Biography
Al Way
Al Way is known as “America’s Favorite Motivator”, and provides training seminars, leadership coaching, and keynote speeches to public and private sector organizations across America and around the world. He cares deeply about his audiences and what they take away from each and every speech, facilitated discussion and seminar.
Al is a Teambuilding Guru, and his topics include team building, leadership, customer service, interpersonal communications, interpersonal/leadership styles and preferences, strategic planning, goal setting, organizational behavior, family wellness and strengthening, career and personal life balance, conflict resolution, stress management, change management, organizational identity, brand management and multi-cultural diversity.
Al has received high praise from his audiences for his innovative training style and educational programs targeted at renewing the global workforce, business sector, and family. Mr. Way’s signature training style has been trademarked by his passion for:
• Scientific and Research Based Curriculum
• Customer Focused and User Friendly Training Materials
• Outcomes Driven Training
• Principle Centered Delivery Style with a Sense of Humor
• Fun, Energetic and Interactive Training Methodologies,
• Multiple Linguistic Approach to Learning
• A Focus on Practical Application, Implementation and Promising Practices
These core values have helped to distinguish him as a powerful voice in America and in the world. Al has a unique way of making complex behavioral principles all come together so people can understand and act on what they have learned in his sessions. Follow up and implementation are key elements of his message of leadership, listening, laughing and learning. His past performance also reflects a mastery of a broad range of topics and his capacity for working with many different kinds of organizations successfully.
Some of his satisfied audiences include: The U. S. Army, The Internal Revenue Service, The University of Pittsburgh, American University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Doctors Community Hospital, Johns Hopkins University, American Airlines, Bell Atlantic, Cigna Financial, Hewlett Packard, Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale & Dorr, The Hawaii Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Service Employee International Union, United Auto Workers International, National Capital Speakers Association, Washington Sewer and Sanitation Commission, WASA, and The District of Columbia Public Schools.
Al holds a degree in Communications and Design from American University located in Washington, D.C. He was an Associate Adjunct Professor for 18 years at the prestigious American University School of Communication. During his career at A.U., Professor Way was nominated for the Adjunct Professor of The Year Award for his outstanding work as a Communications Professor. He received commendations and evaluations for being one of the best professors at the university from both graduate and undergraduate students. He also served as an instructor in the Division of Adult Education at the university for several years. As a student, Al Way was awarded one of the highest university awards you can receive as a student, “The Stafford H. Cassell Award” for leadership, academic excellence, integrity, and devoted service to the A.U. community.
Al has served as a board member for several organizations and has been a member of the National Capital Speakers Association, The Washington Art Directors Club, National Association of Government Communicators, and the Educational Press Association of America. Throughout his professional career, he has worked as a photographer, designer, art director, design director, marketing director, motivational speaker, facilitator and training director for several private and public sector organizations.
Diverse in style and background, Al is a compassionate champion in his community, and gives back through his work in local prisons, homeless shelters, churches, faith based communities, as well as his passionate work in the fatherhood and family strengthening communities. In 2001, Mr. Way provided leadership for an extensive educational campaign for families and fathers, through Great Dads. In 2004, The Hospital for Sick Children awarded Al with a Special Achievement Award for his commitment to fathers of children with special and long term needs. In 2005, RISE, Inc. awarded Al a Distinguished Community Service Award for his outstanding leadership in the family strengthening field. In 2006, he took on an additional leadership role as the Head Basketball Coach for Grace Brethren Christian School, where he mentored middle and high school boys to become leaders. Al used the sport of basketball as a metaphor to teach life skills and to mentor character and discipline. In 2007, Al was certified as a master trainer for the National Center for Fathering.
Mr. Way has been a part of several local and national training and community development initiatives. In 1995 he developed and produced his inaugural daily radio show, “The Winformation Show”, which aired during the morning drive time, Monday through Friday, in the greater Washington Metro Market. In 1997, he founded “Street Smart” Motivational Seminars, designed to teach success and leadership principles to urban youth in Washington, DC. He gained the support of the DC Department of Recreation, American Airlines and Burger King. Al also co-founded and hosted a local public affairs radio talk show on the Washington DC Market ABC Affiliate - WMAL-AM. His show, “The Other Side: Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things” aired in the late nineties. His show highlighted the work of unsung heroes, community leaders, and business champions throughout the greater metropolitan area.
From 2006 to 2008, Mr. Way helped to develop the training curriculum and was the master trainer for a comprehensive county wide customer services training program for the Prince George’s County Government, one of the most diverse and affluent counties in the state of Maryland, and in America. He trained over 5,000 employees from 32 different county agencies. The course evaluations received for this county wide initiative were outstanding, and has contributed to measurable economic growth and sustainability for the customer.
