The 4th Annual African American Golf Expo and Forum (AAGE) will host its first Adaptive Golf and Sports Panel, inviting various Adaptive Sports organizations, organizers, supporters, and participants. The panel discussion will provide an opportunity to engage and educate attendees on how adaptive sports programs can provide opportunities for individuals with disabilities to develop confidence and leadership skills.
The session is scheduled for Tuesday, August 27 at 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m., at the Palm Beach Gardens Marriott, 4000 RCA Blvd, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410. The panel will discuss the different adaptive sports programs available and how they can positively benefit disabled individuals’ mental and physical health.
This interactive session will also provide a platform for individuals with disabilities to share first-hand experiences and insights on the impacts of participation in adaptive sports. The AAG EXPO and Forum Adaptive Sports Panel is an initiative to raise awareness about the need for adaptive sports programs and promote diversity in golf and other adaptive sports by encouraging their participation.
Charlene Williams is the Chief of Staff for Jim Beatty Golf Ventures LLC and the President of C. T. Williams VETS Adaptive Sports & Beyond LLC. Charlene is a 26-year retired Afghanistan Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraq Freedom decorated Navy veteran presenting the Adaptive Sports and Golf Panel at the 4th Annual African American EXPO and Forum.
Charlene will proudly introduce five remarkable members of her Adaptive Sports Family:
- Kim J. Clark, a dedicated veteran advocate and founder of The DeMarco Project. As the mother of a Veteran who lost his life to suicide, Kim has a unique way of connecting and bonding with Veterans.
- Jay Ellis was retroactively honored by the Air Force as the first “wounded warrior” to graduate from the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF). He also holds an honors degree from the University of South Florida. Jay advocates for “The Power of Sport” and has been competing in adaptive sports since being injured in Iraq.
- Kathleen A. Erickson, a pioneer in accessible golf through her Accessible Golf Community Foundation, is a visionary and entrepreneur whose groundbreaking work has transformed the landscape of adaptive sports.
- John Edward Heath, a Marine Corps veteran whose story showcases the power of perseverance, the importance of mental health awareness, and the transformative potential of adaptive sports. John Edward Heath has also become a prominent figure in adaptive athletics.
- Kari Miller Ortiz, a former U.S. Army Sergeant turned Paralympic gold medalist in sitting volleyball. Beyond sports, Kari has contributed significantly to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives as the Director of People and Culture at Move United, leading efforts to serve better persons with disabilities, particularly those from diverse backgrounds.
Learn more about the speakers below:
Kim J. Clark is the Executive Director and Founder of The DeMarco Project—a proud recipient of the Wayne County Commission In-Service to Veterans Certificate of Appreciation Award 2023. Kim also received a Veteran Volunteer Award from Amada Senior Care and is a columnist for The Detroit Native Sun, a local news publication. The title of her column is “The DeMarco Project Speaks. “As the mother of a Veteran who lost his life to suicide, she has a unique way of connecting and bonding with Veterans. They help her as much as she helps them. She has found significant healing in implementing wellness measures in her life. To that end, she implements self-care practices that include meditation, golf, and competitive ballroom dancing.
Jay Ellis, an Iraq War veteran, retired from the USAF due to severe injuries sustained from a roadside blast/IED while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is a 2016 Invictus Games gold medalist and a 2023 National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) National Champion-Military Division. Jay is also a retired Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Officer.
Kathleen A. Erickson, fondly known as “Kathy,” is a visionary and entrepreneur whose groundbreaking work has transformed the landscape of adaptive sports. As the Founder and Chairman of the Accessible Golf Community Foundation (USAGCF), Kathy has dedicated her life to creating inclusive opportunities for individuals with disabilities, including amputees, underserved communities, veterans, and youth, through the therapeutic and competitive game of golf.
Kari Miller Ortiz is a former U.S. Army Sergeant and a distinguished Paralympian who turned a personal tragedy into an inspiring journey of achievement. After losing both legs in a car accident caused by a drunk driver while on leave in 1999, Kari discovered sitting volleyball and quickly excelled, winning multiple medals, including a Silver Medal at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics and a Gold Medal at the 2016 Rio Paralympics.
John Edward Heath, a United States Marine Corps member (founder/CEO of the Adaptive Athletics Foundation of Maryland). In 2016, John-Edward underwent what was meant to be surgery to fix his leg, ending in a 13-surgery journey and a below-the-knee amputation. Amid an amputation, John Edward would lose his significant other to suicide. Two years post amputation, John-Edward became one of the faces of Adaptive CrossFit, trained and competed with the most prominent face of USA track & field, run Hood to Coast 2023 with an all-adaptive team, and changed legislation on prosthetics and insurance companies in the state of Maryland.
Learn more about registering and participating in the African American Golf EXPO & Forum HERE.
