Book Festival & Writers Conference 2020
The Ralph Hogges and Benjamin Cowins
Writers Group of South Florida
Writers Group of South Florida
Presents
The Hogges and Cowins
Book Festival and Writers Conference 2020
Book Festival and Writers Conference 2020
Date: February 22 and 23, 2020
Location: Carrie P. Meek Manor Apartments
(Barbara Carey-Schuler Residents' Center)
330 N.W. 19th Street
Miami, FL 33136
(305)573-2919
Location: Carrie P. Meek Manor Apartments
(Barbara Carey-Schuler Residents' Center)
330 N.W. 19th Street
Miami, FL 33136
(305)573-2919
Theme: Embracing your Literary Voice: The Power of Imagination and Creativity
Join us for two days of Igniting, Harnessing and Directing
Literary Imagination and Creativity.
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND AND ENJOY
All Activities and Events are Free and Open to the Public
Booths or Tables will be available with books for sale
For more information, contact: Dr. Ralph Hogges
Email Address: [email protected]
Website: www.ralphhogges.com
Host/Facility: The Urban League of Greater Miami
Literary Imagination and Creativity.
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND AND ENJOY
All Activities and Events are Free and Open to the Public
Booths or Tables will be available with books for sale
For more information, contact: Dr. Ralph Hogges
Email Address: [email protected]
Website: www.ralphhogges.com
Host/Facility: The Urban League of Greater Miami
Keynote Speakers
Willie F. Logan, Ph.D.
Dr. Willie F. Logan founded the Opa-Locka Community Development Corporation (OLCDC) in 1980 and has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer since its creation. The OLCDC strives to transform under-resourced communities into vibrant, desirable, and engaged neighborhoods by improving access to health, education, employment, art, safety, affordable housing and enhancing the overall appearance and vitality of the community. With Logan’s guidance, OLCDC has expanded from a $25,000 per year non-profit to a multi-million-dollar corporation with twenty-five for-profit subsidiaries and one Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI).
Since 1980, OLCDC has built and rehabilitated more than 200 affordable single-family homes and 2,500 units of affordable multi-family housing. The corporation has also renovated and preserved commercial structures and revitalized numerous businesses in the Northwest Miami-Dade.
Logan has also served in the Florida House of Representatives from 1982 to 2000, in which he chaired the powerful Finance & Tax Committee from 1996 to 1998, ranked as the most effective Democrat in the Legislature for the 1998 and 1999 Legislative sessions, and won election as Democrat Speaker-Designate for 1998 to 2000. He also served as Mayor of the City of Opa-Locka from 1980 to 1982.
Logan has been honored with more than 120 awards for his statesmanship and service throughout the years. He has also served on several boards of directors, including the executive and audit committees of the board of Parkway Hospital, the executive committees of the National Council of the State Governments and the National Conference of State Legislatures.
He is a sought after speaker at national and international housing and community development conferences. A published author, his writing includes a chapter titled “Revitalization and Transforming the Community” in the Future of Places book Shifting from Objects to Places published by Ax:som Johnson Foundation, Stockholm 2014.
Logan earned his Ph.D. in Community Economic Development from Southern New Hampshire University, the M.B.A. and Bachelor’s in Accounting from the University of Miami, where he is an adjunct faculty member in the School of Architecture. He has continued his education in other ways, including completing certification programs at the Harvard Business and Government Schools, and attaining real estate and mortgage broker licenses.
Dr. Logan is a member of The Ralph Hogges and Benjamin Cowins Writers Group of South Florida. He has generously hosted the Writers Group for numerous events at his OLCDC’s Arts & Recreation Center (ARC).
Since 1980, OLCDC has built and rehabilitated more than 200 affordable single-family homes and 2,500 units of affordable multi-family housing. The corporation has also renovated and preserved commercial structures and revitalized numerous businesses in the Northwest Miami-Dade.
Logan has also served in the Florida House of Representatives from 1982 to 2000, in which he chaired the powerful Finance & Tax Committee from 1996 to 1998, ranked as the most effective Democrat in the Legislature for the 1998 and 1999 Legislative sessions, and won election as Democrat Speaker-Designate for 1998 to 2000. He also served as Mayor of the City of Opa-Locka from 1980 to 1982.
Logan has been honored with more than 120 awards for his statesmanship and service throughout the years. He has also served on several boards of directors, including the executive and audit committees of the board of Parkway Hospital, the executive committees of the National Council of the State Governments and the National Conference of State Legislatures.
He is a sought after speaker at national and international housing and community development conferences. A published author, his writing includes a chapter titled “Revitalization and Transforming the Community” in the Future of Places book Shifting from Objects to Places published by Ax:som Johnson Foundation, Stockholm 2014.
Logan earned his Ph.D. in Community Economic Development from Southern New Hampshire University, the M.B.A. and Bachelor’s in Accounting from the University of Miami, where he is an adjunct faculty member in the School of Architecture. He has continued his education in other ways, including completing certification programs at the Harvard Business and Government Schools, and attaining real estate and mortgage broker licenses.
Dr. Logan is a member of The Ralph Hogges and Benjamin Cowins Writers Group of South Florida. He has generously hosted the Writers Group for numerous events at his OLCDC’s Arts & Recreation Center (ARC).
Lyra Blizzard Logan, Esq
Lyra Blizzard Logan is the Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the Florida Education Fund (FEF), a non-profit organization that creates and implements educational programs for underrepresented groups. She also directs FEF’s pre-college program which include the CodeMasters after-school and Summer Coding Camps that she has developed for K-12 students in Florida.
Logan earned her B.A. degree from Fisk University and the J.D. degree from the Harvard University Law School. In addition to being an industry-certified Perl, JavaScript and Database Design Specialist and Web Development Professional who develops web applications using PHP and MySQL, she is also an MIT Master Trainer in Educational Mobile Computing (App Inventor) and holds graduate certificates in Instructional Technology: Web Design and Online Teaching and Learning.
She is the author of Learn to Program with App Inventor from No Starch Press, distributed by Penguin Random House, which teaches computer programming concepts while walking readers through creating several fun and useful apps.
Logan earned her B.A. degree from Fisk University and the J.D. degree from the Harvard University Law School. In addition to being an industry-certified Perl, JavaScript and Database Design Specialist and Web Development Professional who develops web applications using PHP and MySQL, she is also an MIT Master Trainer in Educational Mobile Computing (App Inventor) and holds graduate certificates in Instructional Technology: Web Design and Online Teaching and Learning.
She is the author of Learn to Program with App Inventor from No Starch Press, distributed by Penguin Random House, which teaches computer programming concepts while walking readers through creating several fun and useful apps.
Robert G. Beatty, Esq
The South Florida Times newspaper was purchased in 2007 by Robert G. Beatty, Esq. He currently serves as its Publisher & CEO. The South Florida Times has various media platforms and is delivered in print, online, and through social media. The print edition is distributed in four counties: Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe (Key West).
From April of 2018 through January of 2019, Mr. Beatty co-owned the restaurant and banquet facility, Chicago’s 312, in Pembroke Pines.
During 2007 and 2008, Mr. Beatty was Partner in Charge-Florida and National Co-Chairman-Corporate for the law firm Adorno & Yoss. In January of 2007, Beatty ended a seven-year career at The Miami Herald Media Company where he served as General Counsel, Vice President of Public Affairs, Chairman of Herald Charities and member of the Editorial Board.
Prior to joining The Miami Herald, Mr. Beatty was a partner in the Miami law firm of Holland & Knight, with a diverse practice in areas within the firm’s business, litigation, and public law departments.
Prior to joining Holland & Knight, Mr. Beatty had been BellSouth Telecommunications Inc.’s General Counsel for Florida since 1994. He joined the company in 1988, when it was known as Southern Bell, as an attorney in the corporate counsel and litigation area.
Previous professional posts also include serving as managing partner of Beatty & Shy, as a division chief, felony and economic crimes prosecutor in the Office of the State Attorney for Miami-Dade County, and as a commercial litigation attorney with Paul, Landy, Bailey & Harper. He started his career as a legal clerk in the Judge Advocate Office of the Air Force Reserve.
