Cleveland Summit II Program Journal

CLEVELAND SUMMIT II GET THE GUYS TOGETHER AGAIN

HONORING A HISTORIC STAND INSPIRING A NEW GENERATION july 29, 2025

STANDING TOGETHER FOR JUSTICE, EQUITY & HUMAN DIGNITY We proudly support Cleveland Summit II, honoring the legacy of the historic 1967 Cleveland Summit.

AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS Tuesday, July 29, 2025 | 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM Ideastream Public Media , Playhouse Square 1375 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115

Welcome Remarks Michele Meyer-Shipp

Chairperson, Fritz Pollard Alliance

Welcome Prayer Hosiah Huggins Jr.

Executive Management Consultant/Coach

Greetings Cyrus Mehri Co-founder, Mehri & Skale and Fritz Pollard Alliance

Fireside Chat Jimmy Haslam

Chairman and Managing Partner, Haslam Sports Group; Owner, Cleveland Browns

Panel Discussion Remembering the 1967 Cleveland Summit Lunch Special Message Linda Alvarado Founder & CEO Alvarado Construction; Owner Colorado Rockies

Soul of a Nation: Respect for Human Dignity Special Message Cynthia Heard President & CEO | Los Angeles Urban League

Playbook for a Better Community Panel Discussion Closing Remarks

PROUDLY SALUTES

JOHN WOOTEN For your extraordinary contributions on and off the field Your leadership, integrity, and unwavering commitment to advancing opportunities in football and beyond continue to inspire generations.

Thank you for your impact, your vision, and your legacy.

ADAM BAILEY

ANTOINETTE BROWN

WELCOME to the Cleveland Summit II: Get the Guys Together Again! Thank you for joining us to commemorate the original 1967 Cleveland Summit, where legendary figures including Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown, Bill Russell, Kareem AbdulJabbar, Curtis McClinton, and John Wooten united in support of Ali’s principled stand against the Vietnam War. That moment redefined what it meant for athletes to use their platform for purpose.

Now, nearly 60 years later, Cleveland Summit II continues that legacy—bringing together a new generation of voices to confront the pressing challenges of our time: equity, justice, leadership, and community healing.

Today’s program is not just a reflection on history, but a call to action—challenging each of us to carry that spirit forward in our schools, communities, and daily lives.

RODNEY BROWN

We also honor John Wooten, whose lifelong dedication to fairness and opportunity continues to inspire generations.

To our program speakers, sponsors including NFL Foundation, Cleveland Browns, Presido Consulting, Everett Glenn, and volunteers—your contributions make this possible. Together, we ensure that the legacy of the Cleveland Summit lives on as a blueprint for the future.

SHEILA GILMORE

With gratitude,

The Cleveland Summit II Production Team

JOHN HARRIS

INVOCATION HOSIAH HUGGINS Based in Washington, D.C., Hosiah Huggins Jr. has spent 35 years as a consultant and adviser to individuals, groups, and small business owners. A certified management consultant and dedicated small business advocate, he helps clients clarify their purpose, set personal goals, and navigate life’s next steps.

Over his career, Hosiah has built effective partnerships with businesses, educational institutions, non-profits, government agencies, and the private sector. In addition to supporting organizations, he has guided countless individuals in discovering new directions and achieving meaningful personal and professional growth.

His expertise lies in connecting people with practical solutions, fostering strong relationships, and providing guidance that empowers clients to embrace change and pursue their goals with confidence.

REMARKS

CYRUS MEHERI Cyrus Mehri co-founded three organizations: Mehri & Skalet, one of the nation’s premiere complex litigation and civil rights firms, Working IDEAL a diversity and inclusion consulting company, and the Fritz Pollard Alliance a not for profit fighting for diversity and equity within the National Football League. Mr. Mehri is best known as the architect behind the NFL’s Rooney Rule.

On MLK weekend 2021, the Wall Street Journal profiled Mr. Mehri in its Future of Everything/Work series. He has served as co-lead class counsel for some of the most significant race and gender cases in the U.S., with notable innovations and reforms including at iconic companies such as Texaco, Coca-Cola, Ford Motor Company, Morgan Stanley, Wachovia and Smith Barney. Recently his firm has prosecuted successful ground breaking sexual harassment class action suits.

