international
peace
conference

Imagine Peace. Build Peace.

birmingham, al

may 4-6, 2023

ABOUT THE CONFERENCE

Rotary International District 6860(North and Central Alabama), in partnership with The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, and the Institute for Human Rights at the University of Alabama Birmingham, presents the 2023 International Peace Conference (IPC). IPC will bring together people from across our nation and the globe to highlight the pursuit of peace at all levels of society. Hosted in Birmingham, Alabama, wherein 1963 nonviolent protesters for

equality and racial justice changed history.

This two-day immersive experience will bring together Rotarians and non-Rotarians and distinguished leaders in academia, government, public safety, religion, business, and community service to share ideas and propose solutions to some of society’s most complex challenges. Programs and approaches that are already making a positive impact will be highlighted.

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ABOUT

“Birmingham was the cradle of the nonviolent movement for human rights.”

-Ambassador Andrew Young
UAB, August 30, 2013

SPEAKERS

FEATURED SPEAKERS

Rev. Dr. Bernice A. King

CEO, The King Center
Atlanta, GA

Dr. Bernice A. King is a global thought leader, strategist, solutionist, orator, peace advocate, and CEO of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center For Nonviolent Social Change (The King Center), which was founded by her mother as the official living memorial to the life, work, and legacy of her father. In this position, Bernice continues to advance her parents’ legacy of nonviolent social change through policy, advocacy, research, as well as education & training through the Kingian philosophy of nonviolence, which she re-branded Nonviolence365™️ (NV365).
Through her work at The King Center, she educates youth and adults around the world about the nonviolent principles and strategies modeled by her parents. Under her leadership, the Center has implemented numerous initiatives reaching over 500,000 people around the world, including the Beloved Community Leadership Academy, Students with King, NV365 Education & Training, and The Beloved Community Talks, a courageous conversations platform about the difficult racial and social justice issues impacting our world. Dr. King led the development of an NV365 certification program for trainers, which provides individuals with the opportunity to teach the NV365 curriculum on behalf of The King Center. She is an instructor for the program and a trainer.

Dr. King holds a Doctorate of Law from Emory University, A Master of Divinity Degree from Candler School of Theology at Emory University, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Spelman College. She also received an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Wesley College and Clinton College. From 1990 -1992 she served as a law clerk for Judge Glenda Hatchett, the Chief Judge of The Fulton County Juvenile Detention Court. She served for seven years as an Assistant Pastor of Greater Rising Star Baptist Church in Atlanta where she organized and developed several new ministries. In 2007, she established the Be A King Scholarship in honor of her mother at Spelman College. Dr. King spearheaded the 2013 “Let Freedom Ring” event commemorating the 50th Anniversary of The March on Washington and her father’s “I Have a Dream” speech. The global event included President Barack Obama, President Bill Clinton, and President Jimmy Carter, members of Congress, as well as many other international leaders, dignitaries, and entertainers.

In March 2018, Dr. King was fortunate to have a private audience with his holiness, Pope Francis. As an alumna of Leadership Atlanta (class of 2020,) she effectively utilized her influence to encourage Atlanta Business leaders to become more active in support of major racial equity and social justice issues, including the successful passage of Georgia's Hate Crime legislation. Dr. King has received numerous awards and recognitions. Recently she received an honorary Doctorate (Doctor of Humane Letters) from her alma mater, Spelman College and an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Grinnell College. In 2021, the Atlanta Business Chronicle Lifetime Achievement Award for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Additionally, The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation honored her in 2020 with their highest award, The Phoenix Award, which recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to society. As a noted author, she has to her credit, “Hard Questions, Heart Answers,” as well as a children’s book entitled “It Starts with Me,” which is a part of The King Center’s Be Love movement.

She is a licensed attorney and member of the State Bar of Georgia; a certified Mediator with the State of Georgia; a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, the International Women’s Forum (IWF), the National Council of Negro Women; a Board member of the National Black Bank Foundation as well as Faith and Prejudice.

Dr. King is an innovative, inspirational, and transformational leader. She is dedicated to ensuring that her parents’ legacy and teachings, The King Center, as well as the work of creating the Beloved Community, with Nonviolence365 as the pathway, are introduced to new generations of influencers.