In 2009, Al celebrated the five year anniversary of the Internal Revenue Service Annual Leadership Meeting at the Bolger Center in Potomac Maryland. Mr. Way was one of the original faculty members, including Jim Ball and many others who launched this new annual training conference for IRS Leaders and Managers. Al and his wife Tee also launched their eNewsletter, “Marketplace Motivation Minute”, which provides tips, tools and techniques for navigating professional development and motivation in the workplace. This new tool is a mix of inspiration, innovation and information and will be released as a new product to his many clients and friends.
Mr. Way’s sphere of influence continues to reach across America and around the world to help ordinary people do extraordinary things with their lives. He is currently writing two books on leadership and marketplace motivation. As an educator, he is a continual student of leadership and human behavior. One of the trademark lines in his speeches says it all …“people do not care how much you know, until they know how much you care”. This is his passion, purpose and philosophy.
Rashida Jolley
Rashida Jolley is one of America’s leading authorities in the field of personal development and quality of life. She is an award-winning motivational speaker, harpist, singer and songwriter who has appeared on countless TV programs including MTV, BET, FOX, ABC, C-Span, The E! Cable Show, and even Belgium TV.
In print, Ms. Jolley has been featured in The Washington Post, Washington Times, US Weekly Magazine and The Afro American. Her radio coverage ranges from programs like Voice of America to networks like Radio One.
In 2009, she appeared on NBC’s hit show “America’s Got Talent,” where she quickly became a fan favorite, receiving a standing ovation for every performance. As a former winner of the Miss District of Columbia contest, and former Miss America Contestant, Ms. Jolley developed her dynamic and entertaining speaking manner. She has an innate ability to inform and inspire audiences toward peak performance and, higher levels of achievement. With humor and riveting insight, Rashida speaks straight from the heart. Her authority and wisdom are born from her hard-won personal experience and acclaimed professional expertise.
The product of a great line of musicians and motivational speakers, Rashida has a diverse background in speaking and performing at juvenile detention centers, middle and high school assemblies, universities, churches, national embassies and the US Congress. She was the youngest member appointed by the President of the United States to the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS; she also presided on the Howard University Advisory Board for Nursing.
Rashida has spoken for numerous community and health organizations around the country such as the Congressional Black Caucus, Best Friends for Girls Foundation, Project Reality, Health and Human Services Administration of Children and Families and Departments of Health throughout the country.
Rashida’s mission is to reach the masses through fully elective and entertaining customized presentations that provide her audiences with tools for leadership and life. Her presentations cover a variety of subjects and include success stories in education, leadership, and healthy choices, to name a few.
Ms. Jolley also shares from her personal experiences, such as making a decision at a young age to remain abstinent until marriage. She speaks on “The Three Keys to Success (Self Esteem, Self Respect and Self Control)”, goal setting and lifestyle tips for healthy relationships. As an expert in abstinence, she has briefed congressional representatives, congressional stffers and political organizations on abstinence education.
With her personal motto “Take Action, and Make your Dreams Happen!” this powerful speaker and songstress has produced an abundance of awards, citations and accolades. She was one of 7 finalist for the “Quality of Life Award” at the 2001 Miss America Pageant, and is the recipient of: The “2008 Impact Award” from the National Abstinence Clearinghouse for greatest positive influence on youth throughout the country; The ”2008 Excellence In Music Award” from the Best Friends Foundation; The “ 2004 Tomorrow’s Leader Award “ from Black America’s Political Action Committee; And the “2001 Outstanding Youth Volunteer Award “ from Generations United to name a few.
Rashida touches and changes the lives of thousands yearly; this continually ignites publication partnerships and leadership alliances throughout the country. Rashida’s system of “total immersion” produces the education, the strategies and the momentum for measurable and lasting change.
Rashida Jolley's bio (pdf)
To book Rashida Jolley for your event (s), please contact:
Willie Jolley Worldwide
P.O. Box 55459
Washington, DC 20040
Toll Free: (800) 487-8899
Local: (202) 723-8863
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Rashida Jolley
Rashida Jolley is one of America’s leading authorities in the field of personal development and quality of life. She's also Willie Jolley's niece!
The product of a great line of musicians and motivational speakers, Rashida has a diverse background in speaking and performing at juvenile detention centers, middle and high school assemblies, universities, churches, national embassies and the US Congress. She was the youngest member appointed by the President of the United States to the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS; she also presided on the Howard University Advisory Board for Nursing.
She is an award-winning motivational speaker, harpist, singer and songwriter who has appeared on countless TV programs including NBC’s hit show “America’s Got Talent” where she quickly became a fan favorite, receiving standing ovations for every performance. Rashida is currently on tour with Lady Gaga! Read more
WILLIE JOLLEY'S QUOTE OF THE DAY
9/16/10 WILLIE JOLLEY'S QUOTE OF THE DAY: ‘‘I HAVE A DREAM’’
9/17/10 WILLIE JOLLEY'S QUOTE OF THE DAY: JESSE OWENS, A DREAMER!
