As the Former Director of NJ's Division of Prevention and Community Partnership, Darrell Armstrong, co-authored NJ's first statewide prevention plan. He interpreted this public assignment as a per personal charge to: [1]...prevent child abuse; [2]...stop individual violence, and [3]...eradicate community violence. As DPCP Director, he oversaw $100M in primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention investments that included, but not limited to: (1)..Universal Home Visiting; (1)..Community-based Family Success Centers; (1)..School-based Youth Services;(1)..Domestic Violence services. He credits his oversigh and administration of these public government investments with helping him to crystalize some personal aspects of his life, mainly how he understood the co-occurrence Domestic Violence/Intimate Partner Violence. In 2009 he represented NJ in presenting at the National Greenbook Initiative on IPV and CAN, in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, the site of the first Greenbook Conference in 1985. Pastor Armstrong will use both personal and  professional narratives and disclosures to address these critical issues of violence prevention and cessation. He will particularly talk about the art and science of personal disclosure using his own family narratives of overcoming child abuse, placement in long-term foster care and kinship care, and ultimately the death of his mother from domestic violence and substance abuse. Pastor Armstrong has a passion for preventing individual and community violence, abuse, and trauma and building resilience in diverse communities to overcome violence, regardless of race, region, or religion.

Following the Parkland shooting, students demanded change to prevent another school shooting. They created the largest student protest in American history that resulted in the defeat of more NRA backed politicians than ever before when many said it was impossible. In this presentation former Parkland student David Hogg will discuss the story of how a group of motivated teens changed the conversation on guns in America.

What Is Free To You? Identifying Changes of an Entirely Different Order

San Diego Dance Company

Ballet Folklorico El Tapatio (BFET), now San Diego Dance Company, is recognized for presenting and celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Mexico through traditional dance. The dance company showcases choreography, and beautifully designed outfits to represent each region of Mexico. With their vibrant performances and exceptional talent, BF San Diego Dance Company captivates the audience by showing the beauty and craftsmanship of Mexican dance.