In 2000, Mr. Beatty completed a three-year term as a member and Chairman of the Governor’s Financial Emergency Oversight Board for the City of Miami as well as the Chairman of its Contract Review Committee. His other community involvements have included serving as a board member of Sun Trust Bank, Miami, as Chairman of the Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Beacon Council, Vice President for One-Community One Goal, Trustee for Stetson University, Chairman of the Miami-Dade Community College Foundation, member of the University of Michigan Visiting Committee at the School of Literature Science and The Arts, and Vice President of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Beatty has also been a member of the Orange Bowl Committee, a board member of the United Way, Treasurer and Trustee of Florida Memorial University, board member of The Belafonte Tacolcy Center for Child Development, The Florida Grand Opera and Actor’s Playhouse.
Mr. Beatty earned his bachelor’s degree, with distinction, from the University of Michigan, and his J.D. from the Boston College Law School. He is a member of the American Bar Association, National Bar Association, Florida Bar Association, Miami-Dade County Bar Association, and the Black Lawyers Association.
From April of 2018 through January of 2019, Mr. Beatty co-owned the restaurant and banquet facility, Chicago’s 312, in Pembroke Pines.
During 2007 and 2008, Mr. Beatty was Partner in Charge-Florida and National Co-Chairman-Corporate for the law firm Adorno & Yoss. In January of 2007, Beatty ended a seven-year career at The Miami Herald Media Company where he served as General Counsel, Vice President of Public Affairs, Chairman of Herald Charities and member of the Editorial Board.
Prior to joining The Miami Herald, Mr. Beatty was a partner in the Miami law firm of Holland & Knight, with a diverse practice in areas within the firm’s business, litigation, and public law departments.
Prior to joining Holland & Knight, Mr. Beatty had been BellSouth Telecommunications Inc.’s General Counsel for Florida since 1994. He joined the company in 1988, when it was known as Southern Bell, as an attorney in the corporate counsel and litigation area.
Previous professional posts also include serving as managing partner of Beatty & Shy, as a division chief, felony and economic crimes prosecutor in the Office of the State Attorney for Miami-Dade County, and as a commercial litigation attorney with Paul, Landy, Bailey & Harper. He started his career as a legal clerk in the Judge Advocate Office of the Air Force Reserve.
In 2000, Mr. Beatty completed a three-year term as a member and Chairman of the Governor’s Financial Emergency Oversight Board for the City of Miami as well as the Chairman of its Contract Review Committee. His other community involvements have included serving as a board member of Sun Trust Bank, Miami, as Chairman of the Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Beacon Council, Vice President for One-Community One Goal, Trustee for Stetson University, Chairman of the Miami-Dade Community College Foundation, member of the University of Michigan Visiting Committee at the School of Literature Science and The Arts, and Vice President of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Beatty has also been a member of the Orange Bowl Committee, a board member of the United Way, Treasurer and Trustee of Florida Memorial University, board member of The Belafonte Tacolcy Center for Child Development, The Florida Grand Opera and Actor’s Playhouse.
Mr. Beatty earned his bachelor’s degree, with distinction, from the University of Michigan, and his J.D. from the Boston College Law School. He is a member of the American Bar Association, National Bar Association, Florida Bar Association, Miami-Dade County Bar Association, and the Black Lawyers Association.
Special Guest Speaker
T. Willard W. Fair
Mr. T. Willard W. Fair is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Urban League of Greater Miami, Inc. A powerful voice in the effort to improve his community, he has worked for the Urban League since September, 1963.
In the State of Florida, Mr. Fair has served as Chairperson of the Florida State Board of Education, member of the Board of Directors of Florida International University, member of the Board of Directors of Miami Dade College, and member of the Association of American Colleges and Universities.
Mr. Fair has met with four different Presidents of the United States, relative to issues of Concern to Black Americans. He was appointed by President George Bush to the United States’ Advisory Committee on Cultural Affairs, where his duties and responsibilities included visiting American Embassies in Egypt, Oman and the United Kingdom to promote cultural diplomacy.
Mr. Fair was appointed by President Barack Obama to the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships – Miami Regional Selection Panel. He was appointed by Governor Jeb Bush and re-appointed by Governor Charlie Christ to serve as Chairman of the Corporate Board for the Florida educational system, K-12 and community colleges where the total enrollment in Florida’s K-12 system is in excess of 2.6 million and the total enrollment in Florida’s community college system is in excess of 700,000 students. He also co-founded, with former Florida State Governor Jeb Bush, the Liberty City Charter School, the first charter school organized in the State of Florida.
Additional current and former leadership positions held by Mr. Fair, include being a member of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools 21st. Century Schools Bond Advisory Committee, Black Alliance for Educational Options Board of Directors, Inter-Governmental Relations/Community Relations Activities, John H. Peavy Community Health Clinic Advisory Committee, Performing Arts Community Trust Board of Directors, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau Board of Directors and the Magic City Children’s Zone Board of Directors.
Mr. Fair has been the host of numerous radio and television programs. He is the recipient of numerous honors and awards.
He received a B.A. degree in Sociology from Johnson C. Smith University and the M.S.W. from the Atlanta School of Social Work.
Mr. Fair is a longtime friend and supporter of The Ralph Hogges and Benjamin Cowins Writers Group of South Florida and continues to host The Hogges and Cowins Book Festival and Writers Conference at his Urban League’s venue, The Carrie P. Meek Manor Apartments (Barbara Carey-Schuler Residents’ Center).
In the State of Florida, Mr. Fair has served as Chairperson of the Florida State Board of Education, member of the Board of Directors of Florida International University, member of the Board of Directors of Miami Dade College, and member of the Association of American Colleges and Universities.
Mr. Fair has met with four different Presidents of the United States, relative to issues of Concern to Black Americans. He was appointed by President George Bush to the United States’ Advisory Committee on Cultural Affairs, where his duties and responsibilities included visiting American Embassies in Egypt, Oman and the United Kingdom to promote cultural diplomacy.
Mr. Fair was appointed by President Barack Obama to the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships – Miami Regional Selection Panel. He was appointed by Governor Jeb Bush and re-appointed by Governor Charlie Christ to serve as Chairman of the Corporate Board for the Florida educational system, K-12 and community colleges where the total enrollment in Florida’s K-12 system is in excess of 2.6 million and the total enrollment in Florida’s community college system is in excess of 700,000 students. He also co-founded, with former Florida State Governor Jeb Bush, the Liberty City Charter School, the first charter school organized in the State of Florida.
Additional current and former leadership positions held by Mr. Fair, include being a member of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools 21st. Century Schools Bond Advisory Committee, Black Alliance for Educational Options Board of Directors, Inter-Governmental Relations/Community Relations Activities, John H. Peavy Community Health Clinic Advisory Committee, Performing Arts Community Trust Board of Directors, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau Board of Directors and the Magic City Children’s Zone Board of Directors.
Mr. Fair has been the host of numerous radio and television programs. He is the recipient of numerous honors and awards.
He received a B.A. degree in Sociology from Johnson C. Smith University and the M.S.W. from the Atlanta School of Social Work.
Mr. Fair is a longtime friend and supporter of The Ralph Hogges and Benjamin Cowins Writers Group of South Florida and continues to host The Hogges and Cowins Book Festival and Writers Conference at his Urban League’s venue, The Carrie P. Meek Manor Apartments (Barbara Carey-Schuler Residents’ Center).
Community Reading Advocacy Award Recipient
Rev. Abraham J. Thomas, Jr
Rev. Abraham J. Thomas, Jr., a graduate of Bethune-Cookman College (University), has a long and distinguished career as a military veteran, social service administrator, minister and author. In the area of social service, he has held the positions of administrator at the Urban League of Greater Miami, Youth Opportunity Program Coordinator for the Community Action Agency, organizer of a social service program for the Model Cities Clinic (which later became the Liberty City Health Services Center, ran the Center for Special Instruction at Ponce de Leon Middle School, director of the North County Neighborhood Service Center, director of the Edison/West Little River Neighborhood Service Center, staff director of the Community Relations Board and the Beckham Hall Homeless Shelter for Men.
Rev. Thomas was ordained as a Deacon in the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1992. He was ordained an Elder in 1994 at St. James A.M.E. Church; the church of his youth. He served there under five pastors over a span of twenty years, until he transferred to Mt. Herman A.M.E. in Miami Gardens. He now serves under the leadership of Reverend Michael K. Bouie.
