Speakers & Performers

Speakers

Richard Milner

H. Richard Milner IV is Helen Faison Endowed Chair of Urban Education, Professor of Education, Professor of Social Work (by courtesy), Professor of Sociology (by courtesy) and Professor of Africana Studies (by courtesy) as well as Director of the Center for Urban Education at the University of Pittsburgh. In addition, he is a fellow of the American Educational Research Association. His research, teaching and policy interests concern urban education, teacher education, African American literature, and the social context of education. In particular, Professor Milner’s research examines practices and policies that support teacher success in urban schools. Professor Milner’s work has appeared in numerous journals, and he has published five books. His book, published in 2010 by Harvard Education Press, is: Start where you are but don’t stay there, which represents years of research and development effort. He is also author of Rac(e)ing to Class (Harvard Education Press, 2015).

Michael G. Thompson, Ph.D.

Michael G. Thompson, Ph.D. is a consultant, author and psychologist specializing in children and families. He is the supervising psychologist for the Belmont Hill School and has worked in more than seven hundred schools across the United States, as well as in international schools in Central America, Europe, Africa and Asia.

He and his co-author, Dan Kindlon, wrote the New York Times best-selling book, Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys (Ballantine Books, 1999). He is the author of Speaking of Boys: Answers to the Most-Asked Questions about Raising Sons (Ballantine, 2000), and co-author (with Catherine O’Neill Grace and Larry Cohen, Ph.D.) of Best Friends/Worst Enemies: Understanding the Social Lives of Children (Ballantine, 2001) and Mom, They’re Teasing Me: Helping Your Child Solve Social Problems (Ballantine, 2002.) About Best Friends, Worst Enemies the Publishers Weekly review declared, “Not since Dr. Spock and Penelope Leach has there been such a sensitive and practical guide to raising healthy children.” The Pressured Child: Helping Your Child Achieve Success in School and in Life (with Teresa Barker, Ballantine, 2004) was written to help parents understand the complex journey of children through school, from Kindergarten through senior year. His third book on the psychology of boys, entitled, It’s a Boy!: Understanding Your Son’s Development from Birth to Eighteen, was published in 2008. It focuses on the importance of undirected, free play in the lives of boys. Dr. Thompson’s newest book, Homesick and Happy: How Time Away From Parents Can Help a Child Grow, was published by Ballantine Books in May of 2012.

Tavian Vassar

Tavian Vassar is a Worcester Public School graduate and current student at Bucknell University. Tavian was the recipient of the Worcester Boys & Girl's Club 2016 Youth of the Year Award. Tavian was recognized for being a hard-working and dedicated young man who had been actively involved in their leadership and job readiness programs. He has also worked in Kid’s Café and participated in Club activities such as boxing, the games room, and the learning center. He has also completed several hours of volunteer work at Doherty Memorial High School.

Youth Performers

Antonio Rivera

Antonio Rivera is a Worcester native who grew up in Lincoln Village Worcester Massachusetts. Antonio was diagnosed as having disabilities, has lived in foster homes and residential programs, but has not allowed these things to stop his progress. He is a hard-working and very resilient person. Antonio has won motor bike tournaments, has enrolled back into school, and is using his music to overcome his disabilities. He would like to use his music to help other people overcome their disabilities, as well as inspire hope for others.

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