9/15/10 WILLIE JOLLEY'S QUOTE OF THE DAY: “A DREAM, THEN A DO!”
9/14/10 WILLIE JOLLEY'S QUOTE OF THE DAY: "EXCELLENCE IS THE BEST JOB SECURITY"
9/13/10 WILLIE JOLLEY'S QUOTE OF THE DAY: "EXCELLENCE MAKES THE DIFFERENCE"
9/10/10 WILLIE JOLLEY'S QUOTE OF THE DAY: "THE NO-OPTION PERSON"
9/9/10 WILLIE JOLLEY'S QUOTE OF THE DAY: "COMMITMENT CREATES THE MAGIC!"
9/8/10 WILLIE JOLLEY'S QUOTE OF THE DAY: "MAYBE, JUST MAYBE!"
9/7/10 WILLIE JOLLEY'S QUOTE OF THE DAY: THE RICHEST PLACE IN THE WORLD!
-Willie Jolley, excerpt from the book, It Only Takes A Minute To Change Your Life
9/3/10 WILLIE JOLLEY'S QUOTE OF THE DAY: THE MAN IN THE MIRROR
-Willie Jolley, excerpt from the book, It Only Takes A Minute To Change Your Life
9/2/10 WILLIE JOLLEY'S QUOTE OF THE DAY: THE SUN ALWAYS SHINES, BUT . . .
-Willie Jolley, excerpt from the book, It Only Takes A Minute To Change Your Life
9/1/10 "THE ENEMY ON THE INSIDE: You may ask why I spend so much time talking about dreams. The reason is because dreams are essential to success. Yet, many people reject their dreams and are in reality their own worst enemies. If you can dream it, then you can do it. If you are willing to accept it, conceive and believe it . . . then you can achieve it!"
-Willie Jolley, excerpt from the book, It Only Takes A Minute To Change Your Life
8/31/10 "THE MIND IS A MARVEL, USE IT! The mind is like a movie camera and can replay things that have happened in the past, which is our memory. But it can also ‘‘pre-play’’ things that are going to happen in the future, which are our dreams. We all know how to replay our past, but very few know how to pre-play the future and how to make those dreams come true. If we can learn to dream and then dare to go after those dreams, we can do great things. Use all of your mind."
-Willie Jolley, excerpt from the book, It Only Takes A Minute To Change Your Life
8/18/10 "HOLD FAST TO YOUR DREAMS: When I was in high school, I remember one of my teachers discussing a Langston Hughes poem about dreams that stuck with me through the years. He told us to hold on to our dreams and that if our dreams die, then life is like a broken-winged bird. A broken winged bird cannot fly! Too many people have given up on their dreams, and by giving up on their dreams, they have in essence given up on their possibilities. Far too often, we see them give up without even a fight, not realizing that dreams are the seed for success. Fight for your dreams, because the rewards can be oh, so sweet!’’
-Willie Jolley, excerpt from the book, It Only Takes A Minute To Change Your Life
8/17/10 "HANK AARON- DREAMING IN SLOW MOTION: In an interview with Hank Aaron, author Robert Griessman stated that Hank Aaron was not just an exceptional athlete, but also used other tools to help him to become the top home-run hitter of all times. He combined the ability to dream with extreme focus. He
would see home runs as a possibility, then he would make them into realities."
-Willie Jolley, excerpt from the book, It Only Takes A Minute To Change Your Life
8/16/10 "THE DREAMER: One of my favorite examples of a dreamer is Michael Jordan. I heard a story about Michael Jordan that began by asking, ‘‘What made him such a great basketball player?’’ He understood that in life, to be great, you must be willing to dream and then to pursue your dreams and never let others keep you from reaching your potential. You, too, can fly high and reach the sky!"
-Willie Jolley, excerpt from the book, It Only Takes A Minute To Change Your Life
8/13/10 "THE DREAM SEED: Just as everything in life that grows is the result of a seed, the same is true for your dreams. Dreams are the starting point for success, the seed for success. Plant your dream deep, water it daily, and don’t let the weeds of doubt choke it, and your dream can and will become a reality."
-Willie Jolley, excerpt from the book, It Only Takes A Minute To Change Your Life
8/11/10 ""YOU’VE GOT TO HAVE A DREAM! Every day is a brand-new day, a day unlike any other day, a brandnew opportunity to make your dreams come true. Aim high, dream big dreams, set big goals, and, remember, all things are possible if you can just believe."
-Willie Jolley, excerpt from the book, It Only Takes A Minute To Change Your Life
8/10/10 "CONCEIVE IT, BELIEVE IT, AND ACHIEVE IT! All things truly are possible if you can dream big dreams. Believe in your dreams and then go after them with all that is within you."
