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Meet Our Past Mentors and Speakers

From shaping the Academy curriculum to selecting our 100 Dreamers to giving motivational speeches at our annual event, our Speakers Resource Group brings a wealth of personal experience and insights. They bring a variety of backgrounds and expertise, but they all share a passion for inspiring youth to be their best.
Terrence J | Host, BET's "106 and Park"

Terrence J

Charismatic television and film actor, philanthropist and author Terrence "J" Jenkins is co-anchor of the international news program E! News...
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Terrence J

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Co-Anchor, E! News
Charismatic television and film actor, philanthropist and author Terrence "J" Jenkins is co-anchor of the international news program E! News. Jenkins is no stranger to the hosting world after 7 years on BET's 106 & Park—the longest-running music countdown show in history.

Many of the successful moments in Jenkins life, both personally and professionally, have been credited to the lessons that his mother taught him, and he's proud to share her words of wisdom to inspire others via his first literary work, The Wealth of My Mother's Wisdom.

In addition to his work with Disney Dreamers Academy, Jenkins is also a spokesperson for Ronald McDonald's House Charities' Future Achievers Scholarship Campaign and an avid supporter of the Boys & Girls Club of Newark, New Jersey.
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Yolanda Adams

Yolanda Adams

From her late-`80s debut, Yolanda Adams has carried the torch for contemporary gospel and inspirational music...
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Yolanda Adams

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Gospel Superstar/Radio Personality
From her late-`80s debut, Yolanda Adams has carried the torch for contemporary gospel and inspirational music. Stunningly beautiful, exceptionally educated, filled with the spirit and blessed with one of the most powerful voices in any genre of music, this Houston-native has been a stately beacon of God's light, earning numerous accolades and awards for her shining efforts.

Since 2007, Yolanda is heard on 14 radio stations (and counting) across the country with her barrier-breaking "The Yolanda Adams Morning Show," a program of her creation and ownership in thrilling conjunction with Radio One.
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Stephen A. Smith

Stephen A. Smith

Stephen A. Smith, once widely recognized as one of the most popular voices on ESPN, is still one of the preeminent voices in the African-American Community...
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Stephen A. Smith

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Journalist/Commentator
A native of Hollis, Queens, who built his foundation as a journalist over the course of 14 years in New York and Philadelphia, Stephen A. Smith, once widely recognized as one of the most popular voices on ESPN, is still one of the preeminent voices in the African-American Community. At the Philadelphia Inquirer, Smith was promoted to General Sports Columnist, one of only 21 African-Americans in the nation to hold such a title at that time. Smith's career at ESPN began on the show, "NBA Shootaround". He has also hosted his own show on 1050 ESPN Radio, which due to its success, was picked up nationwide.
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Mikki Taylor

Mikki Taylor

Mikki Taylor is the Editor-at-Large at ESSENCE Magazine, and the president of Mikki Taylor Enterprises, LLC...
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Mikki Taylor

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Editor-at-Large, ESSENCE Magazine
Mikki Taylor is the Editor-at-Large at ESSENCE Magazine, and the president of Mikki Taylor Enterprises, LLC, a strategic branding, consulting and communications company. She has devoted a lifetime to helping women micro-manage their inner and outer beauty and helping audiences to own their lives to the fullest.

Today Taylor, who for 30 years served as the magazine's groundbreaking beauty and cover director, lends her unique signature to marketing events and special celebrity projects with Essence Communications, Inc.
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Dr. Steve Perry

Dr. Steve Perry

His career has taken him from directing a grassroots organization in Chester, PA to a full scholarship at the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Work, back to his hometown of Middletown...
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Dr. Steve Perry

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Educator/Author/Motivational Speaker
Dr. Steve Perry's heart pumps passion. His career has taken him from directing a grassroots organization in Chester, PA to a full scholarship at the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Work, back to his hometown of Middletown where he ran a homeless shelter, became a candidate for state representative and published his first of four books… then he turned 26. In 2004, Capital Prep was born and since its inception, it has sent 100% of its graduates to four year colleges for three consecutive years! Perry courageously forged a path by starting a public middle and high school in the state's lowest performing district.
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Sonia Jackson Myles

