Dr. John Fitzgerald Gates

Posted on November 2, 2012 by admin in Speakers

Thought-leader and diversity expert, Dr. John Fitzgerald Gates is President and CEO of Campus Diversity Agenda and Principal of Criticality Management Consulting. He brings to his work two decades of experience leading and evaluating institutional diversity and inclusion strategy. An internationally credentialed organizational scientist, Dr. Gates advances diversity as a strategic asset to be leveraged to improve institutional outcomes.

Dr. Gates has served as Associate Dean at Harvard College and a Member of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University, where he oversaw diversity programming and strategy, human resources and fiscal affairs. Dr. Gates led the reestablishment of and co-chaired Harvard’s Association of Black Faculty, Administrators, and Fellows, served as faculty advisor to the Black Men’s Forum, and a Resident Fellow of Lowell House.

As Special Assistant to the President and the Provost and Lecturer of Higher Education at the University of Vermont, Dr. Gates oversaw institutional diversity, including the ALANA Student Center, the Women’s Center, and the LGBTQ Center. He was the president’s point person on complex, confidential and strategic university matters, and represented the president to the Board of Trustees, the Faculty Council, the Staff Council, the University Planning Council, and the Master Planning Committee, among other bodies.

At New York University, Dr. Gates oversaw global diversity—leading NYU’s international network of campuses in Argentina, the Czech Republic, Spain, France, Great Britain, and Italy, as well as Villa La Pietra. He led the establishment of NYU’s offices of Faculty Affairs and Global Affairs, and managed a $100 million budget. While at NYU, Dr. Gates also served as Associate Director of the Faculty Resource Network, a national faculty development and diversity consortium; Associate Director of the Africana Studies Program; and Associate Director of the Institute of African-American Affairs.

A national advocate for LGBT inclusion, Dr. Gates has served as a member of the Board of Directors and chair of the Diversity Committee of Fenway Health—the largest academic medical center focused on LGBT health in the world. He speaks to student and professional groups on such topics as “A Gay Black Man’s Journey to Authenticity” and “Breaking Through the Privilege Gap”.

Dr. Gates holds a Bachelors degree in English from Morehouse College, a Masters degree in Higher Education Administration from New York University, a Certificate in Educational Management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and a Ph.D. in organizational behavior from the University of London.

Rev. George B. Walker, Jr

Posted on November 2, 2012 by admin in Consultant, Speakers

George Walker has worked extensively to promote and leverage the world’s greatest resource- its people. As an employee, board member, and volunteer his focus on strategic partnerships advances ideas and plans that harness innovative opportunities and achieve results. A talented trainer, captivating motivational speaker, and prodigious fundraiser, he has addressed gatherings domestically and internationally regarding corporate responsibility, diversity and inclusion, youth leadership, volunteerism, and interfaith competency. George’s variety of skills allows him an expertise on the inner workings of various communities. In February 2012, President Barack Obama appointed him to be a member of the President’s Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). He was selected to serve as a German Marshall Memorial Fellow for the spring of 2010 where he traveled to five countries in Europe representing the US and learned about transnational partnerships on a variety of issues. George is a graduate of Morehouse College (BA History) and The Divinity School, Duke University (M-Div). He is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ (UCC).

George serves as the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund and Institute. He oversees efforts to increase programmatic partnerships that advance organizational competencies and diversity goals among corporate, foundation, and other nonprofit partners on behalf of LGBT public leaders. Prior to this role, George served as the Vice President of Leadership Initiatives at Victory. Professionally, he has also served as development director for the American Constitution Society for Law and Policy; major gifts officer at the Human Rights Campaign; deputy operations director at the Center for Community Change; and associate director at the Peace Development Fund. In addition to designing leadership trainings for senior officials, he often serves as a subject matter expert on diversity and inclusion, and trainer to groups large and small. He has raised millions of dollars over the course of his career while leveraging relationships toward mutually beneficial goals. He volunteered with the U.S. Peace Corps in Guayaquil, Ecuador from 1994 to 1996. In 2000, he was a recipient of the Franklin H. Williams Award for service for former volunteers who have returned from Corps service and remain active in bringing volunteerism back to their communities of origin. In additional to the President’s Advisory Board on HBCU’s, he has served on local and national boards of directors.

A native of Memphis, Tennessee he lives in Washington, D.C. with his family. George holds a black belt in karate (taekwondo). He is fluent in Spanish, a student of French, and travels extensively.

Alton Fitzgerald White

Posted on November 1, 2012 by admin in Speakers

Alton Fitzgerald White is a critically acclaimed actor and public intellectual who stars as King Mufasa in Disney’s The Lion King on Broadway. Captivating audiences whenever and wherever he performs, Alton is a triple talented singer, actor, dancer who has starred in six hits on Broadway.

He made his Broadway starring debut as John in Miss Saigon with his powerful heart rending performance of the anthem “Bui Doi” bringing nightly ovations. Demonstrating his vocal versatility, Alton then moved on to the more aggressive role of The Hawker in The Who’s Tommy, the hit rock-opera. Next was the popular Broadway show Smokey Joe’s Café where Alton dazzled theatergoers with dynamic renditions of Leiber and Stoller classics. Alton went on to land the coveted starring role of Coalhouse Walker Jr. in Ragtime: The Musical. His performance mesmerized audiences into consistent emotional standing ovations.

Alton’s next move took him on the road to originate the role of Mufasa in the 1st National Tour of Disney’s The Lion King. After just over a year of touring, Alton was invited to take over the role in the Broadway company. Alton was then offered the amazing opportunity to play the role of Mister in Oprah Winfrey’s The Color Purple opposite American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino. After an exceptionally blessed and grueling 5 1/2 years of continuous 8 shows a week, Alton took a year off for TV, film, concerts around the world, voice-overs and commercial work. Following his year away from the demands of Broadway, Alton was invited back into the Broadway company of The Lion King in the role of King Musafa.

Alton has released his second solo album, ‘Disney My Way!’ In the liner notes for the new recording, Thomas Schumacher, president of the Disney Theatrical Group, says, “Listening to ‘Disney My Way!’ is, for me, a visit with old friends. First up, of course, is the spectacular Alton Fitzgerald White—actor, singer, and gentleman. A long-time member of the Disney Theatrical family, Alton is well known to our audiences on Broadway, in Las Vegas, and across America as King Mufasa from The Lion King. He is an actor of extraordinary craft, and is blessed with a stunning voice.”

Notwithstanding his incredible professional achievements, Alton has experienced the travails of racism. Alton chronicled his experience with racial profiling in an article for the Nation Magazine titled, Ragtime, My Time, that has been reproduced in more than 30 textbooks around the world.