Fatima Plater

Our Special Guest for our conference is Fatima Plater, Optimist International Foundation Board Member.

Fatima N. Plater is a native of Detroit, MI, who graduated from Western Michigan University with a
BS in Special Education. She received a Masters Degree and an Educational Specialist Degree in
Special Education Administration, from Wayne State University. Her professional career has

encompassed teaching in the Detroit Public School system (retired) as a special education teacher-
consultant, reading specialist and regular education teacher.

Fatima is a charter member of Metro Riverfront Optimist Club, Loving Community Optimist Club and
and International Centennial Optimist Club
Fatima has built 27 clubs, and has recruited 175 members; over her 28 years as an optimist. She was a
Distinguished and Outstanding OI District Foundation Representative (2004-2005).
She has served on Optimist International Board of Directors. and as a Northeast- Great Lakes
Region Vice President and presently is on the Optimist International Board of Directors as Chair of the
Health & Wellness Committee and OIF Treasurer.
Fatima’s daughter and son-in-law, Amani and Marcus Pollard, finished in 3rd place on Season 19 of
the Amazing Race. Marcus is Director of Player Development and Engagement for the Jacksonville
Jaguars. He played 10 years for the Indianapolis Colts and lives in St. Johns’s, Florida with her four
grandchildren
Fatima embraces the beliefs of Marion Wright Edelman, Founder of the Children’s Defense Fund, who
stated, “ We must not, in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the small daily
differences we can make which, over time, add up to big differences that we often cannot foresee.”