Sonia Jackson Myles

She was named one of Essence Magazine's "Women of Power" in 2008...
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Sonia Jackson Myles

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Founder & Author, "The Sister Accord-The Promise That Will Transform Your Life"
Sonia is the mother of Kendall, age 15 and Jordan, age 13 and is married to Kenneth A. Myles, President & CEO of KAMJAM Entertainment. In 1995, Sonia developed a highly successful program, during her employment with Ford Motor Company, focused on teaching life skills and critical communication skills to high school students in Detroit. She was named one of Essence Magazine's "Women of Power" in 2008, Bloomberg Report's "History Makers" in 2009, Trumpet Award Foundation's "Women in High Heels" in 2010, and was inducted into the Florida A&M School of Business and Industry's Hall of Fame in 2011.
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Brandi & Karli Harvey

Brandi & Karli Harvey

Brandi Harvey and Karli Harvey are among the most recognized and admired young women of today...
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Brandi & Karli Harvey

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Founders, CEO and Artistic Director of Young Fit and Fly
As founders of Young Fit & Fly, Brandi Chief Executive Officer and Karli Artistic Director are entrepreneurs, motivational speakers, and media mavens. Graduating from The Ohio State University in 2005 with a degree in African American and African Studies, Brandi oversees public relations, forms strategic partnerships with corporate and community leaders and champions the global brand of the Steve Harvey World Group. Karli is currently a hair artesian at U Salon in Atlanta, GA, transforming lives one head at a time. She graduated from The Ohio State University in 2005 and moved on to pursue her career in hair design by attending and graduating from Vidal Sassoon Academy in 2006.
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Alex O. Ellis

Dr. Alex O. Ellis

An author, speaker, custom clothier, mentor and gentleman of distinction...
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Dr. Alex O. Ellis

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CEO, Simply Ellis Custom Clothier
Dr. Alex O. Ellis is an author, speaker and activist who is turning heads and transforming lives through the power of image. Through his award-winning book Restoring the Male Image…A Look From the Inside Out—and television appearances on CNN, BET, The Steve Harvey Morning Show and The 700 Club—Dr. Ellis inspires men of color to work together to build self-esteem through character, pride, dignity—and authentic personal style. Dr. Ellis is founder of Tied to Greatness, a nonprofit mentoring organization that has impacted over 5,000 inner city youth in the U.S. and abroad.
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Jonathan Sprinkles

Jonathan Sprinkles

Voted the 2006 College Speaker of the Year by members of the Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities...
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Jonathan Sprinkles

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Motivational Speaker
Voted the 2006 College Speaker of the Year by members of the Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities, Jonathan Sprinkles has quickly become recognized as one of the most sought-after and well-respected speakers and entrepreneurs in the country. The author of several books, informational audio projects and countless articles, his writings have been published internationally and are frequently cited by industry experts. Jonathan "sprinkles" elements of wisdom and humor to create a learning environment that is light-hearted yet purpose-filled.
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Chef Jeff Henderson

Chef Jeff Henderson

After a very long journey which included a stint in San Pedro's Terminal Island federal penitentiary, Chef Jeff found his life's calling, the culinary arts.
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Chef Jeff Henderson

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Executive Chef, Las Vegas' Cafe Bellagio
After a very long journey which included a stint in San Pedro's Terminal Island federal penitentiary, Chef Jeff found his life's calling, the culinary arts. His prison job as a dishwasher got him into the kitchen where he dreamed of one day being a chef. "Prison saved my life," he says. "It rescued me from the streets and now I have an obligation to give back." He became the first African-American to be named a Chef de Cuisine at Caesars Palace and in 2001 was named Chef of the Year in Vegas by the Tasting Institute of America.
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