Speakers

          Elizabeth is a passionate advocate for helping others find their voice and embrace their true potential. As a mission driven entrepreneur, hairstylist, and author, they've spent years guiding people through personal and professional challenges, sharing their own journey of self-advocacy along the way. From founding a coffee shop and tattoo studio to writing books on building a business and mental health, Elizabeth believes in creating space for people to overcome obstacles and live authentically. Their approach is rooted in compassion, honesty, and a deep belief that everyone deserves to be heard and understood.

          Anne Heaton is a singer-songwriter and teaching artist who has captured audience imaginations with her songs that are, by turns, “tender, barbed and spiritual” (Washington Post). She’s been featured by the New York Times Music Podcast, NPR, the Sundance Film Festival and Lilith Fair (2010). Anne has shared the stage with artists such as Jewel, Sarah McLachlan, and jazz drummer Max Roach. She has taught songwriting at Berklee College of Music and GRAMMY Camp and recently researched social emotional learning outcomes of songwriting with teenagers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Anne lives in Milwaukee, loves coffee, Lake Michigan and being a mom to two freethinking daughters.

          Dorissa began her on-air career as a NPR radio host for WSIU in Carbondale, IL before moving to New York City on a whim. Dorissa landed her first job at the number one television market’s premier 24/7 news station—NY1—where she assisted with field production. There, Dorissa covered stories ranging from transit, sports, and education to crime and politics, including the 2016 presidential election. In 2018, she was hired as a general assignment reporter for Bronxnet Television. There, she produced hyper local news stories and profile pieces; among them an interview package profiling Dr. Yusef Salaam of the Exonerated Five.
          In 2019 she was hired as an entertainment reporter for The Knockturnal and rap legend’s LL Cool J’s online magazine Rock the Bells. She has interviewed notable celebrities like Tyler Perry, Reese Witherspoon, Phylicia Rashad, Lupita Nyong’o, Brandy, Keke Palmer, Anne Hathaway amongst many others. In 2020, she was hired as a general assignment reporter for the exclusive 24-hour local news station News 12 Bronx and Brooklyn. There, she gained extensive experience as an MMJ and live reporter. Primarily working for the network’s 10pm live newscast. Dorissa is now a lifestyle and breaking news reporter at KMBC 9 News in Kansas City, Missouri.
          Along with her wealth of television experience, she is also a content creator, she has garnered nearly 150K followers on the popular social media platform TikTok by posting affirmations, daily advice and positive messages. Dorissa has also moderated forums for The Bronx Borough President, and is a public speaker. Along with her wealth of speaking experience, Dorissa is also a proud member of NABJ.

          Dean Cantu is Dean of the College of Health, Education, and Human Sciences at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith. Dr. Cantu received his Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from Southern Illinois University Carbondale; Ed.S. in community college education, M.A. in history, and B.S. in social science education from Arkansas State University; and A.S. in social science from Highland Community College in Freeport, Illinois. Dr. Cantu has over 30 years of experience in professional education from high school through the university level. Prior to his current appointment at UAFS, he served as associate dean and director of the Department of Education, Counseling, and Leadership at Bradley University. He has also served as Dean of Education at Indiana University Kokomo; a History Professor of History and Director of Social Studies Education at Ball State University; and Social Studies Department Chair and Teacher at Ste. Genevieve (Missouri) High School. Prior to beginning his teaching career, Dr. Cantu also served as a Military Intelligence Officer in the U.S. Army.

          Born in Chicago, IL, and living between Bolingbrook, Carbondale, and Chicago for most of my life, Portia was raised in an environment steeped in service, making her pursuit of social justice a natural path. From a young age, Portia aspired to attend law school and practice law, a passion sparked by her father's incarceration when she was just six years old. However, as she grew older, she realized her true calling lay in advocating for families affected by a loved one's incarceration, much like her own.

          Julian Howard II, a U.S. Army Disabled Combat Veteran with over 14 years of service to our nation and CEO of Howard’s Inland Logistics LLC. He has expertise in communications, transportation, healthcare, and technology, excelling in leadership roles in both military and civilian sectors. Julian has managed multi-million-dollar contracts, led teams, and instructed personnel. He is also a 9-year employee of the State of Illinois and proudly serves as a Cairo School District Board member. Deeply rooted in his community, Julian is a devoted entrepreneur, husband, father of three, and continues to serve in the U.S. Army Reserves where he’s a communications instructor.

          Chris Egelston became interested in magic at the age of six. In 1982, at the age of 15, he booked his first paid, professional show. Starting purely an entertainer at various events he moved to becoming a magician with a message for young audiences on topics such as reading and good character. He also became a corporate entertainer and eventually a keynote speaker on topics such as goal-getting, customer experience and sales. His performances and speaking gigs paid his way through college, earning his Bachelor's Degree in Marketing and MBA from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. A southern Illinois native, Chris has spent most of his life in Carterville, Illinois where he still resides with his wife Robin.

          Todd has been happily married to his wife Kristena for over 22 years, and they adopted their 2 kids (Chris and Kynleigh) through the foster care system. He joined SIU in 2019 after 13 years in the television broadcast industry. As a Cinematographer/Creative Video Producer for SIU’s University Communications & Marketing, he creates videos showcasing SIU on various platforms, leads a team of students and Graduate Assistants in video production, and is also one of the licensed drone pilots for the campus. Since 2022, Todd has served on the Civil Service Council, contributing to scholarships, fundraising, and honorary degree recommendations.