In 2002, Mr. Mehri along with Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. wrote the report “Black Coaches in the NFL: Superior Performance, Inferior Opportunities” which is currently featured at both the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio and the African American Museum in Washington, D.C. In his role as FPA counsel, Mehri helped to create the “Rooney Rule,” which has resulted in a record number of minority head coaches and general managers in the National Football League and has been a voice of conscience in the NFL ranks. NFL legends John Wooten, Harry Carson, and Kellen Winslow have had key roles in the Fritz Pollard Alliance.

We are honored to support the Cleveland Summit II: Get the Guys Together Again, an important gathering that continues the legacy of athletes using their voices for justice, unity, and change.

Together, we stand committed to advancing meaningful conversations and strengthening communities.

MODERATOR ABOUT

MICHELE MEYER-SHIPP Michele is a seasoned leader at the intersection of sports, social impact, and workplace culture. She most recently served as CEO of Dress for Success Worldwide, where she led a global mission to empower women seeking to enter the workforce. Before that, she was Chief People & Culture Officer at Major League Baseball and held leadership roles in organizational equity and inclusion at top companies such as KPMG and Prudential Financial. A former employment attorney, Michele brings decades of experience advancing dignity, equity, and respect in both corporate and sports environments. She serves on the board of the Ladies Professional Golf Association, the Sports Business Journal's "All in Council," and she is the chair of the Fritz Pollard Alliance Foundation. Please join me in welcoming Michele to the stage.

Michele is a sought-after speaker. In addition to having served as a Yahoo! Finance News Contributor, she has been featured in top media outlets including the New York Times, USA Today, The Economist, Forbes, Fortune, Business Insider, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, Savoy Magazine, Black Enterprise, The Tamron Hall Show, CORE Magazine, Working Mother Magazine, Diversity Woman Magazine, Quartz, Inc., and more. Michele is a frequent guest lecturer at Rutgers University School of Business. She is also the recipient of numerous awards, including Business Insider's "38 Power Players of Consulting,” Black Enterprise's "Portraits of Power,” The Network Journal's "25 Influential Black Women in Business,” Core Magazine's “100 Most Influential Blacks Today,” ACC Foundation’s “Global Women in Law & Leadership,” Dress for Success Phoenix’s “Women of Impact,” and Association of Black Women Attorneys’ “Women of Power.”

SPEAKER ABOUT

JIMMY HASLAM James A. “Jimmy” Haslam III serves as chief executive officer of Pilot Company. Headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, the company has grown to become one of the leading suppliers of fuel and the largest operator of travel centers in North America.

A native of Knoxville, Jimmy began his career at Pilot Corporation in 1976. Pilot opened its first travel center in 1981, and by 1996 – the same year Jimmy was named president and chief executive officer – the company operated 96 travel centers and 50 convenience stores, and its total gallon sales had reached 1.2 billion. Today, Pilot Company operates a network of more than 900 retail and fueling locations and is one of the top 10 privately held companies in the United States and employs more than 28,000 team members. In October 2017, Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway made a significant minority investment in Pilot Flying J. In October 2012, Jimmy and Dee Haslam acquired primary ownership of the Cleveland Browns. To help further advance the NFL, Jimmy is a member of the league’s business ventures, media, and Hall of Fame committees and chairs the investment committee.

Jimmy was inducted into the Junior Achievement of East Tennessee Business Hall of Fame in 2007, and in 2010, he was named a recipient of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award for the Southeast region. He received the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2011 from the UT College of Business Administration, now called the Haslam College of Business in honor of his father. In 2013, the University of Tennessee recognized Jimmy with the Distinguished Alumnus Award. He is the co-founder of the Haslam Scholars Program for premier honor students at the University of Tennessee.

REMEMBERING THE 1967 CLEVELAND SUMMIT This panel revisits that historic moment, exploring its impact on the civil rights movement, the role of athletes as advocates for justice, and the enduring lessons it offers for today’s struggles for equity and equality. Panelists will reflect on the courage, unity, and vision that defined the Summit and discuss how its legacy continues to inspire new generations.

