Conference 2023 Education Sessions

Irish Smith Burch

Irish Smith Burch

Sponsored by:
Pro A.M. Toastmasters Club
 

How to Advance in the Workplace  

 

Irish will inspire attendees to leave their mark on the world by showing up in the workplace and life ‘authentically and unapologetically’ every day and in every way. As a result, this presentation will share strategies on how to increase their confidence, elevate their presence, and maximize their impact.

 

Biography

Irish Smith Burch is a lifelong Dallas resident who has dedicated her career to protecting the rights of underserved children and is committed to creating safe and supportive environments for them to thrive. She is the President and CEO of the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center, an internationally known non-profit. She is proud to now lead the agency where she started out as a front-line worker. She has also dedicated her time to helping others lead an authentic and well-balanced life while still advancing in the workplace.

Jonelle Jackson

Jonelle Jackson

Sponsored by:
Women of Visionary Influence, Inc.

Transformational Change

 

Success or failure lies in the transformative power of a decision! Throughout the recesses of our lives, every major change is always based on a decision made. From these decisions, a TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE always occurs. As we go through this module, we will discover the importance and necessity of Transformational Changes that will push you closer to Making your Mark.

 

Biography

Jonelle Jackson is a Teacher, Empowerment Speaker, Mentor and Certified Transformational Life Coach.  A native of Dallas, Texas, Jonelle began her journey of mentoring and coaching in 2010. She has worked with entry level to executive level associates, college students, retired and stay at home. parents. Over the years, she has helped countless people realize their purpose, initiate their plan, and transform their lives spiritually, professionally, and personally.

 

Coach Jay is the Founder and CEO of JJackson Concepts LLC., where she coaches clients at all phases of the journey.  Her mission is to bring all who encounter her to the point of realization that SOMETHING HAS TO CHANGE and coach them through their transformation.

Jeff Klein

Jeff Klein

Sponsored by:
ARBOR Toastmasters

The 7 Costly Mistakes Networkers Make

 

We network to find and cultivate business relationships to find strategic partners and clients. But are we networking effciently and maximizing our networking possibilities? Jeff shares what he’s learned in years as an active networker and a networking guru.

 

Biography

From the Elevator Pitch to Keynote Speeches, Jeff Klein guides people to the right words for each situation. A Speaker & Speaker Coach, he has rave reviews speaking over 800 times, to tens of thousands of professionals. Books include 30 Seconds to Success: Generating Referrals with Your Elevator Pitch, and Speaking As a Business Strategy: 9 Laws to Business Speaking Success.

Following successful careers in Advertising, Marketing, & Production, Jeff’s individual and group programs assist professionals, who are responsible for generating revenue, to create more opportunities to sell.

He represented the Texas Rangers Baseball Club and Dallas Stars Hockey production teams, the Studios at Las Colinas, and the Texas Association of Media Motion Professionals.

He founded SpeakerCoop.com in 2006 & has attracted a cooperative business community of over 8,000 people who speak for business and as a professional.

Jeff speaks to trade associations, national conventions, and business and sales teams. 

Book Panelists

Panelists:
Kelley Rene
Bettie Williams
Ronn Hicks

Sponsored by:
WBC Toastmasters

Get Your Write On

 

Ready to write (finish) that book? Writing a book can seem a daunting task. Join the panelists as they discuss how you can overcome the intimidating parts of writing a book to help you stay focused and “in the zone”. They will also share the steps from writer to authorship and how to protect your intellectual property. It’s time to make your mark with your published book!

Panelists: Ronn Hicks, Kelley Rene, Bettie Williams
Panel led by: Tasha White

Dr. Dwan Bryant

Dr. Dwan Bryant

Sponsored by:
San Angelo Toastmasters

Extreme Focus!

 

Extreme Focus is a movement and a concept that suggests developing a razor-sharp focus, rock-solid concentration but first you will need to confront the two forces inside of you that compete for your power to focus. Only one force is qualified to represent who you are when your focus is skewed and disrupted. Who ever you have chosen is the one you are feeding.

Biography

Dr. Dwan Bryant is an empowerment specialist who uses her voice to provoke change in exchange for stagnation. Dr. Bryant served in education for over 15 years and She is also a subject matter expert speaker on leadership, organizational effectiveness, workplace incivility, confidence, and rewired focus.

She uses her passion and unique communication style to energetically engage her audience through speaking, coaching, and facilitation to move them from application to transformation. Dr. Bryant has served on several platforms where she shares her research and expertise. Dr. Bryant received her BA in Applied Speech Communication, MA in Communication, and a Doctorate in Industrial Organizational Psychology. She is also and executive coach with the John Maxwell Group and Disc Certified.

Dr. Bryant is the owner of DBryant Enterprises, an established media company that produce resources such as video content, retreats, bootcamps, and literary publications to help customers move from Point A to Point B. Dr. Bryant is an accomplished author of three publications. Confident Woman: 21 Days of Rewired Focus is her most recent body of written work.

Brittney Garcia-Dumas

Brittney Garcia-Dumas

Sponsored by:
Roanoke Texas Toastmasters Club

Social Media:  Where Social Media and Technology Collide

Overview of the importance of social media in marketing today by providing insight on social media as a cultural phenomenon, the technological aspect of social media and authenticity in social media marketing

Biography

Brittney Garcia-Dumas is a Business Branding Strategist from Arlington, Texas with a degree in Anthropology and 5 years’ experience in the Strategic Marketing space. As owner of BGD Digital Marketing, a Business Branding company focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, she has helped businesses large and small profit from their unique strengths. She is a proud Latina business owner, speaker, and advocate for women. Her personal touch approach to Business Branding has opened doors for her to lead talks on modern Marketing practices, women’s empowerment, business strategies, and rallying others through her perspective of a young Latina in the corporate world. Brittney was also recently recognized as one of Arlington’s Top 40 under 40 and featured in Barbara Corcoran’s Podcast, Business Unusual.

 

Brittney participates civically on Mayor Ross’ Latino Advisory Board, Mayor Ross’ Women’s Advisory Board, and as the Chair of the Latino Business Group for the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce.

Jiles King

Jiles King

Sponsored by:
WBC Toastmasters

The Art of the Story!

 

Whenever you speak in public, it’s a performance. So you’d better know how to engage and activate audiences for business opportunities! Whether it’s a conversation or a keynote, you need to understand and fully access your passion, presence, and professionalism.

Biography

Jiles King is an accomplished motivational speaker, artist, theater, television and film director and producer. He is the publisher of the quarterly Urban Arts Magazine and founder of DFWBlackArts.com and Urban Arts Collective. With Urban Arts, he created and executive produces the annual Irma P. Hall Black Theatre Awards and UnityFest Dallas, a free 2 day community empowerment event. Urban Arts holds arts workshops for youth and adults in underserved communities. In 2013, he returned from New York City to serve as the first Chief Executive Director for The Black Academy of Arts and Letters (TBAAL) in Dallas, TX. At TBAAL, he had the opportunity to work with a plethora of artists including the late Ruby Dee, Diahann Carol, Debbi Morgan, Fantasia, Ledisi, Loretta Divine, Malik Yoba and Malcolm Jamal Warner. Some of his favorite projects include associate producer of A Night with Ruby Dee at the world famous Apollo Theater, associate producer of the Tony Award winning Negro Ensemble Theater’s The Monkey of My Back starring Debbi Morgan and director of production for the 2017 Riverfront Jazz Festival.  Jiles received his undergraduate degree from Morehouse College and an MFA from Columbia University in Theater Producing and Management. While in New York he worked on Broadway with Disney Theatrical Group and produced numerous theatrical plays and festivals.

Chef Jason Blackwell

Chef Jason Blackwell

Sponsored by:
Arlington Nooners Toastmasters Club

Branding Your Superpower

 

Branding allows your business to make a memorable impression on customers. Your brand conveys what customers can expect from your business. Branding distinguishes your business from competitors and clarifies why your business is the best option.

Biography

Jason Blackwell is an acclaimed chef who is recognized for his distinct style of Cajun cuisine. He executes his passions in catering, private events, weddings, corporate events, and speaking engagements, as well as in the classroom where he oversees the Culinary Program at Dallas’ Skyline High School.

Jason Blackwell is a native of Dallas, Texas. He is the proud father of Langston, Harper, and Greyson Blackwell. He attended South Oak Cliff High School and the University of North Texas. He is a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated. Blackwell is a member of the Texas Chefs Association and the American Culinary Federation. He is one of the most notable chefs to complete a Culinary Arts Degree from Dallas College’s Culinary, Pastry, and Hospitality program. He was featured on the Food Network Show Cutthroat Kitchen and Chopped. Blackwell brought home the Chopped Champion title in May of 2022.

 

Berlinda Dorsey

Berlinda Dorsey

Sponsored by:
Northeast Tarrant Toastmasters

Strategies for Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone

 

Are you a procrastinator? Are you stuck in a rut? Berlinda will give you strategies to get out of your Comfort Zone and pick up your purpose while fulfilling your passion.

 

Biography

Berlinda Dorsey is a mother, a grandmother, Personal Development Coach, Author, Motivational speaker, and Ordained Minister in Dallas, Texas.  Berlinda is the winner of the 2015 and 2019 Motivational Speaker of the year award and Leadership of the year award!  She specializes in personal growth and development, Re-inventing you.

Berlinda serves as a private practitioner working with a broad array of clients in Community-based endeavors Berlinda’s Business programs include Going from Struggle to Strategy, Will The Real You Please Stand Up! My Soul Purpose, H.E.L.P. Me (Healing enriched life practicums).

Berlinda holds Business workshops and presents throughout the World to general audiences speaking on the topic of “Global mindset Training” and “The Belief system”.  She is the President of The Legacy Academy Life Coaching Federation in Dallas, TX.

Berlinda holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business and she resides here in the Dallas, Texas area.