A prolific writer, Rev. Thomas is the author of 21 books, and several sound recordings which convey a drive for hope, love and perseverance. Hope, love and perseverance are the basic themes of his latest project, a CD titled “With Heart & Soul.” The featured song, “Let’s Come Together,” plainly states the futility of the wanton taking of lives and the need for there to be more appreciation for life, as well as the need for more unity.
In September of 2017, after hurricane Irma hit Florida, Rev. Thomas was inspired to write and record “God Will Take Care of Me.” He recently published his autobiography, “Scarred by Life, but Saved by Grace.”
Rev. Thomas was ordained as a Deacon in the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1992. He was ordained an Elder in 1994 at St. James A.M.E. Church; the church of his youth. He served there under five pastors over a span of twenty years, until he transferred to Mt. Herman A.M.E. in Miami Gardens. He now serves under the leadership of Reverend Michael K. Bouie.
A prolific writer, Rev. Thomas is the author of 21 books, and several sound recordings which convey a drive for hope, love and perseverance. Hope, love and perseverance are the basic themes of his latest project, a CD titled “With Heart & Soul.” The featured song, “Let’s Come Together,” plainly states the futility of the wanton taking of lives and the need for there to be more appreciation for life, as well as the need for more unity.
In September of 2017, after hurricane Irma hit Florida, Rev. Thomas was inspired to write and record “God Will Take Care of Me.” He recently published his autobiography, “Scarred by Life, but Saved by Grace.”
THE PROGRAM
Day 1: Book Festival
Saturday, February 22, 2020
Saturday, February 22, 2020
Moderator: Ralph Hogges
9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Welcome: Ralph Hogges
Co-Founder & President of the RH & BC WG of SF
Invocation: Rev. Abraham J. Thomas, Jr.
An Elder at Mt. Herman A.M.E. Church & Member of the RH & BC WG of SF
Opening Remarks: Benjamin Cowins, Sr.
Co-Founder & Vice President of the RH & BC WG of SF
9:35 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Introduction of Keynote Speaker: Nikisha Williams
Assistant Vice President (Director of Strategic Planning) for the RH & BC WG of SF
Co-Keynote Speaker: Willie F. Logan, Ph.D.
President & Chief Executive Officer, Opa-Locka Community Development Corporation, and Member of the RH & BC WG of SF
Co-Keynote Speaker: Lyra Blizzard Logan, Esq.
Author, Attorney, Executive Vice President & General Counsel of the Florida Education Fund
10:35 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Introduction of Special Guest Speaker: Bea L. Hines
Nationally known Journalist & Pulitzer Prize Nominee, The Miami Herald
Special Guest Speaker: An Update on the Liberty City Initiative: T. Willard Fair
President & CEO of the Urban League of Greater Miami, Inc.
11:00 a.m. – 12 noon
A Special Session with Dr. Norman W. Powell
Director for Diversity Initiatives and Programs, Co-Founding Faculty of the African & African American Studies Program, and Associate Professor of Education
College of Education, Eastern Kentucky University
Co-Editor - Slavery to Liberation: The African American Experience
(Concepts of Beauty: Black and White Connotations)
Meet the Author: Sign and Sell Books
See Bios of the Authors and Other Presenters on pages 15 to 21.
12noon – 1:00 p.m.
Lunch: On your own (See list of local restaurants)
1:10 p.m. – 2:10 p.m.
From Writer to Entrepreneur: How it’s Done
Moderator: Shelly Cameron
Panel Members:
See Bios of the Authors and Other Presenters on pages 15 to 21.
2:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
MONSTER PANEL: Looking Forward and Moving Forward in the Future of Black SciFi.
Panel Members:
See Bios of the Authors and Other Presenters on pages 15 to 21.
3:20p.m. – 4:50 p.m.
Readings for Film Producers
Co-Moderators:
See Bios of the Authors and Other Presenters on pages 15 to 21.
5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Community Reading Advocacy Award
Presentation of Award: Donald Irving, Jr.
Member of the RH & BC WG of SF, and Director of Photography
Award Recipient:Rev. Abraham J. Thomas, Jr.
An Elder at the Mt. Herman A.M.E. Church in Miami Gardens, Florida, and a Prolific Writer
See Bios of the Authors and Other Presenters on pages 15 to 21.
Welcome: Ralph Hogges
Co-Founder & President of the RH & BC WG of SF
Invocation: Rev. Abraham J. Thomas, Jr.
An Elder at Mt. Herman A.M.E. Church & Member of the RH & BC WG of SF
Opening Remarks: Benjamin Cowins, Sr.
Co-Founder & Vice President of the RH & BC WG of SF
9:35 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Introduction of Keynote Speaker: Nikisha Williams
Assistant Vice President (Director of Strategic Planning) for the RH & BC WG of SF
Co-Keynote Speaker: Willie F. Logan, Ph.D.
President & Chief Executive Officer, Opa-Locka Community Development Corporation, and Member of the RH & BC WG of SF
Co-Keynote Speaker: Lyra Blizzard Logan, Esq.
Author, Attorney, Executive Vice President & General Counsel of the Florida Education Fund
10:35 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Introduction of Special Guest Speaker: Bea L. Hines
Nationally known Journalist & Pulitzer Prize Nominee, The Miami Herald
Special Guest Speaker: An Update on the Liberty City Initiative: T. Willard Fair
President & CEO of the Urban League of Greater Miami, Inc.
11:00 a.m. – 12 noon
A Special Session with Dr. Norman W. Powell
Director for Diversity Initiatives and Programs, Co-Founding Faculty of the African & African American Studies Program, and Associate Professor of Education
College of Education, Eastern Kentucky University
Co-Editor - Slavery to Liberation: The African American Experience
(Concepts of Beauty: Black and White Connotations)
Meet the Author: Sign and Sell Books
See Bios of the Authors and Other Presenters on pages 15 to 21.
12noon – 1:00 p.m.
Lunch: On your own (See list of local restaurants)
1:10 p.m. – 2:10 p.m.
From Writer to Entrepreneur: How it’s Done
Moderator: Shelly Cameron
Panel Members:
- Thea Long White, Non-Fiction Writer: Sprouting Into Greatness
- Susan Lycett Davis, Poet: Living A HIP Life
- Shelly Cameron, Non-Fiction Writer: Your Career: Ditch It. Switch It
- Susie Ingram, Poet: Work in Progress
See Bios of the Authors and Other Presenters on pages 15 to 21.
2:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
MONSTER PANEL: Looking Forward and Moving Forward in the Future of Black SciFi.
Panel Members:
- Jeff Carroll: The Harlem Shake
- Aliya Stanford: Princess So ‘la, In My World
- George Moss: The Chronicles of Ann & Lo
See Bios of the Authors and Other Presenters on pages 15 to 21.
3:20p.m. – 4:50 p.m.
Readings for Film Producers
Co-Moderators:
- Lillie Q. Odom, City of Miami Gardens Councilwoman
- George A. Simpson, Jr., Genre Moderator (Autobiographies and Memoirs)
- Abraham Thomas, Jr.: Everybody Loves Skeeter
- Benjamin Cowins, Sr.: The Vietnam War, Black Bullets, Flashbacks & Untold Truths
- Jeff Carroll: Sci Fi Streetv
- Delores Smiley: The Harvest: Keeping it Real
See Bios of the Authors and Other Presenters on pages 15 to 21.
5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Community Reading Advocacy Award
Presentation of Award: Donald Irving, Jr.
Member of the RH & BC WG of SF, and Director of Photography
Award Recipient:Rev. Abraham J. Thomas, Jr.
An Elder at the Mt. Herman A.M.E. Church in Miami Gardens, Florida, and a Prolific Writer
See Bios of the Authors and Other Presenters on pages 15 to 21.
Day 2: Writers Conference
Sunday, February 23, 2020
Sunday, February 23, 2020
Moderator: Ralph Hogges
9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Welcome: Ralph Hogges
Co-Founder & President of the RH & BC WG of SF
Invocation: Rev. Robert Moss
Pastoral Care Pastor at the Citi Church in Miami, Member & Director of Photography for the RH & BC WG of SF
Opening Remarks: Delores M. Smiley
Associate Vice President of the RH & BC WG of SF
9:35 a.m. - 10:20 a.m.
