Specialty Topics: • Leadership (Personal & Corporate) • Effective Management • Communication Workshop • Engagement (Corporate & Organizational Management) • Parenting Workshop • Life Coaching • Sales Training • Colon Cancer

Virgil G. Thornton, Sr., President (2000-present, Based in VA), 
​Virgil G. Thornton, Sr. is a native of Virginia. He has been happily married
for 33 years to Dr. Michelle-Boone Thornton, a college professor. Virgil is a proud father of twin daughters and one son. He is a Certified Foster and Respite Care Parent, a member of the Hampton Roads Committee of 200 Plus Men mentoring and education, and a certified member of the John C. Maxwell Leadership, Speaking and Coaching Group. As General Manager of Dodge, Infiniti, and Lexus dealerships in Alabama and Virginia and owning several businesses in the Food Service and the Recording Industry, he has led several teams and hundreds of individual meets and exceeded their business and personal goals. He currently serves as President of CMV Communicators LLC, which provides Public Speaking, Leadership Training, and Personal development services.

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His speaking/training engagements include Guest speaker for several National Automotive Dealer Association Academy Commencements, the motivational speaker for Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., Alpha Beta Zeta Chapter's annual retreat, Hampton University Youth Leadership Conference, HU Student Assessment Department, City of Hampton Parks and Recreation Northampton Community Center Keynote Speaker, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia Annual Gala. Additionally, Mr. Thornton was a keynote speaker and communications trainer for The Virginia Peninsula Chapter of the Association of United States Government Accountants/Auditors (AGA) and the American Society of Military Comptrollers (ASMC) Hampton Roads Chapter. Lastly, Mr. Thornton has been ranked by the International Toastmasters organization standards as one of the top 27 competition speakers in the world. He is driven by his family business mantra - “Our true potential is realized only after we have totally engaged ourselves into a meaningful devour.” ​​

Specialty Topics: • Parenting Children with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders • Motivating Children to Achieve • Accessing School Resources and Accommodations • Managing Grief and Loss • Understanding Psychiatric Disorders • Developmental vs. Chronological Age • Teach Your Child to Celebrate Life • Parenting Gifted Children • Educating African American Males • Building & Sustaining Healthy Relationships - Family - Marriage - Parent/Child • A Woman's World: Fulfilling all the Titles

Dr. Michelle Boone-Thornton (Based in VA)
​Dr. Michelle Boone-Thornton’s goal for her Transforming Your Reality Removing the Mask series is to uplift and inspire people all over the world to be all that God created them to be by helping them improve their emotional wellbeing, discover their purpose, uncover gifts and talents, and connect with their true authentic self.
Dr. Michelle Boone-Thornton has worked alongside domestic and international leaders. She is an award-winning international speaker, author, and humanitarian. In 2023, she was appointed World Civility Ambassador by IChange Nations for her global contributions and was awarded the International Peace Award by the International by the International College of Peace Studies Nairobi Kenya. She was the recipient of the Builders Legacy Award in 2023, and also received the highest honor given by the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club the prestigious Sojourner Truth Award. In 2022, she received the IChange Nations Astell Collins Generation Leader award (2022). Throughout her career, Ambassador Boone-Thornton has been honored and awarded as a leader, for her service as an educator and in the community.
Ambassador Boone-Thornton is currently the Assistant Program Director, Ph.D. in Counseling & Psychological Studies and Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling Ministries at Regent University and just recently began her new career at her alma mater. Previously, she worked as a tenured Associate professor and Associate Chair of the Undergraduate Human Services program at Saint Leo University.

