Experiences
Throughout my travels, I have had the absolute pleasure of meeting many wonderful and inspiring people!
I’d like to take a moment to recognize them here and what they offer the world.
YUSUF SALAAM - #EXONERATED5 #Whentheyseeus
This man and his four comrades went through the fire and SURVIVED,
eventually seeing freedom & completely exonerated!! If you don’t know who he is, check out the movie “When They See Us”! The perfect hashtag…. #Speechless
Ruth Carter - COSTUME DESIGNER
Listening to, meeting & getting a picture with Costume Designer Ruth Carter - who designed the costumes for Black Panther!!
1. First African-American to be nominated for an Academy Award in Costume Design.
2. Holds the most African-American historic films and series than any other Costume Designer in the film and television industry.
3. Designed 14 of Spike Lee’s Films holding an Academy (Oscar) Nomination for Malcolm X.
4. Holds another Oscar Nomination for Amistad directed by Steven Spielberg.
5. Holds an Emmy Nomination for Roots.
6. Designed Marvel’s Black Panther. Nominated for Oscar and if she wins she will be in line to be the first woman ever to win for a super hero film and the first African American woman to ever win for BEST COSTUME DESIGN.
Miss Black usa
I was sitting with my hubby & great friends at a Dance Theater of Harlem event and saw this beauty with her crown sitting behind us! When we ask “Why the crown?”... she tells us.... Ohh...I’m Miss Black USA!! Of course, I had to get a pic!! When queens leave the house with their actual crowns .... THIS HAPPENS!!
Ruby Shuttlesworth - daughter of Rev Fred Shuttlesworth!!!
If you don’t know who Rev Shuttlesworth is - Google him!!
He was a Freedom Rider, survived attempts on his life, was brutally beaten while attempting to enroll Ruby in an all white school, and fought tirelessly for Civil Rights!! This woman loved on me, encouraged me, blessed me & imparted wisdom to me!! She told us how proud she was of hubby & I and shared her life experiences of being raised by a Civil Rights warrior! I shall never forget this night!!
Priscilla Shirer - Author, speaker & Actress
Priscilla Shirer is an actress, who starred in the movie War Room and is a well known speaker, author and teacher. Priscilla is the daughter of Pastor Tony Evans and sister to singer Anthony Evans. Her teachings are so powerful and she hasn’t let fame or her famous dad & family affect the way she treats, engages, & loves on people!! Love her!!
Dr. bruce perry - childhood trauma expert
Bruce D. Perry, M.D., Ph.D., is an internationally-recognized authority on children in crisis. Dr. Perry is the Provincial Medical Director in Children’s Mental Health for the Alberta Mental Health Board. In addition, he is the Senior Fellow of the Child Trauma Academy, a Houston-based organization dedicated to research and education on child maltreatment. Dr. Perry has consulted on many high-profile incidents involving traumatized children, including the Columbine, Colorado school shootings, the Oklahoma City bombing, and the Branch Davidian siege. After his interviewed on 60 Minutes with Oprah Winfrey, the two of them teamed up to write the book “What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Healing & Resilience”. It is a fascinating book.
Dr Monique Morris - Author & sOCIAL justice scholar
Monique W. Morris, Ed.D. is an award-winning author and social justice scholar with nearly three decades of experience in the areas of education, civil rights, juvenile and social justice. Dr. Morris is the author of Pushout The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools (The New Press, 2016), Black Stats: African Americans by the Numbers in the Twenty-First Century (The New Press, 2014), and Too Beautiful for Words (MWM Books, 2012).
Dr. Morris’ work is so valuable! She is an ABSOLUTE jewel!
Dr Sampson Davis - Doctor, Author and SPEAKER
While attending University High School in Newark, New Jersey, Dr. Davis met Dr. Rameck Hunt and Dr. George Jenkins, two fellow students who together made a promise to become doctors. Dr. Davis and his two childhood friends each successfully fulfilled their pact. Dr. Davis is now a board certified Emergency Medicine Physician.
Today Dr. Davis spends his time practicing medicine and traveling the country delivering keynote speeches with timely messages. Dr. Davis believes it is important to give education a sense of style and fashion. He is the author of Living and Dying in Brick City, as well as co-author, along w/ Drs. George Jenkins, and Rameck Hunt of The Pact and The Bond.
He’s awesome and so down to earth!! I APPLAUD his Mission!!
Lalah Hathaway- Recording artist
She is the daughter of soul singer Donny Hathaway and an alumna of Berklee College of Music. Hathaway, a contralto singer, is her father the late great Donny Hathaway's eldest daughter. Her longest singing note was held for 17 seconds in the performance of "Forever, For Always, For Love". I met Lalah at the GRS event Symphony with Soul. She’s a TRUE SWEETHEART & her voice is INCREDIBLE!!
Danielle Gordon UDEDIKE - author
Author of Whitney’s Wonderful Imagination and I’m a Little Superhero. Founder of Afro Princess Publishing, LLC whose mission is to empower children of color and increase self-esteem, by publishing books that positively represent children of color and their infinite possibilities.
I have known her since she was a “little girl”! LOL I purchase these books and send them to friends and loved ones! Two of them ended up in Korea and is now keeping company with that same wonderful family who has now relocated to Kenya! Love these books and Danielle!
Ted Wachtel -
Founder of the international institute of Restorative practices
Ted Wachtel is the founder and former president of the International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP) Graduate School in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and co-founder of CSF Buxmont schools and group homes serving delinquent and at-risk youth in eastern Pennsylvania.
Ted Wachtel is one of the most humble men I know! I am honored to represent IIRP and to have met this amazing leader!!