Cameron Students posing for a picture on Campus

2023 KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Hannibal B. Johnson

LTG Russel L. Honoré helps organizations develop a culture of preparedness and creates the mindset of problem-solving, take-charge leaders.

An American hero who helped a New Orleans recover from catastrophe, he has been chosen to lead the security review of the U.S. Capitol’s security infrastructure, interagency processes and procedures and command and control. Gen. Honoré now shares candid and colorful leadership views how government resources, the private sector and we as individuals can work together to overcome the current challenges facing the world.

As the commander of Joint Task Force Katrina, LTG Honoré became known as the “Category 5 Gen.” for his striking leadership style in coordinating military relief efforts in post-hurricane New Orleans. He is a decorated 37-year army veteran and global authority on leadership. When Hurricanes such as Harvey, Irma, and Maria approach, news networks like CNN, Fox, MSNBC, and CBS consider him their go-to expert on emergency and disaster preparedness, as well as crisis management.

LTG Honoré uses his experience managing natural and man-made conflicts to help companies and organizations build a culture of preparedness. On stage, his disciplined leadership and colorful, patriotic storytelling shine. In our country’s new normal, Gen. Honoré provides audiences impactful takeaways as change and unpredictability are constants, and resilience is mandatory. He is the author of three books, including his most recent, Don't Get Stuck on Stupid!

Gen. Honoré delivers an uplifting dose of candor, with real-world leadership lessons designed to equip audiences with a preparedness mindset. He shares his no-nonsense approach to getting the job done and instills confidence in tomorrow’s leaders.

List of Previous Speakers

Year

Previous Speakers

2022

Princess Sarah Culberson, Philanthropist, Author & co-founder, Sierra Leone Rising

2021

Hannibal B. Johnson, Esq., Author, Attorney & Consultant

2020

Benjamin Jealous, Civil and Human Rights Leader, Former NAACP President

2019

Bakari Sellars, CNN Political Analyst, Lawyer & Activist

2018

Dr. Kent J. Smith, Jr. President, Langston University

2017

Maryum Ali, Performer and Human Services Activist

2016

Bob Zellner, Civil Rights activist

2015

Eugene Robinson, Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalist

2014

*Dick Gregory, Civil Rights activist and comedian

2013

Myrlie Evers-Williams, Civil Rights activist, first female chairperson of the NAACP

2012

Andrew Young, US Ambassador, Congressman, Mayor of Atlanta and Co-Founding Principal and Chairman of Goodworks International

2011

Dr. Marc Lamont Hill, political commentator and educator

2010

Kweisi Mfume, political and business leader

2009

Dr. Nikki Giovanni, poet, author, essayist and professor

2008

Rev. Dr. James Forbes, Jr., Senior Minister Emeritus, The Riverside Church; President and Founder, Healing of the Nations Foundation

2007

*Rev. Dr. Joseph Lowery, Co-Founder, Southern Christian Leadership Conference

2006

*Julian Bond, Chairman, NAACP

2005

Juan Williams, Author, Columnist, NPR Host

2004

Dr. Scott Ellsworth, Author, "Death in a Promised Land..."

2003

*Rep. Opio Toure, Oklahoma State Representative

2002

Hon. Fred R. Harris, Former US Senator, Member of "The Group"

2001

*Dr. G. Calvin McCutchen, Sr., Pastor, Mt. Zion Baptist Church

2000

W.A. Drew Edmondson, Attorney General of the State of Oklahoma

1999

Ms. Diane Nash, Student Leader of the Non-violent Civil Rights Movement of te 1960s

1998

Rev. Dr. James Lawson, Pastor, Holman United Methodist Church, Los Angeles, California

1997

Mr. Morris Dees, Co-Founder, Southern Law Poverty Center, Montgomery, Alabama

1996

*Rev. Wade Watts, Pastor, Jerusalem Baptist Church, Oklahoma City

1995

*Dr. Ernest Holloway, President, Langston University

1994

*Ms. Clara Luper, Oklahoma Civil Rights Leader, Oklahoma City

1993

Dr. Cynthia Hale, Pastor, Atlanta, Georgia

1992

*Dr. Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher, University of Oklahoma Board of Regents

1991

*The Honorable Hannah Atkins, Oklahoma Secretary of State, 1987-1991

1990

Brig. Gen. Frank L. Miller, Jr., Commander, III Corps Artillery, Fort Sill

1989

Dr. George Henderson, Department of Human Relations, University of Oklahoma

1988

*Rev. JL Davenport, Pastor, St. John's Baptist Church

1987

*Dr. Melvin Todd, Vice President, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education

1986

Rev. Gregory Wilson Jones, Pastor, Frederick, OK

1985

*Dr. Valree Wynn, Emeritus Cameron Faculty

*Denotes deceased