Delou Africa, Inc. Invites you and your family to our free
Better Living Community Symposium
at our 6th Annual African Diaspora Dance & Drum Festival of Florida!!!
Date:Â Saturday, August 1, 2015
Time:Â 6:00pm – 7:45pm
Symposium Admission:Â FREE
Location:Â Little Haiti Cultural Complex/Caribbean Marketplace Bldg.
212 NE 59th Terrace, Miami FL 33137
(A memorial tribute to victims of gun violence)
Topic: “It Takes a Village: Keeping Our Community in Unityâ€
For the past 5 years our Better Living component has addressed the concerns, needs and well-being of our community.
This year Delou has put together an excellent panel team to address the on-going violence and crimes that are polluting our neighborhoods all across the United States. The panelists consist of: Police Officials, City Officials, Faith Based Representatives, a Motivational Speaker and more.
We are happy to feature Mr. Fedrick Ingram President of the United Teachers of Dade as our keynote speaker/moderator alongside Mr. Kevin Dorival author of “7 Types of Queens That Kings Desire†as our motivational speaker.
The symposium will be held in a town hall like discussion to engage our residence and audience. The focus will be to address the concerns about community violence. Our purpose is to implement an action plan with measureable goals that will address key issues with a commitment to have follow-up meetings in the near future.
Striving to Keep Our Community Safe through Arts, Culture & Education!
» CLICK HERE to view/download symposium flyer
Kevin Dorival
King Kevin Dorival is a youth mentor, author, and writer. He has an interesting story to tell about his life from escaping the streets, jail, and eventually worked his way into corporate America as a marketing executive. In realizing his passion to push others forward, eventually he began writing a memoir that transformed into an inspirational autobiography and stage play, “The Courage To Believe.” His highly anticipated book, “7 Types of Queens, Kings Desire,†will be released in the November of 2015.
He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a minor in marketing from Florida Atlantic University in the 2005. He is a board member of the Martin Luther King Celebration Committee of Fort Lauderdale and The Haitian American Leadership Organization. Mr. Dorival has been on the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), Hot 105, and 99 Jamz WEDR. He was also on the cover of the Sun-Sentinel, which is South Florida’s largest newspaper.
Despite, the opposition Mr. Dorival, kept his faith in God, and kept marching forward. Encouraging teens and young adults on how to pursue their dreams puts a fire in his spirit that cannot be explained in words. This passion motivated Mr. Dorival to start his non-profit organization, “The Courage To Believe International,†to mentor at-risk youth to teach them how to make successful decisions rather than tragic ones through a series of workshops and academic exercises. Stay tuned for his documentary, “The Courage To Believe: Never Give Up,†coming this summer.
Joseph Gebara
Joseph Gebara is the president of Miami-Dade County Council PTA/PTSA. He is a member of the board of directors at Children’s Trust. Prior to his current elected position, Mr. Gebara served as the Title I District Advisory Council Chairperson for Miami-Dade County Public Schools from 2010-2014. A long-time advocate for children and for public education, Mr. Gebara appears often on radio and television, and has a popular following on social media.
Professionally, Mr. Gebara owns and manages a window treatment design and installation firm. He is married to an educator, and the couple has two children. Mr. Gebara earned a B.S. in Exceptional Student Education from Miami Dade College’s School of Education. He is fluent in English, Spanish, French and Haitian Creole.
Fedrick Ingram
President, United Teachers of Dade
Mr. Ingram is a product of Miami Dade Public Schools. He graduated from Miami Jackson Senior High School, Bethune-Cookman University as a music education major, studied at Barry University in the Educational Leadership master’s program and is currently pursuing his M.B.A. at the Keller School of Management.
Pursuing his love of music, he became a music teacher and Band Director at Booker T. Washington and Miami Carol City High School, serving in the classroom for ten years. Mr. Ingram is an accomplished musician in his own right having performed throughout the state and nationally as a commercial artist – saxophone being his principal instrument.
In 2006, Mr. Ingram became the Francisco R. Walker Miami-Dade County Teacher of the Year and went on to become one of five finalists for the State of Florida Teacher of the Year.
In 2007 he was elected Secretary/Treasurer of United Teachers of Dade and served two terms in that position.
In 2012 Mr. Ingram was elected as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention to represent the State of Florida in Charlotte, NC.
On May 16, 2013 Mr. Ingram became the President of United Teachers of Dade, the first African-American elected to serve in this capacity. UTD is the fourth largest teachers union in the nation with a membership of over 15,000 employees.
Also in May of 2013 the Miami Herald’s ‘Legacy Magazine’ named Fedrick Ingram as one of South Florida’s 50 Most Powerful Black Business Leaders. He is also the recipient of the prestigious JM-Family African-American Achievers Award.  On April 4, 2014, Mr. Ingram received the Robert B. Ingram Diversity Award in Tallahassee. This award is presented to an individual who embodies multiethnic diversity for which Dade County is the mosaic. On May 2nd, 2014, Mr. Ingram was recognized as Camillus House celebrated the Role of Educators in transmitting Black Culture.
Mr. Ingram is a staunch advocate for public education and is recognized nationally as an advocate, speaker and expert in urban education.
