Keynote Speakers

Clifton Taulbert is a Pulitzer-nominated author of fourteen books. He has lectured around the globe on the timeless and universal values that build and sustain community worldwide, based upon the content of his critically acclaimed book, Eight Habits of the Heart: Embracing the Values that Build Strong Families and communities. It was read by former United States Supreme Court Justice, Sandra Day O’Connor and resulted in an invitation to Taulbert to address members of the Supreme Court and their guests. His first book became an international best seller, a major motion picture and a requested gift for Nelson Mandela, Once Upon A Time When We Were Colored.

Taulbert’s journey from his native Mississippi Delta has taken multiple turns-many of which defies his imagination.  He quickly assigns his success to the PORCH PEOPLE of the Mississippi Delta—the ordinary people who became extraordinary leaders in his life. No book is written, or lecture given that does not include a story or two about his incredible Porch People.

Dr. Brenda Mendiola is a clinical professor in the department of Educational Leadership, Policy, and Technology Studies at The University of Alabama (UA) where she serves as the Director of the University of Alabama Superintendent’s Academy. Prior to her work at UA, Dr. Mendiola served as a K-12 educator first in New Mexico and then in Texas. Her background includes experience as a teacher, high school principal, curriculum director, and superintendent. In addition to her work with the Superintendent’s Academy, Dr. Mendiola teaches leadership courses, conducts research, and works with others to promote leadership development across the state. She is a Gallup-certified strength coach and a National Association of Elementary School Principal (NAESP) certified mentor. Dr. Mendiola is a Co-Investigator on the Leadership for Character (LFC) project funded by the Kern Family Foundation.

On May 17, 2011, Walt Maddox was sworn in for his fifth term as the City of Tuscaloosa’s 36th Mayor. Since his first inauguration in 2005, Walt has been dedicated to seeing Tuscaloosa reach its greatest potential, and has led the city during tough times. Walt is a Tuscaloosa native and graduated from Central High School in 1991. He earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and master’s degree in public administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

In 1996, Walt began his professional career as a Field Director with the Alabama Education Association. In 2001, he was appointed Executive Director of Personnel for the Tuscaloosa City Schools. In that same year, he was elected as City Councilman for the Sixth District.

Walt has been nationally recognized for his crisis management after April 27, 2011, when an EF-4 tornado destroyed 12.5 percent of the City of Tuscaloosa.  In 2012, Walt was named Municipal Leader of the Year by American City and County for his strong, decisive and comforting leadership.

Dr. Marvin W. Berkowitz is the inaugural Sanford N. McDonnell Professor of Character Education and Co-Director of the Center for Character and Citizenship at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.  He was the inaugural Ambassador H.H. Coors Professor of Character Development at the US Air Force Academy (1999), and Professor of Psychology at Marquette University (1979-1999).

He earned his Ph.D. in Life-span Developmental Psychology at Wayne State University in 1977.

His scholarly focus is in character education and development.  He is author of Parenting for good (2005), You Can’t Teach Through a Rat: And Other Epiphanies for Educators (2012), and more than 100 book chapters, monographs, and journal articles.  His most recent book, PRIMED for Character Education (2021), has been translated into Spanish and Chinese, and been named Best Book of 2023 by the AERA Moral Development and Education SIG.  He is founding co-editor of the Journal of Character Education.  He has served as PI on numerous grant projects (John Templeton Foundation, US Department of Education, NIDA, SJ Bechtel Jr. Foundation, etc.)

Dr. Berkowitz received the Sanford N. McDonnell Lifetime Achievement Award from the Character Education Partnership (2006), the Good Works Award from the Association for Moral Education (2010), the University of Missouri President’s Thomas Jefferson Professorship (2011-12), and the Kuhmerker Career Achievement Award from the Association for Moral Education (2013).

He is co-founder of ComedySportz, a nationally franchised improvisational comedy show, for five years he was author of a weekly newspaper column on parenting for character published in the Topeka (KS) Capitol-Journal, is a two time Missouri State Senior Division Soccer gold medalist (2006, 2007).