Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Attend the MLK Event!  10. Jaslyn Johnson  JAZZ "The24K Poet" is the inimitable author of the independently published poetry collection, PETALS AND PEBBLES. Unforgettable, it is a string of poetic pearls, each poem possessing an opulence of its own. Same as petals and pebbles emanate from the beauty of the natural world, these poetic pearls of wisdom rise from the natural beauty of one woman's soul. Jazz has been featured in the Spring 2008 issue of Virtue Magazine and the July 2009 issue of About Time Magazine. Joe Pinkney memorialized Jazz and Petals & Pebbles in an interview and a book review on his site, www.JoeyPinkney.com. In addition, Jazz was featured on TheClaudiaMossShow on BlogTalkRadio. Jazz has performed on countless stages in Atlanta, Washington, Baltimore, Durham, Raleigh, Charlotte, Henderson, Fayetteville, Greensboro and Orlando. Like timeless music, Jazz is multifaceted; bringing a sophisticated rhythmic, strong and comprehensive imprint to her poetry. A feature poet, she has mesmerized open mic audiences at Le Niche Jazz Café, Bennu Cultural Center and Barbara Torrant Ministries Grand Opening, the Encouraging Woman Ministries Summer Camp, Yancy's Jazz Café, Zydeco's Jazz Café, the Durham Art Festival and the Reggae Roots Festival. On November 19, 2010, Jazz "The24KPoet" was the feature poet for the premiere of Clark Atlanta University's Jazzman's Café and Bakery. Additionally, specializing in pastries and vegetarian creations, she is a personal/gourmet chef, who describes her kitchen as her canvas. Her delectable culinary skills are requested around the country. As a motivational speaker, Jazz advocates for women's empowerment to counteract sexism, promote positive self-images, and reverse the degeneration of shattered self esteems. Universally, her words adorn womanhood across any imaginable divide. Jazz is a didactic poet; her intent is to use the sound of her voice and the tip of her pen to raise the frequency and illuminate the mind. An extraordinary workshop leader, she has taught Elocution using Harlem Renaissance literature to students from Pre-K to 10th grade. Recently, Jazz starred in the two-act drama, "The Love Search." An audience favorite, she opened both acts with sterling performances. In addition, Jazz shared her poetic genius with a Rochester, New York, audience when she paid homage to Dr. Letha Brown-Ridley for her 100th birthday celebration. Jazz, who did undergraduate work at Tuskegee Institute, is a loving mother of four who readily shares her nurturing with other children. Currently, she resides in Raleigh, North Carolina. She can be reached for speaking engagements at www.JazzthePoet@gmail.com and www.ttjohnson1224@yahoo.com. 9. Gemini Sound Gemini Sound, featuring DJ Gemini, has been providing professional D.J. and live sound services since 1980. Owner/operator Samuel Guzman began his DJ passion while growing up in N.Y.C. and relocated into the Rochester area in 1986. Although he carries a complete collection of music, DJ Gemini specializes in playing rhythm-influenced music styles, which include: R&B, Jazz, Soul, Reggae, Old School dance, Hip-Hop, and Salsa & Merengue. From the very latest in R&B and Dance music all the way back to the Classic Soul of the 60's-and everything in-between-DJ Gemini is always ready to get your party started on the dance floor. DJ Gemini has extensive experience performing at all types of events, including wedding receptions, graduations, anniversaries, fashion shows, church functions and professional organizations. He has traveled extensively, including playing at events in Charlotte, Cleveland, Las Vegas, Washington DC, & Long Island. He has also produced Old School dance mixes, played at radio stations both locally and nationally. Samuel utilizes his knowledge of sound reinforcement while serving as coordinator of the Audio Ministry at New Life Fellowship church, and provides sound engineering duties for Sunday services. He also provides audio consulting for houses of worship. Samuel can be reached at djgemini@rochester.rr.com for additional information on audio services.   