Pat Mitchell -- ​Editorial director TED Women, BOARD MEMBER V-DAY

Pat Mitchell's diverse background in media includes work as a journalist,  producer and executive. She has worked in front of the camera and behind, anchoring the news and reporting for broadcast networks, producing award winning documentaries as President of CNN Productions, becoming the first woman President and CEO of PBS, and led The Paley Center for Media from 2007-2014 whose mission is to convene media professionals and media consumers for programs that explore the role of media in society.  Throughout her career, Mitchell has engaged the power of media and storytelling as an agent of social change and specifically, to highlight the stories of women and girls.  She was the first woman to launch, produce and host her own nationally syndicated program “Woman to Woman,” and continues to be active in breaking new ground for women across the media landscape.  Pat Mitchell has created and produced an annual TEDWomen conference in partnership with the TED organization since 2011 and is currently curating a new one for 2015 in Monterey, CA .  

Pat’s many honors include multiple Emmy Awards, five Peabodys, and two Academy Award nominations. Mitchell is also a sought after speaker and mentor: she has received the Sandra Day O’Connor Award for Leadership, the Women in Cable's Woman of the Year Award, was inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame. The Women’s Media Center has honored her with the Pat Mitchell Lifetime Achievement award, an award that will be given annually in her name.  Pat serves on the boards of VDAY, a movement to end violence against women and girls, is Chair of the Sundance Institute, a Trustee Emeritus of the Mayo Clinic, a board member of Global Green USA and Acumen Fund, and  is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, Women’s Forum Inc., and the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. She also sits on the corporate board of AOL.

NAN ORROCK -- SENATOR

Nan has demonstrated her commitment to the values of hard-working families and communities with her votes on thousands of legislative proposals and hundreds of billions of dollars in state budgets during her 24 years of service in the State Legislature

Nan got her start in politics through the Civil Rights Movement. She stepped into the Movement when she stepped into the streets on Aug. 28, 1963 to join the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. She went on to work for SNCC in Atlanta and Mississippi, led a community civil rights project in Virginia’s Black Belt counties, helped launch an alternative newspaper and joined women’s empowerment efforts in Atlanta.

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ROBERT GRIFFITH -- FORMER NFL PLAYER  Minnesota vikings

In 1998, he founded the Robert Griffith Foundation, a highly successful program which provided college scholarships to underprivileged high school seniors. Effectively to date the foundation has sponsored 26 graduates from colleges across the US including West Point, University of Michigan and Stanford to name a few. To continue the success of this project, Griffith also initiated the Viking Challenge which targets k-6th graders and challenges them in five core areas of success: responsibility, non-violence, academic improvement, drug and alcohol abstinence. Each participating student signs a contract to commit to improving in these areas and, if accomplished, receives recognition and is awarded admission to a Viking Home Game. To this day, the program has been highly beneficial to the schools, children and community with clearly positive results.

The Conundrums

A community of diverse women drawn together through a combination of fate, chance, intention, and the call of the drum.
ConunDRUMS is a percussion ensemble playing instruments and music primarily from the traditions of the Malinke, Susu, and other related ethnic groups in the West African countries of Guinea, Mali, Sierra Lione, and Cote D'Ivoire. This music is part of an oral tradition passed down through generations. It has gained popularity in Europe and North American in the last half century as more and more West African musicians have come to teach and share their rich cultural heritage. Besides West African polyrhythms, ConunDRUMS shows are sprinkled with other influences we've picked up along the way. You might hear Safiyah singing the South African song Shoshalossa, Cheri telling a Native American story, or see Ru glide past in a middle-Eastern belly-dance style. We're always open to experimenting with other musicians and styles (try the Audio tab).

Tena Clark

What musical touchstone does President Barack Obama, the most powerful leader in the world, share with Aretha Franklin, crowned the greatest singer of the rock era by Rolling Stone Magazine? The answer is the music expertise of Tena Clark. The company she founded, DMI Music & Media Solutions, programs the President’s music for Air Force One, and Clark also recently produced the Queen of Soul’s most recent album. Patti LaBelle, Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Natalie Cole, Jennifer Holliday, Gladys Knight, CeCe Winans, Dionne Warwick, Patti Austin, Stephanie Mills, Yolanda Adams and Rev. Shirley Caesar are among the iconic recording artists for whom Clark has written and/or produced. In 2009, Natalie Cole was honored with two GRAMMY awards for Still Unforgettable, executive produced by Clark. 
Clark is CEO/Chief Creative Officer for DMI Music & Media Solutions, the company she envisioned 15 years ago. As pioneers, thought-leaders, and innovators, DMI is at the forefront of entertainment and music marketing, crafting strategies and activations for brands that include Build-A-Bear Workshop, Cisco, Delta Air Lines, General Mills, Kohl’s and Lucky Jeans. From creating a brand’s unique sound and driving audio strategy, to developing a brand campaign around a major entertainment property, DMI is a full service entertainment agency.

