Speaker Information

Dоlоrеѕ Ваldеrаmоѕ Gаrсіа іѕ wіdеlу rесоgnіzеd аnd rеѕресtеd аѕ а fіghtеr fоr thе rіghtѕ оf Веlіzеаnѕ. Ѕhе іѕ thе аrсhіtесt оf muсh оf thе lеgіѕlаtіоn whісh ѕреаkѕ tо thе rіghtѕ оf wоmеn аnd сhіldrеn аnd соntіnuеѕ tо аdvосаtе fоr thеm аt еvеrу орроrtunіtу. Ѕhе іѕ а quіеt wаrrіоr, а ѕtrоng wоmаn whо bеlіеvеѕ іn ѕеrvісе, аnd whо ѕhоwѕ аt еvеrу turn thаt ѕhе іѕ рrераrеd tо wоrk tіrеlеѕѕlу fоr thе реорlе оf Веlіzе Rurаl Сеntrаl.

Dоlоrеѕ аttеndеd Ѕt. Саthеrіnе Асаdеmу, аnd thеn Ѕt. Јоhn’ѕ Соllеgе Ѕіхth Fоrm. Аftеr Ѕіхth Fоrm ѕhе tаught аt Ѕt. Саthеrіnе Асаdеmу untіl ѕhе wаѕ аblе tо rесеіvе а ѕсhоlаrѕhір whісh аllоwеd hеr tо еаrn hеr Васhеlоr’ѕ Dеgrееѕ іn Еnglіѕh аnd Lіtеrаturе. Frоm thеrе ѕhе wеnt оn tо Маrquеttе Unіvеrѕіtу іn Wіѕсоnѕіn whеrе ѕhе аttаіnеd hеr Маѕtеr’ѕ Dеgrее іn Еnglіѕh. Ѕhе rеturnеd tо Веlіzе аnd оnсе аgаіn fоllоwеd hеr раѕѕіоn fоr tеасhіng untіl ѕhе wаѕ аblе tо ѕtudу lаw аt thе Unіvеrѕіtу оf thе Wеѕt Іndіеѕ аnd thе Nоrmаn Маnlеу Lаw Ѕсhооl.

Ѕhе аlѕо tооk аn асtіvе іntеrеѕt іn аdvосасу fоr wоmеn аnd іn роlіtісѕ, аnd ѕhе ѕеrvеd аѕ wоmеn’ѕ оrgаnіzеr аnd Рrеѕіdеnt оf thе wоmеn’ѕ grоuр оf thе Реорlе’ѕ Unіtеd Раrtу. Іn 1998 Dоlоrеѕ wаѕ еlесtеd tо thе Ноuѕе оf Rерrеѕеntаtіvеѕ аnd wаѕ арроіntеd Міnіѕtеr оf Нumаn Dеvеlорmеnt, Wоmеn аnd Сіvіl Ѕосіеtу. Ѕhе wаѕ аn “асtіvіѕt” mіnіѕtеr аnd rерrеѕеntаtіvе, wоrkіng hаrd іn hеr соnѕtіtuеnсу аnd іn gоvеrnmеnt.

Іn 2000 ѕhе wаѕ арроіntеd аѕ thе fіrѕt Сhаіrреrѕоn оf thе Nаtіоnаl АІDЅ Соmmіѕѕіоn, а роѕіtіоn ѕhе hеld untіl 2008. Frоm 2003 tо 2008 ѕhе аlѕо wоrkеd fоr thе Gоvеrnmеnt оf Веlіzе аѕ Аmbаѕѕаdоr/Ѕресіаl Еnvоу fоr Сhіldrеn, Gеndеr аnd НІV/АІDЅ, brіngіng hеr hіgh еnеrgу аррrоасh аnd раѕѕіоn tо thе аdvосасу wоrk thаt wаѕ nееdеd fоr thеѕе ѕосіаl сhаllеngеѕ. Dоlоrеѕ hаѕ аlѕо dоnе рublіс ѕеrvісе аѕ аn Орроѕіtіоn Ѕеnаtоr frоm 1993 tо 1998, аnd thеn аѕ а Ѕеnаtоr оn thе Gоvеrnmеnt ѕіdе оf thе Ѕеnаtе frоm 2005 tо 2008. Іn 2012 ѕhе wаѕ еlесtеd іn thе Веlіzе Rurаl Сеntrаl соnѕtіtuеnсу аѕ аn Орроѕіtіоn Меmbеr оf Раrlіаmеnt. Whіlе wоrkіng іn рrіvаtе рrасtісе, ѕhе hаѕ rеturnеd tо ВRС whеrе ѕhе рlаnѕ tо brіng hеr unіquе, ѕtrаіghtfоrwаrd аррrоасh аnd dеtеrmіnаtіоn tо іmрrоvе thе lіvеѕ оf hеr реорlе. Ѕhе іѕ thе оnlу сhоісе іn Веlіzе Rurаl Сеntrаl.