8. Bill Davis Bill is a graduate of Alabama A&M University, Normal, Alabama having earned a Bachelor of Science degree and a master in business administration. He has completed additional studies at Rochester Institute of Technology, Cornell University and the The University of Buffalo. Bill is a member of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, Eta Rho Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Eureka Lodge #36 Free and Accepted Masons, Prince Hall Affiliate, and is a charter member of Gamma Iota Boule, Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Bill served on the United States of America Selective Service Board, Rochester, NY, was a mentor in the Urban League of Rochester's Black Males at Risk Program, was a mentor for the Rochester Department of Youth, and served as a sponsor for ABC's Youth at Work Program. He served on the Rev. J.D. Jackson, Sr. Memorial Foundation, Inc., and Boy Scouts of America Otetiana Boards. He has been actively involved in numerous community outreach programs and service activities. He was instrumental in establishing the Habitat Interfaith Partnership (HIP) to build habitat homes in Rochester. Bill's professional experiences include employment with Alabama A&M University, the Xerox Corporation and Eastman Kodak Company. In 1993, Bill became a State Farm insurance agent. Bill is married to Dorothy Garner-Davis. They have two daughters, two granddaughters, one grandson and a son-in-law. Bill's philosophy for life is "To whom much is given, much is required". 7. Dr. Iris Banister Iris Banister, a 43 year resident of Rochester, NY, is a native of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. . Prior to retirement she was employed by the Rochester City School District for thirty-two years as an elementary teacher, reading specialist, guidance counselor, transition facilitator, House Administrator, and Program Administrator for the Senior High Alternative Program of Education (SHAPE) a behavior modification educational program for violent and disruptive students. She came out of retirement to become principal of the Charter School of Science and Technology. She entered the non-profit world as the Executive Director of Wilson Commencement Park and the former Executive Director of the Rochester Surround Care Community Corp. She served as an adjunct professor of Religion and African American Studies at St. John Fisher College. For over twenty-five years she has owned her own motivational training and speaker business. She is the founder and Chief Facilitator of NAMOW (woman spelled backwards) a counseling, support and referral service for women and their children, individual and group counseling, and mediation. Her devotion to her community has been recognized though the awarding of numerous citations and awards that include but are not limited to: the City of Rochester Pioneer Award, Mayor's Renaissance Award- Outstanding Educator; NY State MLK Achievement Award for Civic Engagement; listed in the National Women's Hall Of Fame-Book Of Legends; The NANBPWC, Inc.-Volunteer Service Award; The Ghana Society of Rochester- Humanitarian Award; The Phi Delta Kappa- Community Service Award; Urban League of Rochester- Outstanding Educator; Alpha Kappa Alpha White Rose Award; The Howard Coles Society Award, the International F.C.D.-Hall of Fame Award; the New York State Humanitarian Award. Rochester Mayor's Unsung Heroes Award, listed in Who's Who in Education; and, recipient of the Women Who Make A Difference Award. Dr. Banister, the current interim Chair of the Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Greater Rochester is also an accomplished author, and a much sought after motivational speaker and workshop presenter. She has four publications to her credit, Lasso Your Whirlwind; Empowerment: Walking the Walk and Talking the Talk; and The Fifth Ace: A handbook for urban educators. She has dedicated the vast portion of her work to parent-child relations and Christian counseling and leadership development. Mrs. Banister has been married to Thomas Banister for 42 years. She is the mother of three sons: Rev. Dr. Thomas III, Duke University graduate is the Pastor of Temple Memorial Baptist Church in Highpoint, NC; Simeon, Princeton University graduate, Director of Governmental affairs for the SUNY System; and Ethan a Langston University graduate currently working in Rochester public schools as a Life Coach. As a fully licensed and ordained minister of the gospel, Rev. Dr. Banister is a popular and welcomed guest in pulpits all over the country. She is known for her culturally rich messages that teach, inspire, and elucidate the "good news" that stirs the heart and spirit towards righteousness. She has traveled extensively in Africa and was honored by being enstooled (crowned) as a Queen Mother in the township of Winneba, Ghana-West Africa. Her work in Ghana includes a fully equipped dental clinic, mediation gardens and outdoor cafe for the students at the University of Winneba, school supplies, medicine, computers, and other needed supplies and equipment, and the re-supplying of books for the college library. She sponsors programs on the local radio station, Radio Peace on health, nutrition, family planning, and sexual health and practices. Her latest completed project is