Featured Presenters

Rev. Daymond Wilkins

Registered Nurse, St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital

Candidate for Master of Theology, Dallas Theological Seminary - Houston Extension

Bachelor of Science, Southern University

Theme Speaker

Rev. Daymond Wilkins obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in the fall of 1999. While attending Southern University, he was in The Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps in which he was on a full scholarship from the NROTC program. Upon graduation he was commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy and served as a navy nurse. He served 5 years on active duty and 4 years in the naval reserve. Presently, he is employed at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital as a registered nurse. In addition to his professional responsibilities, Rev. Wilkins also serves as an associate minister at the Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church - the same church where he confessed his hope in Christ at the age of 4 when his father served as pastor. He accepted his ministerial call to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in July 2004, and preached his initial sermon on September 19, 2004. Currently he is pursuing a Master of Theology degree at the Houston Extension of Dallas Theological Seminary and he serves as secretary of the student council.

Rev. Wilkins is a native of Houston, Texas and is the son of the late Rev. and Mrs. C. G. Wilkins. He is also a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. Rev. Wilkins has been blessed in numerous places to share The Word of God.

Erin Reed

Sr. MBA Career Development Specialist, University of Houston

Bachelor of Business Administration, The University of Texas at Austin

Master of Business Administration, Rice University

Adult Session 1: Are You Linked In?

“I don’t DO social media. It’s just another way for people to get in my business.”

“Technology just isn’t for me.”

“When I need a job, I’ll just apply online.”

If any of these thoughts have ever crossed your mind, then this session is for you. According to an ere.net social media recruiting survey, 94% of recruiters use LinkedIn to search for, contact, and vet candidates, as well as post jobs. Therefore, knowing and becoming active on LinkedIn is a must for serious job-seekers. In this session, you will learn the basics of building a profile, communicating your brand, becoming an active contributor, and effectively networking on LinkedIn.

Erin Reed is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing. She also has a Master in Business Administration from the Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University. Her professional background spans across several industries including Retail, Manufacturing, Oil & Gas, and now Higher Education. She began her career at Foley’s Department Stores (now Macy’s) where she was a member of the Buyer Training Program and an Account Coordinator for in-house advertising. After obtaining her MBA, she transitioned careers into Human Resources and became the Manager of Global University Relations at Cooper Industries where she led the global university recruiting and rotational programs for the company. After almost 4 years, Ms. Reed moved into an HR Manager role at Stanley Black & Decker where she was responsible for all of the HR activities at a small division of the company. Each of these roles eventually led her to realize her true passion for counseling students on their careers. This led her to join The University of Houston, C.T. Bauer College of Business as an MBA Career Development Specialist. Within a year, she was promoted to Senior MBA Career Development Specialist and is responsible for developing the career skills of over 800 MBA students among a host of other responsibilities.

Ms. Reed is a member of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Dr. Marcus D. Cosby. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. She loves reading, arts & crafts, outdoor activities and career counseling. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., National Black MBA Association, West Pearland Toastmasters, and Spouses of Houston Barristers.

Stephanie Jones

Attorney - Intellectual Property Law

Juris Doctor, Syracuse University

Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry, Michigan State University

Stephanie Jones is an in-house attorney in Detroit, Mi specializing in intellectual property law. Her work includes assisting research and development efforts in the US, China, and Israel. Her work also includes serving as counsel for academic contract work and providing broad spectrum legal advice for activities with universities around the world. Prior to her current role as in-house counsel, she was with a top 10 intellectual property law firm where she handled patent prosecution, litigation, opinion work, and due diligence for billion dollar and multi-million dollar corporate acquisitions. Stephanie is a graduate of Syracuse University College of Law and Michigan State University. She is the current Chair of the IP Law Section for the National Bar Association.

Ms. Jones attends Hope United Methodist Church in Southfield, Michigan. She advocates for Grace Centers of Hope, a faith-based outreach to homeless and disadvantaged individuals. Additionally, she serves as a docent at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History and provides educational tours to children about inventions made by African-Americans. She is active in several community outreach activities but is most enriched by her service as a Big Sister through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Detroit.

Adult Session 2: Unleash the Power of Your Network!

Do you want to be the go-to person when there's an exciting opportunity available? The workshop "Unleash the Power of Your Network" will help you achieve this goal. You will learn real world strategies to fully leverage the resources in your network while also making a positive contribution in your network

Dejashatun Williams

Business Consultant, Workforce Solutions

Bachelor Degree in Business Communication, University of Phoenix

Adult Session 3: Tap Into The Resources in Your Own Backyard

This workshop will provide participants with a clear understanding of the resources that are available through Workforce Solutions and how they link employers to job seekers. Additionally, participants will learn tips and techniques for job hunting, resume and interview blunders (and how to overcome them), and how to leverage your current position for the job you want.

Dejashatun Williams is a Business Consultant for Workforce Solutions where he works to meet the workforce needs of employers and serves as a liaison between employers and job seekers. His responsibilities include planning and coordinating hiring events, rapid response to help laid-off individuals transfer to new opportunities, planning symposiums and seminars, and partnering with the Multicultural Alliance, United Way, and other non profit organizations. Prior to joining Workforce Solutions, Mr. Williams worked for S4 Communications as the Midwest Regional Sales Manager. His territory covered five states and he managed a team of 32 people. Some of his responsibilities included goal setting, training, coaching, and strategy development for market penetration of new products.

