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Keynote Speaker
DR. BEN CARSON
Hear what Tony Dungy has to say about Dr. Ben Carson.
Benjamin S. Carson, Sr., M.D., had a childhood dream of becoming a physician. Growing up in a single parent home and being challenged by dire poverty, poor grades, a horrible temper, and low self-esteem appeared to preclude the realization of that dream, until his mother, with only a third-grade education, challenged her sons to strive for excellence. Young Ben persevered, and today is a full professor of neurosurgery, oncology, plastic surgery, and pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, where he has directed pediatric neurosurgery at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center for over a quarter of a century. He became the inaugural recipient of a professorship dedicated in his name in May, 2008. He is now the Benjamin S. Carson, Sr., M.D. and Dr. Evelyn Spiro, R.N. Professor of Pediatric Neurosurgery.
Some career highlights include the first and only successful separation of craniopagus (Siamese) twins joined at the back of the head in 1987, the first completely successful separation of type-2 vertical craniopagus twins in 1997 in South Africa, and the first successful placement of an intrauterine shunt for a hydrocephalic twin. Although he has been involved in many newsworthy operations, he feels that every case is noteworthy -- deserving of maximum attention. He is interested in all aspects of pediatric neurosurgery, and has a special interest in trigeminal neuralgia (a severe facial pain condition) in adults.
Dr. Carson holds more than 60 honorary doctorate degrees. He is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, the Horatio Alger Society of Distinguished Americans, and many other prestigious organizations. He sits on the board of directors of numerous organizations, including Kellogg Company, Costco Wholesale Corporation, the Academy of Achievement, and is an Emeritus Fellow of the Yale Corporation, the governing body of Yale University. He was appointed in 2004 by President George W. Bush to serve on the President’s Council on Bioethics. He is a highly regarded motivational speaker who has addressed various audiences from school systems and civic groups to corporations and the President’s National Prayer Breakfast.
In 2001, Dr. Carson was named by CNN and TIME Magazine as one of the nation’s 20 foremost physicians and scientists. That same year, he was selected by the Library of Congress as one of 89 “Living Legends” on the occasion of its 200th anniversary. He is also the recipient of the 2006 Spingarn Medal which is the highest honor bestowed by the NAACP. In February, 2008, Dr. Carson was presented with the Ford’s Theatre Lincoln Medal by President Bush at the White House. In June, 2008, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by the President, which is the highest civilian honor in the land. Dr. Carson was recognized in November, 2008 by U.S. News & World Report and Harvard’s Center for Public Leadership, as one of “America’s Best Leaders.” On February 7, 2009, the movie entitled “Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story” premiered on TNT and is based on his memoir. The movie was nominated in January, 2010 for “Best Picture Made for Television” during the Critics Choice Awards. “Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story” was the winner of the Epiphany Prize for “Best Television Movie” during the 2010 Movieguide Faith & Values Awards in February. In that same month during the 2010 NAACP Image Awards, the movie won for “Outstanding Television Movie, Mini-Series, or Dramatic Special.” In October, 2010, he was elected to the prestigious IOM of the National Academie of Sciences. Dr. Carson has literally received hundreds of other awards and recognitions during his distinguished career.
Dr. Carson is president and co-founder of the Carson Scholars Fund, which recognizes young people of all backgrounds for exceptional academic and humanitarian accomplishments. The Fund is currently operating in 42 states and the District of Columbia, having awarded more than $ 4.3 million dollars to more than 4300 scholars. The program also establishes Carson Reading Rooms to encourage young students and their families to discover the pleasure to be found in books and to recognize the true power of learning. Dr. Carson is also the co-founder of Angels of the OR under the auspices of the Baltimore Community Foundation, which provides grant to assist neurosurgery patients with expenses not covered by insurance.
Dr. Carson speaks to about 5,000 students annually on the campus of Johns Hopkins during his 75-minute THINK BIG presentations in which he gives a medical slide show and motivational talk discussing his career as a neurosurgeon, other medical careers, and his philosophies. Students attending this presentation come from schools all over the state of Maryland, surrounding states, and even states across the country. This word-of-mouth program has had a profound effect upon those students who have been privileged to attend.
