speakers and entertainers

J. Anthony Brown

For those in the know, “WatchOutDehNow” is more than a heed to action, it’s the trademark catcall for funnyman J. Anthony Brown. As a forerunner to today’s hot Black comedy scene, and one of the foremost kings of that comedy, J. Anthony Brown is finally receiving the accolades he so justly deserves. A staple on the nationally syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show for over nine years now, he is one of the voices that wake up millions of radio listeners in over 195 markets.

An industry staple, Brown's impressive list of credits include hosting two consecutive seasons of Comic View, performances on Def Jam, It’s Showtime at the Apollo and Evening at the Improv. Writing credits include Tom Joyner TV Show, Steve Harvey’s Big Time, Me and The Boys, The Parent ‘Hood and the Arsenio Hall Show. Movie credits include Tripple X -State of the Union, Mr. 3000, Drumline & How to Be a Player. Television credits include Tom Joyner TV Show on ABC, Tom Joyner Sky Show on TV-One, Dlife-Diabetes Talk Show on CNBC, EVE, Steve Harvey’s Big Time, Like Family, The Parkers, Livin’ Single, The Parent ‘Hood, Martin, Moesha, The Hugley’s, Sparks, and even Oprah.

An innovative businessman as well as comedian, Brown has his own line of products that carry his name, including his own clothing line, “The J. Anthony Brown Collection,” gourmet and multimedia products.

Kim Coles

Actress, comedian and playwright KIM COLES is co-host of In the Loop with iVillage, a live interactive daytime program focusing on relevant and entertainment topics for today’s modern woman. She co-hosts alongside Apprentice winner and entrepreneur Bill Rancic and television personality Ereka Vetrini.

Coles has appeared on numerous hit television programs, including Frasier, Six Feet Under, In Living Color and Living Single. She has also served as co-host for several morning programs, including Fox After Breakfast and Lifetime’s lifestyle magazine, New Attitudes, and has been a guest co-host for various shows, including The View and Good Day Live. She is also known to reality audiences for having appeared on The Mole, VH1’s Celebrity Fit Club and BET’s search for “the next superstar of funny.”

A well-known comedian, Coles performs on comedy club stages across the country and has also taken a turn on the runways in New York as a model, most recently appearing in the Ashley Stewart print campaign. She has also co-written and starred in her own play, Homework, a one-woman stage show.

Coles has been nominated by the NAACP Image Awards four times – for “Best Actress” for Living Single and “Best Supporting Actress” for her role in Frasier.

A.J. Jamal

AJ Jamal is a refreshing comedian who delivers quality comedy that is right for a family or a diverse audience.

AJ’s name is recognized by many from his various TV appearances:  The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, HBO’s Comic Relief, Louie Anderson’s Comedy Showcase, Showtime at the Apollo, Evening at the Improv as well as hosting his own show, the ACE award winning television series “Comic Justice” on Comedy Central. In fact, many remember AJ from his early days as part of the comedic ensemble “In Living Color” on Fox.  As a former IBM computer engineer, AJ has parlayed his analytical and perceptive range of comic vision which evokes laughter the moment he touches the stage.  He possesses a gift of versatility that is evidenced in his every move, whether he is impersonating a wide range of characters or simply recalling some hilarious facet of life or human nature.

AJ is more than simply a funnyman of comedy.  AJ is a human volcano of energy, wit and a clean style that the world has grown to enjoy

Jolanda Jones

Jolanda Jones believes in a Houston where a kid like her can grow up to be a successful lawyer and businesswoman, a homeowner, even a member of City Council, and most importantly, a mom who can afford to give her son the opportunity for a bright future.

Jones credits an excellent public school education and a rich after-school life in sports and community with her successes. Jones attendedHigh School in Houston. She went to the University of Houston, where she was nominated for the Rhodes Scholarship, earned an unprecedented three NCAA heptathlon championships and the title of Greatest Female Athlete of the Century. She graduated magna cum laude with a degree in political science, and later went on to earn her J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center. In 1996, she qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials.

She earned Congressional recognition from the U.S. House of Representatives, a key to the city of Galveston, Texas and three "Jolanda Jones Day" proclamations from the cities of Houston and Galveston. Jones holds numerous Hall of Fame titles, and was recently a contestant on CBS' hit TV show Survivor. Today, Jones works as a successful attorney fighting to reform our criminal justice system. Of course, she'll tell you that her most important job is being a mother to her 16-year-old son.

Marilyn Logan

Marilyn Logan, also known as, "The Money Lady", is a national radio and television personality, business owner, author and motivational speaker.  She is on a mission to "get your money right!" 

Armed with years of experience as a successful investment broker for major corporations and individuals, "The Money Lady" has an in-your-face, pull-no-punches style, which sets her apart from the everyday "stuffed-shirt" financial expert.  Marilyn has the rare ability to tackle serious financial matters with directness and a sense of humor and, if you take her advice seriously, you'll be laughing, instead of crying, all the way to the bank!

She's appeared as an expert discussing finances and relationships on several national shows including the Dr. Phil Show – “Rules of Engagement” series, The Steve Harvey Morning Radio Show, Les Brown's Chicago Speaks Radio Show and The Yolanda Adams Morning Gospel Hour.  She is also a staple on the popular local Houston show Great Day Houston, written several articles for local and national publications and currently serves as money editor for the women’s fashion magazine - UZURI.

