ColumbiaSC

Confirmed Speakers

• Jay Bender
  Jay Bender is a local attorney and professor at the University of South Carolina. Jay has been a tireless advocate for First Amendment rights and has played a leading role in expanding SC's Freedom of Information Act.
• Anna Bigham
  Anna Bigham is the founder and executive director of Hidden Wounds, a non-profit organization that provides interim and emergency counseling services to ensure the psychological health and well-being of combat veterans and their families
• Teresa Coles
  Teresa Coles is a partner at Riggs Partners -- a creative marketing brand consultancy -- and co-founder of CreateAthon, a 24 hour creative marathon that provides pro bono marketing services to non-profits nationwide.
• Julius Fridricksson
  Julius Fridricksson is the director of the Aphasia Laboratory at the University of South Carolina, where he seeks to clarify the relationship between brain damage and speech/language impediments. His work has led to significant breakthroughs in helping stroke victims regain their ability to speak.
• Stuart Hamilton
  Dr. Stuart Hamilton is the founder of the Eau Claire Cooperative Health Center, established to provide comprehensive, high quality, compassionate medical care in the spirit of the Good Samaritan. With minimal financial support, he has provided medical care for one-third of the poor in Lexington and Richland Counties in South Carolina.
• Bedrua Jazic
  Bedrua Jazic is the Director of Refugee Resettlement Services for Lutheran Family Services in the Carolinas, one of only 10 national US voluntary resettlement agencies.
• Christine Johnson
  Christine Johnson is the executive director of SC Equality, the state's leading Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) advocacy organization.
• Eric McClam
  Eric McClam is the co-founder and manager of City Roots, an urban farm focused on sustainable farming methods and supporting the local community.
• Cheri Brown Thompson
  Cheri Brown Thompson is the founder of The Healing Species, a unique educational program that uses rescued dogs to teach compassion and build character in at-risk youth.
• John Zubizarreta
  Dr. John Zubizarreta is a professor of English and director of Honors and Faculty Development at Columbia College. In 2010, he was name US Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation.