Robert N. Page Jr. Director, Office of Multicultural Affairs
Robert N. Page Jr. is currently the Director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs at the University of Kansas. He has worked in postsecondary education for over 20 years and specializes in retention and recruitment programs for students of color, diversity training and awareness, as well as the motivation of all students to achieve at their highest potential.
In his current position at the University of Kansas, Robert oversees and supervises an office that assists with academic progress, leadership development and multicultural education of students, faculty and staff. He has overall responsibility of all programs in the Office of Multicultural Affairs, including the Multicultural Resource Center, the HAWK Link Retention Program for students of color, Career Exploration services and the overall leadership and development for student of color organizations.
Robert has conducted countless workshops, seminars and keynotes on many issues with a focus on inclusion and leadership potential. Robert is the founder of such programs as the National Black Greek Leadership Conference, the "Am I My Brothers Keeper" Male Empowerment Conference, Minority & Friends Network at the Oshkosh Placement Exchange, African American Male Summit, the Tunnel of Oppression Diversity Activity, and has assisted with numerous opportunities and he attribute his successes to people that he has worked with.
Robert holds a Master of Science in Counseling from Central Missouri State University. He is a member of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators and the Association of College Personnel Administrators, and the proud father of a son Aidan Page and two daughters Morgan and Madison Page
Justin S. Parr, CFP® Principal Financial Advisor, Lightship Mutual
B.S. - Business Administration
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
M.S. - Human-Computer Interaction
University of Michigan
Justin S. Parr is co-founder of Lightship Mutual and serves as the firm's Principal Financial Advisor. He is a member of the Financial Planning Association, the Garrett Planning Network, and a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional.
Justin holds vast knowledge concerning the design of information systems including a background in Educational Technologies and Visual Persuasion. His expertise in crafting complex concepts into understandable, intuitive shapes and forms helps set Lightship Mutual's dynamic workshops and individual advising sessions apart from the rest of the industry.
Justin's real-life experiences have provided him with an expansive view of the economic landscape along with an appreciation of the challenges and rewards of true financial independence. In 2004, he created and served as faculty advisor for the ECPI College of Technology Personal Finance Club, which taught college students the fundamentals of money management.
He began his business career with AOL/Time Warner Corporation and then spent two years working with the Financial Management Systems group at Oracle Corporation in Redwood Shores, California. At Oracle, Justin was engaged in team research and user testing of financial applications relating to Accounts Payable, General Ledgers, and the Financial Close Process.
Bryant K. Smith President, Smith Consulting and Networking
Bryant K. Smith currently serves as the Founder and President of Smith Consulting and Networking a comprehensive training, development, and consulting firm. He is also the author of "Black Not Blind" a social commentary on race relations in the United States.
Bryant began his career in higher education more than eighteen years ago as an Admissions Counselor for his alma mater. His passion and interest in student success led him to pursue his Masters in Organizational Communication and seek a position in Student Activities. Bryant has dedicated his entire professional career to teaching, training, and empowering people from diverse backgrounds and experiences on how to establish and maintain win/win environments and relationships.
Known as outspoken and dynamic, Mr. Smith is a highly sought after lecturer and facilitator. Bryant Smith dares to follow his motto and tackle subject matter that may be "difficult but not impossible" to talk about. Known for his ability to meet audiences where they are and take them to where they need to be Bryant's programs always leave his audiences feeling empowered to face whatever challenges life may bring. Bryant believes he is doing his part to complete a cycle began by his ancestors; 'They were therefore I am. I am therefore we are. We are so that they will be'. Delivering his messages of hope, inspiration and social commentary are his way of passing the torch onto the next generation.
Kemba Smith Public Speaker
In 1994, Kemba Smith, a college student was sentenced to 24.5 years in federal prison. Fortunately, Ms. Smith regained her freedom after President Clinton granted her clemency in December 2000. Her case drew support from across the nation and the world in a crusade to reverse a disturbing trend in the rise of lengthy sentences for first-time nonviolent drug offenders. Her story has been featured on Nightline, Court TV, The Early Morning Show, Judge Hatchett and many other television programs; along with several publications such as The Washington Post, The New York Times, USA Today, Glamour, People, and Emerge Magazines.
As a single mother, advocate, public speaker, law student and soon to be author, Ms. Smith has received numerous awards and recognition for her courage and determination to educate the public about the devastating social, economic and political consequences of current drug policies. She has been corporately sponsored to speak at a variety of high school and college venues by Proctor and Gamble's "Pantene Totally You Tour", Bank One Academy, Shell Corporation, Traveler's Foundation and Verizon. Ms. Smith's traumatic real life experience forces today's youth to listen in hopes that they will recognize that there are consequences to their life choices.