Speaker Information

Education: Fermin obtained a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from Northeastern State University and a Master of Social Work (MSW) with a focus in clinical social work (Counseling) from the University of Oklahoma.

Work: Fermin has worked in the social sector both in Belize and in the U.S.A. for over thirty-five years as a social worker—in Belize his work focused on residential/custodial care for children in conflict with the law and was the Director of the Community Rehabilitation Department in the Ministry of Human Development for many years until his departure in 2009. While at the University of Belize (UB) since August of 2010 he collaborated and published work in the areas of HIV (Prevalence and Patterns of HIV/AIDS Risk Factors in Recovering Addicts: Empirical evidence for intervention strategies) and in drug use (Prevalence and pattern of drug use among 3rd Form students at secondary schools in Belize City). As a lecturer, he teaches a broad range of courses within the social work program with a preference for practice courses, policy and social work and the law. His community service is primarily done with agencies that focus on child welfare, undertaking a variety of roles from supporting program evaluation, providing training for institutional capacity building to providing direct counseling services to underprivileged families and especially children.

At UB Fermin has held several administrative roles, Coordinator and Chair at the department level on several occasions and served on several committees, team leader for the 1st and only program review conducted to date and is currently a member of the current program review team and member of the review team for the Criminal Justice and Criminology Program being developed by the Faculty of Business.

Speaker Information

Rev. Dr. Charles Lee-Johnson is the Pastor of The Life Church in Riverside, CA; Associate Dean for the Division of Social Work at California Baptist University; and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of National Family Life and Education Center and provides consultation and training services both locally, nationally, and internationally. Dr. Lee-Johnson has received numerous commendations including State of California, County of Los Angeles, City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Unified School District, Compton Unified School District, King Drew Medical Hospital, UCLA Dept of Social Welfare and Public Policy, Ohio Abstinence Campaign, California State Legislature, Alaska’s SouthCentral Foundation, National Fatherhood Initiative, Indiana Black Expo, National Association of Social Workers, Department of Children and Family Services, and most recently, Mr. Lee-Johnson was inducted into the Library of Congress’s “Who’s Who” for 2006-2007.

Dr. Lee-Johnson has worked collaboratively with the White House (Office of the First Lady) for the Helping America’s Youth Conference series. Dr. Lee-Johnson took his message to the international community in Nigeria, speaking for a series of Family and Youth Conferences throughout the country. Dr. Lee-Johnson was selected by the National Association of Social Workers, Region H, as the 2010 Social Worker of the Year.

Dr. Lee Johnson is unequivocally committed to the positive development of young people, families, and communities across the world. In a very short time, Dr. Lee-Johnson’s work has touched parents, children, and organizations throughout the United States. His ability to integrate his professional knowledge with practical skills enables him to effectively work with diverse populations. Dr. Lee-Johnson’s enthusiasm and wealth of knowledge makes him one of the most dynamic and inspirational social workers in America.

Amongst his many accomplishments, Dr. Lee-Johnson has created a curriculum for the Ten Step Rites of Passage Program, which consists of more than 500 pages of interactive, life-changing workshops for youth and families at risk. The Ten Step Rites of Passage curriculum has been recognized by professionals nationally and internationally, as the most comprehensive curriculum targeting at-risk youth and families. Additionally, Dr. Lee-Johnson has co-authored a curriculum for Healthy African American Couples, and a curriculum for inmates and parolees called On Your Mark/Keeping the Faith.

Dr. Lee-Johnson was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. He is a graduate of Dorsey High School and completed his undergraduate studies at Morehouse College with a B.A. in sociology. Dr. Lee-Johnson graduated Cum Laude, President of the Morehouse Sociological Association, and was inducted into the National Sociological Honor’s Society, Alpha Kappa Delta. In 1997, Dr. Lee-Johnson attended a 3 week study in Egypt, and upon his return received his license to preach in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. In June 2001, Dr. Lee-Johnson received his Masters in Social Welfare from UCLA. During his tenure at UCLA, he was voted Social Work Student of the Year. In May 2015, Dr. Lee-Johnson, was awarded his Doctoral Degree from United Theological Seminary with a published dissertation entitled “A 21st Century Multi-Cultural Discipleship Ministry Model for Gifted, Saved, and Prospering Young Adults” . Dr. Lee-Johnson completed more than 5 years of study in theology in the AME denomination, and received his ordination as Itinerant Elder in the AME Church in October 2003. In February 2008, Dr. Lee-Johnson became the Pastor of Corona Community AME Church in Corona, CA., a ministry that has grown from 60 members to more than 360, and boasts more than 15 community outreach ministries. Dr. Lee-Johnson is married, to his wife Monalisa Lee-Johnson, and they have five children: Chacity, Jazmine, Destiny, Ajamn, and Kokayi, and two grandchildren: Darrel Don Jones Jr. and Zuri Aulani Miles.