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While at Saint Leo she developed several online courses but two that were child specific were Intellectual Disabilities and Child Welfare. Her written work exposed the trauma that impacts vulnerable population as it relates to education, mental health, spirituality, and emotional wellness. This is evident in her published journal articles, Job Burnout Causes and Prevention from the Human Services Perspective. It focuses on the emotional wellbeing of the “helper” service provider and the importance of soul care, self-care, and team care. The article, Teaching in a Pandemic Era: Special Considerations, addresses the impact of COVID on vulnerable students to include migrant, undocumented, those on the spectrum, and with emotional and behavioral disorders. In addition, Michelle co-authored and presented an international paper in Spain on using a business model to enhance community needs assessments models. A tool to identify who needs help and needed resources. Ambassador Boone-Thornton served as a visiting professor at the Universidad de Comillas while in Madrid Spain, in June 2019.
As a published author, Dr. Boone-Thornton is well known for her Transforming Your Reality Removing the Mask series. She uses her work in this area to uplift and inspirepeople all over the world to be all that God created them to be by helping them improve their emotional wellbeing, discover their purpose, uncover gifts and talents, and connect with their true authentic self.
Dr. Boone-Thornton has served as keynote and guest speaker at conferences, churches, corporations, non-profits, universities, and government agencies all over the world. She has appeared on syndicated talk, radio, and television shows on iHeartRadio, Sirus XM, Hulu and Roku TV, YouTube and Facebook and was recently featured in the Distinguished Women magazine’s Summer 2023 edition.
Michelle has over 20 years of experience in the field of mental health and is registered by the Commonwealth of Virginia as a Qualified Mental Health Provider-Child. Dr. Boone-Thornton has been in education for fifteen years, seven in K-12 Title-I Schools, and eight years in higher education. Dr. Boone-Thornton was recently awarded a grant by City of Hampton for the development and implementation of a Conflict Resolution curriculum that addresses youth violence and prevention.
Michelle has earned a doctorate from Regent University in Educational Psychology. A master’s in urban education Guidance and Counseling and a bachelor’s in social work from Christopher Newport University. Dr. Boone-Thornton is very active in her community and serves as the Board Chair forthe Virginia Alcohol  Commission’s Peninsula Action Safety Program. She is the vice- chair for the Natasha House -a transient program for homeless women and their children and serves on the Virginia Peninsula Community College Advisory Board.

Most importantly, she has been married to her husband Virgil Thornton Sr., for 34 years and they have three adult children, Courtney, Marrisa, and Virgil, II. Michelle and her husband have been foster parents since 2012 providing permanent and respite care.

Specialty Topics: • Transitioning Into College • Navigating Residential Life • Helping Parents Let Go of the Reigns • Getting Involved On-Campus

Marrisa Thornton, (Based in MD)
Marrisa Thornton currently works as a Program Analyst for the U.S. Census Bureau. She previously worked in the Higher Education sector within Student Services. Marrisa also works as a freelance content editor and has edited fiction novels and nonfiction publications. She uses the name ARTICULATE as her editing brand, as she hopes to help people articulate their stories and thoughts in a way that audiences can easily understand and enjoy.

Marrisa was born and raised in Hampton, VA. She later moved to Madison, AL where she attended Bob Jones High School. She earned her B.S. from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and master’s degree from George   Mason University. She currently resides in the DC Metro area and can be found reading, baking, or hula hooping during her free time.

Specialty Topics: • Helping students gain an interest in STEM - Female - Minorities • Mentoring At-Risk Students • Critical Thinking • Strategic Planning • Time Management

Courtney Thornton, (Based in AL)
​Courtney Thornton is a Department of Defense (DoD) civilian working as an Electronics Engineer for the Air Force. She graduated from Hampton University in 2013 with a bachelor's in Electrical Engineering and a bachelor's in Computer Engineering. At Hampton, she joined the National Society of Black Engineers and Society of Women Engineers. During her junior year, she joined Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., serving as chapter president and leading the chapter to recognition as the 2012 National Undergraduate Chapter of the Year. She was also individually acknowledged as Chapter Member of the Year. At Hampton, she worked as an intern, conducting wind tunnel and impact landing testing for NASA at Langley Research Center. Courtney Michelle Thornton has earned a Masters' in Military Operational Art & Science with a concentration in Military Space Strategy.