MODERATOR ABOUT

JEREMI DURU Professor N. Jeremi Duru is one of the nation’s leading authorities on sports law, teaching courses in sports law and civil procedure at American University’s Washington College of Law. He is coauthor of Sports Law and Regulation: Cases and Materials (5th ed.) and The Business of Sports Agents (3rd ed.), and sole author of Advancing the Ball: Race, Reformation, and the Quest for Equal Coaching Opportunity in the NFL. Duru is deeply engaged in the sports law community, serving on the boards of the Sports Lawyers Association, the Fritz Pollard Alliance, the National Sports Law Institute, and the LawInSport Editorial Board. He has also contributed to the NCAA’s Committees on Competitive Safeguards, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency’s Review Board, and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee’s Racial and Social Justice Expert Advisory Team.

His scholarship and teaching explore the intersection of sports, race, and gender. Internationally, he has taught as a Fulbright Fellow in Brazil, a Parsons Visitor in Australia, and a Visiting Professor in China. In practice, he has represented professionals in the NFL, NBA, and MLB, as well as collegiate athletes in highprofile cases.

Duru holds degrees from Brown University and Harvard University, where he earned both a J.D. and a Master’s in Public Policy.

PANELIST ABOUT

FRED BASHIR Fred Bashir, based in Flint, Michigan, has dedicated his life’s work to education, mentorship, and community empowerment. With decades of experience guiding and inspiring young people, he has become a trusted advocate for academic excellence and social responsibility. Throughout his career, Fred has used his platform to encourage youth not only to pursue higher learning but also to embrace leadership and service as essential parts of personal growth.

A passionate community leader, Fred has consistently spoken out on issues of equity and opportunity, championing initiatives that close gaps and create pathways for success. Long before calls for justice and inclusion became national conversations, he was already working at the grassroots level to build bridges, mentor future leaders, and strengthen the fabric of his community.

Fred’s influence is measured not only in the programs he has supported but also in the countless lives he has touched. His commitment to uplifting others has inspired generations to dream bigger, work harder, and contribute to the well-being of society.

Today, Fred continues to serve as an agent of progress, modeling integrity, resilience, and an unwavering belief in the power of education and community to transform lives.

PANELIST ABOUT

KIM BROWN Kim Brown, daughter of NFL Hall of Famer and civil rights icon Jim Brown, has dedicated her life to honoring and advancing her father’s powerful legacy of leadership, social justice, and community empowerment. Raised in an environment where activism and accountability were at the center of family life, Kim carries forward the principles her father embodied—courage, equity, respect, and human dignity.

With a deep understanding of the sacrifices and determination that fueled the civil rights movement, Kim recognizes the importance of continuing that work for future generations. She uses her platform to advocate for opportunities that uplift underserved communities, strengthen families, and promote pathways for young people to thrive.

Kim has been an active voice in preserving her father’s impact, ensuring that his contributions as both a groundbreaking athlete and outspoken leader remain relevant in today’s conversations about race, justice, and equality. She is committed to highlighting the intersection of sports, culture, and activism—showing how athletes and leaders alike can use their influence for social good.

Through her work, Kim Brown ensures that Jim Brown’s legacy is not only remembered but actively carried forward, inspiring others to stand for justice and create lasting change.

PANELIST ABOUT

GEORGE FRASER Dr. George C. Fraser is Chairman and CEO of FraserNet, Inc., a company he founded 38 years ago to lead a global networking and economic development movement for people of African descent.

Born in Brooklyn, NY, he spent 15 years as an orphan and foster child before rising to leadership roles with Procter & Gamble, United Way, and Ford Motor Company. In 1987, he launched FraserNet to empower individuals and communities through networking, business development, and training.

Dr. Fraser is a bestselling author of six books, including Success Runs in Our Race, Click, and Mission Unstoppable, co-authored with Les Brown. He has been recognized by Upscale Magazine as one of the “Top 50 Power Brokers in Black America” and by Black Enterprise as “Black America’s #1 Networker.” He has received over 350 awards and citations, including induction into the Minority Business Hall of Fame, three honorary doctorates, and two Presidential Lifetime Achievement Awards (Obama, 2016; Biden, 2023).