Introduction of Keynote Speaker: George Moss
Assistant Vice President (Director of Media & Publicity) for the RH & BC WG of SF
Keynote Speaker: Robert G. Beatty, Esq.
Attorney & Publisher of the South Florida Times Newspaper
10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
A Workshop on Writing Fictional Works (Character, Setting & Plot Development)
Facilitator:
See Bios of the Authors and Other Presenters on pages 15 to 21.
12noon – 1:00 p.m.
Lunch: On your own (See list of local restaurants)
1:15 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
How to Strategy:
How to Take the Leap: Transform Your Books to Bucks!
See Bios of the Authors and Other Presenters on pages 15 to 21.
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Gmoss Product Development Workshop (Developing your ideas from a sketch
into products to promote your brand)
Facilitator:
See Bios of the Authors and Other Presenters on pages 15 to 21.
4:15 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
How to Market Your Books to Financial Success
Welcome: Ralph Hogges
Co-Founder & President of the RH & BC WG of SF
Invocation: Rev. Robert Moss
Pastoral Care Pastor at the Citi Church in Miami, Member & Director of Photography for the RH & BC WG of SF
Opening Remarks: Delores M. Smiley
Associate Vice President of the RH & BC WG of SF
9:35 a.m. - 10:20 a.m.
Introduction of Keynote Speaker: George Moss
Assistant Vice President (Director of Media & Publicity) for the RH & BC WG of SF
Keynote Speaker: Robert G. Beatty, Esq.
Attorney & Publisher of the South Florida Times Newspaper
10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
A Workshop on Writing Fictional Works (Character, Setting & Plot Development)
Facilitator:
- Rose Stiffin: A Winter Friend
See Bios of the Authors and Other Presenters on pages 15 to 21.
12noon – 1:00 p.m.
Lunch: On your own (See list of local restaurants)
1:15 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
How to Strategy:
How to Take the Leap: Transform Your Books to Bucks!
- Thea Long White: Sprouting Into Greatness
- Shelly Cameron: Your Career: Ditch It. Switch It
See Bios of the Authors and Other Presenters on pages 15 to 21.
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Gmoss Product Development Workshop (Developing your ideas from a sketch
into products to promote your brand)
Facilitator:
- George Moss, FASHION TO COMICS: Product Development Workshop by Gmoss
See Bios of the Authors and Other Presenters on pages 15 to 21.
4:15 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
How to Market Your Books to Financial Success
- How to Sell Your Books
- Where to Sell Your Books
- How to Build a Permanent Audience for New and Forthcoming Books
- Where to Get Paid and How to Get Paid for Your Creativity
- Finding Sources for Mass Merchandising of Your Books
- How to Promote Your Books to Various Media Outlets, Movie and Stage Plays
- Richard Gibson, Renowned Expert in Entrepreneurship, Sales, Marketing, Radio and Television Broadcasting and member of The Writers Group of South Florida
Bio Profiles
Founders
Ralph Hogges
Ralph Hogges is the founder and retired Executive Director of the Institute for Public Policy and Executive Leadership in Higher Education, and a Professor of the Ed.D. Program in Higher Education Administration and Leadership at Nova Southeastern University. He formerly held professorial and administrative positions at Florida International University and Florida Memorial University.
Appointed by the Florida Governor and confirmed by the Senate, Hogges served a four-year term as a member of the Postsecondary Education Planning Commission (PEPC) for the State of Florida. As a PEPC Commissioner, he served as an advisor to the Governor, State Board of Education and State Legislature regarding numerous policies, programs, funding and the Master Plan for the nine State Universities, twenty-eight public community colleges and nineteen private and independent colleges and universities. A renowned and prolific scholar, he was the co-founder, host and moderator of The Monthly Scholar’s Roundtable and Forum at Nova. A recipient of more than fifty honors and awards, he has prepared numerous college and university presidents, vice presidents and deans during his forty years in higher education.
Hogges earned his B.S. and M.Ed. at Tuskegee Institute (University) and the Ed.D. at Nova Southeastern University. He has also done post-doctoral studies at the University of Miami, the interdenominational Theological Center (ITC Certificate), and Harvard University (MLE Certificate).
In the area of creative writing and literary leadership, Hogges has attended the Florida Heritage Writers Conference at Flagler College and workshops and seminars for writers sponsored by the University of Miami Creative Writers Program. A former Columnist for the Miami Courier Newspaper, he is the co-founder and President of The Ralph Hogges and Benjamin Cowins Writers Group of South Florida. He is also the co-founder, President & CEO of The Hogges and Cowins Book Festival and Writers Conference (an annual event), and The Ralph Hogges and Benjamin Cowins South Florida Writers of Color Literary Magazine (an Online Literary Magazine).
As a writer, poet, playwright and member of Who Is Who in American Literature, Hogges is the author of 17 books. He has also completed several new manuscripts (5 novels, 2 plays and an autobiography) that are available to publishers. See his website at: www.ralphhogges.com
Benjamin Cowins, Sr.
Benjamin Cowins, Sr., is a semi-retired public school educator. He formerly held administrative positions at Florida International University, Miami-Dade Public Schools, Florida Memorial University, the University of Oklahoma and the University of Maryland.
In 2013, he was honored as one of 58 foot soldiers of the Tallahassee Leon County Civil Rights Heritage Walk. In this commemoration, each Civil Rights activist name is written on Gold Series of Terrazzo Panels of sidewalks, located in front of the Florida Capitol building on Jefferson Street.
Cowins is the co-founder and Vice President of The Ralph Hogges and Benjamin Cowins Writers Group of South Florida; The Hogges and Cowins Book Festival and Writers Conference (an annual event); and The Ralph Hogges and Benjamin Cowins South Florida Writers of Color Literary Magazine (an Online Literary Magazine). He is also a 5000 Role Models of Excellence’s member and the founder/ President of The Christian Community Service Agency, Inc.
As a writer, he is the author or co-author of six books.
Ralph Hogges is the founder and retired Executive Director of the Institute for Public Policy and Executive Leadership in Higher Education, and a Professor of the Ed.D. Program in Higher Education Administration and Leadership at Nova Southeastern University. He formerly held professorial and administrative positions at Florida International University and Florida Memorial University.
Appointed by the Florida Governor and confirmed by the Senate, Hogges served a four-year term as a member of the Postsecondary Education Planning Commission (PEPC) for the State of Florida. As a PEPC Commissioner, he served as an advisor to the Governor, State Board of Education and State Legislature regarding numerous policies, programs, funding and the Master Plan for the nine State Universities, twenty-eight public community colleges and nineteen private and independent colleges and universities. A renowned and prolific scholar, he was the co-founder, host and moderator of The Monthly Scholar’s Roundtable and Forum at Nova. A recipient of more than fifty honors and awards, he has prepared numerous college and university presidents, vice presidents and deans during his forty years in higher education.
Hogges earned his B.S. and M.Ed. at Tuskegee Institute (University) and the Ed.D. at Nova Southeastern University. He has also done post-doctoral studies at the University of Miami, the interdenominational Theological Center (ITC Certificate), and Harvard University (MLE Certificate).
In the area of creative writing and literary leadership, Hogges has attended the Florida Heritage Writers Conference at Flagler College and workshops and seminars for writers sponsored by the University of Miami Creative Writers Program. A former Columnist for the Miami Courier Newspaper, he is the co-founder and President of The Ralph Hogges and Benjamin Cowins Writers Group of South Florida. He is also the co-founder, President & CEO of The Hogges and Cowins Book Festival and Writers Conference (an annual event), and The Ralph Hogges and Benjamin Cowins South Florida Writers of Color Literary Magazine (an Online Literary Magazine).
As a writer, poet, playwright and member of Who Is Who in American Literature, Hogges is the author of 17 books. He has also completed several new manuscripts (5 novels, 2 plays and an autobiography) that are available to publishers. See his website at: www.ralphhogges.com
Benjamin Cowins, Sr.
Benjamin Cowins, Sr., is a semi-retired public school educator. He formerly held administrative positions at Florida International University, Miami-Dade Public Schools, Florida Memorial University, the University of Oklahoma and the University of Maryland.
