2006 Conference Speakers
Helen Zia
Helen Zia is the author of Asian American Dreams: The Emergence of an American People, a finalist for the prestigious Kiriyama Pacific Rim Book Prize. President Bill Clinton quoted from Asian American Dreams at two separate speeches in the Rose Garden. She is also coauthor, with Wen Ho Lee, of My Country Versus Me, which reveals what happened to the Los Alamos scientist who was falsely accused of being a spy for China in the "worst case since the Rosenberg's."
Zia is an award-winning journalist and former Executive Editor of Ms. Magazine. Her articles, essays and reviews have appeared in numerous publications, books and anthologies. She was named one of the "Most Influential Asian Americans of the Decade" by A. Magazine. She has received numerous journalism awards for her groundbreaking stories; her investigation of date rape at the University of Michigan led to campus demonstrations and an overhaul of its policies, while her research on women who join neo-Nazi and white supremacist organizations provoked new thinking on the relationship between race and gender violence in hate crimes.
A second generation Chinese American, Zia has been outspoken on issues ranging from civil rights and peace to women's rights and countering hate violence and homophobia. In 1997 she testified before the US Commission on Civil Rights on the racial impact of the news media.
Zia traveled to Beijing in 1995 to the UN Fourth World Congress on Women as part of a "Journalists of Color" delegation. She has appeared in numerous news programs and films; her work on the Asian American landmark civil rights case of anti-Asian violence is documented in the Academy Award nominated film, Who Killed Vincent Chin? and she was profiled in Bill Moyers' PBS documentary, Becoming American: The Chinese Experience.
Zia received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the Law School of the City University of New York for bringing important matters of law and civil rights into public view. She is a graduate of Princeton University's first graduating class of women. She quit medical school after completing two years, then went to work as a construction laborer, an autoworker, and a community organizer, after which she discovered her life's work as a writer.
Mark Barthelemy
Mark Barthelemy began his duties as the City of Decatur's Human Relations specialist on January 28, 2006. Discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, marital status, handicap, sexual orientation, or unfavorable discharge from the military service is prohibited by City of Decatur code. The Human Relations Specialist is responsible for investigating all allegations of unlawful discrimination against unfair public contract practices, unfair employment practices, unfair financial credit practices, unfair housing practices, unequal public places of accommodation practices, and non-compliance with the city's affirmative action program.
In addition, the Human Relations Specialist is charged with investigating City employee misconduct, gathering evidence and information for civil litigation against the City, as well as in preparation for grievance and arbitration proceedings. The Human Relations Specialist also conducts pre-employment background investigations.
Mr. Barthelemy retired as Decatur's chief of Police on January 27, 2006. He was a thirty-year veteran of the Police Department. He is a native of Decatur, holds a B.A. from Millikin University in Sociology and is a graduate of the 172nd Session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
Mr. Barthelemy has served on the Board of Directors of the Decatur Boys & Girls Club for eighteen years, including a three year term as President of the Board. He also serves on the Boards of Webster-Cantrell Hall and the Decatur Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.
He is married to wife Vickie, and has four daughters, and three grandchildren.
Dr. Mark Taylor
Dr. Mark Taylor has over twenty-five years of experience in higher education, management and the helping professions. He holds a Bachelors degree in Psychology and Biology, a Masters degree in Social Work and a Doctorate in Counseling, all from the University of Arkansas.
Dr. Taylor was most recently the Director of Guidance Services at Arkansas State University at Beebe where he was responsible for counseling, disability, career, testing, academic advising, orientation, housing/ residence life, student activities/leadership, student success programming and other student services. He left that position in January 2006 to continue his research and programs to improve educational services to Generation NeXt, and the other students we serve.
Dr. Taylor has been licensed as a psychotherapist in Arkansas since 1981. He has also worked as a college professor and academic administrator, medical administrator and clinical psychotherapist. His resume reflects over 100 professional publications and presentations at state, regional, and national events in 20 states. His eye-opening perspectives grounded in data and the literature, practical suggestions and humorous presentation style has made him a popular training consultant with numerous schools, colleges and professional organizations.