 

Sam collier & fly musiq

FLY MUSIQ
After seeing reflections of herself growing up as a teenager in many young women she has come in contact with today, FLY was moved to create a program to inflict her passion for youth.  FLY Spirit, Inc. was formed in 2010 & now is an ever-growing initiative designed to support & mentor teenage youth.  FLY has spoken to over 80,000 youth. 


SAM COLLIER
Social Activist, Communicator, Gospel Billboard Producer, Radio Personality, 
Overall Performer, Preacher, and Founder of No Losing, Inc. Sam Collier is 
determined to see himself and others win in every aspect of life!

Theresa davis-educator/author/poet/artist/pirate

WOMEN OF THE WORLD SLAM POETRY CHAMPION 2011
Born into a family of writers and entertainers, Theresa Davis was drawn to the arts. She has expressed her artistic abilities in several mediums. She designed and created Ebony Angels (a line of hand-crafted dolls) , Mental Notes (hand-crafted books) and started a clothing line for children. A classroom teacher for over 20 years, she currently teaches poetry to youth and adults in the Atlanta Area. In 2002, Theresa joined forces with her mother and brother to form the spoken word performance group MoDaSo (Mother/ Daughter/ Son) and released two music CD'sCD's

COLEMAN HOWARD- TRUTH, LOVE, COMPASSION MOVEMENT

Coleman G. Howard is a writer/blogger, a motivational speaker, a life coach, a human activist, and a t-shirt designer.  He uses his writings and t-shirt affirmations to motivate, encourage, and teach others to heal and live their best life.  Mr. Howard is also leading a movement that is centered on the pillars- Truth, Love and Compassion.  He believes you must have truth, love, and compassion in your heart for yourself and others, in order to change the world we live in.

The Global Village Project

The Global Village Project (GVP) is a school in Decatur GA for teenage refugee girls from Afghanistan, Burma, Congo, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Iraq, Somalia, and Central African Republic. GVP has an arts-integrated curriculum, focusing especially on singing, to help students learn English, write songs about academic subjects and their experience as new Americans. Singing empowers them to speak out, and to become leaders in their local and global community.   The Global Village Chorus will be singing Elise's "Break the Silence," which was written for OBR. It is a powerful piece of music that involves the audience in a call and response song form, as well as dancing in Sign Language

maria azuri- Lsw, Program manager latin leadership institute & latin american association

Maria Soledad Azuri is originally from Argentina and grew up undocumented.  She is a long-time grass-roots social worker, educator and mental health provider, program administrator and career-long youth, family and health advocate – all within the Latina community. She is passionate about working with and for Latinas and using the female immigrant experience as a tool of strength and resilience, particularly, within social and cultural oppression and domestic violence. She has developed sexual and reproductive health programming as a tool to break the cycle of poverty and violence for Latinas, taught at the Georgia State University School of Social Work as a visiting professor and currently, is working at the Latin American Association developing a Latina economic empowerment initiative using micro-enterprise development methodology.

ANTONIO RODRIGEZ- MUSICIAN

BIO- ANTONIO RODRIGUEZ
Antonio Rodriguez is a musician and singer born in Veracruz, Mexico. He began his passion for music at 6 years of age and since then has played different musical styles like ballads, boleros, trova, folk music of Latin America, Salsa, Merengue and more. At the moment Antonio appears in a variety of musical scenes around the Southeast playing the percussion and sharing his passion for  the musical diversity in LatinAmerica.

AIDEN HORNABY-AIDEN CARES

Aidan Thomas Hornaday, age 13, has been a harmonica jamming boy since he was little. One night he ended up with $80 in tips in his fedora while playing his vintage harp in C&S Seafood & Oyster Bar in Atlanta where he was playing because bored at a grownup dinner. That very night, he decided to give that to charity to fight parasites for children in Africa. He read an article about the plight and it was his heart to help buy pills to help stop the suffering. That was the start of AidanCares. Since then, things have really taken off. 
Aidan plans to be a lifelong giver and believes all children should have the opportunity to give too. His mission is to encourage parents and adults to model giving to the children in their lives. "We are raising the most selfish generation in history and it can be so much better. Parents are into giving their kids amazing experiences but forget to include helping people, the earth or animals, whatever touches their heart as part of their job. Chances are, when they will grow up they will never make a difference. They won't know how. We want to change that by helping them find their passion and serve from their gifts."

