start the first afro-centric school in Akron (Stewart Primary School). Ms. Averitt is considered one of Akron’s fashion icons. She is best known for her extensive and flamboyant collection of hats. She even caught the attention of former President Bill Clinton with the multi-colored gloves she wore to a town hall meeting in Akron. Ms. Averitt serves on many committees and boards. Her daily motto is to: "Do something to make someone's life better." |
Rev. Torri Colts Rev. Torri Colts is the oldest daughter of Roy & Mary Smith. She is a native of Rome, Georgia. Rev. Torri Colts Graduated from Kennesaw University with a Bachelors of Arts in Secondary Education. She is married to Rev. Dr. Jamey L. Colts, Sr., the pastor of New Era Baptist Church, Middletown, OH. They have four beautiful children-Jamil, Jamey Jr., Jada Page (deceased) Jasmine Tia (deceased). Rev. Torri enjoys working with children and people, and her favorite scripture is “I can do all things through Christ that strengthen you.” Phil. 4:13 |
Stacey Lawson Someone once said that if you are what you do then, when you don’t, you aren’t. This reflects the journey, becoming, and spirit of Stacey Lawson. Through loss, love, life, pain, and gain- she’s still in flight or, as Maya Angelou would say, “And still I rise”. She will speak to who you are, where you are, and where you are going. Her greatest accomplishment is learning to listen. Her biggest mistake is not listening. Her goal is to become less of who she shouldn’t be and more of who she should be. |
Dr. Rosalind Jackson I am a board certified Gynecologist and Obstetrician and a Fellow of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. I did my undergraduate studies at Tennessee State University and graduated in 1989, then attended Wright State University School of Medicine and graduated in 1995. My internship and residency was done at Wright State University, Miami Valley Hospital and Wright Patterson Air Force Base, and completed in 1999. I take a personal interest in women’s healthcare and address their needs individually. I believe in educating a woman about her health choices to enable her to make good decisions about her body. My interest in bioidentical hormones was developed from this belief. Female sexual dysfunction is an area that needs specialized attention. Although this problem is multifactorial, there may be a role for bioidentical hormones. I consider myself not only a physician, but also a resource. As a physician, I listen to the patient’s individual symptoms and do not treat everyone the same. No two women are alike and their hormonal needs are different. My desire is to bridge the gap between conventional and complementary medicine with the use of bioidentical hormones to restore normal physiology and help diminish the varied symptoms associated with menopause. www.rosalindjacksonmd.com |
Tamara Jackson aka "MOTHER JENKINS" "MOTHER JENKINS" has been putting the "holy" in ha-ha since 1998, when Tamara Jackson began using the character to express her unique brand of Christian comedy at her home church in Cincinnati, Ohio. Tamara states that Mother Jenkins first came on the scene at her church's weekly Bible study. Every week before and after the lesson, she would tell jokes, and people loved it. In both December 1998 and 1999, Mother Jenkins was written into the church Christmas play as a character. In February of 2000, her pastor decided Mother Jenkins should make a surprise guest appearance before the sermon at regular morning service. That was her first "stand-up" comedy appearance as Mother Jenkins. Mother Jenkins just "took off" from there. Others heard about her, and she began ministering as Mother Jenkins in other churches, community and entertainment events. She has opened for and/or appeared on programs with such Gospel greats as Donnie McClurkin, Vickie Winans, Mary Mary, Shirley Murdock and the Bobby Jones Gospel Artist Retreat. |
Mimer Tenesha Guy Tanesha is the daughter of Marcus & Ursha Pipkin Guy. She is a member of Tried Stone Baptist Church, Middletown, Ohio. Tanesha is active in The Praise Unlimited Mime Ministry, Youth Ministry & Sunday School. She accepted the Lord Jesus Christ at an early age. Tanesha is a freshman at Middletown High School. Her gift of ministry is singing & dancing. She has a pleasant personality and she loves people. Tansha’s grandmother has been a great inspiration in her life; she loves to call her even if it is not important. |
Psalmist Pam Staples (not pictured) Pam Staples is an anointed gospel vocalist, psalmist and praise & worship leader. She started playing the piano at the age of five. Pam has been a backup vocalist and has recorded with artist such as: Dr. Charles Fold (15 years), Shirley Murdock, Lawrence Bishop Jr., Aretha Chapman, and Psalmist Doris Stokes. Pam is the proud of three, and she has two grandchildren. |
Gospel Artist Audrey Whitaker Singing at an early age in her local church and school choirs, God has given Audrey Whitaker a special ministry. Experience includes: •Formerly of Dayton Chapter Gospel Music Workshop of America God has given Audrey specific instructions to tell a dying world about a living Savior’s return. |
Kim "Duwaup" Bryant Kimberly “DuWaup” Bryant is a big thing in a small package. A native of Elsmere, KY, she attended Northern Kentucky University where she received a bachelor degree in Psychology with minors in African-American Studies and Mental Health & Human Services. True to her Sagittarian nature, DuWaup is a “jack of all trades”. She’s a singer, songwriter, spoken word artist, event host, planner and producer, actress, motivational speaker and jewlery maker and designer. She has been writing creatively for more than a decade and her passion for the arts shines through in all that she undertakes. She is known for her warm and welcoming smile and her energy is said to be “contagious”. DuWaup's words pack a serious punch and are sure to take you by surprise. She is straightforward, hard-hitting and sexy. In 2002, DuWaup co-created “The Ra Poets Society” and “Ra Sessions After Dark”, a monthly showcase/networking event, which was featured in Cincinnati’s CityBeat Magazine as the “Hot Words” spot (2003). In 2004, she won the $500 grand prize at “Can You Rock the Mic,” hosted by world-renowned comedian Spike Davis in Louisville, KY. DuWaup relesaed her debut cd, “Soul Confessions”. In 2010, DuWaup became co-owner of SOUL’D OUT Productions (Cincinnati) and co-creator or “ONE NIGHT ONLY”, a monthly showcase/networking event currently held in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. DuWaup is the co-founder and co-host of “WORDPLAY WEDNESDAY”, a weekly open mic and artist showcase event held in Cincinnati. She’s a founding member of “P.I.M.P. (Progressive Intelligent Motivated Poets) Hand Strong”, and “THE MOVEMENT” and is also a\ core cast for of “Coochie Chronicles: the spoken word stage play”. DuWaup is currently wrapping up her sophomore cd “Play At Your Own Risk” to be released Spring 2011.
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