Keynote Speaker
Dr. Farrah Gray has recently been featured by AOL Black Voices as making Black History 2008. He was also named as one of the most influential Black men in America by the National Urban League's Urban Influence Magazine. Ebony Magazine recognized him as an entrepreneurial icon, business mogul and best-selling author. More
State Housing Plenary
The Honorable Richard Cordray was elected Ohio Attorney General in November 2008. He previously served as Ohio Treasurer of State, Franklin County Treasurer, State Representative, and as Ohio's first Solicitor General. More
Federal Policy Plenary
Sheila Crowley is the president and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, where she heads a membership organization that is dedicated solely to achieving socially just public policy that assures people with the lowest incomes in the United States have affordable and decent homes. More
Ohio Economic Forecast
The Honorable Kevin L. Boyce was sworn in as Ohio Treasurer of State in January 2009. Prior to his appointment, Boyce served eight years as a member of the Columbus City Council, was elected as President Pro Tempore, and served as Chairman of the Public Finance Committee. More
Operation Street Smart: Narcotics 101
The goal of Street Smart is to provide current narcotics information on trends, terminology, paraphernalia, and physiological effects of drugs to those individuals who deal with today's youth. Taught by two current undercover detectives, this program includes actual examples of designer street drugs and current drug paraphernalia, which depict the ease in camouflaging drug use from adults. Emphasis is placed on the physiological effects of the drugs as well as on the street/slang terminology used in describing drugs. So-called "traditional" drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, crack, heroin, and methamphetamine are also covered. Prescription medications, due to the easy accessibility in most households, will also be discussed.
Moderator:
Melanie Shapiro, Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing
Ms. Shapiro joined Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing (OCCH) in 2000 and is the Director of Partner Services. In this capacity, she coordinates OCCH's Resident Development Fund that creates opportunities for residents of Ohio Equity Fund properties to achieve greater self-sufficiency. She also manages the HUD Cooperative Agreements and coordinates training, technical assistance, consulting contracts and reporting requirements related to grant activities. Ms. Shapiro has specialized experience in compliance with HUD Section 8, HOME, Fair Housing and Section 504 and Section 42 regulations. She provides compliance and fair housing training to OCCH partners as well as industry associations and is active with the Ohio Housing Finance Agency Multifamily Management Advisory Committee and the Midwest Affordable Housing Management Association. In May 2004, she joined the Housing Credit Certified Professional Board of Governors as a Technical Advisor. Ms. Shapiro is certified as an Assisted Housing Manager, Fair Housing Specialist, National Affordable Housing Professional Executive, HOME Program Regulations Specialist, and Housing Credit Certified Professional. She also holds a Master of Arts in Public Administration from The Ohio State University.
Speakers:
Lt. Shawn Bain, Franklin County Sheriff's Office
Lt. Shawn Bain has been a Deputy with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office for over 23 years. He has been assigned to many different divisions with the Sheriff's Office including the Jail division, Patrol division, Canine Unit, SWAT, and the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) conducting vice and narcotics investigations and has served in supervisory roles in each area. Lt. Bain is a graduate of the F.B.I. National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Investigators School, and has attended numerous other schools and seminars across the country. Lt. Bain has been assigned to numerous task forces assisting the FBI, DEA, and U.S. Marshall's Office. He is a member of the International Narcotics Interdiction Association (INIA) and the Narcotics Association Regional Coordinating Officers (NARCO). Lt. Bain is a state certified instructor for the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy and is currently assigned as Commander of the Special Investigations Unit.
Sgt. Michael N. Powell (Retired), Franklin County Sheriff's Office
Sgt. Michael N. Powell was with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office for over 32 years retiring in April 2006. He continues to work part-time as a Public Information Specialist with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office conducting drug training throughout the State of Ohio and other parts of the U.S., to include Arizona, Colorado, Washington, Texas, Nevada, Florida, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee. For the last 26 years of his career, he was assigned to the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) working narcotics, vice and stolen property investigations. Sgt. Powell is a graduate of the F.B.I. National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. From June 1995 through December 2001, Sgt. Powell was federally deputized and a supervisor with the F.B.I. Drug Task Force in Columbus. Sgt. Powell has been a member of the Narcotics Association Regional Coordinating Officers (NARCO), as well as a state certified instructor of narcotics teaching at police academies throughout Ohio. Sgt. Powell also drafted and is the lead instructor in basic and advanced undercover narcotics courses offered across the state since 1984. Prior to his retirement, he supervised the Ohio High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) federal task force in Columbus. Sgt. Powell was instrumental in creating Operation Street Smart and is one of the main speakers for Operation Street Smart.
