SPEAKERS
DR. CLAYBORNE CARSON | KEYNOTE
MLK, Jr. Centennial Professor Emeritus, History
Dr. Clayborne Carson, the Martin Luther King, Jr., Centennial Professor of History, emeritus, at Stanford University, has devoted his professional life to the study of Martin Luther King, Jr., and the human rights movements inspired by King, Mohandas K. Gandhi, and other visionaries.
His award-winning first book, In Struggle: SNCC and the Black Awakening of the 1960s, was published in 1981 and remains the definitive study of the courageous activists and organizers who challenged the strongholds of segregation. In 1985, Mrs. Coretta Scott King chose Dr. Carson to edit and publish a definitive, multi-volume edition of her late husband’s speeches, sermons, correspondence, publications, and unpublished writings. After launching the online Liberation Curriculum for K-12 students, Carson founded Stanford’s Martin Luther King, Jr., Research and Education Institute in 2005 to disseminate King-related educational resources to a global audience. After retiring as the King Institute’s Director, Carson has continued his online educational efforts by establishing The World House Project to collaborate with other human rights advocates to realize King’s vision of a global community in which all people can “learn somehow to live with each other in peace.”
DR. VIRGINIA LACAYO
Co-founder and CEO, Massive
Dr. Virginia Lacayo is the co-founder and CEO of Massive, the latest iteration of her lifelong commitment to conscious leadership and social justice.
She is a certified mindset coach, a thought leader in the field of communication for social and organizational change, a complexity scientist, and a systemic leadership expert. Her rich and diverse background stretches across four continents and includes leading, coaching, and advising leaders on social change, consulting for international organizations, including the UN, and professorships at three universities.
A feminist and activist since her teen years, Dr. Lacayo mentors women activists fighting for social justice and also serves as President of FCAM, an organization supporting women’s rights in Central America.
Dr. Lacayo holds dual citizenship from Nicaragua and France. She currently resides in Austin, Texas with her partner and their son.
DR. WILL SAMSON
CEO, Ready to Grow
Dr. Will Samson exemplifies resilience, service, and transformative leadership. As CEO of Ready to Grow, he navigates executives through personal transformations, fostering inner strength and growth. Will is a founding member of Common Change, an innovative group dedicated to eliminating economic isolation. This organization achieves its mission by pooling funds with people they know and channeling these resources to support those in need. This unique approach reflects the group’s belief in creating an inclusive economy where everyone’s needs are met. After reinventing himself in his 50s, Dr. Samson has flourished in various roles, including consultant, coach, speaker, and author, leveraging his experiences and insights to inspire and guide others.
Mayele Jules Murhula
Global Changemaker
Jules Murhula, the Director of SWB Uganda, has over 11 years of experience in soccer and evidence-based youth development, gender-, girls-, and women-empowerment, and leadership development initiatives. As a refugee from DR Congo in Uganda since 2011, Jules has become a successful leader both in community development and with international NGOs and agencies. He is a UN SDGs enthusiast and a passionate youth and refugee advocate. Jules currently leads the work of SWB Uganda, which serves over 465 out-of-school refugee youth every day from DR Congo, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Rwanda, Burundi, and Somalia.
Jules is also the East and Horn of Africa Regional Manager for Equal Play Effect, has led the Adidas Breaking Barriers Curriculum, is a proud Common Goal Youth Council Member, and has served as a Manager in the Uganda Goal 5 Summit.
Brian Hilliard
Speaker, Coach & Author
Brian Hilliard is a Popular Speaker, Coach & Author of 8 Books including the best-selling book Networking Like a Pro.
As a graduate of Duke University, he specializes in showing Speakers how to generate more revenue from their public speaking activities. Whether that’s Podcasting, Live Streams or Virtual / Physical presentations, Brian takes his 20+ yrs of experience and creates a framework for speakers to generate more revenue and be more successful with their speaking activities.
During his presentation, he will show Changemakers “How to Talk So Others Will Listen”, which is a conversation around the 5 Key Principles for how to become a better public speaker in whatever avenue you decide to employ.
Brian started his business in 2001, where during that time he has written 8 Books, published 300+ Podcast Episodes, while speaking to over 400 audiences in the areas of Mindset, Communication & Leadership.
Kenya Walker
Training Strategies Client Engagement Manager
Kenya Walker (she/her), born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, is a dedicated advocate for social justice and racial equity. Currently serving as the Training Strategies Client Engagement Manager at Race Forward, Kenya has channeled her passion for justice into her professional journey as she collaborates with organizations to propel them along their racial equity journey. In addition to her professional role, Kenya actively participates in the reproductive justice movement, applying Black feminist frameworks to address and educate about the intersectionality of racism, gender, climate change in Black communities. Her journey has shaped her into a fierce advocate for equitable access to healthcare, housing, and education for all. Kenya’s commitment to her community is unwavering, and her resilience in the face of challenges has made her a powerful force for change.
Matthieu Mehuys
Landscape Architect
Matthieu Mehuys is an upcoming award-winning author and passionate landscape architect whose journey from a family farm in Belgium to regenerative farming practices has led him to believe that landscape architects can indeed change the world. His fascination with plants since childhood drove him to become a landscape architect, a role he sees as instrumental in crafting environments that marry aesthetics with positive environmental impact. Through his work, he aims to empower individuals to transform their gardens into spaces that foster biodiversity, restore ecosystems, and reverse climate change.
Analisa Marceleno (she/her)
Training Strategies Coordinator
Analisa is the Training Strategies Coordinator, providing project management and administrative support for the Training Strategies Team.
Born and raised in Rock Island, Illinois, Analisa is a first-generation Latina whose parents migrated to the United States from Mexico. Growing up in a predominantly white community, Analisa witnessed her parents’ daily struggles and discrimination, which was often due to language barriers. These life experiences inspired her to pursue higher education and fueled her passion for racial equity and justice work.
An intersectional feminist, Analisa strives to take on an intersectional approach in her work and personal life. Striving and advocating for social justice for all peoples, no matter their race/ethnicity, nationality, class, gender, socioeconomic status or other self-described identities.
Analisa has a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in Political Science from the University of Illinois Chicago and a Master’s in Social Work, becoming the first person in her family to graduate from college.
ANNMARIE HYLTON
Founder & Host, Project Good Work
Annmarie is the host of the Project Good Podcast and leads Project Good Work as the Head Marketing Strategist and Content Developer working with individuals and organizations who want to launch social impact projects, charities, and change-making initiatives. The marketing group works to develop branding, marketing strategy, and content to connect changemakers with the people who believe what they believe so that their projects and business can thrive.