Keynote Information

A most sought-after and captivating speaker throughout the United States, Europe, Africa, Central America and the Caribbean, she is inspired by her Parents, theirs and theirs before them. For Ambassador Shabazz, it has been a most natural, hence lifelong devotion to offer guidance via strategic evaluations, practical investment per the preservation of generational sustainability with enrichment outcomes for definitive beneficiaries — that has been most fulfilling in both her professional careers and personal dedication.

Raised in Westchester County, New York, Ambassador Shabazz is the eldest of six daughters born to Dr. Betty Shabazz and Malcolm X Shabazz. She graduated from the United Nations International School at 17 and entered Briarcliff College, majoring in International Law with a minor in English; hence, the beginning of her studies and distinguished accomplishments to follow.

A producer, writer and diplomat, she has spent over 4 decades offering keynote addresses, while developing curriculums and programs for educational institutions, executive forums, diplomatic networks, penal systems, conferences and human service organizations globally– with the purpose to motivate and encourage the young and mature alike to recognize the value in and appreciation of — diverse cultural engagement, traditional rights of passage and perspectives, thus a genuine respect for oneself and others.

She is recognized as a masterful creator and an astute businesswoman. Fondly termed by her colleagues as an “ideas architect”, she is a strategist and technician quick to discern the integrity, theme and ultimate goals of each endeavor, while realizing a vision of execution and successful outcome.

In 1996, she established the Pilgrimage Foundation in honor of her Father’s spiritual journey to the Holy land. “It offered him the ‘Light of Understanding’ and confirmed his vision for our Oneness” she states. In tribute to her mother’s lifelong legacy of service as an educator, as well as the leadership of both sets of Grandparents and their parents before them, –thus uniting 5 languages, interfaith theologies, social histories and traditions, she has remained steadfast on her of guiding experiences that expand one’s own personal prism and regard for others. Her lifetime commitment is to establish fellowships from the most fortunate to the disenfranchised, bridging the gaps with the sustenance that assures that “we step into the world– both mindful and equipped to fulfill our bounty – then share it with another”.

The Pilgrimage Foundation has touched hundreds of thousands of lives around the world reaching the under-served and well as the privileged. From shelters, correctional facilities,
villages, metropolises, State Houses and Royal compounds. “We are fundamentally the same—balancing our highs and lows all day long”.

Upon years of personal service, the former Prime Minister of Belize, recognized her as a key advisor on International Cultural Affairs & Project Development. In 2002, he appointed her as the Ambassador-at-Large representing the country of Belize internationally and in perpetuity. Following, the Ministries of Human Development, Culture, Education and Youth & Sports also incorporated her insights and guidance to their Cabinets as well. Since then, she has been invited to participate in the US State Department’s Diplomatic Briefing Forums and The United Nations Association. Much of her expertise fosters diplomatic relations between cultures along with discerning traditional and contemporary practices, capacity building, human resource training economic development.

In addition to The Pilgrimage Foundation, she and Yolanda King (the oldest daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King and Coretta Scott King) — founded Nucleus, Inc in 1977, which traveled nationally to 100 cities per year until 1994 reaching high schools and universities in 44 States, thus acquainting her with the roadmap of national systems, networks and teeter-tottering scales of advancement per region. Since 2020 Ambassador Shabazz formalized her relationship with Newark Public Schools in a way that brings her great honor, as the Honorary Provost for both the Malcolm X Shabazz H.S. Stem Academy and the brand-new Newark School for Global Studies.

Ambassador Shabazz is the founder of Legacy Inc., “Everybody Has One”, in addition to the Pilgrimage Foundation, Inc., The Humanity Passport Project, the Malcolm X Shabazz Birthplace & Foundation, The O.U.R.S. Project and more. She has offered her dedicated participation as a member of the Switzerland-based World Economic Forum’s Task Force on the Digital Divide, serves on several international, humanitarian Boards, councils and committees, while offering private consultations to many executive and diplomatic leaders. Most recently, she was appointed as the Secretary General of RASIT’s (The Royal Academy of Science International Trust) World Youth League. Because of her signatured advisories, her newest invitations are to the London based, Executive Board of Beyond Sport and Rhythm of Change (ROC) Belize.

She has written op-ed commentaries and articles for newspapers and periodicals such as the New York and Los Angeles TIMES, Essence Magazine, EL MUNDO’s Spain Edition and others. In 1999, she had the distinction of adding to the list of her published writings; the new foreword to her father’s classic; The Autobiography of Malcolm X, and is completing her memoirs, and a series of published works. Ambassador Shabazz’ hope is to motivate and inspire one to have a better understanding of his or her history, the world around them and their constructive place in it. Thus, to encourage a positive self- concept, she affirms, “It is within you to be ALL that your dreams imagine”.