Keynote Speakers
Schuyler Bailar
First NCAA trans athlete on a D1 Men’s Team, Schuyler Bailar was a top student and an award-winning swimmer and was aggressively recruited by Harvard. Schuyler is also the first openly transgender man to compete on any NCAA Division 1 men’s team. Come hear his inspiring journey of determination and tough choices. Schuyler’s story resonates with young and old who sometimes struggle to find themselves in a world of mass media and the pursuit of what he calls “paper successes.”
Sean Williams
Sean Williams is a born and raised Brooklynite who fell in love with sneakers at the age of 13. By age 16, with a few years of work experience under his belt he began buying sneakers with his own money (no longer asking mom for the latest and freshest kicks). Having purchased thousands of pairs of sneakers over the years his love of sneakers has never completely died. It has simply transformed. In 2007, OSD (Obsessive Sneaker Disorder) was founded by long time friend Dee Wells and Sean was asked to become a part of the historical movement. As business partner in OSD, LLC Sean’s love of sneakers has transformed into a mission for the company that has 3 words “Appreciate, Educate, Elevate”. These days, those 3 words are a part of everything Sean does in regard to the world of sneakers. He has accepted the personal mission of making sure that the younger generations know the potential that exists for them in the athletic footwear business as not only consumers, but as the future professionals in the industry. Sean has been featured in various noteworthy TV shows, publications and web sites such as NBC’s “The Today Show”, Maxim magazine, Slate.com, and Sneaker Freaker just to name a few. In 2012, Sean and his partner Dee made the list of “50 Most Influential People in Sneakers Right Now” published by Complex magazine. Sean also teaches OSD’s “SOLEcial Studies” which is an education program that prepares people all over the world for potential jobs and their businesses in the athletic footwear business. He has plans to begin teaching the program in partnership with sports teams and school across the United States. The rest of his story is still being written, one sneaker at a time…
Sheldon Raymore
Sheldon Raymore is a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and lives in New York City. He's a Native American Storyteller, 2nd Generation Tipi Maker, Visual Artist, Actor, Choreographer, Cultural Consultant, and an award winning Grass Dancer. Since 2014 his mission has been to increase HIV/AIDS awareness, sexual health education, and accessibility of PrEP services for the Two Spirit community and beyond. He is the creator of www.PrEPahHontoz.com which provides an enriching awareness experience, with culturally competent and appropriate methods of increasing PrEP awareness. The PrEPahHontoz Tipi project has toured all over the United States and as far away as Amsterdam, Netherlands. The Tipi Project decreases social and cultural stigma's associated with HIV/AIDS, and HIV Prevention. It also disseminates correct information about HIV and it's history in the Native American community, while utilizing "culture as prevention."