MAYA PENN- Entreprenuer, environental & girls rights activitst...

Maya Penn is a 14 year old philanthropist, environmental and girls rights activist, entrepreneur, eco-designer, artist, animator, coder, illustrator, and writer. She is the CEO of Maya's Ideas, a company she started at 8 years old. Maya creates eco-friendly clothing and accessories. Her designs are sold all over the world. 10-20% of her profits go to local and global charities and environmental organizations. Through her nonprofit Maya's Ideas 4 The Planet, Maya has designed and created 10,000 eco-friendly sanitary pads for girls in developing countries. She has partnered with MedShare for the distribution of the pads.

Maya has been featured in Forbes, NPR, CNN, TIME, ESSENCE, NRDC, Grist, The Steve Harvey Show, Entrepreneur Magazine, FOX 5 Atlanta, Wired, Black Enterprise, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Ebony, TechRepublic, TakePart (Pivot Media), The Atlanta Journal Constitution, and many other publications. She's a three time TED speaker. Her TEDWomen Talk has over a million views and growing. She is the youngest female to do two back-to-back official TEDTalks. 

Maya has been a speaker for IBM. She was honored at the 2012 SCLC Women's Drum Major for Justice Awards. She is a 2 time panelist/speaker at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights (teen age girls economic empowerment summit, and 2014 international day of the girl). She is a 2 time speaker for Girls Inc. Maya is the 2013 Black Enterprise Teenpreneur of The Year.

Stephen wing-poet

Stephen Wing is the author of two books of poems and over a dozen chapbooks, including the “Earth Poetry” series. He is currently at work on a sequel to his novel Free Ralph!, a comedywith an environmental theme. He has published numerous essays on ecology and evolution, hosts an “Earth Poetry” workshop each season, and is the creator of Gaia-Love Graffiti, a line of original bumper stickers. He serves on the boards of the Lake Claire Community Land Trust and Nuclear Watch South. 

Jay barnet - the me & we project

Jay Barnett is an actor, motivational speaker and former professional football player.  JAY is the founder of the ME (Men of Excellence) and WE (Women of Excellence) projects designed for young women and men in middle school or early high school.  These programs benefit teens and allow them to learn what it means to be successful.  The programs give teens the tools they will need to grow to maturity in a healthy and successful way.  They will learn many things about themselves and the challenges they face. 

Sensua players

Sensua Players was born from one man's passion for the djembe and his commitment to share that passion with others so they could attend any drum circle in the world and feel comfortable joining in. 

Formed in 2003, the Sensua Players have performed in many different settings, including for Coca Cola, the Candler School of Theology at Emory University, the Alex Gray Visionary Arts Fair and the Peace and Love Festival at the Lake Claire Land Trust.

Deborah richardson-ex vice pres-center for civil & human rights

Deborah J. Richardson is the Executive Vice President of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights leading its  fundraising and program development.  She was Chief Program Officer at Women’s Funding Network in San Francisco, CEO of The Atlanta Women’s Foundation,  Director of Program Development for Fulton County Juvenile Court, founding Executive Director of the Juvenile Justice Fund (now Youth Spark) and Managing Director of the National Black Arts Festival.
 
Richardson has been honored by many organizations for her community service.  Most recently she received  the "Lives of Commitment Award" from Auburn Theological Seminary and "The Pathbreaker Award" from Shared Hope International.   She is a nationally recognized leader on social justice for women and girls and an advocate to end child sex trafficking.  She has designed leading programs for girls victimized by sexual trafficking and testified before Congress. 
 
She has a Masters of Arts in Leadership from St. Mary's College of California and is currently working on a PhD in Public Policy and Social Change from Union Institute & University.
 

natosha reid rice

Reverend Natosha Reid Rice is a mother, a wife, an ordained minister, inspirational speaker, writer and a real estate attorney committed to using all of her gifts to serve God for “such a time as this.”  Rev. Rice has been in ministry for over 17 years and has led women’s ministries at churches in Boston, MA, St. Louis, MO and Atlanta, GA.  She has recently founded Fresh Rain for Life Ministries, a non-denominational ministry that provides a “sanctuary for women in the midst of life” through worship services, bible studies, workshops, and mission outreach.  Currently, Rev. Rice serves as an Associate Pastor and leads the Women’s Ministries, at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia.
 