In 2013, he was honored as one of 58 foot soldiers of the Tallahassee Leon County Civil Rights Heritage Walk. In this commemoration, each Civil Rights activist name is written on Gold Series of Terrazzo Panels of sidewalks, located in front of the Florida Capitol building on Jefferson Street.
Cowins is the co-founder and Vice President of The Ralph Hogges and Benjamin Cowins Writers Group of South Florida; The Hogges and Cowins Book Festival and Writers Conference (an annual event); and The Ralph Hogges and Benjamin Cowins South Florida Writers of Color Literary Magazine (an Online Literary Magazine). He is also a 5000 Role Models of Excellence’s member and the founder/ President of The Christian Community Service Agency, Inc.
As a writer, he is the author or co-author of six books.
Authors and Other Presenters
Shelly Cameron
Shelly Cameron is an Author, Coach & HR Consultant. With her passion for leadership and success, she has written two books on Success Strategies and Leadership. Her research on the Leadership Challenge was published in the Journal of American Academy of Business Cambridge (JAABC), 3/2016.
Jeff Carroll
Jeff Carroll is pioneering what he calls Hip Hop horror, Sci/fi and Fantasy. His stories always have lots of action and a social edge. He has written and produced 2 films and has written over 5 science fiction and nonfiction books. His short stories have appeared in The Black Science Fiction Society’s anthology and their magazine as well as other anthologies. Jeff produces The Monster Panel, a traveling sci-fi panel which features writers of color in a lively discussion of comic books, movies and black people.
Susan Lycett Davis
Susan Lycett Davis (Dr. Sue) is a retired university professor, organizational leadership consultant, actress, motivational speaker and poet. She is the author of two books of poems: Ode to Miss Lou… From the Soul of Dr. Sue, and I am Jamaica.
Richard Gibson, Jr.
Richard Gibson, Jr., is the co-owner and General Sales Manager of the Interstate Apparel Corporation. Among the numerous positions he had held, he served as the Director of Marketing for Key Power, Incorporated.
He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at Florida A & M University, and Associate of Science in Radio and Television Broadcasting at Miami-Dade Community College.
Bea L. Hines
Bea L. Hines was always a creative and talented writer, having started writing as a child, creating short stories for her younger brother and writing poetry. In 1966, she was hired as a file clerk in The Miami Herald’s library. A year later, she enrolled at Miami-Dade Community College and studied journalism for three years. In June of 1970, she was promoted to general assignment reporter at The Miami Herald, becoming the first African American woman to work as a reporter for the paper.
Hine’s work was featured in the education and the “Living Today” section of the Herald. From 1980 to 1985, she wrote an issues column for the newspaper that garnered much praise. She also wrote other columns for The Miami Herald, including ones entitled “Parenting Again” and “Neighbors in Religion.”
In addition to being in great demand as a speaker, she also taught and led journalism workshops at several universities, including Savannah State University, the University of California-Berkley, Florida A & M University, and the Memphis State University.
She has been awarded many honors for her writing and community efforts. In 1981, her columns were nominated for the Pulitzer Prize, and, in 1985 she was recognized as one of the top five women columnist in the country by Savvy Magazine. She was a nominee for the Knight-Ridder Outstanding Service Award and was named a Herald Legend in 1994. She was also honored by the Region Four Chapter of the National Association of Journalist by being named to its Hall of Fame.
Donald Irving, Jr.
Donald Irving, Jr. worked sixteen years for the Miami-Dade County Government’s Department of Youth and Family Services, holding the position of Social Work Supervisor. He also served nineteen years with the Miami-Dade Public Schools in Psychological Services, as a School Social Worker Region Chairperson.
He has served as an Associate Minister with the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Chairperson of the Historic Hampton House Community Trust, Board member of the Stellar Leadership Academy Charter School, Director of Photography for The Ralph Hogges and Benjamin Cowins Writers Group of South Florida, and founding Director of Winning Teams Ministries, Incorporated.
Donald earned his A.A. degree at Miami-Dade Community College, BSW at Florida International University, and the MSW at Barry University.
George Moss
George Moss, a professional illustrator and designer, has been drawing since the age of six. As he grew up, he developed a passion for realistic drawing and cartoon illustrations.
He graduated with honors and a Commercial Art Degree from Mimi International University of Art & Design, formerly known as International Fine Arts College. After graduating, he had an opportunity to work as a Technical Clothing Illustrator at Perry Ellis International. He continued to grow in the fashion industry at other companies, and became a Creative/Technical Apparel Designer. He has helped companies to design many clothing lines for children, youth, men and women.
George and his family owns their company, Gmoss Designs, LLC, wherein he sells his original line of artwork, comic books, graphic novels, and accessories based on his illustrated young adult novel, The Chronicles of Ann & Lo, a sci-fi/fantasy anime influenced illustrated novel written and illustrated by Gmoss (George Moss) to encourage young and older generations.
His work has been showcased at WDNA Jazz Gallery in Miami, Florida, WPBT Channel 2 Art Loft Jazz Segment on May 5, 2015, the National Urban League in Fort Lauderdale, the Old Dillard Museum in Fort Lauderdale, Art Hall in Pompano Beach, Arts & Festival in Pine (where he won the 2015 Best Drawing Award), Florida Supercon in Miami Beach, New York Con in New York City, and other events in the United States.
George is also the Assistant Vice President (Director of Media and Publicity) of the Ralph Hogges and Benjamin Cowins Writers Group of South Florida.
Rev. Robert Moss
Rev. Robert Moss is currently serving as the Pastoral Care Pastor at Citi Church in Miami, Florida and Senior Chaplain for the North Miami Beach Police Department. He has over 30 years of experience in church ministry, and has served as Senior Pastor of several local churches in South Florida.
He has served as Chaplain for the Florida Department of Children and Family Services for over 5 years, and 6 years a VISTAS Healthcare Corporation Chaplain.
Rev. Moss earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from New York University and a master’s degree in ministry from the Southern Baptist Center for Biblical Studies.
He and his wife, Audrey, assist their son, George, with his company, Gmoss Designs, LLC. He also serves as Director of Photography for The Ralph Hogges and Benjamin Cowins Writers Group of South Florida.
Lillie Q. Odom
Lillie Q. Odom is the Councilwoman for Residential Seat One (1) in the City of Miami Gardens, Florida. She formerly served as an Associate Financial Aid Director at Florida Memorial University and Miami Dade College.
A retiree from the City of Miami Gardens, she was the Executive Assistant to the Mayor/Council and Community Outreach Specialist. In addition to her current elected duties, Councilwoman Odom is the:
She has earned degrees from Miami Dade College and Nova Southeastern University.
Norman W. Powell
Norman W. Powell is the Director for Diversity Initiatives and Programs, a co-founding Faculty member of the African and African American Studies Program, and Associate Professor of Education in the College of Education at Eastern Kentucky University. He formerly held professorial and administrative positions at Nova Southeastern University and The American University.
He earned his B.A., M.Ed. and Ed.D. degrees at The American University. As a faculty member of the African and African American Studies Program, he has taught the program’s required introductory course, The African American Experience, for the past 16 years. He is one of the lead creators and editors of the textbook, Slavery to Liberation: The African American Experience, for the African and African American Studies Program, published by the Eastern Kentucky University Library.
As a director, dean and leader of numerous human services programs and organizations, Powell has dedicated his life and career to work locally, nationally and internationally on behalf of at-risk children, youth and families. A prominent professor, researcher and scholar, he is in high demand as a national and international keynote speaker.
Kyrie R. Samuel
Kyrie R. Samuel is currently a 10th grade honor student at South Gwinnett Senior High School in Snellville, Georgia. He plays varsity football, baseball and is on the swimming team. He was also a member of the Eight Grade Football Team that won The 2017 National Championship.
He is the author of the book: Kyrie Loves Grandma Soooo Much.
George A. Simpson, Jr.
George A. Simpson, Jr., was born in the Coconut Grove section of Miami. His great-grandfather, E. W. F. Stirrup, was one of the original founders of Coconut Grove in the 1890s where he accumulated a large number of properties and built over 147 houses during his lifetime.
