Speaker Biography

Ms. Monique Stevens

Speaker Biography: Ms. Monique Stevens is a local teacher and mother who has been involved for decades in activities promoting the principals of racial equality and the oneness of mankind. Monique speaks frequently at public meetings addressing these and other issues from her perspective as a member of the Bahá’í Faith. Most recently, Monique has […] Read More

Mr. Rainn Wilson

Rainn Wilson is an American actor, comedian, writer, director, businessman, and producer. He is best known for his role as Dwight Schrute on the NBC sitcom The Office, for which he earned three consecutive Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. According to, “looktothestars.org,” Rainn supports 10 charities, 18 causes, and […] Read More

Dr. Lameh Fananapazir

Dr. Lameh Fananapazir was born in Iran and spent his youth in Africa. He is a graduate of Edinburgh Medical School. He trained in Cardiology and further specialized in Electrophysiology at Duke Medical Center. He worked for 15 years as a research scientist at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland studying causes of […] Read More

Professor Emeritus – John S. Hatcher, PhD.

Speaker Biography: John S. Hatcher is Professor Emeritus in English literature at the University of South Florida in Tampa where he taught for forty years. He is a poet, lecturer, translator, and author, having published twenty-five books, some of which have been translated into French, Spanish, Italian, Chinese German, and Norwegian. He has also published […] Read More

Dr. George Via

Speaker Biography: Dr. George Via, JD, Esq., has been a trial attorney with two Public Defender’s Offices for most of his 30 years as a Florida attorney, helping poor people as they struggle against the unyielding influences of institutionalized racism and inherent bias.  If nothing else, he has learned how to investigate matters, uncover hidden things, […] Read More

Mr. Anthony Ballard

Speaker Biography: Mr. Anthony Ballard has been involved in the field of communications for nearly four decades. After spending 10 years as a speech-language pathologist, he was chosen to join the faculty of Saint Petersburg College as a professor of speech communication. After having taught courses that centered on public speaking for 10 years, Mr. […] Read More

Mr. Payam Naghdi

Mr. Payam Naghdi is a Baha’i from Welwyn Garden City, Herts, UK. He is a Software Engineer and Entrepreneur who has worked on a number of successful projects within the gaming, healthcare, and retail sectors. Payam graduated with an MS in Computer Science from City University London, and is currently working for the United Kingdom […] Read More

M.D. PhD Vafa Bayat

Vafa Bayat, M.D. PhD. is a research scientist and physician with diverse diagnostic and basic research training from Baylor College of Medicine and Stanford University in neurodegeneration, genetic diseases, and oncology/pathology. I have a broad range of professional, hands-on experience including:Managing complex collaborations on large research projectsFinancial strategyBusiness DevelopmentMentoringProject development and presentationComputer and analytical skillsVafa Bayat […] Read More

Dr. Ghasem Bayat

Dr. Ghasem Bayat is a specialist in the exploration and production of oil and gas. This has led him to serve in many oil and gas-producing provinces around the world over the past forty-five years. He has authored many industrial and scientific articles in his areas of expertise.  The Protection of the environment through the prevention […] Read More