Irvin Daphnis
Attorney Irvin Daphnis, graduated from Oakwood College in Alabama with a degree in religion. He later received his Juris Doctorate from Hofstra University. In April, Daphnis created The Law Firm of Irvin Daphnis, P.A.
As a general practitioner, Daphnis has the ability to address criminal defense, civil litigation, contracts, immigration law and personal injury. These specializations allow Daphnis to fully impact and contribute to the community he serves.
Prior to starting his own firm, Daphnis worked as a criminal defense attorney at the Office of the Public Defender in West Palm Beach. It was not only the need to end a long commute that prompted Daphnis to start his own business, but it was also the desire to expand his knowledge of law and the ability to serve the legal needs of the South Florida community.
Carlin Alford
Carlin Alford, Carlin J. Alford has been a Davidson County resident for 21 years and in that amount of time he has lived a life of incredible experiences. He is the product of a working-class upbringing that fostered a deep sense of public service. The greatest influence in his life was his father Frank J. Alford. His father served honorably in the United States Army and then continued his service at a Federal level with the United States Commission on Civil Rights and later with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It is under his father’s tutelage that Alford learned the ins-and-outs of government working as an intern for his father’s consulting company, ACC Consulting.
Alford graduated with a BS Degree in Communication from Andrews University in 1994. He took his talents to the private sector and bypassed law school in favor of real-world work experience. In 1997 opportunities, (and his future wife) led him to Nashville where he quickly adapted to the culture and began working in the community in various programs and ministries.
On the corporate side, Alford gained experience at the headquarter level with stalwarts like Tractor Supply Company and Asurion. However, it was a company called Dialogic Communications Corporation, (DCC) based in Franklin, TN that gave Alford access to high-end clients like The House of Representatives and the Pentagon. DCC played an important role in the evacuation of NYC during 911 and afforded him the opportunity to contribute to Bill 8103 submitted by Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee of Houston, TX. Alford became proficient at dealing with government contracts and has carried that experience all the way up to 2018.
Joel Kibble
Joel Kibble, Joel Kibble is an award-winning musician, author and inspirational speaker who travels the world using his art to help people heal. Why? Because he needs it.
So let’s dispense with formalities. His friends call him Joey. Call him Joey.
Joey is real.
He says, “truth is oxygen and transparency is freedom.”
His musical career is stellar. As a musician, Joey is a member of the award-winning Take 6. The multi-platinum selling group has earned 10 Grammy’s, 10 Dove Awards and a host of other honors.
During his time with Take 6 Joel has written and co-produced several of their most requested songs. His love for writing and performing are part of his soul.
And what you hear is this: fame doesn’t fix or fill you. Life is so much more than awards and accomplishments. Life is about love, acceptance, healing and growth.
His life started in Buffalo, NY and his father’s ministry pitched him into the culture shock of Tennessee and Alabama. Preacher’s kids live in a bubble. It’s hard to breathe in a bubble.
But those experiences prepared him to “need” healing. And forced him to learn to breathe.
Anthony Montegut
Dr. Anthony Montegut, MD, specializes in emergency medicine in Omaha, NE and has over 18 years of experience in the field of medicine. He graduated from Uniformed Services University Of The Health Sciences with his medical degree in 2001. He is affiliated with numerous hospitals in Nebraska and more, including Buena Vista Medical Center. Dr. Anthony J Montegut is licensed to practice by the state board in Iowa.
DESMOND PRINGLE
Desmond Pringle, Desmond Pringle’s golden tenor can be heard on some of the finest recordings in recent times. That’s him backing up R. Kelly on “I Believe I Can Fly.” Over the years, he’s shadowed Aretha Franklin, Marvin Sapp and Yolanda Adams on CD, and led “The Place” on Shekinah Glory Ministry’s RIAA certified gold CD, “Live.” He’s composed hits for others and also enjoyed hits of his own ranging from the worship ballad “You Are God” to the inspiring Adult R&B hit, “Arms Wide Open.” Now, after a six-year recording hiatus, Pringle is back on the scene with the uplifting tune, “Can’t Even Imagine,” the first radio single from his first and forthcoming Kingdom Records debut CD, “Fidelity.”
The soul-stirring “Can’t Even Imagine” is a fresh addition to the current praise and worship music trend. “Usually songs come to me with lyrics and melodies as if someone is singing on the inside of me,” Pringle says when asked how the song was conceived. “I remember being on a plane in route to a ministry engagement with my wife, Tanya, and I was asking the Lord to give me a song that would articulate authentic worship. `Can’t Even Imagine’ was what was birthed. Those seven simple words – I can’t even imagine my life without you – express how I really feel about God.”