A committed community leader, Dr. Fraser co-founded two charter schools in Cleveland, Ohio, serving nearly 300 inner-city Black children annually. He also launched FraserNation and WINDS: Wealth Building Centers to advance financial literacy and generational wealth for people of African descent. He is the founder of the Black Business Legacy Hall of Fame, Museum & Metaverse, a project celebrating and preserving Black entrepreneurial heritage.

PANELIST ABOUT

MARGO MCCLINTON Dr. Marguerite (Margo) McClinton Stoglin is a Senior Vice President, Philanthropic Strategist with the National Consulting and Advisory Practice group at Bank of America Private Bank. Based in Dallas, Margo works with the Philanthropic Solutions team providing custom consulting services to both grantmaking and operating nonprofits. Her areas of focus include sound governance, strategic planning, donor relationship cultivation and stewardship, and communicating impact. Her areas of expertise include education, social services, and the faith-based communities.

Margo has served in several key roles with institutions including Washington University in St. Louis, Washington and Lee University, and Paul Quinn College. For a decade, Margo managed her own consulting firm providing strategic guidance to both nonprofit and for-profit organizations. She also has significant board experience, currently serving with a gubernatorial appointment on a statewide commission. She enjoys partnering with key stakeholders to provide the resources needed to serve all communities.

She received her undergraduate degree from Emory University where she played varsity tennis and was on the National Championship team. She has two master’s degrees. The first is in education is from Harvard University, and the second in business from the University of Texas at Dallas. She also received her doctorate from Florida State University. She is married with two children and a dog

PANELIST ABOUT

TIERNEY ROGERS Clarence (Tierney) Rogers was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was educated in the Pittsburgh Public School system. He attended Penn State University then transferred and graduated from Kent State University. He received his JD degree from Howard University School of Law in 1964. He was in private practice until 1967, when he became an Assistant United States Attorney.

In 1968, then-Mayor Carl B. Stokes appointed him Chief Prosecutor for the City of Cleveland. In 1971, he was one of the founders of the first Black incorporated law firm in the State of Ohio, Gaines, Rogers, Horton and Forbes. He was the firm litigator and handled a variety of civil and criminal cases.

He has represented many well known athletes, entertainers and celebrities. He is a certified Labor Arbitrator.. He was General Counsel for the Cleveland Regional Transit Authority. He also served as a Commissioner on the Ohio Turnpike Commission and was a Commissioner on the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). He is retired from the practice of law. He lives and plays golf in Florida. He has three adult children and one grandchild.

PANELIST ABOUT

JOHN WOOTEN Since being drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round of the 1959 NFL Draft, John Wooten has been a respected presence in professional football. He enjoyed a decade-long playing career as a standout guard for the Browns before retiring in 1969.

Transitioning seamlessly from the field to the front office, Wooten went on to hold executive roles in player personnel and scouting with the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, and Baltimore Ravens, where his eye for talent and leadership helped shape competitive rosters.

Wooten is perhaps most widely recognized for his lasting impact on diversity and inclusion in the NFL. Former chairman of the Fritz Pollard Alliance, he had been a driving force in ensuring fair opportunities for minority candidates in coaching and executive positions. His advocacy was instrumental in the creation and adoption of the landmark “Rooney Rule,” which requires teams to interview minority candidates for head coaching and senior operations roles.

Often referred to as “The Godfather” of NFL diversity efforts, Wooten’s legacy spans player, scout, executive, and mentor. A longtime contributor to football education programs, he continues to share invaluable knowledge and perspective, influencing generations of leaders in the game.

SOUL OF A NATION: RESPECT FOR HUMAN DIGNITY This powerful panel explores how the principle of human dignity can serve as a unifying force in addressing inequality, strengthening democracy, and uplifting our communities.

Leaders from diverse fields will share strategies for fostering inclusion, healing division, and inspiring action at the local and national levels.

PANELIST ABOUT

DR. JOSEPH BRYANT, JR. Dr. Joseph Bryant, Jr. is a nationally recognized visionary, strategist, consultant, author, and spiritual advisor with more than two decades of impact in sports, ministry, and community leadership. Since 1999, he has served as a trusted advisor and “The Players Pastor,” providing life coaching, career counseling, and business development support to professional athletes and their families, helping them develop a winning game plan for both sports and life.