He was educated through high school in Miami as the first and only black student to attend and graduate from Christopher Columbus High School in 1967. He attended Morehouse College in Atlanta for two years before transferring and graduating from Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, majoring in Economics. After Fisk, he attended and graduated from the Harvard Business School in Boston, majoring in Finance and International Marketing.
After graduating from Harvard, he joined the First National Bank of Chicago’s African Division as the Head Office Manager of their five African Branches. He later moved to New York to become the Director of Financial Services for the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation which was the country’s first and largest Community Development Corporation. He also worked in Nigeria as the Managing Director of Johnson Products, a subsidiary of Johnson Products of Chicago manufacturers of Afro Sheen and Ultra Sheen cosmetics, and other American cosmetic companies including Worlds of Curls, Dark & Lovely. Currently, he is the General Manager of his family’s real estate holdings in Miami and elsewhere.
Delores Smiley
Delores Smiley is retired from Nova Southeastern University where she served in the College of Education as Executive Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Assistant Professor of Education, and continues as a Dissertation Committee member. She is Associate Vice President of The Ralph Hogges and Benjamin Cowins Writers Group of South Florida.
As a writer of nonfiction, she is the author of the books, The Harvest: Keeping it Real, and The Journey: From the Garden of Eden to the Promised Land.
Aliya Stanford
Aliya Stanford was born in Philadelphia to a mom who instilled a respect for words and a love of artistic expression in her children at an early age. She retired from civil service in 2014 in order to pursue the idea of writing fantasy stories for young and young-at-heart readers. Growing up mostly in sunny South Florida and equipped with fertile imagination, she developed a lifelong love of books and reading. Science fiction/ fantasy and super hero stories became a favorite indulgence along with music and art. She still lives in Florida with her two sons and a cat named Sammy, and is the author of the book: Princess So ‘la, In My World.
Rose Stiffin
Rose Stiffin is a professor at Florida Memorial University. In addition to several of her short stories being published in the literary magazine, Imagine, she has also been published in the Algonquin Quarterly (“The Water Buffalo and Pink Flamingo”) and an anthology For Your Eyes Only (“Casino Blues”). Her first novel, Walk in Bethel, won an international competition in General Fiction (June, 2015), in which she traveled to Paris to receive the award. She is the author of three other novels (Reflections, Groovin’ on the Half Shell, and A Winter Friend). Her latest novel is: Casino Blues.
Arnetha A. Thomas
Arnetha A. Thomas, Master of Social Work, is an Author-Minister-Therapist-Mastery National-International Restorative Justice Practices Trainer with extensive experience and expertise primarily targeting high risk community and schools. She is the author of books: Power of the Blood at Work-Broken Veil, Beautiful as a Butterfly, and Get Through, Going Through Life.
Thea Long White
Thea Long White is a Business Person-Entrepreneur, Educator and Ghost Writer of books, songs, and raps. She is about the business of education, because education is her business. From infancy to maturity, she believes in meeting people where they are and helping them to create an intrinsic plan of action that can get them to where they need to go.
She used the training that she received from the 4th largest school district in America as the driving board to her many successes.
Her cut the chase attitude is one of the main reasons she is sometimes misunderstood. However, whatever it is that you DON’T really get, she WILL MAKE YOU GET IT, and it WILL STICK! She arms you with strategies, skills, and systems uniquely designed that will make you more profitable. She is a firecracker and definitely not for the faint!
She is a believer, a wife, a mother, a sister, and most of all a great friend. She loves to party (but always with a purpose). She is result and solution oriented. She trains, motivates and has strong and consistent work ethics. She is quick to offer support towards any effort that is success – potential. For she is infatuated with the Sprouting Lifestyle.
She helps students, comrades, and business partners to put systems in place that get maximum results. She is an advocate for change, growth and continuous improvement in all of life endeavors.
Nikisha Williams
Nikisha Wlliams, a native of Miami, currently serves as Chief Operating Officer of the Opa-Locka Community Development Corporation, a non-profit organization that’s leading the transformation of Opa-Locka and surrounding north Miami-Dade communities through education, health, art, safety and affordable housing for more than 35 years.
Her career spans the public relations and marketing industry, where she most recently served as Director of Employee Communications and Change at C & W Communications, a telecommunications company with more than 7,500 employees and operations in 30 countries throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. Prior to her role at C & W Communications, she managed internal communications for c-suite executives at AT & T in both New York and Dallas.
Nikisha spent eight years at GolinHarris, where she led client accounts, developed and implemented public relations campaigns, managed account teams, provided strategic media counsel and created marketing strategies for various clients.
In addition to being the founder, owner and Publisher of Omiokun Books, an independent book publishing company, she is also the Assistant Vice President (Director of Strategic Planning) of The Ralph Hogges and Benjamin Cowins Writers Group of South Florida.
She graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s of science in broadcast journalism and a bachelor’s of arts in Spanish. In addition, she spent time in Barcelona, Spain learning the Spanish language and culture.
Shelly Cameron is an Author, Coach & HR Consultant. With her passion for leadership and success, she has written two books on Success Strategies and Leadership. Her research on the Leadership Challenge was published in the Journal of American Academy of Business Cambridge (JAABC), 3/2016.
Jeff Carroll
Jeff Carroll is pioneering what he calls Hip Hop horror, Sci/fi and Fantasy. His stories always have lots of action and a social edge. He has written and produced 2 films and has written over 5 science fiction and nonfiction books. His short stories have appeared in The Black Science Fiction Society’s anthology and their magazine as well as other anthologies. Jeff produces The Monster Panel, a traveling sci-fi panel which features writers of color in a lively discussion of comic books, movies and black people.
Susan Lycett Davis
Susan Lycett Davis (Dr. Sue) is a retired university professor, organizational leadership consultant, actress, motivational speaker and poet. She is the author of two books of poems: Ode to Miss Lou… From the Soul of Dr. Sue, and I am Jamaica.
Richard Gibson, Jr.
Richard Gibson, Jr., is the co-owner and General Sales Manager of the Interstate Apparel Corporation. Among the numerous positions he had held, he served as the Director of Marketing for Key Power, Incorporated.
He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at Florida A & M University, and Associate of Science in Radio and Television Broadcasting at Miami-Dade Community College.
Bea L. Hines
Bea L. Hines was always a creative and talented writer, having started writing as a child, creating short stories for her younger brother and writing poetry. In 1966, she was hired as a file clerk in The Miami Herald’s library. A year later, she enrolled at Miami-Dade Community College and studied journalism for three years. In June of 1970, she was promoted to general assignment reporter at The Miami Herald, becoming the first African American woman to work as a reporter for the paper.
Hine’s work was featured in the education and the “Living Today” section of the Herald. From 1980 to 1985, she wrote an issues column for the newspaper that garnered much praise. She also wrote other columns for The Miami Herald, including ones entitled “Parenting Again” and “Neighbors in Religion.”
In addition to being in great demand as a speaker, she also taught and led journalism workshops at several universities, including Savannah State University, the University of California-Berkley, Florida A & M University, and the Memphis State University.
She has been awarded many honors for her writing and community efforts. In 1981, her columns were nominated for the Pulitzer Prize, and, in 1985 she was recognized as one of the top five women columnist in the country by Savvy Magazine. She was a nominee for the Knight-Ridder Outstanding Service Award and was named a Herald Legend in 1994. She was also honored by the Region Four Chapter of the National Association of Journalist by being named to its Hall of Fame.
Donald Irving, Jr.
Donald Irving, Jr. worked sixteen years for the Miami-Dade County Government’s Department of Youth and Family Services, holding the position of Social Work Supervisor. He also served nineteen years with the Miami-Dade Public Schools in Psychological Services, as a School Social Worker Region Chairperson.
He has served as an Associate Minister with the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Chairperson of the Historic Hampton House Community Trust, Board member of the Stellar Leadership Academy Charter School, Director of Photography for The Ralph Hogges and Benjamin Cowins Writers Group of South Florida, and founding Director of Winning Teams Ministries, Incorporated.
Donald earned his A.A. degree at Miami-Dade Community College, BSW at Florida International University, and the MSW at Barry University.
George Moss
George Moss, a professional illustrator and designer, has been drawing since the age of six. As he grew up, he developed a passion for realistic drawing and cartoon illustrations.