He serves nationally on the American Federation of Teachers Program and Policy Council; and was appointed Vice President of the American Federation of Teachers in February of 2014. He is a member of the Governance Board of the Florida Education Association, the Executive Board of the State AFL-CIO. Mr. Ingram is also a member of the Board of Directors of The Education Fund. He was elected as a member of the Executive Board of the United Way of Dade County in June 25, 2014.
He is also a member of the NAACP, The National Action Network, and the A. Phillip Randolph Institute.
On May 2nd, 2015, Mr. Ingram received an honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Florida Memorial University.
He is married to Yvetta Ingram and they have three children.
“Today, teachers and support staff are expected to deliver extraordinary results with limited resources. We cannot compromise on delivering the best possible education; however, that doesn’t mean we compromise on dignity, respect and fair treatment for UTD members. Our working conditions are the learning conditions for students. When we successfully advocate for quality in the classroom and quality in our work lives, we are all winners.â€
Dr. Gregory A. Salters
Dr. Gregory A. Salters currently serves as a Major with the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, where he has worked for over 20 years. He is currently second in command of the Investigations Bureau. I Dr. Salters facilitates courses for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s (FDLE) Florida Leadership Academy, serves as an adjunct professor at the Broward County Institute for Public Safety, facilitates forums such as FDLE’s Minority Recruitment and Retention Forum. The courses he facilitates include but are not limited to Ethics, Performance Management, Leadership and Supervision, and the Persuasive Leader.
Dr. Salters is also very active in the community. He has been serving as the Chairman of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, Zeta Alpha Lambda Chapter’s Men of Tomorrow mentoring program. Dr. Salters is Broward County School Boards 2015 “Outstanding Mentor of the Yearâ€.
He graduated from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) with a degree in Business Administration. After graduation he had a career in Finance which included banking, insurance and financial planning, and individual tax preparation. After his experiences in Finance he joined the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. He earned his Masters degree in Public Administration from Florida Atlantic University. He earned his Doctorate degree in Adult Education/Human Resource Development from Florida International University.
Dr. Salters’ dissertation explored Black male law enforcement officers’ perspectives of racial profiling and its affect on their career exploration and commitment.
In his quest to have a larger impact on individuals he began an Organo Gold coffee independent distributorship (www.gsalters1906.organogoldcom). This business allows him to positively impact lives by teaching entrepreneurship and emphasizing the power of dreaming. Dr. Salters has spoken to numerous groups, worked with individuals and organizations to improve their overall success. He utilizes his life experiences and scholarly background to positively impact individuals so they may positively impact organizations and society. He believes success is an option.
His life motto is “If I can help somebody as I pass along the way…my living will not be in vain.â€
– Dr. MLK, Jr.
Chiquita F. Thomas-Butler
Logos Baptist Church
Chiquita Thomas-Butler affectionately known as “Lady Kikiâ€, is employed by the City of Miami Police Department as a Lieutenant of Police. She is an 18 year veteran all of which have been with the City of Miami Police Department. She is a proud graduate of Miami Norland Senior High, class of 1992. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Union Institute and University and is currently seek her Masters Degree in Public Administration. During her career she has had the opportunity to work in several different entities throughout her agency to include the Problem Solving Team, Neighborhood Resource Officer, Investigations, and the Training Unit. She also has several instructor certifications such as Investigative Interviews, Instructor Techniques Workshop, National Self-Defense Institute, Criminal Law, Terrorism Awareness, Case Preparation and Court Presentation, CMS Instructor, CMS Firearms Instructor, Glock Armorer, CMS Defensive Tactics Instructor, CMS Driving Instructor, and Simunition Scenario.
Presently, she is assigned to the Officer Survival Unit where she is a certified instructor and also supervises seven police instructors and seven civilian employees. Her areas of responsibility consist of but are not limited to creating the mandatory retraining program mandated by FDLE, and high liabilities; Defensive Tactics, First Responder and Firearms. Lady Kiki has taught and trained recruits at Miami Dade College for Basic Law Enforcement Classes. She has assisted in the successful graduation of approximately ten BLE classes at Miami Dade College.
Lady Kiki has over 30 years of Martial Arts experience. She is a four time Florida Black Belt Association Champion and a two time Florida National Champion. She is also well trained in Armed Confrontations and Hand to hand combat. She is also deeply routed in the community and believes in serving the community to the best of her abilities. She serves as a member of the Coconut Grove Negro Woman’s Club, Eastern Stars PAS OES NO. 114 and is a Member of the Miami Bahamas Goombay Festival in Coconut Grove, Incorporated. She has been deemed an Unsung Shero by the Miami SOL and the Helen Bentley Family Health Center, Inc of Coconut Grove. She was also honored as Law Enforcement Officer of the year by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. Lady Kiki still considers it an honor to dedicate her self to serving the community.
As a member of the Logos Baptist church where her Pastor is Rev. Keith Butler, Lady Kiki is never a missing piece. Although she is currently in school continuing her education she finds the time to work a full time job, care for their two year old son Ellis, be a loving wife and community leader. God has truly blessed her in her Christian walk. She is the daughter of the Late Pastor James Poole and Alice Poole, they taught her to be a humble servant at all times and to give God praise for all things. She finds peace in one of her favorite scriptures that she often quotes Psalm 27, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; whom shall I be afraid?