He is the founder of PROSPEAK Sports Management and Speaker Bureau, a network dedicated to helping athletes find and fulfill their purpose on and off the field, and CEO of JBM Consulting, where he has collaborated with organizations including the NFL and NBA. Dr. Bryant also serves as Executive Director of The K.I.N.G. Movement, a national men’s organization founded by NBA analyst Chris Broussard.

From 2014–2023, Dr. Bryant was Executive Director of Rev. Jesse Jackson’s Rainbow PUSH West Coast/Silicon Valley Diversity Project and National Sports Director for Rainbow PUSH, where he created initiatives such as FAITHTECH and SPORTSTECH. His leadership in bridging faith, technology, and sports has earned national recognition, including being named one of Global Diversity Magazine’s “Top 10 Champions of Diversity.” Dr. Bryant lives in the Bay Area with his wife, Kelly, and their two children.

PANELIST ABOUT

CURTIS SYMONDS Curtis Symonds is a pioneering media executive, cable television innovator, and champion for underrepresented voices. With over four decades of leadership, he has shaped the growth of major networks like ESPN and BET and continues his legacy as Co-Founder and President of HBCU GO, the premier free-streaming platform for HBCU sports, entertainment, and education.

Under his leadership, HBCU GO has become the leading media provider for the nation’s 107 HBCUs, securing national distribution and syndication that has elevated HBCU athletics to mainstream audiences. His mission remains to give HBCU student-athletes, alumni, and fans unprecedented visibility and recognition.

Before HBCU GO, Symonds was a key architect of BET’s rise, serving as Executive Vice President of Affiliate Distribution and Marketing (1988–2001) and leading BET Action Pay-Per-View, BET International, and BET on Jazz. His work expanded the network’s footprint and revenue, paving the way for its historic Viacom acquisition. Earlier, he helped build ESPN into a sports media powerhouse through affiliate sales and marketing.

A proud Central State University graduate, Symonds has also led the T. Howard Foundation, supported NAMIC, coached youth basketball, and served as COO of the WNBA’s Washington Mystics. His trailblazing impact has earned him numerous industry honors, including induction into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame.

PANELIST ABOUT

ETAN THOMAS Etan Thomas has embodied the role of the “Activist Athlete” throughout and beyond his 11-year NBA career. Born in Harlem and raised in Tulsa, Thomas grew up surrounded by books on politics and the civil rights movement. He was greatly influenced by his mother, Deborah Thomas, a schoolteacher who instilled in him the value of critical thinking and social responsibility. Thomas is the author of several acclaimed works. His latest, We Matter: Athletes and Activism (2018), weaves together his reflections with interviews from athletes, activists, scholars, media voices, and families affected by police brutality. The book was recognized by Book Authority as one of the top ten activism books of all time and tied for Best Non-Fiction at the 2018 African-American Literary Awards. His earlier works include More Than An Athlete (2005), a collection of poetry, Fatherhood: Rising to the Ultimate Challenge (2012), and Voices of the Future (2013).

A fearless advocate, Thomas has received the NBA Players Association Community Contribution Award (2010) and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Foundation Legacy Award (2009). Beyond writing and speaking, he is a senior writer for Basketball News.com, hosts The Rematch podcast, and contributes regularly to national media outlets.

PANELIST ABOUT

TROY VINCENT Troy Vincent is the Executive Vice President of Football Operations at the National Football League. Selected 7th overall in the 1992 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins, he went on to play 15 seasons in the league. Vincent has been nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and is a member of the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame, the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, the University of Wisconsin Hall of Fame, and the Pennsbury High School Hall of Fame.

In his current NFL leadership role, Vincent oversees game integrity, accountability, player protection, development, and growth. His approach emphasizes clarity, consistency, and credibility to preserve football’s values and enhance its role in society. He views the game as a unifying force, stating, “Football transcends race, age, gender and other elements of society and creates community by bringing people together across our great nation.”

Beyond football, Vincent is a national advocate against domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. Through his Leadership in the Over Violence initiative, he lends his voice and platform to fight injustice. He is the only player to have received all four major NFL humanitarian honors and has also earned the National Jefferson Award for Public Service.