He graduated with honors and a Commercial Art Degree from Mimi International University of Art & Design, formerly known as International Fine Arts College. After graduating, he had an opportunity to work as a Technical Clothing Illustrator at Perry Ellis International. He continued to grow in the fashion industry at other companies, and became a Creative/Technical Apparel Designer. He has helped companies to design many clothing lines for children, youth, men and women.
George and his family owns their company, Gmoss Designs, LLC, wherein he sells his original line of artwork, comic books, graphic novels, and accessories based on his illustrated young adult novel, The Chronicles of Ann & Lo, a sci-fi/fantasy anime influenced illustrated novel written and illustrated by Gmoss (George Moss) to encourage young and older generations.
His work has been showcased at WDNA Jazz Gallery in Miami, Florida, WPBT Channel 2 Art Loft Jazz Segment on May 5, 2015, the National Urban League in Fort Lauderdale, the Old Dillard Museum in Fort Lauderdale, Art Hall in Pompano Beach, Arts & Festival in Pine (where he won the 2015 Best Drawing Award), Florida Supercon in Miami Beach, New York Con in New York City, and other events in the United States.
George is also the Assistant Vice President (Director of Media and Publicity) of the Ralph Hogges and Benjamin Cowins Writers Group of South Florida.
Rev. Robert Moss
Rev. Robert Moss is currently serving as the Pastoral Care Pastor at Citi Church in Miami, Florida and Senior Chaplain for the North Miami Beach Police Department. He has over 30 years of experience in church ministry, and has served as Senior Pastor of several local churches in South Florida.
He has served as Chaplain for the Florida Department of Children and Family Services for over 5 years, and 6 years a VISTAS Healthcare Corporation Chaplain.
Rev. Moss earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from New York University and a master’s degree in ministry from the Southern Baptist Center for Biblical Studies.
He and his wife, Audrey, assist their son, George, with his company, Gmoss Designs, LLC. He also serves as Director of Photography for The Ralph Hogges and Benjamin Cowins Writers Group of South Florida.
Lillie Q. Odom
Lillie Q. Odom is the Councilwoman for Residential Seat One (1) in the City of Miami Gardens, Florida. She formerly served as an Associate Financial Aid Director at Florida Memorial University and Miami Dade College.
A retiree from the City of Miami Gardens, she was the Executive Assistant to the Mayor/Council and Community Outreach Specialist. In addition to her current elected duties, Councilwoman Odom is the:
- Preservationist/ Historian of the City of Miami Gardens archives
- Founder and motivator of the City’s Veterans Affairs Committee
- Coordinator and supporter of community groups that specialize in educating and encouraging citizens to live HIV/AID-free and healthy
- Advocate for the social improvements for the elderly citizens and youth population
- Supporter of the Homeowners Associations and Crime Watch Groups
She has earned degrees from Miami Dade College and Nova Southeastern University.
Norman W. Powell
Norman W. Powell is the Director for Diversity Initiatives and Programs, a co-founding Faculty member of the African and African American Studies Program, and Associate Professor of Education in the College of Education at Eastern Kentucky University. He formerly held professorial and administrative positions at Nova Southeastern University and The American University.
He earned his B.A., M.Ed. and Ed.D. degrees at The American University. As a faculty member of the African and African American Studies Program, he has taught the program’s required introductory course, The African American Experience, for the past 16 years. He is one of the lead creators and editors of the textbook, Slavery to Liberation: The African American Experience, for the African and African American Studies Program, published by the Eastern Kentucky University Library.
As a director, dean and leader of numerous human services programs and organizations, Powell has dedicated his life and career to work locally, nationally and internationally on behalf of at-risk children, youth and families. A prominent professor, researcher and scholar, he is in high demand as a national and international keynote speaker.
Kyrie R. Samuel
Kyrie R. Samuel is currently a 10th grade honor student at South Gwinnett Senior High School in Snellville, Georgia. He plays varsity football, baseball and is on the swimming team. He was also a member of the Eight Grade Football Team that won The 2017 National Championship.
He is the author of the book: Kyrie Loves Grandma Soooo Much.
George A. Simpson, Jr.
George A. Simpson, Jr., was born in the Coconut Grove section of Miami. His great-grandfather, E. W. F. Stirrup, was one of the original founders of Coconut Grove in the 1890s where he accumulated a large number of properties and built over 147 houses during his lifetime.
He was educated through high school in Miami as the first and only black student to attend and graduate from Christopher Columbus High School in 1967. He attended Morehouse College in Atlanta for two years before transferring and graduating from Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, majoring in Economics. After Fisk, he attended and graduated from the Harvard Business School in Boston, majoring in Finance and International Marketing.
After graduating from Harvard, he joined the First National Bank of Chicago’s African Division as the Head Office Manager of their five African Branches. He later moved to New York to become the Director of Financial Services for the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation which was the country’s first and largest Community Development Corporation. He also worked in Nigeria as the Managing Director of Johnson Products, a subsidiary of Johnson Products of Chicago manufacturers of Afro Sheen and Ultra Sheen cosmetics, and other American cosmetic companies including Worlds of Curls, Dark & Lovely. Currently, he is the General Manager of his family’s real estate holdings in Miami and elsewhere.
Delores Smiley
Delores Smiley is retired from Nova Southeastern University where she served in the College of Education as Executive Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Assistant Professor of Education, and continues as a Dissertation Committee member. She is Associate Vice President of The Ralph Hogges and Benjamin Cowins Writers Group of South Florida.
As a writer of nonfiction, she is the author of the books, The Harvest: Keeping it Real, and The Journey: From the Garden of Eden to the Promised Land.
Aliya Stanford
Aliya Stanford was born in Philadelphia to a mom who instilled a respect for words and a love of artistic expression in her children at an early age. She retired from civil service in 2014 in order to pursue the idea of writing fantasy stories for young and young-at-heart readers. Growing up mostly in sunny South Florida and equipped with fertile imagination, she developed a lifelong love of books and reading. Science fiction/ fantasy and super hero stories became a favorite indulgence along with music and art. She still lives in Florida with her two sons and a cat named Sammy, and is the author of the book: Princess So ‘la, In My World.
Rose Stiffin
Rose Stiffin is a professor at Florida Memorial University. In addition to several of her short stories being published in the literary magazine, Imagine, she has also been published in the Algonquin Quarterly (“The Water Buffalo and Pink Flamingo”) and an anthology For Your Eyes Only (“Casino Blues”). Her first novel, Walk in Bethel, won an international competition in General Fiction (June, 2015), in which she traveled to Paris to receive the award. She is the author of three other novels (Reflections, Groovin’ on the Half Shell, and A Winter Friend). Her latest novel is: Casino Blues.
Arnetha A. Thomas
Arnetha A. Thomas, Master of Social Work, is an Author-Minister-Therapist-Mastery National-International Restorative Justice Practices Trainer with extensive experience and expertise primarily targeting high risk community and schools. She is the author of books: Power of the Blood at Work-Broken Veil, Beautiful as a Butterfly, and Get Through, Going Through Life.
Thea Long White
Thea Long White is a Business Person-Entrepreneur, Educator and Ghost Writer of books, songs, and raps. She is about the business of education, because education is her business. From infancy to maturity, she believes in meeting people where they are and helping them to create an intrinsic plan of action that can get them to where they need to go.
She used the training that she received from the 4th largest school district in America as the driving board to her many successes.
Her cut the chase attitude is one of the main reasons she is sometimes misunderstood. However, whatever it is that you DON’T really get, she WILL MAKE YOU GET IT, and it WILL STICK! She arms you with strategies, skills, and systems uniquely designed that will make you more profitable. She is a firecracker and definitely not for the faint!
She is a believer, a wife, a mother, a sister, and most of all a great friend. She loves to party (but always with a purpose). She is result and solution oriented. She trains, motivates and has strong and consistent work ethics. She is quick to offer support towards any effort that is success – potential. For she is infatuated with the Sprouting Lifestyle.
She helps students, comrades, and business partners to put systems in place that get maximum results. She is an advocate for change, growth and continuous improvement in all of life endeavors.
