October 21–24, 2026
Fort Worth, Texas • Four Days of Purpose, Celebration & Legacy
FEATURED SPEAKER
Maryum “May May” Ali
Author, Advocate & Daughter of Muhammad Ali
(Public Speaker, Artist)
Maryum Ali, the eldest of Muhammad Ali’s nine children, has built a career rooted in service, advocacy, and creativity. For over 15 years, she devoted herself to youth development and juvenile delinquency prevention, serving as a Case Manager and Program Director for nonprofit organizations and working with hundreds of youth and families. Her commitment to community empowerment led her to serve as a Regional Manager for the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office of Gang Reduction & Youth Development.
Over the past decade, she has become a sought-after public speaker, delivering impactful presentations to social and human service organizations nationwide. While she treasures her meaningful work in social services, Maryum has returned to her artistic roots with her solo performance play, FLOAT, which premiered in Dallas this past spring at the Bishop Arts Theatre Center. More details about Maryum’s work can be found at MaryumAli.com.
SPEAKERS & PRESENTERS
Jerry Smith, LCSW, LMSW
Author | Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Jerry Smith is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, author, and speaker with more than four decades of experience in behavioral health, counseling, and helping individuals navigate emotional wellness, personal growth, and life’s challenges. His extensive clinical experience gives him a unique perspective on resilience, emotional well-being, relationships, and the internal barriers that can keep people from living at their fullest potential.
Jerry is the author of Happiness Is Easy, Being Unhappy Is What’s Hard, a thought-provoking and practical book that challenges the way we think about happiness and explores how our thoughts, patterns, and beliefs can influence our emotional well-being. His work encourages readers to recognize what stands between them and greater happiness, purpose, and fulfillment.
As a therapist, author, and speaker, Jerry combines decades of clinical insight with practical strategies that inspire individuals to understand themselves, overcome limiting patterns, and build greater emotional resilience.
Jerry will present “Reclaim Your Spark: Turning Pressure into Creative Power” at the 2026 Sparks Resilience Awards & Conference.
Arthur Muhammad
“You can either wait or create, and I chose the latter.”
Dallas-born filmmaker Arthur Muhammad has built his career on resourcefulness, determination, and a commitment to telling meaningful stories.
His debut feature, Solitaire, was shot on 16mm film for just $6,000 over weekends, with Arthur serving as writer, director, producer, and editor. Despite the limited resources, the film secured distribution and reached Blockbuster and Walmart shelves,an extraordinary accomplishment at the time.
He followed with Sweet Justice, a 90-page feature shot in only 10 days on a $35,000 budget and starring Reagan Gomez. The film was distributed by Netflix during its early DVD-by-mail era. Arthur went on to direct First Impression, featuring Lamman Rucker, Lisa Arrindell, David and Tamela Mann, and Elise Neal, followed by his breakout film Carter High, starring Charles S. Dutton and Vivica A. Fox, which received a limited theatrical release before reaching audiences through Netflix and BET.
Arthur later joined the Directors Guild of America with Twelve, a horror film he wrote while earning his MFA.
With 17 feature films completed, Arthur has consistently demonstrated his ability to maximize limited resources while keeping story at the heart of every production. His work includes films such as Bid for Love and projects spanning film, streaming, and television.
A graduate of Southern Methodist University and Vermont College of Fine Arts, Arthur also completed the Directors Guild of America’s Episodic TV Mentorship Program, expanding his work into episodic television and character-driven stories rooted in faith, culture, and community.
Arthur Muhammad’s career is a testament to what can happen when creativity replaces limitations, and when you choose to create rather than wait.
Dr. London Williams
Entertainment Executive / Filmmaker Educator / Entreprenuer
Dr. London Williams is an award-winning entertainment executive, filmmaker, educator, and entrepreneur whose work bridges creativity, business strategy, leadership, and social impact.
As a producer, director, line producer, and unit production manager, Dr. Williams has led film and television productions with multi-million-dollar budgets and delivered content through platforms and networks including Paramount, BET, Comcast, PBS, and Prime Video.
He currently serves as Chief Operating Officer of Assemble. FYI and Producer with Be Great Together, where he helps lead the acclaimed DocuCourse series spotlighting community changemakers and social impact leaders. Through Williams Family ABE (Arts-Business-Education), he continues to champion storytelling, entrepreneurship, education, and purpose-driven documentary projects.
A member of the Directors Guild of America, Dr. Williams holds a Doctorate in Business Administration and an MBA in Sports & Entertainment Management, along with studies at the Digital Film Academy in New York. He has also taught strategic management, leadership, and sports facility and event management at Southern Methodist University, Baruch College, and the University of Dallas.
