ABC program host will keynote April 18 SHIFT series luncheon

CEDAR RAPIDS -- John Quiñones, host of the "What Would You Do?" ABC television series, will be the keynote speaker for the April 18 SHIFT series luncheon at the Coralville Marriott Hotel & Convention Center.

The SHIFT speaker series is sponsored by Diversity Focus, a not-for-profit organization that promotes diversity awareness and inclusion in the Creative Corridor. The luncheon will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the cost is $50 per person.

Quiniones' program features hidden camera scenarios that test the moral dilemmas of everyday people. The show captures people's reactions when confronted with staged dilemmas compelling them to either act or walk away.

Scenarios touch on a range of topics from racism, homophobia, teen issues, parenting, elderly, and obesity.

Quiñones has been with ABC television for over 25 years, starting as a general correspondent and moving up to news anchor and then host of major programming. He has won many journalistic awards including an ALMA Award from the National Council of La Raza for his critically acclaimed ABC News special, Latin Beat.

Before joining ABC News, Quiñones was a reporter with WBBM-TV in Chicago. He won two Emmy Awards for his 1980 reporting on the plight of illegal aliens from Mexico.

Quiñones also is the author of Heroes Among Us: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Choices, a book chronicling the bravery of ordinary people who perform heroic acts of humanity.