Meet Our Volunteers & Speakers
Speakers Vision Statement
We, as speakers of the Real Talk Youth Impact Program, have changed our values and negative thinking patterns. We are a group of men and women who continue to strive every day to be productive citizens. We are not driven by financial gains or personal accolades while we participate in this Program. Our motives are strictly based on giving back to society what we so selfishly took away. As we continue to grow and share our life experiences, our desire is to reach one youth at a time in order for them to make better choices in life. The Real Talk Youth Impact Program does not discriminate against race, religion, color, gender, or sexual orientation. Our mission is solely to make a difference in the youth of America and change their thinking. Our motto is, and always will be, to make a positive impact in the lives of youth.
Mr. Gordon Wat
Monthly Speaker
Since November 2015
Mr. Gordon is 54 years old and has served a total of 12 years in
federal custody. He is successfully completed his federal supervision. His purpose for participating in the Program is to inspire individuals to change their lives in a positive way. Mr. Gordon believes the Program can be effective for both members and
the youth. He is currently employed full-time at the Cosmopolitan Hotel.
Mr. Donald Wright
Monthly Speaker
Since April 2022
Mr. Donald Wright is 48 years old and has served over 15 years in the state and federal correctional system. Mr. Donald was recently released from custody and is currently under federal supervision . He has been involved with Real Talk since April 2022. His purpose for joining Real Talk is to give back to the youth. He believes that the program can be effective as it gives options for choices being made.
Mr. Garfield Wolfe
Monthly Speaker
Since March 2021
Mr. Garfield Wolfe is 55 years old and served 12 years in prison and 5 months in jail and has successfully served his term of parole. His purpose for joining Real Talk is to give back. Also, he believes that hearing from people that lived a certain life can steer youth away from making bad choices.
Mr. Andrew
Monthly Speaker
Since February 2018
Mr. Andrew is 54years old and has served time in state prison.
His purpose for joining the Program is to provide the youth direction and plant seeds in their heads to make them think before making a poor choice. He also wishes to help parents understand that being a friend to your child has nothing but bad
outcomes.
Mr. Ray
Monthly Speaker
Since Sept. 2016
Mr. Ray is 53 years old and he has served 23 years in federal custody. He is currently on parole with the U.S. Probation Office. His purpose for participating in Real Talk is because he is committed to making a change in the community and the youth. He is employed full-time and committed to the Program.
Mr. Rogelio
Monthly Speaker
Since January 2017
Mr. Rogelio is 47 years old and has served a total of 11 years
in custody. Eight years in federal custody and three years in state custody. Mr. Rogelio is participating in the Program to help stop kids
from living the negative lifestyle, he once lived. He believes the Program can be effective if you are proactive and catch a youth before they start down the wrong path.
Mr. Matthew
Monthly Speaker
Since July 2021
Mr. Mathew is 45 years old and has been arrested numerous times. Mr. Mathew's purpose for joining Real Talk is to help kids.
Ms. Tanisa
Monthly Speaker
Since October, 2022
Tanisa Smith-Symes is 47 years old and currently on federal supervsion. Mrs. Tanisa's purpose for participating in Real Talk is because she has a passion for giving youth hope. She believes programs like Real Talk build our kids up promoting trust and teaches them how to replace negative decision making with positive decisions.
Mr. Lee
Monthly Speaker
Since October, 2022
Mr. Lee is 38 years old and has served 38 months in federal custody and 10 months in state custody. He is currently on federal supervision, employed full-time and is expecting his first child. His purpose for participating in the Program is to share his story with the youth in hopes that they will understand the consequences of poor choices and to value the knowledge he provides them. Mr. Lee is currenlty employed full-time.
Ms. Tashia
Monthly Speaker
Since 2013
Ms. Tashia Kaplan is 44 years old and has served just under three years in federal custody. She has been a part of Real Talk since 2013 and is currently attending UNLV to get her doctorate degree. Ms. Tashia was released early from federal supervision as a result of her being a law-abiding citizen. Her purpose for participating in the Program is to enlighten the youth and assist with preventing them from making poor choices. She wishes to address the importance of setting boundaries.
Mr. Vincent
Monthly Speaker
Since Feb. 23, 2023
Mr. Vincent is 24 years old and has been arrested on several occasions. His purpose for joining Real Talk is to make a positive impact on the youth we serve.
Ms. Desirae
Monthly Speaker
January, 2017
Ms. Desirae is 41 years old and received a sentence of four years on federal probation. She successfully completed her term of supervision and has her own motivational speaking business. Her purpose for joining Real Talk is to share her story, to inspire, and encourage the youth to reach their full potential.
Mr. Eric
Monthly Speaker
November, 2013
Mr. Eric is 42 years old and has served 6.5 years in federal custody. He was also involved in the juvenile justice system. He has successfully completed his federal term of supervision. His purpose for joining the program is to give back to society and to have the opportunity to work with youth in a positive atmosphere. He believes that the Program can be effective if the participants are willing to listen to the speakers' “stories” and advice.
Ms. Terran
Monthly Speaker
Devember, 2021
is 36 years old and has been arrested multiple times for state and federal charges. She has served more than nine years between federal and state custody. Currently, she is on federal supervision. Her purpose for joining the Program is to help others. She believes that changing the mindset of just one child can save their entire life.
Mr. Ray
Monthly Speaker
Since October, 2012
Mr. Ray Torees: is 54 years old and has served a total of 19 years in federal custody. He was also involved in the juvenile system. Mr. Ray has been involved with Real Talk since October 2012. His purpose for joining the Program is to help change the lives of youth. Mr. Ray has remained crime free since his release from custody. He is employed full-time, he is an author, and was granted early termination from supervision last year as a result of being a law-abiding citizen.