Dr. Williams brings a distinctive ability to turn vision into execution, combining creativity, business, and purpose to create meaningful opportunities and lasting impact.
Erskine Hawkins III
Erskine Hawkins III is an accomplished Music Director, keyboardist, arranger, and programmer whose career spans live touring, television, award shows, and major entertainment productions. He currently serves as Music Director for legendary R&B artist Babyface and Director of Music at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas.
His credits include work with Alicia Keys, Eminem, Rihanna, Zendaya, Chaka Khan, and numerous other acclaimed artists, as well as programming for Super Bowl LVIII and the Academy Awards. Hawkins has also served as Music Director for the BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards, Hollywood Unlocked Impact Awards, and Women That Soar Awards.
A graduate of the University of North Texas, Hawkins made history as the first African American to earn a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Piano Performance from the university.
Jibreel A. Rashad
Jibreel A. Rashad is a Dallas-based author, independent media producer, real estate investor, and non-profit founder whose life story bridges high-level athletics, entrepreneurial ventures, and community advocacy.
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Athletic Background: Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, Rashad built an elite football career as a standout Defensive Back at Wilmer- Hutchins High School and the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) before earning a professional tryout with the NFL's New York Giants.
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Business & Media Endeavors: Following his athletic career, he expanded into real estate development and independent publishing. He established Black Cotton Productions as a label for media, books, and digital content, and launched WISE Sports, a Sports & Entertainment Streaming Network operating across Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Firestick, iOS, Android and other social platforms.
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Non-Profit & Community Impact: In 2020, Rashad founded I Am Student Athlete, a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization aimed to assist Young Student Athletes and At Risk Youth with workforce development and leadership skills.
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Rashad, also started Urban F.O.C.U.S & Solvency Solutions (Financial Obligations Creates Unusual Success) a financial literacy program helping in the areas of business investments and commercial law.
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Published Works: As an author, Rahad published his memoir, The Field That Wasn’t Leveled in (2021), Alongside other developed empowering books, such as, The Winning Position: Keys To A Material and Spiritual Life, I Am Student Athlete: A Scouting Report To Life, Metaphors Of Love: Are We Listening? And Blacvocracy; Sons Of the Soil.
Lindell Singleton
Lindell Singleton is a writer, producer, and director whose work is shaped by a profound belief in the enduring power of story. His award-winning films and television projects have touched audiences worldwide and are distinguished by a documentary voice that is both intimate and socially resonant.
Grounded in documentary filmmaking and informed by degrees in art and theology, Lindell maintains a commitment to human-centered storytelling. Singleton creates work
that illuminates, informs and challenges. He seeks to bring clarity, grace, and purpose to his filmmaking. He was named Humanitarian of the Year by Texas Justice Seekers for his multimedia work on black infant mortality and maternal health.
Quakertown, USA, his most recent feature length documentary, premiered in January 2026. He is currently
developing a five-part LINDELL_RED_CAMERA.jpg series about the history of the iconic Fort Worth- based Sepia Magazine and a faith-centered film on underground Christian churches outside the U.S.
The Conference Experience!
OPENING NIGHT MIX & MINGLE
An Evening of Connection, Conversation & Community
Wednesday, October 21, 2026 6:00–8:00 PM | Fort Worth, Texas
Join us as we kick off the 2026 Sparks Resilience Awards & Conference with an evening of connection, conversation, and community.
Meet fellow attendees, speakers, honorees, community leaders, creatives, and entrepreneurs as we come together to connect, network, and celebrate the spirit of resilience.
Everyone is welcome.
Awards Gala
Experience an unforgettable black-tie celebration honoring individuals whose leadership, vision, creativity, and service continue to inspire communities and transform lives.
2026 Resilience Conference
Participate in dynamic keynote presentations, fireside conversations, panel discussions, masterclasses, and workshops featuring respected voices from entertainment, business, sports, media, film, and entrepreneurship.
Celebrity Fashion Showcase
Celebrate creativity, innovation, culture, and artistic expression during an exciting showcase highlighting emerging and established fashion designers.
Inspire
Creating experiences that motivate individuals to pursue excellence, embrace resilience, and lead with confidence and purpose.
Empower
Expanding opportunities through education, scholarships, mentorship, workforce development, strategic alliances, and access to leaders who are transforming industries and communities.
Connect
Bringing together visionary leaders, corporations, nonprofit organizations, artists, educators, entrepreneurs, athletes, and changemakers to build meaningful relationships and lasting partnerships.
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