Mayor Randall L. Woodfin*

City of Birmingham

Jennifer Jones

President
Rotary International
Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Ms. Odessa Woolfolk*

Founding President and Chair Emerita
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

Ravi Ravindran

Past President
Rotary International
Columbo, Sri Lanka

Steve Killelea

Founder & CEO
Institute for Economics and Peace
Sydney, Australia

Felicia Beard

Senior Director, Racial Equity Initiatives
Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

Bob Roth

CEO, David Lynch Foundation
Transcendental Meditation Specialist
New York, NY

Rev. Becca Stevens

Founder & CEO
Thistle Farms
Nashville, TN

Dr. Ray Watts*

President
University of Alabama at Birmingham

DeJuana Thompson*

President
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

Dr. Tina Kempin-Reuter*

Director
Institute of Human of Rights
University of Alabama at Birmingham

Mark Maloney

Past President
Rotary International
Decatur, AL

Pastor Van Moody*

Social Entrepreneur, Author and Community Leader

Dr. Van Moody has a passion for transforming people, organizations, and the world. With a background in leadership, business and ministry, he is qualified uniquely to position and empower people for success in every aspect of their lives.

From his Ted Talk to The Tom Joyner Morning Show, Dr. Van Moody’s compelling voice has been heard around the world and on various stages, a few of which include at the 30th Anniversary of the March on Washington, with Pope John Paul II and his Pontifical Council in Rome, in Tokyo as an associate trainer for Dr. John Maxwell’s EQUIP leadership organization, in Melbourne for Planet Shakers and as a keynote speaker for Bishop T. D. Jakes’ Woman Thou Art Loosed Conference.

In 2016 Dr. Moody became a member of Dr. Oz’s Core Team and has been featured several times on the Dr. Oz Show on ABC. He writes frequently for The Christian Post and Fox News and his other articles have been featured in Essence Magazine, Investors’ Business Daily, Forbes, American Express Open Forum, Maxim and many others. Dr. Moody is the author of nine books, three of which have been bestsellers The People Factor, The I-Factor and Desired By God.

Dr. Moody also assists in leading Macedonia International Bible Fellowship (MIBF), a global network of pastors and churches.

The Atlanta, Ga native is a graduate of DePauw University (Greencastle, Ind.), the Interdenominational Theological Center (Atlanta), Harvard University Summer Leadership Institute (Cambridge, Mass.), and he has participated for several years in continuing education summer study sessions at Oxford University (Oxford, England). He recently completed his second doctoral degree at Biola University (La Mirada, CA)

In March 2006, Dr. Moody established The Worship Center in Birmingham. This thriving church serves more than 5,000 members in multiple locations, with several weekend services and an online campus viewed from as far away as South Africa & Korea. The Worship Center also owns and operates 5 other companies including a super food café called Kale Me Crazy https://homewood.kalemecrazy.net.

With his unique ability to understand and communicate timeless truths in relevant, contemporary ways, Dr. Moody challenges and equips people to fulfill their potential and live their purpose. Known for his keen insights, Dr. Moody is a strong visionary, and a sought-after speaker and leader.

Dr. Moody serves on various boards, he is a member of the 100 Black Men of Metro Birmingham and is a Life Member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. He is an avid CrossFit athlete and he also enjoys running, cycling and snowboarding. He lives in Hoover, AL with his wife Dr. Ty, their two children Eden Sydney and Ethan Isaiah and their golden-doodle dog Teddy Bear.

