Speakers
Hear from great minds and thought-leaders shaking things up nation-wide.
Friday, March 10th
Michael D. Tubbs
Mayor, City of Stockton
Michael Tubbs is the first African-American Mayor of Stockton, California, and the youngest mayor in American history of a city of more than 100,000 people. Before being elected Mayor in November 2016, Michael served as the City Councilmember representing Council District 6, the district where he grew up. He is the youngest elected official in Stockton’s history and one of the youngest elected officials in the nation.
Born and raised in Stockton, Michael attended Hamilton Middle School and graduated with the International Baccalaureate diploma from Franklin High School. After Franklin, Michael attended Stanford University graduating with a Master's degree in Policy, Leadership and Organization Studies, plus a Bachelor's degree with honors; he is a Truman Scholar and a recipient of the highest university award, the Dinkelspiel.
While in university, he began to advocate for students and founded The Phoenix Scholars and the Summer Success and Leadership Academy at the University of the Pacific to increase access to higher education for underrepresented students.
As a Councilmember, he championed the creation of the City's Office of Violence Prevention, founded the Reinvent South Stockton Coalition, and led the South Stockton Promise Zone planning efforts. Tubbs also served as a college course instructor for Aspire Langston Hughes Academy and as a fellow and lecturer at the Design School at Stanford University.
As Mayor, he plans to work tirelessly to reinvent Stockton into a community of opportunity for everyone by focusing on violent crime, economic development, collective impact strategies, and partnering with school districts to improve education.
The impetus behind Tubbs' experiences and accomplishments is his desire to create opportunities and positive outcomes for his community. A true son of Stockton, Tubbs eagerly welcomes the challenge and is humbled by the opportunity to serve the Stockton community as Mayor.
Saturday, March 11th
Mitzi Miller
Head of Development, Rainforest Entertainment
Former Editor-in-Chief of Ebony and Jet Magazine
Mitzi Miller is a celebrated journalist, best-selling author and veteran editor. After almost fifteen years in print media, in March 2015 she made a successful leap from publishing to television and film when she accepted the position of Head of Development at Rainforest Entertainment. Since Miller’s hire at Rainforest, the production company has sold the highly anticipated drama series The Quad to BET.
Prior to the transition, Miller served as the editor-in-chief of two of the country’s premier African-American magazines, EBONY and JET. She is the third individual and the only woman in history to have held both positions.
The Connecticut native has co-authored five popular books over the past decade: The Vow: A Novel; The Angry Black Woman’s Guide to Life; and the three-title Hotlanta young adult series. In January 2015, the Lifetime Network debuted the TV movie With This Ring, which was based on her novel The Vow. The popular film was nominated for NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Actress, Writing and Directing.
A frequent public speaker, Miller has been a featured guest on several national television programs, including ABC’s Good Morning America, TV One’s NewsOne Now, and CNN’s CNN Newsroom.
For her professionalism and passion, Miller’s recent accolades include recognition among The Root 100 honorees for 2013 and 2014; Florida A&M University’s 125 Outstanding Alumni of the Quasquicentennial; and Crain’s Chicago Business magazine’s 2011 40 Under 40 roster.
Miller is a distinguished alumna of Florida A&M University and currently resides in Los Angeles, California.
Carlos J. Clanton
President, National Urban League Young Professionals
Carlos J. Clanton is currently serving as the 2015-2017 President of the National Urban League Young Professionals. He previously served as the 2013-2015 Policies & Procedures Chair of the National Urban League Young Professionals after serving a nearly 3 year term as the chapter president of the Nationally Award Winning Urban League of Hampton Roads Young Professionals.
With over 19 years of non-profit, association leadership and organization management experience, he possesses a keen insight having both served as a volunteer and staff leader. In addition, he currently serves as the Executive Director for the Office of Community Engagement & Strategic Partnerships for Norfolk Public Schools and the Norfolk Education Foundation. In 2005 he was named Executive Director of the Norfolk Division of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, thus becoming the first African-American and youngest in history, at 24, to lead the 3rd oldest local Chamber of Commerce in the country.
Other honors include at 23 being named as one of Hampton Roads Top 20 under 30 African American Leaders by African American Today Magazine; and at 27 being named as a Top 40 under 40 winner by Hampton Roads Inside Business magazine. As of recent he was honored with the 2013 Humanitarian Award from the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities for his work. He strongly believes that as a leader within the movement you have to lead with personal experience, demonstrate dedication through service and always remember success through teamwork.
Carlos J. Clanton
President, National Urban League Young Professionals
Carlos J. Clanton is currently serving as the 2015-2017 President of the National Urban League Young Professionals. He previously served as the 2013-2015 Policies & Procedures Chair of the National Urban League Young Professionals after serving a nearly 3 year term as the chapter president of the Nationally Award Winning Urban League of Hampton Roads Young Professionals.
With over 19 years of non-profit, association leadership and organization management experience, he possesses a keen insight having both served as a volunteer and staff leader. In addition, he currently serves as the Executive Director for the Office of Community Engagement & Strategic Partnerships for Norfolk Public Schools and the Norfolk Education Foundation. In 2005 he was named Executive Director of the Norfolk Division of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, thus becoming the first African-American and youngest in history, at 24, to lead the 3rd oldest local Chamber of Commerce in the country.
Other honors include at 23 being named as one of Hampton Roads Top 20 under 30 African American Leaders by African American Today Magazine; and at 27 being named as a Top 40 under 40 winner by Hampton Roads Inside Business magazine. As of recent he was honored with the 2013 Humanitarian Award from the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities for his work. He strongly believes that as a leader within the movement you have to lead with personal experience, demonstrate dedication through service and always remember success through teamwork.