Tavetta Patterson (Gary Life Team Member)
Author, Community Activist, Photojournalist, Motivational Speaker...

Patterson was born, raised, and currently resides in Gary, IN. She is a 1997 Horace Mann High School graduate and a 2001 Ivy Tech State College graduate. She is a child of God, wife to Roosevelt D. Patterson, daughter to Addie Porter, sister to Donshay and Jaqwan Mitchell, and friend to many! 

She was born with the gift to write and speak publicly. Her way of making a positive contribution to society is through reaching out to help uplift those who have been down trodden by the trials and tribulations of life. Sharing empowering, life-changing experiences through writing books, poetry, and motivational speaking are her passion. The condition of the world today is the fuel that keeps her going. And her faith in God is the driving force that reassures her daily, that she has what it takes to continue on the mission that has been set before her.

Publications:

• Gary Life Magazine
• "The Word Shop"
  Spoken word CD released July 23, 2003
• "The Tongue of Life"
  A book of original poems and speeches released July 13, 2002

Brief listing of Motivational Speaking Engagements:

• Feb. 20, 2005- Expressions of Black History at Zion Progressive Church
• Feb. 17, 2005- Kuny Elementary School- Safe School Forum
• Jan. 22, 2005- Career Building & Networking Seminar
• May 13, 2004- Career Day at Beckman Middle School
• April 29, 2004- A Family Affair (Tolleston Library)
• April 17, 2004- Salute to Authors by Friends of The Gary Public Library
• February- March 2004- Project S.E.E.D. Community Outreach
• November 19, 2003 - Career Day at Kuny Elementary School
• Aug. 29 – Sept.1, 2003- Famous Poets Society Convention held in Orlando, Florida
• May 15, 2002- Life Skills and Career Development Assembly at Horace Mann High School
• Feb. 19, 2002- Life Skills Assembly with Project SAVE (Gary Area Career Center)
• Feb. 6-11, 1996- National Young Leaders Conference held in Washington, D.C.

• March 27, 2004- WGVE 88.7 FM- Public Education Interview
• Oct. 2004- Community Focus w/ Sgt. Louis T. Stewart  
• June 2004- A Closer Look w/Morris Carter on Public Access Channel
• Sept. 11, 2003- WYCA 102.3 FM- Poetry Recital in Memory of 9/11

To Schedule Speaking Engagaements for Tavetta call:  219-730-7621

Clarissa D. Turner

Gary Life Team Member, Freelance Writer... 

                                                      
Clarissa Denise Turner is a gifted writer and Gary, IN resident. Born Dec. 24, 1981 to Denise Manyfield and Ira Hampton Jr. She is a graduate of the Gary Community School Corporation (Roosevelt Class of 2000). Mrs. Turner received an Associates Degree from Commonwealth Business College, and then married in 2002. She is the proud wife of a former United States Air Force Airman, Mr. Freddie M. Turner Jr.

She has been writing since the age of 15 years old. She holds many recognitions from the Iliad Literacy Awards Program in Sterling Heights, Michigan (2001-2004). She is currently working on a book of Spiritual Poetry.

Her Motto: "With God all things are possible."

To Schedule Speaking Engagements for Clarissa call:  219-455-2612

Partner in Vision:  Minister Roosevelt D. Patterson

Graphics by: SheDesigns

Editing by: Mrs. Johnson

Photojournalist: Natalie Ammons