-Willie Jolley, excerpt from the book, It Only Takes A Minute To Change Your Life
8/9/10 "THE POWER OF DECISION! How long does it take to change your life? Most people believe that it takes a long time, but that’s a myth. In reality, it only takes a minute! The minute you actually decide to change and decide to move in a different direction is the minute that you actually change your life."
-Willie Jolley, excerpt from the book, It Only Takes A Minute To Change Your Life
8/6/10 "MAKE YOUR MINUTES WORK FOR YOU! We all have twenty-four hours per day, not a minute more or a minute less. The key to success is what you’re doing with the minutes that you are given. Use
your time wisely."
-Willie Jolley, excerpt from the book, It Only Takes A Minute To Change Your Life
8/5/10 "THERE’S NO TIME TO LOSE! According to statistics the average lifespan in America is 79.5 years of age. We should not take our lives for granted. Even though life spans are increasing we should realize that time is precious and we really have no time to lose. Live your life with gusto because there is no time to lose!"
-Willie Jolley, excerpt from the book, It Only Takes A Minute To Change Your Life
8/4/10 TIME IS MOVING, ARE YOU? Friends, time waits for no one. It moves on and keeps moving on. It does not stop for anything or anybody. Your success or your failure depends
on how you use your time. Time is moving on...are you?
-Willie Jolley, excerpt from the book, It Only Takes A Minute To Change Your Life
8/3/10 THE POWER OF DECISION: How long does it take to change your life? Most people believe
that it takes a long time, but that’s a myth. In reality, it only takes a minute! That’s right, a minute!
7/27/10 "It’s all good. Be thankful! Have an attitude of gratitude!" -Willie Jolley, excerpt from the book, A Setback Is a Setup for a Comeback
7/26/10 "Say 'Yes!' Make a commitment to your commitment! Affirm to win, Refuse to lose, and never give up!" -Willie Jolley, excerpt from the book, A Setback Is a Setup for a Comeback
7/22/10 "Have faith. You are blessed and highly favored!” -Willie Jolley, excerpt from the book, A Setback Is a Setup for a Comeback
7/21/10 "You can have lights, you can have cameras, but nothing happens until you take ACTION!" -Willie Jolley, excerpt from the book, A Setback Is a Setup for a Comeback
7/20/10 "Stop and Think. Step Back, Look In, Check Out, and Think Up! Look at Your Options!" -Willie Jolley, excerpt from the book, A Setback Is a Setup for a Comeback
7/16/10 "Make decisions. You’ve had a setback, now what are you going to do about it?!" -Willie Jolley, excerpt from the book, A Setback Is a Setup for a Comeback
7/15/10 "Do Not Panic: There Is no power in a panic! Decide to stay calm, stay collected, and stay positive!" -Willie Jolley, excerpt from the book, A Setback Is a Setup for a Comeback
7/13/10 "Focus on Your Goal: Where Are You Going? If the Dream Is Big Enough, the Problems Don’t Matter!" -Willie Jolley, excerpt from the book, A Setback Is a Setup for a Comeback
7/9/10 "Recognize: It’s Life 101… Sometimes You’re the Windshield; Sometimes You’re the Bug!" -Willie Jolley, excerpt from the book, A Setback Is a Setup for a Comeback
7/8/10 "Check Your Vision. What Do You See? What You See Is What You Get!" -Willie Jolley, excerpt from the book, A Setback Is a Setup for a Comeback
7/7/10 "You cannot control what happens TO you, but you can control what happens IN you!" -Willie Jolley
7/6/10 "Don't do what's comfortable...do what's necessary." -Willie Jolley
7/2/10 "Resolve to be unstoppable! Keep bouncing back!" -Willie Jolley
7/1//10 "Take responsibility: Face It, Trace It, Erase It, Replace It!"
6/30/10 "Your past is supposed to be a place of REFERENCE- not a place of RESIDENCE!" -Willie Jolley
6/28/10 "What's hard to do is easy not to do!" -Willie Jolley
6/25/10 "Excellence is always the best job security!" -Willie Jolley
6/24/10 "The minute you make a decision and take action is the minute you change your life!" -Willie Jolley
6/23/10 "Coincidence is God's way of staying anonymous." -Les Brown
6/22/10 "A setback is not the end of the road...it's a bend in the road!" -Willie Jolley
6/21/10 "Change is GOOD when your attitude is GREAT!" -Willie Jolley
6/18/10 "The best way to build your future is to build yourself. The best way to build your organization is to build your people" -Willie Jolley
6/17/10 "Once is a mistake, twice is stupid!" -Willie Jolley
6/16/10 "A setback is nothing but a setup for a comeback!" -Willie Jolley
6/15/10 Today's quote is from my mentor, the 82 years young, Dave Yoho, who said, "You should know something about everything, and everything about something!"