His four books, Gifted Hands, THINK BIG, The Big Picture and Take the Risk: Learning to Identify, Choose and Live with Acceptable Risk (January, 2008), provide inspiration and insight for leading a successful life. Dr. Carson has been married for over 30 years to his wife, Candy, and is the father of three sons. And yes, his mother, Sonya Carson, who made all this possible, is alive and well.
Dr. Wilbur L. Dungy Award Winner
DANNY WUERFFEL
In 2004, Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel retired from the NFL and began working in New Orleans with the Desire Street Ministries, well known as a ministry to one of America’s toughest and poorest neighborhoods. Motivated by God's heart for the poor, the purpose of the ministry is to see impoverished neighborhoods become desirable places to live; to transform neighborhoods through spiritual and community development.
Recognizing the needs of those working in urban ministry, Desire Street now partners with ministry leaders in six cities across the U.S., providing them with pastoral care and organizational support. Danny and DSM also provide week-long family retreats each summer for the ministry leaders, realizing that healthy families are vital for a ministry to both thrive and be sustainable.
Danny and his wife, Jessica, have served on the board and continue to support Professional Athletes Outreach (PAO), a ministry largely dedicated to strengthening families in the NFL.
iMOM Inspiration Award Winner
BETSY LANDERS
Betsy Landers was installed as the National PTA® President at the June 2011 National PTA Convention and Exhibition in Orlando, Florida. She previously served a two-year term as National PTA President-elect (2009–2011) and Secretary-Treasurer (2007–2009). Her role in National PTA also included chairing the National PTA Advisory Board, the National Council of States, the Strategic Plan Committee, the Resource Development Committee, and the Finance Committee. Landers has been actively involved in negotiating new partnerships and alliances for the association to increase PTA’s role in serving diverse families, as well as improve the financial strength of the association.
From the moment she joined PTA® in 1989, Landers’ dedication to PTA has been unwavering. When she encountered challenges with her first PTA experience, she stayed with the group to ensure future volunteers had a better experience. When her children transferred to a new school, she helped form its first PTA and served as unit secretary. When her children transferred yet again, she helped form the first PTA in their new school, this time as president. She took on increasing responsibilities for Shelby County Council PTA, and then for the Tennessee PTA Board of Managers. Her goal was to help foster a widespread culture of excellence throughout the PTA local units in her state.
As Tennessee PTA State President, Landers led that organization in working with the State Board of Education and several legislators to write what would become the Parent Involvement Act, using what is now called the PTA National Standards for Family-School Partnerships as a model. This Tennessee law mandates that all school districts in the state have a written parent involvement policy. In 2004, she was honored with the Shelby County Schools Board of Education Community Service Award and in 2002, was named one of the "50 Women Who Make a Difference" by Memphis Women’s Magazine.
Landers has a special devotion to children’s safety. She dedicates time to the National Emergency Medical Services to Children (EMSC) Partnership for Children Stakeholder Group, the Tennessee EMSC Foundation, the Committee on Pediatric Emergency Care, and the Trauma Care Advisory Committee of Tennessee.
Although she occupies the highest office in PTA, Landers is quick to point out that the real power of PTA lies at the local level and plans to make a “back to basics” approach cornerstone of her tenure as National PTA President. “It’s the parents who dedicate themselves to improving their children’s education, PTA members who are committed to advocating for all children—those are the people who make a real difference.”
Landers and her husband Ben G. Landers have three children—Benton, Nicholas, and Mary Frances. They make their home in Germantown, Tennessee.
Champion Award Winner
MIKE DUCKER
Michael L. Ducker is Chief Operating Officer (COO) and President, International for FedEx Express.
In these roles he leads all customer-facing aspects of the company's U.S. operations and sets the strategic direction for its international business, spanning more than 220 countries and territories across North America, Latin America & Caribbean, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India. He also oversees FedEx Trade Networks and FedEx SupplyChain.
Ducker leads the company’s efforts to open markets, improve customs procedures, and support international economic policy reforms around the world.
