Men Of Influence 2018 In This Issue
Dr. Kenneth Scott
Dr. Kenneth Scott leads a social enterprise that is working to redevelop North Central Philadelphia. He serves as president/CEO of The Beech Companies, which is regarded as a leader in community economic development. Read More
Chad Dion Lassiter
Chad Dion Lassiter, MSW, is co-founder and President of the Black Men at the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Work, Inc., at their School of Social Policy and Practice, and is professor of race relations at West Chester University. He is also the Director of Recovery at the Red Cross House for the American Red Cross Eastern PA Region. Lassiter has been a member of the board of trustees for the Community College of Philadelphia and Philadelphia Prison System and has served on the Mayor’s Commission on African American Males. Read More
Solomon Jones
Solomon Jones is an Essence bestselling author and award- winning journalist who has been featured nationally on NPR’s Morning Edition, CNN Headline News and Essence Magazine. Jones is currently an award-winning columnist for the Philadelphia Daily News and morning host for Praise 107.9 radio in Philadelphia. In addition, he is a blogger and frequent on-air commentator for NPR-affiliate WHYY. Read More
Dr. George James
George James is the Program Director of the Master’s in Couples and Family Therapy Program offered in conjunction with Thomas Jefferson University. James specializes in helping couples improve the quality of their relationship, reconcile conflicts and overcome intense situations such as affairs, lack of communication, parenting struggles and much more. He also works extensively with professional athletes, adult and young adult men on various issues including defining manhood, career and work-life balance. Read More
Darrell Alston
Prison walls contain the body, not the mind, and Darrell Alston can confirm that. While growing up Alston definitely had a business sense; he started selling drugs as a teenager. Eventually, the law caught up with him and he ended up doing time in Graterford Prison. While in prison, Alston said his Mom told him if he wanted to be successful he had to start his own business. He said inside the prison gym one day he noticed a mural of boxer, Bernard Hopkins. Read More
Chief (Sir) Charles Ugo Eke
Chief Eke; Ochiri is the founder and CEO of Infotex Systems Inc, which started in 1995 in Plainfield, NJ. The company demonstrates vast and diverse leadership and support in computer technology across U.S. along with consulting services from IT consultants and engineers to businesses such as IBM, AT&T, MCI, Sprint, and Digital Corp. Read More
Jeremiah White, III
International athlete, strategist, innovator, mentor and entrepreneur, Jeremiah J. White, III, is a highly sought-after sports professional. His broad range of expertise, experience and confident disposition, have added to his success as a business owner. Known for his creative ability and technical expertise, White’s strong business acumen derives from a professional background that includes athletics, technology, globalization, marketing and strategic planning. His aptitude in foreign relations and linguistics have opened the doors for international business opportunities in Liberia, Ghana, Denmark, Saudi Arabia, Greece, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the UK. White is also responsible for connecting American businesses with companies abroad to diversify their portfolios. Read More
Dr. Lloyd Thomas Reid
Dr. Reid is President and CEO of the South West Nu-Stop Recovery and Educational Center (SWNSREC) , a substance abuse and treatment facility. SWNSREC serves the Philadelphia area via two robust multifaceted, treatment facilities located in Southwest and North Central Philadelphia. Both community focused and people-centered endeavors exemplify Dr. Reid’s passion for liberating people struggling with poverty and urban infused behavioral health and cooccurring disorders, as he and many inner-city youth have experienced. Read More
Mercer Redcross, III
Native Philadelphian, Mercer A. Redcross, III, co founded the October Gallery with his wife, Evelyn, in 1985. The gallery’s first location was in the Powelton Village section of the city; it is now in the Germantown section, where it continues to promote African American art, artists and consumer education. Read More
Honourable Onyemaechi E. Okoro
Onyemaechi Emmanuel Okoro is a lawyer and coach, personal motivator dedicated to inspiring youth and young adults, especially those with behavioral problems. Okoro is also author of the books ‘God’s Best Gift in an Ugly Wrapping’ and ‘The Ultimate Victory’ which was described as ‘thrilling, motivating and inspirational’ by the New York Times Book Review. Okoro is vice-chair of the Igbo Nigeria Catholic Community in Philadelphia, PA. and as such represents and helps lead the church community at events hosted by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Igbo Catholic National USA and African Cultural Heritage. Read More
Honourable Craig M. Washington
In 1982, the Honorable Edward G. Rendell, then District Attorney of Philadelphia, appointed Washington to the position of Assistant District Attorney. In 1985, Washington left the DA’s office and joined a center city law office where he received an opportunity to develop his own practice: In 1997, he was elected to serve as Judge of the Philadelphia Municipal Court and in 2005, was ordained Deacon at Salem Baptist Church in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania. Read More
Gregory L. Lyles
As Area Development Director of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), Lyles is responsible for fundraising strategy and execution for the Philadelphia Area which includes the states of Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia and Southern New Jersey. Before coming to UNCF, Lyles was executive director of Haddington Multi Services For Older Adults, in West Philadelphia. He was responsible for the leadership, strategic direction, business development and operations of the organization. Lyles also served as development director for the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania (UWSEPA), was executive director of the West Philadelphia YMCA and served in numerous positions with the Cradle of Liberty Council, Boy Scouts of America. Read More
Mark Harrell
Mark Harrell is a community organizer at the Southwest Community Development Corporation (CDC) in Philadelphia and publisher of the organization’s newspaper The Southwest Globe Times. Harrell studied Political Science at Howard University and went on to Lincoln University where he majored in Human Services. Along with the many organizations of which he is a part, Harrell is also executive director of Men United for a Better Philadelphia Read More
Dr. Samuel F. Quartey
Dr. Samuel F. Quartey has more than 30 years of experience as a podiatrist specializing in foot and ankle surgery. He currently serves as an adjunct professor at Temple University and the College of Podiatric Medicine in New York. The native of Accra, Ghana, is a graduate of the University of Science and Technology, Kumasi and University Legon, Ghana. He taught at Accra High School prior to moving to the U.S. Read More
Donavan West is a forward- thinking executive with a focus on social services and public affairs. With over 18 years’ experience in developing, creating, and envisioning systematic blueprints to manage community partnerships and workforce and development initiatives, he is an expert in relationship management and key principles that drive stakeholder interests. Read More
Black men have made phenomenal contributions to our communities, our nations and our world. They have raised the bar in almost every field of endeavor. They have withstood discrimination, educational disparities, lack of support and a host of other complications too numerous to mention. Yet, they not only survived but excelled.
In this section we pay tribute to some of our own who have distinguished themselves in various ways, using their skills, talents and abilities to educate, elevate and edify others.
They not only forged a path for themselves but also helped others on their own journeys. Some are journalists and broadcasters, others are authors and therapists and then there are the community organizers, lawyers and educators.
Although they have succeeded in different arenas, they all have one thing in common: They are men of influence who have touched the lives of others. For this reason, Fun times Magazine is pleased to honor and shine the light of these stars. We asked each to respond to these questions:
· What are some defining moments which helped shape you into the man that you are today? · What accomplishment or project do you consider to be the most significant in your career? · What advice would you offer young people who aspire to take on a similar role? · What can be done to bridge the gap and build relationships within the Diaspora – among African Americans, Africans and Caribbean?