PANELIST ABOUT

SONALI WILSON, ESQ. Sonali serves as Cleveland State University’s Vice President for Legal Affairs and Compliance, General Counsel, and Board Secretary.

She advises the Board of Trustees and President on a wide range of issues including contracts, partnerships, employment, student conduct, real property, construction, ethics, and compliance. She oversees the Office of University Compliance and the Office of Institutional Equity, and serves as the University’s Chief Ethics Officer and a Leader in Residence at the College of Law. Sonali joined CSU in 1996 as a lecturer in the College of Law and became Assistant University Legal Counsel in 1997. She was named General Counsel in 2004 and has twice served as Board Secretary.

She also serves as Treasurer and Secretary of the Euclid Avenue Development Corporation, CSU’s nonprofit real estate affiliate.

Active nationally, she is a member of NACUA, a former board member, and recipient of NACUA’s Distinguished Service Award. Her professional honors include induction into the CSU Law Hall of Fame, the Shaker Heights High School Hall of Fame, the NAACP Cleveland Chapter’s Community Service Award, and recognition by Crain’s Cleveland Business as a Notable General Counsel.

Sonali holds degrees from Boston University, Harvard University, and Georgetown University Law Center.

PANELIST ABOUT

KELLEN WINSLOW, SR. Kellen Winslow Sr. is recognized as one of the most influential tight ends in NFL history, redefining the position with his size, speed, and versatility. Drafted 13th overall in 1979, he played his entire nine-year career with the San Diego Chargers. A five-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time consensus All-Pro (1980– 1982), Winslow recorded 541 receptions, 6,741 yards, and 45 touchdowns. His legendary performance in the 1981 AFC Divisional Playoff against Miami, where he caught 13 passes for 166 yards and blocked a potential game-winning field goal, remains one of the most celebrated moments in NFL history.

Beyond the field, Winslow has been committed to leadership, education, and community service. Following his retirement in 1987, he became an advocate for player development and welfare, working with programs that prepare athletes for life after football.

He has also been active in initiatives promoting education and opportunity for youth, mentoring the next generation of athletes and leaders. Winslow’s dedication to community empowerment reflects the same resilience and vision that defined his playing career.

As both a Hall of Fame athlete and community advocate, Winslow continues to be celebrated for his enduring impact on the game and society.

PLAYBOOK FOR A BETTER COMMUNITY This panel builds on that charge, bringing together athletes, advocates, and community leaders to explore how we create lasting change where it matters most: at home. From economic opportunity and youth development to public safety and equity in education, panelists will share real strategies and personal commitments that strengthen the fabric of our neighborhoods. This is not just a discussion—it’s a call to action rooted in dignity, unity, and the belief that better is possible when we build it together

PANELIST ABOUT

PETER JOHN BAPTISTE Peter John-Baptiste is in his 25th NFL season and eighth with the Cleveland Browns and Haslam Sports Group (HSG). He joined the Browns in 2014 as vice president of communications and was promoted to senior vice president in 2017. In this role, he oversees the organization’s overall communications strategy, directing both business and football communications, while also advising HSG’s other properties, including Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew. He serves on the Cleveland Browns Foundation board and leads the team’s social justice initiatives.

Before Cleveland, John-Baptiste spent 17 years with the New York Giants, rising from an intern to vice president of communications. He managed day-to-day media operations and logistics, guiding coverage for three Super Bowl appearances, including two championships (XLII, XLVI). He also assisted the NFL’s public relations team at 10 additional Super Bowls and one Pro Bowl. In 2001, he was part of the Giants PR staff honored with the Pete Rozelle Award by the Pro Football Writers Association.

A graduate of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst with a degree in sports management, John-Baptiste was recognized with the Harold J. VanderZwaag Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2015. A native of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, he and his wife, Mashawn, have two sons, Miles and Mason.

PANELIST ABOUT

ANDRE BUSTAMENTE Andre Bustamente currently serves as Executive Vice President of Coldfall Corporation, a waste-to-energy company dedicated to advancing sustainable solutions. In this role, he applies his leadership and business expertise to support innovative approaches that address both environmental and economic needs.

