Welcome to 50 Shades of Blue Baltimore
Domestic Violence Affects too Many Men, Women and Children for Us to Sit Silent.
Lessons From a Business Pioneer
Chandra's entrepreneurial spirit started at an early age. Working along side her father within his many businesses as well as his colleagues; Chandra was a sponge soaking up the ins and outs of how businesses are started, ran and also sometimes fail or succeed. Using this knowledge at the age of 19 she started her own baking company which blossomed into a full service catering and event planning company.
As her friends watched many turned to her for advise on how to start and run their own businesses. Thus began her path into business consulting. Using the knowledge gained from working within Fortune 500 companies as well as the Department of Defense she is able to offer that knowledge to her clients.
Her motto is, "If you start with the right foundation nothing can stop your path to success!"
SPEAKERS
Minister Shenee Edwards
Editor-in-chief, Indimogul Magazine & President of 3HP & The DMV Christian Music Awards
www.sheneeedwards.com
Even while running her own magazine, Mrs. Edwards is also a full time student majoring in Psychology with a concentration in Christian Counseling while maintaining a full time job as a Supported Employment Coordinator in which she helps people with special needs find jobs, coordinate developmental workshops and oversees a department of 45 individuals. Her newly released book The Miniseries of Me is sure to enlighten
Exit: Is It the Right Way Up?
Delass, a Baltimore, MD native whose love for writing began early as an adolescent, with what she describes as an intermittent love for the art. In October, 2014 Delass illustrates what she calls her metaphoric altercation; in her first on stage presentation of spoken word. Since her initial debut, Delass has performed feature presentations, spotlight performances and has shared her poetry at a host of open mic venues throughout the DMV area, to include special events, women and teen conferences, youth programs, workshops, weddings, birthday gatherings, and baby showers. Delass has launched the movement “Retrospective Growth” having birthed during a time of personal trial, where she used her challenges to advance into a position of reward. "I decided to turn my pain into passion and my hurt into reward". Through spoken word, public speaking, and workshops she helps others to overcome some of life’s most troubling issues. Be on the lookout for more to come...
Born and raised in Baltimore, MD, Poet Renae, also known as Shernise Richardson, started writing poetry at the age of 8 years old. As a child growing up in a single parent home and being a victim of mental bullying, she used writing as a way to vent her feelings and to escape to a place of happiness, acceptance and understanding. She wrote to understand why her father was not permanent in her life, why she was picked on in school because of her image and why she couldn’t be accepted the way she was made. After writing for a couple of years she found that her words had an effect on those whom she entrusted to read them. She was told that one day her words would inspire others. It wasn't until she performed her poem, "Masterpieces" for her high school graduating class, that she realized that doing poetry was her true gift. From then on she started performing her poetry for church events and family gatherings. Between the years of 2007 and 2008 she started to perform at open mics within the Baltimore, MD area, and being featured at certain events. During her poetic journey in those years she realized that writing and performing her poetry was her purpose. Her poetry was therapy that led her to a path of forgiveness and understanding of her past. She realized her purpose was to inspire others in the world by letting them know that no matter the tribulations they could live through their storms.
The Grass Is Greener on Your Side
True Help & Empowerment for Women & Aspiring Youth Foundation USA (The Way Foundation USA) is a vital 501(c)(3) nonprofit developmental organization and future training center for women and youth that operates on the principle that long-term social change is most effectively accomplished through initiatives promoting self-sufficiency and sustainability.
Our mission is to advocate for development, sustain peace, and alleviate poverty, particularly amongst women, youth, children and at risk members of society. Our programs focus on five core social issues: Education, Infrastructure Development, Economic Development, Leadership Development and Healthcare.
Melony Hill has been an entrepreneur for the past 10 years. Over that time period, Melony has switched fields of interest in the entertainment industry multiple times.
Legally disabled, once counted out by society due to the obstacles she had to overcome and challenges she faces daily, Melony has proven that she is a survivor. Melony is a survivor of long-term molestation, physical, mental and emotional abuse in the home , rape and other adversity.. Melony also grew up in a home rife with domestic violence and abuse in many forms which lead to her turning into an abuser herself before healing.
Today, she runs four independent businesses, including Stronger Than My Struggles. Melony is an author, motivational speaker, digital marketing and promotion consultant, and workshop facilitator.
France Neptune is a woman after God’s heart. She is the founder of Edify Your Sister™ which was birthed from her passion for helping youth girls and women know their worth, discover their purpose, heal from the past hurts, and walk in forgiveness. She desires that we stop tearing each other down and start building each other up.