Pringle’s passion for God has extended to him becoming the pastor of The Watered Garden Fellowship that started as a home Bible study and has since grown into a Church in Inglewood, CA. “Honestly, it wasn’t something that I pursued but rather something I followed,” he explains. “I’ve always been a lover of the Word, I’ve never been the musician/ singer that exits stage left when the preacher gets up to preach. I’ve been aware of the calling to preach since as early as the fifth grade. But I didn’t have pastoral pursuits. I was content to sing but God had another plan and he began to make it clearer in 2008 when our living room Bible study organically grew into a church.”
Micole D. Dyson
Micole D. (Jackson) Dyson, Ph.D. is an administrator in the Kalamazoo Public School District. She is a strong leader who places trust in her teachers and support staff members to carry out their work with integrity, collaboration, objectivity, and mutual support. This transformational leader promotes critical thinking and innovation as she energetically sets examples for all to follow.
Dr. Dyson received her Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Andrews University, graduating cum laude. While attending Andrews University, she was named “student teacher of the year” during her teaching experience. She received her Master of Arts degree in administration from La Sierra University in Riverside, California after three successful years of classroom teaching.
She has been in K-12 education for over 22 years, and has earned her Ed. S. Degree from Eastern Michigan University in 2013. She later enrolled at Western Michigan University and successfully defended her dissertation entitled, The Efficacy Actions of Priority School Leaders during the Dynamic Change of School Reform, receiving her Ph. D. in 2019. She holds teaching, administrative, and district level certification in the state of California and Michigan. Faith and family are two of her core values. She is passionate about leading and learning, and believes that modeling the desired behavior is essential in leadership.
Leah mills–chapman
Experienced Licensed Clinical Therapist/Psychoeducator (LMSW) in the areas of Mental Health, Interpersonal Practice, and Traumatology.
“I am the CEO of Ntervene, LLC. I am a skilled trainer/consultant and I work with various organizations to adequately assess the root cause of their problems and assist them in rebuilding a healthier, more efficiently run operation. I am a motivational speaker and I lead people down a path of self-reflection towards self-actualization. I am a lover of humanity and I would love to partner with YOU in hopes of empowering you to a place of wellness and strength! Let’s get ahead of the game by building a strong foundation!”
tres hayden
Pastor Melvyn Eugene Francis Hayden III was born to Pastor and Mrs. Melvyn and Sandra Hayden in Norfolk, VA. in 1971. As the only son of four children he was attacked at one month old by two terminal diseases, which plunged him into a coma. At the age of three he responded to his mother who asked him what he wanted to do when he grew up by saying, “to build god’s house.” He was baptized at the age of 9 yrs. old and was very active in church as a child.
In May of 2006 Pastor Hayden was extended a call by the Potomac Conference to be the youth pastor of the Community Praise SDA Church in Alexandria, VA. Pastor Hayden is known as a church planter. He has planted numerous churches around the country.
On march 8, 2014, Pastor Hayden was called to the Pine Forge SDA Church where he served the congregation, PFA students, AEC workers and community for 4 yrs. Starting Feb. 17, 2018 Pastor Hayden began serving as the senior pastor of the First SDA Church of Glassboro, NJ & The Mt. Calvary SDA Church in Salem, NJ. They have four children: Adrianna (Mahary), Melvyn IV (OU), Brianna (Southern) and Cianna (TA).
Carol Follette-Griffiths
District School Psychologist for Broward County Public Schools which is the 6th largest school district in the nation. She is a specialist in School Psychology and is a transformational speaker/coach. Committed to helping women go from single and lonely to sexy and married. Making sure women make their dream life their real life. Singled to married or working a 9-5 to being your own boss.
BRIAN J. T. WATTS
International Educator, Consultant, Motivator, Author and Master of Ceremonies
Born and raised in the South Bronx section of New York City, Brian witnessed and endured the positive and negative effects of the harsh inner-city lifestyle. Attending Oakwood College in Huntsville, AL, living in Nashville, TN and teaching abroad allowed him to see life from various aspects. In a similar fashion, serving as a teacher, an administrator and a consultant has allowed Brian to see education from various aspects.
“The road I have travelled allowed me to see most of life (if not all of it) is relative, not absolute. Many of the problems we face in life can be avoided and/or corrected if we attempt to see issues from the vantage point of others”
Whether he is speaking to the faculty and staff of a school, parents, students or a congregation, Brian brings a realistic educational experience that influences those in attendance.