During his FedEx career, Mike worked eight years in the Asia Pacific region, including four years in Hong Kong as President of the FedEx Express Asia Pacific region. He also led the South East Asia and Middle East regions from Singapore. Prior to that, he served as Vice President of Southern Europe, based in Milan, Italy.
Ducker started his professional career at FedEx in 1975 as a package handler in the company’s Memphis hub. He attributes his rise through the ranks to opportunities driven by the company’s long-standing “promote-from-within” philosophy.
Ducker applies his extensive global management experience outside of FedEx as well. He serves on the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations for the Obama Administration and Chairman of the International Policy Committee and Executive Board Member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, as well as a Board Member of the Coalition of Service Industries, Junior Achievement Worldwide, Thomas & Betts Corporation, and The Salvation Army.
Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, he received his MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
Special Guest
NICOLE C. MULLEN
A wife and mother of three, Nicole C. Mullen just happens to be one of the most inspirational communicators of our time. Her ability to captivate an audience by telling a story, sharing from the scriptures or singing a song, has earned her many awards as well as bringing her into the company of greatness. Nicole’s gifts have allowed her to travel all over the world, and they have brought her many accolades. She has won multiple Dove Awards, for Song of the Year (Redeemer, and On My Knees), Female Vocalist, Contemporary Song of the Year (Call on Jesus), and the first African American to win Songwriter of the Year. She has also been nominated for two Grammy awards.
Nicole has traveled with the Billy Graham Crusades, Franklin Graham, Will Graham, Luis Palau, and Women of Faith to name a few. She has shared the stage with Ambassadors, Heads of State, Dignitaries, and the President of the United States. She has sung in the Royal Albert Hall, Carnegie Hall, Mega churches and small storefronts. Her travels have lead her throughout the United States as well as overseas to places like Uganda, Australia, Rwanda, Sweden, England, Kenya, and South Africa. Still Ironically enough, Nicole declares that her favorite people of all times are “everyday, ordinary people, because that’s who I am, and that’s who Jesus came to redeem”
Growing up in Cincinnati, Ohio, Nicole was brought up in a family that was not only Christian, but also musical. Her grandfathers on both sides of the family were Pentecostal Preachers. She began singing at the early age of two with her Mother, Father (who sings like Nat King Cole), and her two sisters. At the age of twelve she wrote her first song. It was one of worship that declared: “as long as I live, I’ll Praise your Holy Name!” Although Nicole was raised in a home full of love and support, she is no stranger to heartache and pain. She often speaks of growing up being teased and taunted by other children on the bus. They called her ‘homemade’ because of the way she looked and the clothes she wore. Even then she clung to stories of Esther, the orphan girl who became Queen, and David, the shepherd boy who became King. They became her encouragement. She is quoted as saying; “the not so good old days can make you weak or make you brave.” She has chosen the latter, “to be made brave”.
Her choice has led her to start two mentorship programs, which she is very involved in during the week. Baby Girls Club, which is a Non-Profit 501 (c) 3 Organization, mentors girls between the ages of 5-18, and teaches them the love of Christ through the arts. The second is Team NCM, which trains young guys and girls (ages 9-17) who are gifted in the arts, and provides them with outlets to showcase their talents while growing as Disciples of Jesus Christ.
Prior to being married to her husband David Mullen, she was a victim of domestic violence. For three years, Nicole endured both physical and mental abuse, at the hand of her former husband. Overcoming obstacles of shame, hurt, and embarrassment, the Lord has truly empowered Nicole to be able to minister to those who are broken in spirit. She also enjoys sharing the freedom that comes through the act of forgiveness.
Living on a farm, Nicole chuckles when she mentions that her parents live next door, and her in-laws live across the street. They all have different shades of skin, but the Blood of Christ unites them. They celebrate their variety of hues as one would the beauty of the rainbow. Nicole is often heard saying; “our color was never meant to become our definition, it was only intended to be a part of our description.”
*Nicole just wrapped production on a new CD produced by Ed Cash, scheduled to be released Tuesday, May 3, 2011.* She has also penned two children’s books, “Black, White, and Tan,” and “Baby Love”, and is finishing a book on her life story.
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