Willie E. Gary
Born to migrant farmers in Eastman, Georgia in 1947, now a multi-millionaire attorney labeled "The Giant Killer" for his success in the courtroom, Willie E. Gary is the living personification of the American Dream.
After receiving his Bachelor's from Shaw University and Jurist Doctorate from North Carolina Central University, Mr. Gary moved back to his home state of Florida where he established his internationally recognized law firm: Gary, Williams, Parenti, Finney, Lewis, McManus, Watson & Sperando.
A member of the National Bar Association and the American Bar Association, Mr. Gary is also a major media mogul and businessman. His national cable television network, Major Broadcasting Cable Network (MBC Network), is the first ever 24 hour cable channel devoted to wholesome programming focusing on America's urban issues.
Along with his success in the business world, Mr. Gary is also a churchman, humanitarian and philanthropist who is deeply involved in charity and civic work.
Joshua "Fahiym" Ratcliffe
Culture Editor/Lifestyle for The Source Magazine, the world's most read hip-hop magazine, Joshua "Fahiym" Ratcliffe is responsible for overseeing feature stories that focus on the importance of youth issues.
A graduate of New York's Hunter College, this admitted history buff is infatuated with studying the socio-political origins of hip-hop culture and is a longtime contributing writer for The Source. Fahiym has also written for other publications such as Oneworld, Vibe, and Savoy.
Regularly invited to the nation's most important media conferences, Mr. Ratcillffe also frequently speaks to junior high and high school students about the socio-political importance of hip-hop culture.
Dr. Gregory Rocha
Dr. Gregory G. Rocha is a Professor of Political Science. He received his Ph.D. in Government from the University at Texas at Austin in 1990. Prior to teaching at UTEP, he taught at Austin Community College.
Currently, Professor Rocha teaches courses in American Government and Politics, Southwestern Border Politics, Political Culture and Political Socialization. He is currently doing research on exit polling of Election Day voters
Additionally, Professor Rocha is a member of several professional organizations including the American Political Science Association and the American Association of Higher Education. Professor Rocha is also actively involved with public service organizations including the El Paso Community Legislative Agenda and the El Paso Coalition for Fair Redistricting.
Rebecca Vigil-Giron
New Mexico Secretary of State, Rebecca Vigil-Giron is an eleventh generation New Mexican born and raised in Taos, New Mexico. As Secretary of State Vigil-Giron is second in line to succeed the office of Governor. She is the Chief Elections Officer in the state and the highest ranking elected Hispanic woman state official in the United States. Elected to a third term in November 2002, Rebecca Vigil-Giron made history by becoming the first person ever elected to 3 four-year terms as New Mexico Secretary of State.
Between her terms as Secretary of State, Vigil-Giron used her expertise in elections as a consultant for the International Foundation for Electoral Systems in Nicaragua, Equatorial Guinea, and the Dominican Republic. She has also served as a member state delegate with the United Nations in Angola, Africa's presidential elections.
Elected on a platform of election reform, she was successful in breaking down restrictive voter registration requirements and established one of the most advanced voter registration and elections management systems in the nation.
Secretary Vigil-Giron holds a Bachelors Degree in French and Social Science from New Mexico Highlands University. She is a graduate of the Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
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