He is originally from Tyler, TX and earned a Bachelor Degree in Business Communication from the University of Phoenix. He also studied Marketing at Prairie View A&M University. Mr. Williams is a Member of Western Houston Chamber of Commerce. In his spare time, he enjoys playing the guitar and watching sports.

Youth Session 1: College Prep Workshop

Alumni from Stanford University will lead a college prep workshop with the youth. Topics will include effective study habits, developing a competitive advantage, and designing a plan for a successful future. This year Stanford University had the most selective application process in the country, besting Harvard with a 5.1% acceptance rate. Recent graduates will share some "golden nuggets" and tips with students to prepare them to be able to be a competitive candidate at any school for which they wish to apply. The goal is to plant the seeds of higher education starting at the middle school level and to empower the next generation with the necessary tools for success.

Marcus Goldston is currently an electrical engineer at Spectra Energy in the Galleria area. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from Prairie View A&M University. During his time in college, he earned a spot as an intern for Cimarron where he was a software engineer. Upon graduation, Mr. Goldston started working for Lockheed Martin where he was a systems engineer. After 7 years, he decided that he wanted a change of scenery and moved towards the oil and gas field where he currently works today. Other than work, Marcus is a big basketball fan and plays regularly. He lives in Houston with his wife Lyawonda, and their son Braylon. Mr. Goldston is a member of Faith Family Church in Houston, TX where he serves as an usher.

Youth Session 2: Career Panel

Marcus Goldston

Electrical Engineer, Spectra Energy

Bachelor of Science Electrical Engineering, Prarie View A&M

Latricia Gillis, M.D.

Assistant Professor, Baylor College of Medicine

Board Certified in Family Medicine

Doctor of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine

Bachelor of Science in Biology, University of Houston

Youth Session 2: Career Panel

Dr. Latricia Gillis works with the Baylor Family Medicine department as a clinician and faculty preceptor. As a clinician her primary focus is preventative health care, and management of chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Prior to taking on this position in 2010, she worked as a hospitalist with the IPC hospitalist group at Memorial Hermann Memorial City Hospital. During her time there, she also took care of patients in Memorial Hermann Triumph Hospital LTAC (West Houston), Select Specialty Care LTAC (West Houston), Vitas hospice, Spring Branch Nursing home, and Heartland skilled nursing facility.

Dr. Gillis is an active member of Greater Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Gaidi K. Burgess. She serves as the youth director for the youth ministry, and works in the audiovisual ministry. She is married to Chris, for which they will celebrate 20 years of matrimony on June 11th 2014. They have 2 daughters. She has a real passion for music having played the flute, piano, and she loves to sing. Of late, Ms. Gillis has taken special interest in improving her health through eating a healthy balanced diet, and exercising regularly. Her take home message is to be as healthy as you can be so you can be most effective in doing God’s work.

Carleton Smith

Graphic Designer and Artist, Axiom

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration, The Center of Creative Studies

Carleton Smith has been working professionally in and around graphics design since graduating from The Center of Creative Studies with a BFA in Illustration in 1997. His first job was at a print shop in Detroit doing prepress design and digital retouching. He worked there for 6 years which helped him gain a deeper understanding of color relationships and composition, not to mention learning the technical aspects of photoshop, illustrator and indesign (at that point, quark xpress). After moving to Texas in 2004, Mr. Smith started doing wedding photography retouching and then was hired at Rives Carlberg as a production artist and designer. In 2006, he made the move to Axiom where he has been employed for the past 7 years. He works as a designer/retoucher /illustrator/production artist... a jack of all trades so to speak.

Outside of work, Mr. Smith has contributed to the graphics design community in Houston by becoming the vice president of the Art Director's Club of Houston, and worked with the club through promotions and award show gatherings to help further and define what great design and art direction is in Houston. Throughout his time as a professional, he has held onto the goal of being a comicbook artist and designer. He is happiest when he is knee deep in creating characters and trying to achieve the perfect composition for a new piece at his art table with his wife and baby boy close by.

Timmey Zachery, PhD

Band Director, Prairie View A&M University

Doctor of Music Arts, Indiana University

Master of Arts in Music, Norfolk State University

Bachelor of Arts in Music, Norfolf State University

Tim Zachery is an accomplished musician who enjoys sharing his passion for music with others. A brief assignment in the United States Navy Band gave him the opportunity to travel the world and meet other musicians from around the world. His journeys to Africa forever changed him when he was given the opportunity to listen to and perform with African musicians. It appeared the melodic sounds produced by these unassuming artists caused a spiritual awakening of sorts. Can the simple, pure sounds of drums and melodies take you to a place where life changes forever? Absolutely. A huge proponent of education, Tim Zachery earned his Bachelor and Masters degrees in Music from Norfolk State University and went on to obtain his Doctor of Music Arts degree from the prestigious Indiana University. Excellence in performance for Dr. Zachery is easy to see as he is skilled in all genres of music. He has performed with the Virginia Symphony, The Virginia Beach Symphony, The David Baker Big Band, The Right On Band, The Great American Music Ensemble and the Atlantic Fleet Jazz Band, Concert Band, Ceremonial Band and Show Band.

Most recently Dr. Zachery was selected by the Edwards Instrument Company to represent the company as an Edwards Artist.Now, as a former Professor of Music and Assistant Band Director at Norfolk State University and current Director of Bands at Prairie View A&M University, Dr. Timmey Zachery is poised to infect as many young people as possible with hope and the love of music that he embodies. Dr. Zachery awakens every day charged with the responsibility of changing lives through his dedication.