Presenters

• Cassandra Pierre

  Cassandra Pierre is a passionate advocate for social justice and is sensitive to the unique needs and cultures of the South Florida communities. Ms. Pierre was born and raised in Haiti. Her mother and father were educators who worked as public
  servants, helping the less fortunate. Their fervent desire to help those in need instilled the same passion in Ms. Pierre. In 2000, she earned a law degree from the State University of Haiti. A few years later, she immigrated to the United States.
  
  After Ms. Pierre came to the United States, she pursued her education and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Florida Atlantic University in 2007. About two years later, she earned a Master of Social Work from Barry University in 2009. As a social worker, Ms. Pierre worked with underserved communities, affecting change for minorities and contributing to society. She later earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law in 2016.
  
  While in law school, Ms. Pierre interned at the University of Miami Immigration Clinic, where she represented clients in removal proceedings and participated in advocacy projects to improve human rights for noncitizens. Also, Ms. Pierre interned at the University of Miami Children and Youth Law Clinic, representing clients in dependency proceedings. Moreover, she was honored to work as a staff editor for the University of Miami Race and Social Justice Law Review.
  
  Ms. Pierre currently serves as an Assistant Public Defender. In this capacity, she combines her legal and social work skills to provide the best representation for her clients. Her passion for advocacy and social justice has
  inspired her to pursue a career in public service.
  

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• Dexter Thomas

  Dex has been doing motivational speaking around the world for the past 15 years, speaking in hundreds of organizations and to over 20,000 in-dividuals in 10 countries. His heart is to teach practical tools for improving every area of our life.
  
  Dexter knows about motivation and overcoming because he has over-come significant difficulties in his own life. Born blind into a poor fam-ily of eight children on the Island of Trinidad, his early life had many limitations. As a young adult, he was in a serious accident in which he was severely injured and nearly died.
  
  In spite of these early obstacles, he went on to achieve several signifi-cant milestones, including earning two Masters degrees and a doctor-ate in U.S. schools. He has traveled and spoken extensively throughout the United States and the Caribbean, as well as in Europe and Asia, speaking in 10 countries so far. He was the founder of an outreach to the poor and homeless in Oakland, California. He is currently the founding director of a nonprofit that services the blind community. In addition, he has several inventions and products under development, runs a real estate business, and has written three books:
  
  - From Rags to Ruin: Stories and Sermons from a Street Preacher
  - Messy Revival: Funny Stories for a Change
  - 40 Days of Power: An innovative approach to improving your wellbeing and maximizing your potential

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• Elizabeth Thomas