Previously, Andre was President of The Call & Post Newspapers, a historic publication serving Ohio’s Black community. Under his leadership, the paper continued its legacy of amplifying African American voices and addressing issues of equity, justice, and empowerment across the state. He also served as Program Director for the Cleveland Entrepreneurial Academy, where he mentored and guided young people in building business skills and pursuing career opportunities.

Andre studied accounting at Boston University and has experience as a property manager, overseeing several private properties. His community involvement includes serving on boards such as Job Corps, Cleveland Public Schools Education Committee, African American Solar Village, Peace in the Hood, and the Youth Development Council.

A sought-after speaker, Andre frequently addresses issues impacting the Black community, particularly in the areas of economics and social development. Deeply committed to family, Andre is married, the father of a daughter, and the proud grandfather of two grandsons.

PANELIST ABOUT

JIM ROONEY Jim Rooney, one of Dan and Patricia Rooney’s nine children, has carried forward his family’s legacy of leadership in both business and community service. Having worked closely with his father, the late Ambassador Dan Rooney, Jim gained firsthand experience in diplomacy and organizational leadership. He assisted his father in building relationships at the State Department and the White House during Dan’s tenure as U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, while also contributing to the family’s football enterprise and supporting the establishment of the Rooney Rule, a landmark policy promoting diversity in the NFL. Beyond his family’s legacy, Jim has built a distinguished career as an author, business owner, consultant, facilitator, and national speaker.

He is co-partner of Rooney Consulting, where he helps organizations enhance culture, strengthen teams, and grow strategically. Jim also founded FirstLink Research and Analytics, a global leader in developing business analysis for technology transition.

His work has spanned academic, corporate, and government sectors, advising the U.S. federal government, foreign governments, and institutions He serves on the boards of the Jewish Healthcare Foundation, The American Ireland Funds, and Gilmour Academy.

PANELIST ABOUT

VANESSA WHITING Vanessa Whiting is an accomplished attorney, entrepreneur, and community leader who has dedicated her career to creating opportunity and driving positive change. She currently serves as President of AES Management, where she owns and operates fifteen Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen restaurants throughout the Cleveland and Akron areas. Under her leadership, these businesses have not only thrived but have also become vehicles for empowerment, as Vanessa is deeply committed to hiring individuals who are often overlooked and giving them meaningful opportunities to grow and succeed.

Alongside her entrepreneurial work, Vanessa has built a highly respected career in law. She founded her own firm and has been practicing for more than 30 years, earning recognition as one of Cleveland’s top attorneys. Her expertise and commitment to economic and community development led Northern Ohio Live to honor her as one of the region’s top 100 lawyers, a testament to her lasting impact.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Vanessa is guided by her faith and is an avid churchgoer. She is also a devoted mother of three, balancing family, career, and community service with grace. Her journey reflects a lifelong commitment to excellence, empowerment, and service to others.

THANK YOU

JOHN WOOTEN We proudly support the Cleveland Summit II: Get the Guys Together Again

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

SPECIAL THANKS Mark Rosenberger and Ideastream Public Media Team Linda Alvarado Founder & CEO, Alvarado Construction; Owner Colorado Rockies Cynthia Heard President & CEO | Los Angeles Urban League Felicia Davis Dwight James III Jasmine Juanita Cory Taylor

A FILM BY JOHN HARRIS AND ADAM BAILEY

GET THE GUYS TOGETHER

FILM SUMMARY

Feature length documentary Get The Guys Together is the inspiring life story of John Wooten: former football player of the legendary 1964 Cleveland Browns championship team and behind-the-scenes NFL innovator.

John has dedicated his life to building winning teams on and off the field, recruiting the best from otherwise overlooked places. Ever striving to fight for human dignity, his efforts have revolutionized football and made the NFL the most diverse professional sports league of all time.

We are seeking partners to help bring this important film to life and ensure its impact reaches communities nationwide. Partnership opportunities include Executive Producer credits, sponsorships, and commercial advertising. For more information, please contact:

SHEILA GILMORE sheila@imichiganproductions.org 818.430.2182

ANTOINETTE BROWN antoinette@imichiganproductions.org 310.956.5979

CLEVELAND SUMMIT II GET THE GUYS TOGETHER AGAIN

see you next year!