an early learning Center on the campus of Winneba University and has all certified teachers. The facility offers tuition-free education and has a student enrollment of 110 children, girls and boys. Dr. Banister is an avid supporter of the concept of life-long learning and to that end she is a former instructor/presenter in the United Way African American Leadership Development Program, a community mentor/tutor, and facilitator in the MLK Youth Ambassadors for Peace program. She is a well-known and respected leader in the Rochester community, in spite of traveling for her business she remains active in a number of initiatives in the areas of education, social justice, and community building. Her philosophy for living is, "Each person should make the effort to light up the corner where they are and the darkness will flee". 6. Sanoka African Dance & Drum Ensemble Sankofa is a symbolic, Ghanaian expression represented by a bird whose head turns back looking towards the past. The Sankofa African Dance and Drum Ensemble retrieves the cultural essences of the past and brings them into the present. Sankofa presents dance and theater works expressing the dynamic presence of African culture in America. Some of the presentations are replicas of traditional African prototypes; and some of the works are re-creations, employing contemporary themes and movement motifs. The members of the African Dance and Drum Ensemble of The College at Brockport represent the rich cultural heritage of Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, the Americas and Africa that exists within our university community The late Albert Opoku, the ensemble's first director, set the creative pace and artistic tone for the group of young artists who experienced and performed traditional Ghanaian dances. Authentic costumes, instruments and themes characterized the group at that time called Agoromma. An extensive variety of dances reached an audience hitherto unversed in the rich language of the West-African culture. This produced a generation of students infused with a newly found respect and inspiration for African dance. Upon retirement in 1985, Opoku returned to his homeland, and Agoromma was transformed first into Kuam Ka Fafa and then into Sankofa under the guidance of its present artistic director, Clyde Alafiju Morgan. Khalid Abdul N'Fally Saleem joined the ensemble as music director in 1994 when he became a member of the Brockport dance faculty.    5. Wakili Moore  Born in Rochester, New York on November 24, 1968  Attended Aquinas Institute and graduated in 1986  Attended St. John Fisher College from 1986-1990. Graduated with Bachelors in Communications/Journalism. Inducted into the St. John Fisher College basketball Hall of Fame in 2003  Received my teaching degree at Geneseo State College in 1993  Received my Master's Degree in Special Education in 1996  Taught for 7 years (1 year at John Marshall HS) (6 years at Apollo MS in Greece)  Received my second Masters in Administration through Canisius College in 1999  Was named Assistant Principal of Virgil I. Grissom School No. 7 in 2000  Was named Principal of Virgil I. Grissom School No. 7 in 2003  Named Principal of Charlotte HS in 2010  Founded the Leadership Academy for Young Men in 2011  Have 3 children-Aaron 21/Nathan 14/Alicia 12  One brother Eldridge Moore III who currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he is an Assistant Principal of Porter Ridge HS  Mother lives in Arlington, Texas. She is a former Principal of School No. 9 and No. 29  Father (Deceased) was a former Assistant Principal of Josh Lofton HS  Born in Rochester, New York on November 24, 1968  Attended Aquinas Institute and graduated in 1986  Attended St. John Fisher College from 1986-1990. Graduated with Bachelors in Communications/Journalism. Inducted into the St. John Fisher College basketball Hall of Fame in 2003  Received my teaching degree at Geneseo State College in 1993  Received my Master's Degree in Special Education in 1996  Taught for 7 years (1 year at John Marshall HS) (6 years at Apollo MS in Greece)  Received my second Masters in Administration through Canisius College in 1999  Was named Assistant Principal of Virgil I. Grissom School No. 7 in 2000  Was named Principal of Virgil I. Grissom School No. 7 in 2003  Named Principal of Charlotte HS in 2010  Founded the Leadership Academy for Young Men in 2011  Have 3 children-Aaron 21/Nathan 14/Alicia 12  One brother Eldridge Moore III who currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he is an Assistant Principal of Porter Ridge HS  Mother lives in Arlington, Texas. She is a former Principal of School No. 9 and No. 29  Father (Deceased) was a former Assistant Principal of Josh Lofton HS