Brian currently serves as a mathematics instructor for Montgomery County Public Schools and the CEO of The Brian Watts LLC where he provides professional development for teachers and seminars for parents and other institutions. In addition, he is the host of Knowledge is the Key which airs on Envision Radio every Wednesday at 6pm eastern.
VERNESSA THOMAS
Eric Thomas’ mother, Vernessa Thomas, has written her first book entitled; “The Secret Behind The Secret To Success.” From growing up on the South Side of Chicago to meeting Eric’s biological father, Mrs. Thomas chronicles all the struggles, conflicts and challenges from without and within that ultimately led to Eric leaving the house, dropping out of High School and, starting on his path of desperation, exploration, and success.
“The Secret Behind The Secret To Success,” takes readers along for the journey and allows them to witness these events as they happened and from a perspective that only “Momma T” can provide. The rawness of Eric’s truth laid bare in “The Secret To Success” was hard to revisit but, after reading it, she knew in time, she would need to respond. That time has finally come. “The Secret Behind The Secret to Success,” answers every question and, fills in every blank. You thought you knew it all but, you have no idea.
Dr. JoWanda Rollins-Fells
Dr. JoWanda Rollins-Fells is the CEO of Spirit of Excellence LLC where she owns her Opportunity Campus that hosts a TV Production Studio, Youth & Community Center, and Business Executive Suite.
Whether she is training educators across the country as an Educational Consultant, mentoring Middle & High school students, or filming TV shows; Dr. Rollins-Fells is MOTIVATING, EMPOWERING, and INSPIRING everyone that she encounters.
Her heart beats to bring hope and encouragement to others.
She is a Best-Selling Author of “Stuck is Not Your Story: Change is Possible”, a TV host, Executive Producer, Minister, Trainer, and Speaker.
Her mission is to Disrupt Legacy Trauma by working with ministers, coaches, authors, speakers, educators, and thought-leaders to expand their reach and share their message through television and digital media.
Her flagship TV shows include: REAL Talk with Dr. Rollins-Fells, Spirit of Excellence TV, and Power of One Ministry TV.
If you spend any amount of time with Dr. Rollins-Fells, you will leave knowing that you are #MADE FOR THIS and you are entitled to UNENCUMBERED SUCCESS. She is a visionary servant leader dedicated to Reframing Reality; Empowering Vision; Activating Faith; and Liberating Legacy.
Dr. JoWanda Rollins-Fells is a native of Virginia. She is a graduate of Hampton University with a BA in Psychology/ Education with a Counseling Strand, and a Master’s Degree in Education. She also has a Ph.D. from Capella University in Curriculum & Instruction. With 20 years in Education and 10 years in business, she has had robust experiences that have equipped her for this season in life.
She is delighted to be part of the Sustain the Change Team.
JARED WINSTON
My name is Jared Winston. and with a Bachelors Degree in Healthcare Administration/Business Management I have become a successful entrepreneur. I have experienced hardships and how to overcome setbacks. My goal is to teach young adults how to become successful in this big but small world we live in. Networking is key, if you can tackle that skill then you can achieve greatness.
There’s a large number of hungry individuals out there ready to conquer their passion but have no clue how. With running a successful air purification company and flipping real estate at the age of 28, I am a living testament that anyone can make it. Let me be that push to help you keep going and achieve success.
James H. Mitchell
James H. Mitchell – Coach Mitch Mitchell is a dedicated and respected leader, mentor and Coach: in his home, his church and community. He is husband to the Former Krista S. Blakeney for over 30 years and their union has produced two gifted young men Jeremiah James Mitchell and Julius Bennett Mitchell both are nationally recognized Student Scholars and Athletes.
Coach Mitchell is a Former Pac 12 Student Athlete – who holds a Degree in Business Communications from The University of Washington. Coach Mitch is a respected and recognized leader a former recipient of “The Men of Honor Award”. He has served as Head Elder, Family Life Leader, Personal Ministries Director, Finance Committee Chairman, and Leadership Team of The Capitol Hill SDA Church in Washington DC for over 20 years. Coach Mitchell is passionate about developing young people.
He is the Founder of several entrepreneurial ventures and currently serves as the President and founder of Faith Based Sports and Youth Services, Inc. – a Non-Profit organization that mentors youth and student athletes in the Washington DC Metropolitan Area. He is an Author (of the Book “A More Excellent Way” ) , a public speaker – and a successful entrepreneur who has worked with and counseled 100’s of aspiring entrepreneurs.
Most importantly Elder Mitchell is in Love with Jesus Christ and is not ashamed of the gospel. Coach Mitch has a passion for excellence, mentoring entrepreneurship, coaching and kingdom building!