Benjamin Franklin Medal Winner

Overton was known for his direct approach and did not tolerate the laissez-faire mentality that some Chickasaw leaders adopted. He actively participated in tribal matters and established the Chickasaw neighborhood school system.

Overton brought both an educator’s credibility and visionary’s enthusiasm to his years on the Florida Supreme Court Justice bench.

Early Life and Education

Born during Reconstruction in Monroe, Louisiana, Overton moved with his family to Topeka, Kansas when he was still young. While working at a fruit and grocery store he earned money to finance his college studies.

Overton was educated at South Side High School in Topeka before going on to Washburn College nearby in Topeka. Following graduation he established several businesses such as Overton Hygienic Manufacturing Company and Half-Century Magazine; Victory Life Insurance Company, Douglass National Bank (the second nationally chartered black owned bank in America); Victory life Insurance Company as well as Douglass National Bank which became second nationally chartered black owned bank in United States).

Overton was elected to both houses of Tennessee’s General Assembly, serving in both houses simultaneously. Additionally, he held board membership at Alpine Institute as well as serving as its Sunday school superintendent for over 11 years.

Professional Career

Overton High School won its inaugural State Football Championship in 1981, while also boasting an extensive wrestling program. Other clubs and activities offered to Overton students include Beta Club, Business Professionals of America, cheerleading choir drama FCCLA FCCLA forensics (speech and debate) Interact Club National Honor Society as well as Beta Club membership and Business Professionals of America membership.

Through her career, she has presented at multiple national conferences on topics related to geriatric health such as sleep studies and caregiver training, working at multiple nursing homes in the area.

Benjamin Leos is a Programme Officer with the Thomson Reuters Foundation. His primary area of work involves TrustLaw, their global pro bono programme. Prior to that he had experience resource mobilization for international human rights and foreign affairs NGOs as well as developing novel models of development cooperation.

Achievement and Honors

The Franklin Institute of Philadelphia awards the Benjamin Franklin Medal to scientists demonstrating excellence in science, engineering and industry. Previous recipients have included Thomas Edison, Marie Curie, Claude Shannon and Jane Goodall – Margaret Murnane and Henry Kapteyn of KMLabs were presented this year’s Benjamin Franklin Medal in recognition of their developments of ultrafast tabletop x-ray sources that allow researchers to examine materials at unprecedented speeds.

Brodersen’s biography provides a vivid portrait of Benjamin, from his literary criticism and translation successes, friendships and romantic affairs to exile and internment experiences. Overton currently works for Thomson Reuters Foundation’s TrustLaw programme as Programme Officer for North America; TrustLaw provides pro bono legal support for human rights and foreign affairs NGOs around the world.

Personal Life

Overton is an author of multiple books. Additionally, he lectures and conducts trainings on nonprofit work, human rights and international development issues. Furthermore, he currently serves as Programme Officer for North America at Thomson Reuters Foundation’s TrustLaw global pro bono program.

His family includes his sister Leah Gayheart as well as numerous nieces and nephews, with plans underway for a private cremation service to honor his memory.

Nevel Overton-Slack manages an online family tree website dedicated to Overtons called Clan 1 Overtons that includes comprehensive genealogical information. There are historical photos as well as links to research articles regarding them; all this makes this resource an invaluable resource for tracing one’s heritage. Currently there are 25 family trees identified on it and more are continually being added.

Net Worth

Overton is currently the Chairman and CEO of Cheesecake Factory Inc (CAKE), owning over $5 Million worth of shares worth 133,211 in his account. Overton made no insider transactions within the last three months with Cheesecake Factory Inc.

As an inventor and engineer, Benjamin invented over 400 inventions that changed modern manufacturing by improving klaxons to cut through the noise created by punch presses, screw machines and conveyor belts. Additionally, Benjamin founded and led Benjamin Electric Manufacturing Company through an incredible period of growth until 1922; when he died and was laid to rest at Greenwood Cemetery in Effingham. Illinois.