Our own Club Historian, Monica Smith, introduces Dr. Blazich for a special Veterans Day Program of the remarkable history of Captain John F. "Jack" Hasey, French Foreign Legion, A Yankee Fighter. Frank A. Blazich, Jr., PhD a native of Raleigh, North Carolina, specializes in the American military experience in the twentieth century. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, he holds a doctorate in modern American history from The Ohio State University (2013). His dissertation, “Economics of Emergencies: North Carolina, Civil Defense, and the Cold War, 1940-1963,” examined the confluence of civil defense, natural disasters, and economic development, leading to the evolution of the state’s modern emergency management agency.

In January 2017, he assumed his current position as curator of modern military history at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History. His first edited book, Bataan Survivor: A POW’s Account of Japanese Captivity in World War II, was published by the University of Missouri Press in February 2017. His second book, “An Honorable Place in American Air Power”: Civil Air Patrol Coastal Patrol Operations, 1943-1943, was published by Air University Press in December 2020.

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Our own President Marilyn introduces Dr. Marco Clark, Founder and CEO of Richard WrightPublic Charter Schools. Dr. Marco Clark is a well-respected educator, forward-thinking innovator, exemplary author, polarizing public speaker, and veteran in the world of urban education. Dr. Clark currently serves as the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Richard Wright Public Charter Schools for Journalism and Media Arts in Washington, D.C. In addition to his work as Founder and CEO, he is Chairman of “Man the Block,” an organization focused on providing safe passage for students to and from school.
Dr. Clark serves on the Board of Trustees for the Beta Psi 1923 Foundation. Dr. Clark continues to be an advocate for various youth groups, civic organizations, and other nonprofit organizations focused on restoring trust in public school education.

At age 10, Dr. Clark became a spelling bee champion. Ironically, by age 11, a guidance counselor labeled Dr. Clark as a functional illiterate. This label disrupted his educational journey for many years. However, it was that label that eventually sparked Dr. Clark’s fight against illiteracy and the need for student development and worldwide advocacy. Through the unwavering support of his parents, Dr. Clark was able to make it through high school and go on to Clark Atlanta University, where he met a professor, Dr. Johnny L. Wilson, who recognized his potential, believed in him, and helped him shape his educational path and platform for the years to come. After receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a minor in Secondary Education from Clark Atlanta University, Dr. Clark went on to earn a Master’s degree in Special Education from Coppin State University, a Master’s degree in Education Administration from Goucher College, and a Doctorate in Higher Education from Morgan State University. By the age of 34, almost 25 years after being labeled as a functional illiterate, Dr. Clark emerged as a noted educator and scholar.

Dr. Clark has been featured in JET magazine, The Huffington Post, and The New York Times discussing his battles with reading as a youth and his educational reform efforts to fight against world illiteracy and community issues throughout the country.

Many political figures have acknowledged Dr. Clark’s ability to offer a fresh mix of traditional and contemporary approaches to motivating troubled youth and mobilizing communities. Historical icon, the late Congressman John Lewis (Democrat for the 8th District of Georgia) exhorted Dr. Clark’s unique ability to identify with students sparking their desire to achieve.

Dr. Clark has received numerous awards and appeared on hundreds of talk shows, as well as serving as keynote speaker in various venues across the country. Dr. Clark also serves as the Education Contributor for Patty Jackson’s Re-Wind Show on WDAS 105.3 FM, Philadelphia. Dr. Marco Clark is a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and a continued advocate for educational and social change. His motto is “You can’t beat a person who is determined to win.”

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Our own Bob Schott introduces Elizabeth. Elizabeth Lanning's early journeys to different parts of the world, many of which alongside her father, made a profound impact on her passion to listen and deeply connect with humans of diverse cultures and traditions. It also helped cultivate the empathy and love that propels her life’s work. The first Project Propel urban garden began in 2013, stemming largely from her graduate research among riverside communities in Metro Manila. Harnessing her background in Social Work and Public Health, Elizabeth promotes a vision of holistic health for all, and the importance of being responsible stewards of Earth’s abundance. She fervently believes that an integrated approach to development is the key to sustainable positive change. One of her favorite aspects of Project Propel is witnessing women empowered by informed health choices, and in turn teaching their families and leading the community at large!

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