MATTHEW STEWARD

Sergeant Matthew Steward is a 34 year veteran of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD), where he is assigned to the Neighborhood Outreach Program. Sergeant Steward is a proud Alumni of Indiana University-Bloomington where he earned his BS Degree in Political Science from the School of Liberal Arts. The founder and President of Steward Speakers a nonprofit community based organization, Sergeant Steward has brought more than 100 minority nationally known speakers to the city of Indianapolis. Sergeant Steward is a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and serves as a deacon at New Liberty Missionary Baptist Church. Matthew and his wife Laverne have been married for 30 years and have two adult daughters.

MIA BAIRD

Biography and photo coming soon.

KIMBERLY BOSTIC

Kimberly Bostic serves as Steward Speakers' Board President and Philanthropy Director
for the State of Indiana at the American Cancer Society.

Prior to joining the American Cancer Society, Kimberly served as president of  Starfish Initiative.  Kimberly also led United Way of Central Indiana’s (UWCI) major gift and individual leadership giving. Kimberly has successfully served as a leader in the nonprofit sector for more than 14 years.  

A life-long servant to the community, Kimberly volunteers whenever she can.  She has served on many community boards including Indianapolis Weed and Seed of the Far Eastside, Lawrence Township Hunger Coalition, FEAC Far Eastside Action Coalition, Pathway Resource Center Planning Committee and she currently serves as the Board Chair on the Steward Speakers Board of Directors. Kimberly continues to advocate for equal access and quality education for all youth throughout our community.  

Kimberly attended Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia and later graduated from Indiana University where she earned a Paralegal Certificate from the IU School of Liberal Arts; BA in Political Science from the IU School of Liberal Arts; a Graduate Certificate in Public Management/Administration from the IU School of SPEA; and MPA from the IU School of SPEA.  Kimberly later earned her CFRE designation as a Certified Fundraising Expert. Kimberly has a demonstrated history of leading in the nonprofit sector. 

Kimberly and her husband Dion reside in Central Indiana and they have three children Krystal, Tyler and Taylor.
 

TRACY BOYD

Tracy Boyd is an Indiana native and committed advocate for education equality. After earning her bachelor's degree in Education from Martin University, Tracy worked as a technical support analyst for a pharmaceutical research company for more than a decade and later ran for public office in the city of Lawrence. I currently serve as the Vice President of the Lawrence Utility Service Board.

My drive and focus is to serve my community and make a positive difference in the lives of my neighbors I am actively involved in a number of charitable organizations and steadily work to help our youth become productive members of society as I know there are priceless rewards in guiding youth to reach their goals

Service and empowerment are two words that can be used to describe my adult life as a public servant. Recently I launched a voter registration education initiative project with one goal in mind, to register voters and provide general voter education. During this voting cycle, we discovered that the average voter is not aware of basic voter rights, insights and processes.   The initiative is called “GET OUT AND VOTE “- #GOV2020. 

TINA COSBY

Tina Cosby is a veteran Broadcast Communications Professional, who is currently the Community Affairs Director for the Indianapolis Stations of Radio One and host of the daily talk show Community Connection on AM 1310, 92.7 FM, and 95.1 FM The Light. Prior to joining the Indianapolis Stations of Radio One, Tina was Community Affairs Director, as well as a television news anchor, reporter, producer and public affairs show host at WISH-TV and MyINDY-TV in Indianapolis, IN.

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She has received Emmy Awards from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, recognition for excellence from The National Association of Black Journalists, the Society of Professional Journalists, The National Association Of Broadcasters Education Foundation’s Service To America Awards, The Angel Awards For Community Service Programming, and Journalistic Excellence and Outstanding Community Affairs Programming awards from the Indiana Broadcaster’s Association.

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Tina is a graduate of Indiana University. She was also honored to graduate from the second class of the American Institute For Managing Diversity’s Diversity Leadership Academy, of Indianapolis.

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A native of Madison, Indiana, Tina is a member of New Era Church in Indianapolis and enjoys volunteering with various community organizations, playing golf, supporting the Indianapolis Colts, entertaining and, and spending time with her family.

LEE MORRIS

Lee Morris is a native of Monticello, Florida and joined the military after graduating from Jefferson High School. He received the Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science from Campbell University in 2003 and the Masters degree in Information System and  Resource Management from Webster University 2006

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As a Retired Veteran, Lee served on active duty as a Construction Engineer Technician and Chief Warrant Officer Four (CW4) for almost thirty (30) years. Mr. Morris had three tours in the Middle East - Operation Vigilant, Operation Iraq Freedom, and Operation Endure Freedom. He is a husband and the father of three sons and two daughters. Lee is a faithful member in the Christian community, and he is a proud member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. He has a passion for the community as well as informing Our People of the NOW. He is currently employed as a Contracting Officer for a Government Agency and is the Treasurer for the Board of Directors of Steward Speakers.

TAMARA CYPRESS

Tamara is a visual storyteller, strategist, and change agent who challenges the status quo. She has seventeen years of experience in five diverse industries leading corporate change innovation, employee messaging and engagement, and integrated marketing and communication campaigns. She has over ten years’ experience serving on board of directors and committees including the host committee communications chair for Super Bowl XLVI, focused on creating and pitching stories to the media. In addition to Steward Speakers, her current leadership commitments include the following:

• Downtown Indy, Inc., Downtown Recovery Taskforce & Marketing Board

• The Exchange at the Indianapolis Urban League (IUL), Fellow, Marketing Chair and Podcast Host

• United Way Diversity Leadership Circle, Steering Committee Communications Chair

• African American Legacy Fund of Indianapolis, Founding Member and Communications Chair

• NCAA Final Four, Marketing committee member

She won the 2018 Junior Achievement Indy’s Best and Brightest award for the manufacturing category. She is the recipient of the 2019 The Exchange at the Indianapolis Urban League Lifting as We Climb award and 2020 Member of the Year.

Tamara launched Indy Black Businesses Matter to help promote and advocate Black businesses through storytelling and networking. She created the concept of Indy Accompliceship to help companies address systemic racism by taking a four-part pledge focused on measuring and improving equitable outcomes in the workplace, workforce, marketplace, and community.

She has her Master of Business Administration from Purdue University and her Bachelor of Science in business marketing from Susquehanna University. She is also a Professional Certified Marketer (PCM®) and Certified Digital Marketing Professional (CDMP) with dual certification from the American Marketing Association & Digital Marketing Institute.

DENOLA BURTON

Denola M. Burton is the Founder and CEO of Enhanced DNA: Develop Nurture Achieve, LLC.  She holds the Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Biology.  After beginning her career as a scientist, she transitioned into Human Resources and maintains certifications as a Professional in Human Resources from both the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM-CP), and the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI-PHR).  She is a Certified DISC Behavioral Coach through Innermetrix North America and is a Certified Speaker, Trainer, Coach with the John Maxwell Team.

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Through Enhanced DNA: Develop Nurture Achieve, Denola develops and nurtures individuals and organizations to enhance their Leadership, Communication and Performance “DNA”.  Denola is an author and a publisher and is a member of the Independent Book Publishing Association (IBPA).  In 2019, Denola created the Enhanced DNA Publishing Division of her company and now assists new and newer authors in publishing their books to meet the IBPA standards. 

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Denola retired in December, 2017 from Eli Lilly and Company where her career spanned over 27 years.  She has been married to her husband, Phillip, for over 27 years and they have two daughters, Danielle and Ciara.  In addition to serving on the Board of Directors for Steward Speakers, Denola also serves as a mentor and member of the Board of Directors for Pass the Torch for Women Foundation.