Dave McCleary

Chairman Emeritus
Rotary Action Group Against Slavery
Roswell, GA

Dave McCleary is the immediate Past Chair Emeritus (2019-2022) of the Rotary Action Group Against Slavery. Dave founded "End Human Trafficking Now" in 2012 with the goal to bring awareness and action, these include Business Engagement, Effective Law Enforcement and Sustaining Freedom though empowering survivors. In 2013 Dave was appointed worldwide Vice Chair of Rotarians Against Slavery with the mission to engage 1.2 million Rotarians and 35,000 clubs on over 200 counties to take on the issues of ending modern day slavery. Dave serves on Georgia’s Statewide Taskforce as workgroup chair “Deterring Traffickers and Buyers” though Business Engagement. Dave is a Past President of the Rotary Club of Roswell, CA. In 2019, Dave joined the White House Round Table on Human Trafficking with the expressed goal to engage the business and Civic Communities in the fight to end Modern-Day Slavery and Human Trafficking. In 2015, Dave Chaired a World Summit with President Carter on ending human trafficking with participation from 14 counties and 32 States with a focus on Business Engagement, Effective Law Enforcement, Legislation and Sustaining Freedom though empowering survivors. Dave moderated a panel on Human Trafficking at the UN for Rotary Day in 2015 with the US State Department, Carter Center and International Justice mission. He lead an effort in the US for Rotarians to lobby their US House and Senate members to sponsor the End Modern Slavery Initiative Act. Dave was appointed chair to the 2019 Super Bowl Anti-Trafficking task force responsible for Business and civic engagement. Dave Moderated a Panel for US Attorney General Jeff Session at the Department of Justice for business engagement with, Delta, Facebook, UPS, Randstad USA, Anthem and Coke Cola. Dave was awarded Rotary’s “Service Above Self’ award for his anti-trafficking work.

Gay Maloney.jpg

Past President
Decatur Daybreak Rotary Club
Decatur, AL

Byron Bland

Associate Director
Stanford Center on International Conflict
San Jose, CA

Lucy Wairimu Mukuria

Psychologist & Radio Personality
Founder, True North Society
Nairobi, Kenya

The American Psychological Association’s 2022 International Humanitarian recipient Major Rtd. Lucy Wairimu Mukuria is an alumnus of the United States International University- Africa and, the pioneer Military Psychologist in Kenya. An astute mental health reformer, her personal motto is, “building on the human spirit.” She carries 20 years of experience and is a subject matter expert in social innovation, policy, legislative advocacy, human rights, decolonizing of psychology, board management, institutional strengthening and capacity building. She founded The True North Kenya, whose vision is to provide hope and healing for military veterans and families. Farther, a top 40 under 40 Women in Kenya 2016 award recipient, holder of the Constitutional medal 2012, an Acumen fellow 2014, author of the Children’s book series Mutenyo and Friends- Preserving Traditional Play 2015, an Amani fellow 2017, initiator of the Military Veterans ACT 2022, co-producer of Where is the Recognition?, 2019, and a recipient of the Segal Family Foundation grant.

Rudy Westervelt

Rotary District 5330
Past Governor

Rudy Westervelt has a BS degree from Cornell University and a MS degree from the University of Connecticut. He is a motivational speaker and a business coach, helping individuals and organizations handle change effectively.

In his Rotary life, he is a member of the Rotary E-Club of World Peace, D5330. In District 5330, he was the District Governor in 2015-16. He was the convener of the Rotary World Peace Conference 2016, named as a Presidential Peace Conference, and Rotary World Peace Conference 2020. He is a Cadre member for The Rotary Foundation. Rudy is the Chair of Strategic Planning and Grants Chair in Rotary District 5330. He is, also, Co-chair for Rotary Leadership Institute for District 5330.

Rudy is a member of Mediators Beyond Borders International.

