MR. LAWRENCE WATKINS Lawrence Watkins is a 25-year old entrepreneur and owner of Great Black Speakers Bureau, an organization dedicated to assisting universities and corporations locate speakers for various events throughout the year. Founded in January 2007, Great Black Speakers has quickly risen to become a premier force in the speaking industry, boasting over 200 African-American speakers and over 100 university/corporate clients. As a 2006 University of Louisville graduate, Lawrence majored in electrical engineering while remaining heavily involved with student life on his campus. During his college career, he ran for Student Government President, planned a 700 person regional conference for the National Society of Black Engineers, and was Chapter Vice President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Furthermore, he was instrumental in making university policy change through his appointments to several boards by the university’s administration. Academically, Lawrence has a wide variety of interests and incorporates them into his career as an entrepreneur. In 2004, he was a participant in the Summer Venture in Management Program at Harvard Business School. In 2005, Lawrence received the prestigious Public Policy and International Affairs Fellowship from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA. Lawrence is currently continuing his education as the
Rodney P. Hunt Fellow at the Johnson School of Management on the campus of Cornell University. At Johnson, Lawrence will earn his MBA in entrepreneurship and marketing. He is involved in Management Leadership for Tomorrow, an organization dedicated to helping young professionals attain leadership positions in corporations, non-profits, and entrepreneurial ventures. In December of 2008, Lawrence launched phase two of his company, Great Black Publicity. This organization will aid experienced speakers with access to local, regional, and national media. With all of his success, Lawrence is still dedicated to his community and always seeking opportunities to provide internships within his company. Speaking Topics: Frame Your Future: 8 Tips to Effectively Focus on the Future and not Dwell in the Past Connected or Not Connected, That is the Question: Proven relationship building Skills that ALL college students need to know. Entrepreneurship 2.0: Learn how to rise from a broke college student to $10,000 a month in profits while working less than 10 hours per week
MS. JOANN LOVELESS Joann Loveless is head of the Westinghouse Electric company global graphic services and identity department. Professionally, she is responsible for the coordination of internal and external graphic design and branding strategies that exhibit customer value and yield optimal returns on invest-
ment for the worldwide company. Ms Loveless was appointed to the position in 2007. Over the last seven years, Ms. Loveless has led communications efforts entailing increasing levels of responsibility for two of the company’s business units with direct communications oversight of operation in France, Germany, Spain, Belgium, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the U.S. Prior to joining Westinghouse in 1992, Ms. Loveless was employed by SC Electric and Gas for 14 years. A graduate of the University of South
Carolina, Ms. Loveless holds a Bachelors of Arts degree in English, concentrated in writing. Ms. Loveless was elected in July 2008 to serve as 22nd international Grand Basileus of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc after serving four years as international first Grand Basileus. She is a life member.
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