France encourages us to take a stand and become bolder concerning godly standards. She is transparent about the mistakes and bad decisions that she has made and uses her testimonies, along with her Five points to “Being Uniquely and Authentically You,” to build up and help other sisters overcome.
France is a survivor of an abusive relationship and divorce. She is the mother of a healthy and handsome teen boy who was born at 2 pounds 10 ounces. She doesn’t look like what she’s been through. She gives God all the praise, glory, and honor! Her book, “Empty Promises of a Deceptive Heart”, will be available in 2017.
France has an undergraduate degree in Business Management and a graduate degree in Human Resources Management. She enjoys learning, meeting new people, sisterhoods, and edifying others.
Kendra Fowler, also known as "Mizz K", was born and raised in Washington, DC. She is the author of "Pain, Promiscuity, Purpose: From Mess To Ministry."
She is best known for ministering to others through her writing, blogging, and spoken word. Passionate about leading others to Christ and inspiring young women, she is very candid when
speaking about her past and the events that ultimately led to her transformation.
The Wealthy Mind
This multi faceted woman is on the go! From acting to writing, she is making her mark in the DMV area. She has starred in numerous independent films and stage plays. She is also a self published author. She is impacting the community with her two non-profit organizations. Mommy Moguls a group designed to connect moms who are entreprenuers and Girly Go Gettes, a goup which promotes self-esteem and ambition in young girls.
Stephanie Randall
Mom-preneur & Founder of Girly Go Getters, Tasty Things, Ginger Berry & CEO of Bephue Doodle & Company
www.bephiedoodlecompany.bigcartel.com
Poet and author of recently released book DNA (Don't Never Assume), this powerhouse is also known as Poetless Shakespeare. SHe is multi talented in that she has performed infront of live audiences, has been recorded and hits the mark every time with her words and thoughts.
Sunshine King is a dedicated activist for disability rights and health and wellness. She has turned her tragedy into a passion that enhances the mind and spirit of people in need of help. Her desire to nurture what ails has led her to become certified as a Reflexology, Massage Therapist, Third Degree Reiki Practitioner, Qi Gong instructor, Iridologist, and Life Coach. Sunshine’s refusal to remain a victim after paralysis, has propelled her to remain active in the art’s and theatrical industry. She teaches other disabled adults and children how to remain active through adaptive dance and aerobic.
She also works as and teaches modeling, acting, and choreographer for various agencies. In 2016, she was invited to “walk” the runway at New York Fashion week. Sunshine is the survivor of a brutal domestic violence attack by her then soon to be ex-husband that left her with a incomplete T4- T5 spinal cord injury from being shot four times. This tragic incident ignited a spark that exploded into Sunshine Project H.E.L.P {Healing. Educating. Loving, People} and Sunshine Models on Wheels, founded in 2005. Her organizations’ missions pledge to empower others through the recovery stages of exiting a domestic violence situation, boost their confidence and self-esteem, and educate the public about the often-hidden issues of domestic violence and disabilities.
Sunshine’s diligent work within her community and other states have not gone unnoticed. Sunshine has been honored as a double survivor by local organizations and has been featured in the Baltimore Sun News Paper, Baltimore Afro News Paper, Carol County Times, Comcast Newsmakers, Inside Edition, MSN News, AOL News, Story Trender, and has had numerous radio interviews in multiple states.
Sunshine King
www.sunshineprojecthelp.org
Mom, survivor, actress, poetess and model. She does it all! A member of Caution Modeling and M.A.M. Records, she is looking to make her mark in the industry. Queen Pheen, Denice Smith also deals with what she calls the Purple Dragon (LUPUS). You can find out through her poetry just how debilitating yet educational it is to deal with this disease and what she has done to cope with it.
Queen Pheen
https://www.facebook.com/DopePheen
Troy Jones, CEO of 108, is a social advocate, mentor, motivational speaker, author, and a domestic violence survivor. For the last 25 years, Jones has continued his work in the human services field working his way from a teacher to a director, assisting people from different ages and socioeconomic backgrounds.
From his years of experience, Jones has seen how the effects of neglect and abuse have on its victims. Jones firmly believes that while we protect our women and girls we cannot just silently encourage our men and boys to stop hitting and to pull themselves up by their boot straps when they too are being abused. Jones created 108 to empower men holistically with the tools necessary to identify and maintain healthy relationships, to instill resiliency and support to overcome past abuse and trauma.
