BREAK EVERY CHAIN ~ INAUGURAL MASTER CLASS

Schedule of Events

11:00 AM - 12:15 PM -   LUNCH Served 

12:15 PM -   1:00 PM -   Introduction and Remarks 

1:00   PM -   2:10 PM -   Master Class ZOOM Presentation 

FEATURING:

The Queen Mother - Mangye Naa Amiami Osuowaa Okropong I -  "Mother Who Loves and Protects All of Her Children"  

Enstooled June 2023 by a Delegation from Ghana 

Professor Emerita Vivian Lee Washington Filer, CEO & Founder of The Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center /

85-Year-Old Phenom Serving Others

~ PLEASE PURCHASE AND SELECT YOUR LUNCHEON OPTION BELOW ~

This MASTER CLASS PRESENTATION is a fundraisier for the Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center.

If you cannot attend the Master Class, but would like to make a gift to the Cotton Club Museum,

Log-in to the museum website at  https://CottonClubMuseum.com/donate

Along with Academic Experts on Zoom and Collegiate Audiences

Dr. Fran T. Close - Florida A&M University 

Discussion Topic: "Living in America While Black" / The Psychological Impact on Mental Health and Wellness in African Americans

Dr. Michael Patterson - Morehouse College

Discussion Topic: "America's Secret and Successful Strategy" / Disenfranchising Unwed Fathers / Legitimizing Fatherhood

MODERATOR - Dr. Madie Mosley

Owner, 3 Dimensions Life Management, LLC., Retired Educator, Ninth First Lady, Florida A & M University

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Featuring:

The Queen Mother

MANGYE NAA AMIAMI OSUOWAA OKROPONG I

"Mother Who Loves and Protects All of Her Chidlren"

Vivian Lee Washington Filer

Vivian Lee Washington was born on June 6, 1938 in Trenton, FL, a small, segregated town that offered very few oportunities for African Americans. Vivian began her education in a one room school with inadequate teaching tools. Her parents chose to relocate to Gainesville, FL in search of a better life and future for their children. However, at 6-years-old Vivian sought out challenges. She discovered the adventure of climbing trees and testing the strength of the branches. If the boys could do it then so could she. Vivian speaks fondly of afternoon strolls through the neighborhood with her mother and sisters greeting and noticing the "lay of the land" - segregated, but what did that all mean? They would soon find out the answer to that question. It took courage to move to a new city in search of opportunity, but such a move made common sense!

In 1945, the 7-year-old Vivian could instinctively surmise that life was indeed better in Gainesville. She was now enrolled in "All Black" Lincoln Elementary School and because of her love for learning and exploration she was put in third grade since she had skipped first grade in Trenton. Her parents philosophy of teaching "as you go" provided valuable practical life lessons that she recounts even today. The Washington family grew in size, fortitude and renewed hope. Their parents tried to impress upon their daughters the virtues of "courage, common sense, and insight" - three friends for life. Vivian graduated in 1956 and married her soulmate on March 23, 1958. Vivian and her husband Delano lived devotedly for 51 years until his passing in 2009. The Filers were blessed with two sons, Delano Filer, Jr. and Craig Xavier Filer.

Academic Experts:

Dr. Michael Patterson, Ph.D. is an educator, ordained minister and leadership development coach. For decades he has committed his life to empowering and elevating the lives of men, young boys, married couples and parents. His work has been instrumental in strengthening the bonds of families and increasing the effectiveness of teachers and individuals serving in leadership capacities with the youth. A native of Florida, Michael earned a B.A. in Arts History and a Master of Science from Florida State University. He is currently an adjunct professor at Morehouse College and most recently received his doctorate in Education and Organizational Leadership with an emphasis in Higher Education. Finally, he has served as a full-time minister for the last 30 years. Currently, he serves as one of the pastors for the Path Church, a dynamic growing congregation, located in the city of Atlanta, GA. With an undying passion for equipping and inspiring black males and families, Michael continues to make an indelible mark on the lives of everyone he touches. His mentoring sessions and workshops inspire growth and success in both children and adults and places them on a trajectory toward a successful and fulfilling life. He shares his knowledge, insight and proven strategies with audiences nationwide.  He is married to Shawn Patterson: author, motivational speaker and behavioral specialist. They have two adult children.

Dr. Fran T. Close, Ph.D. is a full professor of Behavioral Science and Health Education in the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science/Institute of Public Health at Florida A&M Univesity (FAMU). An accomplished public health researcher with a focus on community based participatory research in underserved communitites, Dr. Close has been the Principal Investigator or Co-Principal Investigator on grants totaling over $4 million during her tenure at FAMU. Because of her outstanding work, Dr. Close was appointed by the State Surgeon General to the Intra-Agency Workshop on Infant Mortality Prevention External Review Workgroup. In addition, she was recently elected to serve as the Vice President of the Healthy Start Mom Care Nework Board of Directors for the state of Florida. Dr. Close is currently serving as a Co-Investigator on the "Maternal and Child Health Disparities: An HBCU Partnership Initiative funded by the Gates Foundation. Dr. Close is a member of the Mental Health Council of the Big Bend, where she serves as the Chair of the ENGAGE committee focusing on the stigma of Mental Health in the African American community. Dr. Close holds a doctorate degree in Pharmacology/Toxicology from Florida A&M University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Science from Florida State University. She is married to Dr. Billy R. Close. Out of all of this, Dr. Close considers the title of "Mommy" her greatest accomplishment. She is mother of three beautiful daughters, Nia, Nataki and Nyla.