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As a senior electronics engineer for the Air Force Spectrum Management Office in Fort Meade, MD, Ms. Thornton provided professional technical advice in developing plans, policies, procedures, and directives to achieve and maintain electromagnetic spectrum for terrestrial, aeronautical, and space systems deployed worldwide. She helped coordinate supportability for combat system operations deploying outside the continental United States. She was directly responsible for supporting U.S. Strategic Command, Transportation Command, Special Operation Command, Central Command, and Northern Command. Ms. Thornton served as the primary Air Force representative for the national Emergency Planning Subcommittee. She determined Air Force emergency communications and interoperability procedures and coordinates Continuity of Operations Plan exercises. In 2016, she completed the Air Force Leadership Certification Program in San Antonio, Texas, and the Undergraduate Cyber Training program in Biloxi, Mississippi, an in-residence training covering cyberspace domain fundamentals and operations.
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In 2018, Ms. Thornton received a coin from the Vice Commander of the Air Force Space Command for exceptional service to the Air Force and support of the warfighter. She was awarded the 2018 and 2020 NAACP Roy Wilkins Renown Service Award for supporting the DoD mission and epitomizing the qualities and core values of the Air Force. As a trailblazer, she was honored at the 2021 BEYA STEM Conference with the Black Engineer of the Year, Science Spectrum Trailblazer award for her accomplishments within the STEM fields, and community service in the Hampton Roads, VA, and Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Additionally, she received the 2021 Headquarters Air Force Blacks in Government Meritorious Service Award for epitomizing the Air Force Core Values of Integrity, Excellence, and Service before self. She is a primary selection for the Air Command Staff College development education program. This program educates mid-career officers and civilians in developing, leading, advancing, and applying air and space power across the spectrum of service, joint, and combined military operations in preparation for senior-level command and staff responsibilities. In May 2022, she will receive a Master of Military Operational Art and Science for completing the program.  
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As a black female engineer, Ms. Thornton realizes the importance and necessity of diversity in the workplace. Her goal is to inspire African American girls, teenagers, and women to pursue careers in STEM. As recognition for being a trailblazer, the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Club honored her with the 2017 and 2018 awards for community service to youth in Hampton Roads and Washington D.C. Ms. Thornton volunteers as a mentor for students from under-resourced and underrepresented communities. She dedicates herself to mentoring female high school students in D.C. Each session discusses business development, STEM vocations, and provides academic and life skills in preparation for college and career success. Ms. Thornton believes in extending opportunities to succeed no matter how seemingly difficult. In conjunction with her involvement at Gallaudet University, a deaf college, she advocates for rights and equality in education, employment, and overall quality of life for all deaf. She is dedicated to supporting Hampton University and serves as an executive board member of the Hampton-Prince George’s County Maryland Alumni Chapter. She has an impact in her career and community, pride for her alma mater, and a lifelong commitment to the Standard of Excellence. Courtney Michelle Thornton has earned a Masters' in Military Operational Art & Science with a concentration in Military Space Strategy.

Specialty Topics: • Exploring Your Dreams • How to Write and Publish A Book • Failing 101 • Ignore Those Who Say "You Can’t Do That!" • Next Generation of Leaders • We Are Warriors (Teen Leadership Skills) • I Want to Write A Book - The Creative Process • I Wrote A Book, Now What? - Self-Publishing • If You Want Something Done... - Project Management • Understanding Your Limits - Asset Outsourcing

Virgil G. Thornton, II, (Based in MD)
Virgil Thornton is a recent graduate of Virginia Tech, receiving his Bachelors of Science in Civil Engineering and a dual minor in Green Engineering and Creative Writing. He currently works as an Environmental Engineer with the Division of Environmental Protection at the National Institutes of Health.
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Outside of work, Virgil enjoys exploring his creative writing capabilities. He published his first action-fantasy novel, Crescent of Darkness, in 2018, following it with the sequel Tales of Vagary in 2020. Currently, he is working on a number of creative projects, including another book and a YouTube series.
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​James Bonds
Not many people can proclaim being born to serve people, but that’s exactly the destiny pre-ordained for Coach James Bonds. After many years of working in senior management level positions for companies such as Sam’s Club, Best Buy, Pep-Boys, CompUSA, and Dealer Partner with Mercedes
Benz and senior level management for BMW & Audi auto dealers, Coach Bonds discovered that his greatest joy as a manager came from developing and inspiring his staff to reach their goals, both personally & professionally.

In 2008, James made the decision to dedicate his life’s work towards bringing out success in others. After completing the John C Maxwell Independent Certified Coaching and Speaking program in August of 2014, Coach Bonds has positioned himself to fully implement his gift and purpose of serving others.

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Coach Bonds is a husband, a father, and a grandfather of two. He is married to Nechell Bonds and currently resides in Rockwall, TX. He is a past Toastmaster VPPR elected 3 years in a row.
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As founder and CEO, Coach Bonds launched Well Driven Life.com, an online
environment for people to experience engaging, honest, and unbiased life-changing and motivational content. Having Coach Bonds as a life coach is a highly personal experience; he shares his own life’s lessons and toolbox of resources to help his clients realize their potential and live in their purpose.
Living a Well Driven Life is making the commitment to adopt a lifestyle that leads to health and wellness in every area of life. Coach Bonds’ approach to life performance coaching is a two-way process designed to directly impact the choices that most affect a person’s personal and professional outcomes. From CEO to Secretary or recent college graduate, Coach James Bonds believes that life performance coaching benefits all.

Dexter Godfrey, Executive Coach, Speaker, Trainer, and Author
​Dexter is a well-known international Executive Coach, speaker, and trainer, who is highly sought after by organizations, CEO’s, and companies across the country.

In the business arena, he is well known for motivating people through comical, yet real stories that teach life and business principles for great leadership, teamwork, accepting personal responsibility, character, and integrity.

Dexter has coached, trained, and mentored various leaders, sales professionals, managers, and CEO’s in the areas of business, education, real estate, customer service, teamwork, marriage, and other relationship-based fields.

