AHF GALA FUNDRAISER- Maintaining Resilience

Dennis J. Gardin shares his very personal reflections upon both the victories & struggles experienced living with a physical difference & the emotional aftermath of trauma, as an illustration of the unlimited possibilities for life & the wonderment of harnessing our “Unique Gifts & Talents” to successfully navigate the inevitable storms of life. Burned as a child over 70% TBS (total body surface) in a horrific gasoline explosion which resulted in eight months hospitalized, several dozen surgeries & years of grueling therapy rehabilitation. Prolonged pain & profound disfigurement caused him to hide for two years of agonizing isolation in the confines of his parent’s home, allowing his dreams to die & hope to fade. But with the steadfast love & prayers of family/friends, his love-of-self slowly reawakened as he began focusing on growing with intention thru his new normal existence. Dennis evolved along his journey of self-discovery to become a professional speaker, entrepreneur, former television talk show host/radio personality, program facilitator & consultant working with diverse organizations across the globe, in both corporate & nonprofit sectors. Today, he passionately lives a life of purpose – on purpose… currently serving as Executive Director for the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation, which he considers a privileged labor of LOVE! Dennis understands that real strength is seeking support when needed & true courage is not an absence of fear, but the willingness to take ownership of our situations & move forward despite the obstacles; His personal mission is to inspire people to face their inner-scars & self-limiting beliefs to create a fulfilling balanced life of abundance… influencing an expanded mindset acknowledging the power of choice & acknowledging our obligation to contribute to the improvement of the human condition!

Anthony Antoine is the weekday evening anchor at FOX 26. He works alongside Rashi Vats and Caroline Collins anchoring the 5 pm, 6 pm, 9 pm, and 10 pm newscasts. He joined the team in July 2023 and comes to the Bayou City after spending 5 years in Richmond, Virginia. During that time, he won 5 Emmys as the weekday morning anchor. Prior to that, he spent 6 years at the CBS affiliate in Champaign, Illinois. He started out as a part-time camera operator and worked his way up to the weekday morning anchor and earned his first Emmy nomination. Anthony was born in Trinidad and Tobago and migrated to the U.S. at 10 years old. New Jersey’s been home ever since. After graduating from Saint Anthony High School, he continued his education at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. While in college he interned at CBS in Los Angeles, California working on shows like Entertainment Tonight, Wheel of Fortune, and Jeopardy. He says it was an experience of a lifetime. He’s a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated, and in 2009, he graduated with a degree in Telecommunications and a minor in Ethnic Studies. Anthony, his wife, and their two dogs are happy to call Houston home, and they’re looking forward to experiencing everything the city has to offer.

Kechi Okwuchi is a Nigerian-born singer-songwriter, speaker and author. She is an inspirational and TEDx keynote speaker, and a bullying prevention advocate. Her dramatic plane crash survivor story as well as her impactful messages of resilience and overcoming combine powerfully to inspire personal and cultural transformation.

Kechi is a two-time  finalist, receiving Simon Cowell’s golden buzzer in her second appearance on the NBC show in 2019. She now uses her story and singing to inspire millions of people across the globe.

Kechi released her debut single, ‘Don’t You Dare’ in 2018, and has since released a self-titled album across all music streaming platforms. Her memoir ‘More Than My Scars’ is available everywhere books are sold, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Audiobook, and it details her burn survivor journey in a way that encourages readers to truly believe in life after trauma.

Kechi graduated with an MBA in 2023, and has since utilized her degree by working in digital marketing and sustainability reporting at the corporate level. She also participates in burn survivor research, providing data that, so far, has been used to develop a heat risk calculator— available on the  website— for the benefit of fellow and burn survivors. Today, she continues to travel and perform, using her life and her social media platforms to spread positivity, all while working on new music which she cannot wait to share with the world