Nikisha Williams
Nikisha Wlliams, a native of Miami, currently serves as Chief Operating Officer of the Opa-Locka Community Development Corporation, a non-profit organization that’s leading the transformation of Opa-Locka and surrounding north Miami-Dade communities through education, health, art, safety and affordable housing for more than 35 years.
Her career spans the public relations and marketing industry, where she most recently served as Director of Employee Communications and Change at C & W Communications, a telecommunications company with more than 7,500 employees and operations in 30 countries throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. Prior to her role at C & W Communications, she managed internal communications for c-suite executives at AT & T in both New York and Dallas.
Nikisha spent eight years at GolinHarris, where she led client accounts, developed and implemented public relations campaigns, managed account teams, provided strategic media counsel and created marketing strategies for various clients.
In addition to being the founder, owner and Publisher of Omiokun Books, an independent book publishing company, she is also the Assistant Vice President (Director of Strategic Planning) of The Ralph Hogges and Benjamin Cowins Writers Group of South Florida.
She graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s of science in broadcast journalism and a bachelor’s of arts in Spanish. In addition, she spent time in Barcelona, Spain learning the Spanish language and culture.
The Ralph Hogges and Benjamin Cowins Writers Group of South Florida
Mission: An organization for beginning, emerging and established writers who desire to engage with fellow writers, develop their craft, publish and sell books.
Philosophy: Those who don’t know, come to learn. Those who know, come to teach others.
Goals & Objectives:
Writing and Publishing
Promotions and Selling of Books Events
Please Note:
Officers and Contact Information:
Dr. Ralph Hogges, President and Co-Founder
Dr. Benjamin Cowins, Sr., Vice President and Co-Founder
Philosophy: Those who don’t know, come to learn. Those who know, come to teach others.
Goals & Objectives:
Writing and Publishing
- Moderators of the Genres will host and facilitate gatherings of their members to focus on developing the Art and Craft of Writing, especially for the beginning and emerging writers. Their literary growth and development is vital.
- Our Critique Group Process and Procedure will be used to assist writers with editing and refining their literary works.
- Contacts, connections and resources (Writer’s Market; Novel & Short Story Writer’s Market; and Guide to Literary Agents – from Barnes and Noble Bookstore) can be used to identify publishers and get their manuscripts published.
Promotions and Selling of Books Events
- To host bi-monthly gatherings (in Miami-Dade County & Broward County) to do book readings, sign and sell books.
- To host and present The Hogges and Cowins Book Festival and Writers Conference, an annual event in Miami, Florida.
- To announce and promote our events nationally and internationally.
Please Note:
- All of our events will be free and open to the public.
- No membership dues or fees are required to become a member of this Writers Group.
Officers and Contact Information:
Dr. Ralph Hogges, President and Co-Founder
- [email protected] or (305) 898-4261
- www.ralphhogges.com
Dr. Benjamin Cowins, Sr., Vice President and Co-Founder
- [email protected] or (305) 624-7253
Organization Directory
Administration:
Ralph Hogges, President
Email: [email protected] or (305) 898-4261
Website: www.ralphhogges.com
Benjamin Cowins, Sr., Vice President
Email: [email protected]
Delores Smiley, Associate Vice President
Email: [email protected]
George Moss, Assistant Vice President (Director of Media and Publicity)
Email: [email protected]
Nikisha Williams, Assistant Vice President (Director of Strategic Planning)
Email: [email protected]
Donald Irving, Jr., Director of Photography
Email: [email protected]
Robert Moss, Director of Photography
Email: [email protected]
Advisory Board Members & Genre Moderators:
Shelly Cameron, Member of the Advisory Board & Moderator of the Genre: Self-Help
Email: [email protected]
Jeff Carroll, Member of the Advisory Board & Moderator of the Genre: Science Fiction
Email: [email protected]
Susie Ingram, Member of the Advisory Board & Moderator of the Genre: Poetry
Email: [email protected]
George Simpson, Member of the Advisory Board & Moderator of the Genres: Memoir, Autobiography and Biography
Email: [email protected]
Dearta Smith, Member of the Advisory Board & Moderator of the Genre: Children Books
Email: [email protected]
Rose Stiffin, Member of the Advisory Board & Moderator of the Genre: Novels, Novella, Short Stories and Scripts (Screenplays)
Email: [email protected]
Arnetha Thomas, Member of the Advisory Board & Moderator of the Genre: Journalism & Writing Articles for Magazines
Email: [email protected]
Ralph Hogges, President
Email: [email protected] or (305) 898-4261
Website: www.ralphhogges.com
Benjamin Cowins, Sr., Vice President
Email: [email protected]
Delores Smiley, Associate Vice President
Email: [email protected]
George Moss, Assistant Vice President (Director of Media and Publicity)
Email: [email protected]
Nikisha Williams, Assistant Vice President (Director of Strategic Planning)
Email: [email protected]
Donald Irving, Jr., Director of Photography
Email: [email protected]
Robert Moss, Director of Photography
Email: [email protected]
Advisory Board Members & Genre Moderators:
Shelly Cameron, Member of the Advisory Board & Moderator of the Genre: Self-Help
Email: [email protected]
Jeff Carroll, Member of the Advisory Board & Moderator of the Genre: Science Fiction
Email: [email protected]
Susie Ingram, Member of the Advisory Board & Moderator of the Genre: Poetry
Email: [email protected]
George Simpson, Member of the Advisory Board & Moderator of the Genres: Memoir, Autobiography and Biography
Email: [email protected]
Dearta Smith, Member of the Advisory Board & Moderator of the Genre: Children Books
Email: [email protected]
Rose Stiffin, Member of the Advisory Board & Moderator of the Genre: Novels, Novella, Short Stories and Scripts (Screenplays)
Email: [email protected]
Arnetha Thomas, Member of the Advisory Board & Moderator of the Genre: Journalism & Writing Articles for Magazines
Email: [email protected]
The Legacy of Books
“As humans, we die, but books live on forever, enriching the lives of future generations.”
--- Ralph Hogges
“As humans, we die, but books live on forever, enriching the lives of future generations.”
--- Ralph Hogges
Local Restaurants:
Jackson Soul Food
950 N.W. 3rd Avenue
Miami, Florida 33136
Two Guys Restaurant
1490 N. W. 3rd Avenue
Miami, Florida 33136
Louis Famous Foods
1482 N.W. 7th Avenue
Miami, Florida
Conch It Up Soul Food
4507 N.W. 17th Avenue
Miami, Florida
World Famous House of Mac
2055 N.W. 2nd Avenue
Miami, Florida
Tightwork Soul & Seafood
4799 N.W. 7th Avenue
Miami, Florida
950 N.W. 3rd Avenue
Miami, Florida 33136
Two Guys Restaurant
1490 N. W. 3rd Avenue
Miami, Florida 33136
Louis Famous Foods
1482 N.W. 7th Avenue
Miami, Florida
Conch It Up Soul Food
4507 N.W. 17th Avenue
Miami, Florida
World Famous House of Mac
2055 N.W. 2nd Avenue
Miami, Florida
Tightwork Soul & Seafood
4799 N.W. 7th Avenue
Miami, Florida
Local Hotels:
Hilton Miami Downtown
1601 Biscayne Boulevard
Miami, Florida 33132
(305) 374-0000
Atton Brickell Miami
1500 S.W. 1st Avenue
Miami, Florida 33129
(786) 600-2600
Crowne Plaza Airport
950 N.W. 42nd Avenue
Miami, Florida 33126
(1-877-270-1393
Hampton Inn and Suites by Hilton
777 N.W. 57th Avenue
Miami, Florida 33126
(855) 605-0317
Clarion Inn & Suites Miami Airport
5301 N.W. 36th Street
Miami, Florida
(855) 801-0674
1601 Biscayne Boulevard
Miami, Florida 33132
(305) 374-0000
Atton Brickell Miami
1500 S.W. 1st Avenue
Miami, Florida 33129
(786) 600-2600
Crowne Plaza Airport
950 N.W. 42nd Avenue
Miami, Florida 33126
(1-877-270-1393
Hampton Inn and Suites by Hilton
777 N.W. 57th Avenue
Miami, Florida 33126
(855) 605-0317
Clarion Inn & Suites Miami Airport
5301 N.W. 36th Street
Miami, Florida
(855) 801-0674