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As a founding member of the John Maxwell Team, Dexter is a Certified John Maxwell Speaker, Coach, and Trainer. As a leadership expert coach and keynote speaker, Dexter works with companies that understand the value of personal growth. He also helps them as they thrive to sharpen their current leadership skills and develop a larger pool of emerging leaders within their organization.

Dexter holds a degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Management. Also, as a Maxwell Method Certified DISC Behavioral Analysis Trainer and Certified Professional Behavioral Analyst, Dexter uses individual and team assessments to help companies and teams grow and work together more effectively. In turn, this helps his clients to hire and retain the most qualified candidates so they can work together to accomplish their organizational goals.

In addition to writing many articles and several books, Dexter is the bestselling author of the book, It’s Who You Know: Top 12 Mistakes People Make Building Relationships...And How to Avoid Them! Dexter equips people to help other individuals, organizations, and businesses to approach a new and higher level of awareness and support for company and individual goals.
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Dexter’s most important goal is to add value to people and help them understand their Authority, Identity and Dominion, and to help individuals and organizations for Global Advancement and Impact.

Barbara H. Smith​, Executive Coach, Celebrity Speaker Trainer Speaker, Author
​Barbara H. Smith is the dynamic force behind a revolution in management philosophy. Renowned as the "Celebrity Speaker Trainer," Barbara illuminates the stage as an internationally esteemed TEDx speaker, Amazon bestselling author, captivating audiences with her transformative communication and leadership strategies.

With a foundation in information technology, Barbara's illustrious 20-year journey in cybersecurity has not only established her as a respected engineer but also as an educator in this critical field. Her expertise extends beyond technical prowess to encompass executive coaching, workforce development, and corporate training, marking her as a leader in bridging the gap between technology and human potential.

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In 2016, Barbara embarked on a new chapter as CEO and founder of BHS & Associates, LLC, a pioneering firm specializing in executive coaching, corporate training, and workforce development solutions. As a certified Small, Minority, and Women (SWaM) owned business, Barbara is a vocal advocate for diversity and inclusion, holding certifications as a Certified Diversity Inclusion Professional and a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) endorsed by the Carolina-Virginia Minority Development Council. But Barbara's impact extends far beyond the corporate realm. She is a catalyst for change, leveraging her platform to empower individuals and communities. Through initiatives like the Natasha House, Barbara embodies her commitment to creating opportunities for all.

But Barbara's impact extends far beyond the corporate realm. She is a catalyst for change, leveraging her platform to empower individuals and communities. Through initiatives like the Natasha House, Barbara embodies her commitment to creating opportunities for all.

Picture Barbara not just as a CEO, but as a guiding light, steering organizations away from the rigid confines of traditional management toward a more collaborative and empowering approach. In her journey, Barbara has witnessed firsthand the limitations of command-and-control structures. It was during her tenure as a cybersecurity expert in the Department of Defense, at the United States Joint Forces Command, that she realized the power of collaboration over coercion.

One incident stands out—a team struggling to meet security objectives under a strict hierarchy. Rather than imposing more rules, Barbara facilitated open dialogue and encouraged team members to take ownership of their tasks. The result? A surge in productivity and morale, demonstrating the transformative potential of a facilitative management style.
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Drawing from her rich experiences, Barbara’s organization, BHS & Associates, crafts customized workshops that serve as beacons of light for managers navigating the complexities of performance management. But these aren't your typical, run-of-the-mill seminars. Barbara infuses each session with vivid anecdotes and practical solutions born from her own trials and triumphs.

Take, for instance, the tale of a manager grappling with a team member's underperformance. Instead of resorting to reprimands, Barbara gently guided the manager through a series of collaborative conversations. Together, they identified obstacles hindering the team member's performance and devised a personalized improvement plan. Through ongoing support and feedback, the once-struggling employee blossomed into a high-performing asset, showcasing the power of empathy and empowerment in driving success.

In Barbara's workshops, participants don't just learn theoretical frameworks—they embark on a journey of self-discovery and transformation. Through interactive exercises and engaging discussions, managers uncover their unique leadership styles and learn to harness the collective genius of their teams.

But Barbara's impact extends far beyond the boardroom. As a champion of diversity and inclusion, she tirelessly advocates for underrepresented voices in the corporate landscape. Whether through her mentorship programs or her support for initiatives like the Natasha House, Barbara is committed to creating opportunities for all.

Picture Barbara not just as a CEO, but as a guiding light, illuminating the path to more inclusive and effective approaches to management. With her infectious enthusiasm and unwavering commitment to excellence, she inspires others to embrace change, challenge the status quo, and unleash their full potential.