Kerri Pruitt*

Executive Director
The Dannon Project

Chris Lim

Coordinator
Alabama Anti-Human Trafficking Alliance
Montgomery, AL

Mashonda S. Taylor*

Executive Director
Woodlawn United

For a decade, Mashonda Taylor has played an instrumental role in the holistic revitalization of the
Woodlawn community of Birmingham, Alabama. Mashonda began her career with Woodlawn United in
2012 as Office Administrator, where her passion for the residents in her community and the
organization's work propelled her into the role of Executive Director in 2020. Over the last twelve years, Woodlawn United has served as the community quarterback for an alliance of partners committed to
breaking the cycle of poverty in Birmingham, Alabama's historic Woodlawn community. As a result of this collaboration, Woodlawn is reemerging as a vibrant and sustainable community where residents
connect to opportunities that help them thrive.
Since the organization's inception in 2010, they have developed a high-quality mixed-income housing
strategy, a cradle-to-college education pathway, and community wellness initiatives to support and
provide residents the ability to have a better quality of life that they create for themselves. As Executive
Director, Mashonda is committed to serving the residents of Woodlawn and leads all the revitalization
efforts for the organization. Mashonda's ability to evaluate community needs and assets and cultivate
and nurture relationships for collective benefit is constantly displayed in her Woodlawn United work.
Mashonda's Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Loyola University New Orleans and Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University prepared her for her career in community service.
Outside of her work with Woodlawn United, Mashonda is a Commissioner for the Birmingham Planning
Commission, an Executive Board Member for Jones Valley Teaching Farm, and an Advisory Board
Member for the Blackburn Institute at the University of Alabama. Mashonda also spent a year as an
Executive Board Member for the Junior League of Birmingham in 2018 (the same year she was awarded
About Town's Trailblazer for philanthropic work in the Birmingham community).
Mashonda Taylor is a member of Class I of the Alabama Leadership Initiative, a Catalyst Fellow for the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority,
Incorporated. Most recently, Mashonda was selected as a Young American Leadership Program Fellow
by Harvard Business School, joined the Rotary Club of Birmingham, and is a Board Member for the
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. In 2021, she was named Woman to Watch and Top 40 under 40 by the
Birmingham Business Journal for her leadership and vision at Woodlawn United.

Deborah Daniels*

Co-Founder
Offender Alumni Association

Dr. Peter Verbeek*

Associate Professor/Program Director
Department of Anthropology
University of Alabama at Birmingham

Dr. Peter Verbeek is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). He is also the Program Director of the UAB Graduate Program,
Anthropology of Peace and Human Rights. He obtained his Ph.D. and M.A. in Psychobiology at Emory University, and his B.S. (Highest Honors) in Psychology with a minor in Anthropology at Eckerd College. He served a NIMH funded postdoctoral fellowship at the Institute of Child Development at the University of Minnesota. Prior to coming to UAB in 2015 he served 15 years
as Professor at a pioneering international university in Japan.

Dr. Verbeek’s research interests include proximate causes, development, function, and evolution
of peaceful and aggressive behavior in humans and other animals, with a focus on species-typical
and species-atypical behavior. Areas of special interest: peace and health; bystander behavior in
peace and conflict; peaceable phenotypes; sustainable peace processes; children’s rights and peace.

Donna Dukes*

Founder & Executive Director
Maranathan Academy

CONFERENCE PILLARS

Individual Peace

Meditation, religious practices and treatments for PTSD and other mental illnesses will be covered. The most current research on the neurophysiology of mindfulness practices will also be presented. Continuing education credits will be available for professional therapists.

Peace at Home
and in Families

Issues of domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, as well as efforts to strengthen families, improve parenting, and the importance of quality childcare will all be presented. The significance of “no fault” and non-adversarial divorces will be addressed. Continuing education credit for legal professionals will be available.

Peace Education in School

Successful models for reducing school violence, bullying, and factors leading to absenteeism and dropping out will all be addressed. District 6860’s experience with 3 years of NewGen Peacebuilders’ high school program and the peace projects developed by young peacebuilders will be presented both by the students themselves and by representatives of NewGen Peacebuilders and schools and organizations that have sponsored peacebuilder teams.

Promoting Peaceful Communities and Reducing Violence

Presenters will include community activists, former gang members, and members of law enforcement. The focus will be on successful programs for addressing and reducing violence and violent crime in communities as well as ways to improve communities to make them less prone to violence.

Addressing and Preventing Human Trafficking

We will hear presentations from both victims and experienced professionals from law enforcement, medicine, and the law on how to prevent human trafficking and rehabilitate survivors. Continuing education credits will be available for professionals involved in this specialized, stressful, worldwide work.

Continuing Quest for Racial Equity and Justice

Birmingham’s experience in race relations-past and present-will be highlighted to focus on both the progress and the challenges remaining in achieving equity and equal opportunity for America’s black citizens, and by extension for all marginalized groups. The roles of civic and cultural organizations, governments, and business communities will all be discussed and highlighted.

Empowerment of Women and Girls

We will hear about many different initiatives being undertaken to provide support and encouragement to girls and women as they strive for equity in all aspects of life, from sanitation projects in developing countries enabling girls to continue in school beyond the onset of their menstrual cycle to educational and employment practices that promote fairness for women and girls in developed countries. The role of sports in helping girls and young women learn to assert themselves will also be a focus.