Marilyn is the author of, "I Can't Afford To Marry You: a guide to understanding the true cost of love."

J Moss

Born and raised in Detroit, where he still resides today, J. Moss hails from gospel music royalty as the nephew of Gospel’s legendary Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, the cousin of her daughters - the inimitable Clark Sisters - and the son of Bill Moss, Sr., founder of the ‘70s Gospel act Bill Moss & The Celestials. Singing since the age of four, at his father’s prompting; J grew up in an environment where music was the focal point of life itself. After J spent time as a part-time Celestial, his father paired him with his brother, Bill Jr., in a group called The Moss Brothers, which continued for the next seven years, recording two major label albums. J’s parents and brother were all gifted keyboardists, so he naturally picked up the piano, eventually taking several years of formal lessons. His father also constantly encouraged him to pursue his songwriting skills. Having written much of the Moss Brothers’ material, he had become a skilled songwriter by the time he headed for college.

And with the all-access pass that J and PAJAM have earned thanks to the string of highly influential projects they have produced in both Gospel and urban pop music, he has assembled an impressive guest list of talent that includes label mate trio 21:03 and  Kierra “Kiki” Sheard (on "Jump"); Byron Cage and Pastor Marvin Winans (on “We Love You”); “PDA” of PAJAM (on “Florida”); Kirk Franklin (on "Dance/777-9311"); and Anthony Hamilton (on “Let It Go”).

Ken Patterson

Ken Patterson is the Manager of Market Development for Edward Jones Investments.

Ken began his career in the Financial Services Industry as a Financial Consultant with Merrill Lynch in 1997. After two years of service Ken accepted the opportunity to lead an equity trading team for Platinum Investors at Charles Schwab and Co. In 2001, Ken joined Edward Jones as a Financial Advisor and in 2005 was asked to lead the firm's Inclusion Markets Initiative; which is the position he currently holds. Ken is the firm's subject matter expert in ethnic marketing.

Courtney Johnson Rose

Ms. Rose entered the real estate business in the year 2000. Armed with a vision, determination and a foundation of faith, she was resolute to stand out from Houston’s crowded market. Since then, her hard work has paid off and she is becoming a rising star in the real estate industry.

At 28 years old, Courtney Johnson Rose has been selected by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and the REALTOR® Magazine as one of their "30 under 30" for 2007. This award features top realtors across the United States who have maintained the status of being on top in the real estate industry before hitting their prime. She was also awarded “Realtist of the Year” in 2006 by National Association of Real Estate Brokers. Most recently, Courtney has been honored by Rolling Out magazine as one of Houston’s Top 25 Women for 2007. In addition, she has been nominated for Black Enterprises’ annual “40 under 40” list highlighting successful young African Americans around the country.

Jonathan Sprinkles

Jonathan Sprinkles keeps it real when he steps to the mic. He's funny, his energy keeps the audience on the edge of their seats, and he pulls no punches. His style is interactive, not “act like you’re interested.” His humor and unforgettable stories show people how to be authentic, live with strong character, and avoid dream-robbers in everyday life.

Jonathan, with his quick wit and down-home style of "teaching beautiful people to act like it" will make you feel like you've known him your entire life. His techniques help turn everyday people into extraordinary performers.

Craig A. Washington

Upon graduation from law school, Mr. Washington served Texas Southern University Law School as Assistant Dean and Assistant Professor of Law, teaching a course in legislation.  He taught a political science course in the Afro-American Studies Program at the University of Houston.  Mr. Washington returned to his alma mater, as Distinguished Visiting Professor, to teach Evidence and Criminal Law.

Washington was the founding partner of Washington & Randle (later Washington, Lampley, Evans, & Braquet), in Houston. He is licensed to practice law before the Supreme Court of Texas, the United States District Courts of the Southern, Western, Eastern, and Northern Districts of Texas, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, the United States Supreme Court and has had eight cases before the Supreme Court.

Representative Washington is well known for his consistent support of civil rights and civil liberties and for his efforts to increase the participation of women and minorities in the political process.  Highlights of his legislative career include passage of bills creating the Texas Department of Aging, increasing monthly payments to recipients of Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), limiting state investments in businesses involved with South Africa, addressing the needs of people with disabilities, and coordinating Texas’ fight against AIDS.

Leroy Williams

Funny, exciting, and side splittingly hilarious are just a few word that have been used to describe Leroy Williams aka “Hypno Bro”, comedy show.

Williams stumbled into an open mic night at a local comedy club on a whim, and took first place. After winning his first gig Williams was hooked.

He paid his dues the old fashioned way by working on the road and local comedy stops in his hometown of Houston. This experience proved invaluable as Leroy learned how to keep an audience in stitches. Today he is one of the most highly sought after comedians / entertainer in the country.

Having appeared on BET's Comic View, opening for such notable acts as Steve Harvey, Cedric the Entertainer and D.C. Curry. Leroy added hypnosis to his repertoire to the delight of audiences in clubs, colleges and corporate events nationwide. Williams is a regular on the Tom Joyner Morning Show’s Fantastic Voyage, and is guaranteed to have attendees at the Houston Black Expo rolling in the aisles.