Sarasota Military Academy, a local public charter school, has released a list of celebrity guests and industry experts scheduled to present during the annual “Inspire Project” curriculum, a program created by Sarasota Military Academy (SMA) teacher Todd Brown, PhD.
The lineup of speakers for the 2018 – 2019 academic school year includes platinum-selling, multiple Grammy, CMA and ACM Award-winning vocalist, Emmy Award-winning and Best-Selling author Trisha Yearwood, who spoke to cadets on August 16, 2018, Time Magazine’s Person of the Year and Most Influential People in the World Dr. Pardis Sabeti, award-winning photographer and artist Erik Jacobs, 2nd ranked female on NBC’s American Ninja Warrior in the World Barclay Strong and Somalia refugee and critically-acclaimed author Abdi Nor Iftin, among others.
“Each year, the Inspire Project continues to bridge the gap between successful individuals and our SMA cadets, showing them what is possible and how to collaborate with others to have a positive impact,” said Sarasota Military Academy Teacher Todd Brown, PhD. “Through the Inspire Project, we can work together to empower students, foster change, and allow the future to begin now by adapting our unique experience and lay the groundwork for change together.”
Brown was recently invited to speak at the 2018 AdvancED Global Conference in Cairo, Egypt and Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, and he was nominated for the CNN Heroes award by Harvard University. He created Project Inspire in 2016 and has secured grants from L’Oréal, Voya, Florida IB, and his local school district. Brown has collaborated with Harvard, MIT, Discovery and Travel Channel as well as multiple contacts around the world including Canada, Israel, France, Ireland, Tanzania, Uruguay, Iran, and he was recently named to the Advisory Board to Faulu Academy in Kenya, Africa.
“There are many initiatives and programs that set Sarasota Military Academy apart in our community,” said SMA Colonel Christina Bowman, Sarasota Military Academy Executive Director of Schools. “One such program is the Inspire Project, carefully and thoughtfully created by Todd Brown. His vision has grown to not only fuel the imaginations of our cadets, but also show them a world where anything is possible through collaboration, hard work and the ability to look for opportunities in every situation.”
To learn more about the Inspire Project or view a list of past or planned speakers and appearances, visit http://theinspireproject.us/. To learn more about Sarasota Military Academy, visit http://www.sarasotamilitaryacademy.org/.
About Sarasota Military Academy
Founded in 2002, Sarasota Military Academy (SMA) is a public charter school with two campuses located in Sarasota, Florida. Combining extraordinary academics with the highest military principles of camaraderie, focus, leadership, integrity, compassion, poise, honor and respect, SMA’s mission is to graduate young men and women who will confidently define their personal and unique goals for success in a multi-cultural and globalized world. Sarasota Military Academy High School is located at 801 N. Orange Avenue and Sarasota Military Academy Prep Middle School, is located at 3101 Bethel Lane. To learn more about SMA, visit http://www.sarasotamilitaryacademy.org/.