In addition, Rev. Rice is also the Associate General Counsel for Real Estate and Finance at Habitat for Humanity International.  Rev. Rice currently serves as Chair of the Board for Georgia Women for a Change, a Georgia non-profit organization that promotes progressive public policy to benefit women and girls in their communities.  She also serves on the Board of Directors for Invest Atlanta’s Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc. which is a community development entity that seeks to spur job creation, economic development and neighborhood revitalization in under-served parts of the City of Atlanta.  Rev. Rice is also a member of Leadership Atlanta’s Class of 2014.
 
Rev. Rice received her J.D. from Harvard Law School and her B.A. in Government with honors from Harvard/Radcliffe College. 

dick bathrick

As Co-founder and Director of Programs at Men Stopping Violence, I have co-led trainings for a variety of organizations, including the National Council of Churches, the U.S. Army and U.S. Marines, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, and the American Orthopsychiatric Association. I have also has co-led international training initiatives for governmental officials, social service workers, and women's advocates in the United Kingdom and Taiwan.

breeze-recording artist

Breeze The Voice" is an international recording artist and an advocate of love and global peace. Only 23 years young, Breeze's mission is to bring hope, love and freedom through his voice and his music. Love is the answer!

Breeze The Voice can be reached on all social media sites @breezethevoice

Karin ryan

Senior Project Advisor, Human Rights Program. The Carter Center
Ms. Ryan works with former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and Mrs. Rosalynn Carter on a range of issues, including assisting their efforts on behalf of victims of human rights violations through personal interventions with heads of state. She has represented the Center in many international negotiations, including the International Criminal Court, the human rights of women, the U.N. Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, and most recently on the establishment of a U.N. Human Rights Council and has worked closely with the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to organize expert consultations designed to strengthen the role of the OHCHR within the United Nations system. She has participated in the Center's election observation missions to Haiti, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Nigeria. She has also coordinated the Human Rights Defenders Policy Forum from 2003-2006, 2007, 2008, 2011, and 2013 whose aim is to support those on the front lines of the struggle for human rights and democracy all over the world.

diane dougherty

Rev. Diane Dougherty is human rights activist working to advance equality for women within the catholic tradition. She is ordained and member of the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests.  She ministers to the poor and marginalized at First Metropolitan Community Church and is a core member of One Billion Rising.

Elizabeth omilami

Elisabeth is an award-winning actress, whose career resonates, with over 60 film, television and stage projects on her resume

Continuing in her father’s legacy Elisabeth stands steadfast in her commitment to the community and people that have been subjected to victimization of certain systems. Her acknowledgements for humanitarian and activism service includes: A Georgia State Senate Resolution in recognition of her Community Service, Atlanta Business League 100 Women of Influence, For Sisters Only, Women In Film Humanitarian Award, Secretary of State of the State of Georgia Outstanding Citizen, State of Georgia Goodwill Ambassador, YWCA Women of Achievement Academy, Burger King Urban Everyday Heroes, Kraft Community Service, SCLC Women Drum Major for Justice, T. D. Jakes Phenomenal Woman, Daughters of Isis Community Service Award, the Emory University M.L.K. Community Service Award and The National Conference of Black Mayors Fannie Lou Hamer Unsung Heroine Award. 

Elisabeth was born in Atlanta, Georgia and is the daughter of the late civil rights activists, Reverend Hosea and Mrs. Juanita T. Williams. 

moving in the spirit

Moving in the Spirit is a nationally-recognized youth development program that uses the art of dance to positively transform the lives of children and teens in Atlanta, Georgia. Through programs that integrate high-quality dance instruction with performance, leadership and mentor opportunities, Moving in the Spirit impacts over 200 children and teens annually, encouraging them to overcome the obstacles they face each day and realize their highest potential.

Students graduate from Moving in the Spirit with confidence in themselves as artists and leaders, poised to succeed beyond the stage and make a difference in their own communities. Ultimately, Moving in the Spirit EDUCATES, INSPIRES and UNITES young people through dance, propelling them to become successful and compassionate leaders.

ten blocks away

Ten Blocks Away-Ten Blocks Away is a West African style percussion ensemble, specializing in music that brings people together in joyful community. The band emerged from a group of friends who were studying djembe music through the Tam Tam Mandingue school, founded by Guinean djembe Grand Master, Mamady Keita.

 The name Ten Blocks Away (TBA) is a reference to the first gig we played back in 2006. Neighbors living ten blocks away from the bar heard our music and called the police. We took it as a compliment, adopted the name and have since been known as Ten Blocks Away. In the spirit of West African musical tradition, a Ten Blocks Away show is a highly interactive event. Core fans often sing along, while our soloists engage directly with audience members with an electrifying energy that inspires everyone to dance! More than a passive entertainment experience, TBA provides the engine for celebratory party!