Black Women Widows Empowered Network

Well, it's that time! I'm super excited to interview several high-impact widows and community leaders

Dr. Sarah Williams, (Chesapeake, VA) The Celebrity Psychotherapist, TV Host & Creator of Dr. Sarah After Dark, Consultant for members of the Surviving R. Kelly docu-series; Clinical Evaluator for the A&E TV docu-series, Intervention. Visit her at www.iamdrsarahwilliams.com or follow her at @drsarah.w

Dr. Geneva Williams, (Detroit, Michigan) This former Ms. Black Fit and Fine Beauty Pageant winner and Award-Winning non-profit executive is a Leadership Strategist & Podcaster of Ignite2Impact  and can be heard on iHeart Radio & Apple Podcasts.  Visit her at www.DrGenevaSpeaks.com or follow @drgenevaspeaks

Kimberly Wiggins (Eastern Shore, MD) Kimberly is currently a morning anchor at WBOC-TV, Delmarva's #1 source for news in Salisbury, MD. She also helped co-found a faith-based, retail company called Still His for those who would like to share the love for the Lord and/or for a spouse. Kimberly is also a contributor to Widowed, But Not Wounded: The Hustle and Flow of 13 Resilient Black Widowed Women. She may be contacted at www.stillhis.com or @stillhisstillhers

Minister Gwen Wayne, (Little Rock, Arkansas) Gwen is an evangelist, life/grief coach & online influencer whose 5-minute Christian inspirational video hit over 2M views with over 40K shares @gwenwayne37

Carole Davis, Songstress & Actress in various stageplays including A Raisin in The Sun & Annie. Follower her at @carole7davis. (Orlando)

Elle Davis, (Chicago). Entrepreneur/Widow Advocate/NonProfit & Leadership Development Professional @elledavisspeaks

Robert "Dr Bob" Wright,  Executive Stress Mgmt Wellness Coach, Podcaster & Widower. You may follow him at @stressreliefdoc or visit  www.Stressfreenow.info

test of the sytemmmmmm

Join Black Women Widows Empowered as we recognize Mental Health Awareness Month by holding our very first virtual conference via live podcast, July 21, 2018!

A few topics include:

-Mental Health, Beverly Wallace

-Self-Care, Maureen Bobo

-Healing Through Writing & Journaling, Taya Dunn Johnson

-Economic Empowerment, Heather Ibrahaim-Leathers/Nicole Mecca, Global Fund for Widows

-Special Empowerment Guest, Mario Armstrong, 2x Emmy Award Winner, NBC TODAY SHOW Personality, Creator & Host of The Never Settle Show. 

-Sista to Sista segment of BWWE widowed women empowering widowed women with our very own group members, Crystal Pruitt, Rhonda Butler & Danielle James

To register, donate or to obtain podcast information, visit friendlyfirewidowsempowermentconference.eventbrite.com

To visit our website, visit blackwomenwidowsempowered.com

Fiscally sponsored by The Carla Rose Foundation, Inc

Donations are also accepted to help future widows in need, scholarships and more!!

John Polo is a widower, stepdad, author, blogger, speaker and life coach. 

His beautiful wife, Michelle, passed away at the age of 30 on January 22nd, 2016. 

John and Michelle fell in love in high school and separated for eight years before they found their way back to each other. 

Shortly after, Michelle was diagnosed with an extremely rare and aggressive cancer. 

Somehow, through the loss and horrific tragedy that was, John was able to work his way from ‘bitter to better’. 

John’s true passions are writing and speaking about love, loss, grief and healing, as he tries to help others honor their pain and see that a hopeful tomorrow can indeed exist.

You can follow John on his blog at www.betternotbitterwidower.com and on Facebook and Instagram by searching Better Not Bitter Widower.

The book drops December 1! Listen to these wonderful ladies as they chat about their chapters and offer bits of nuggets for listeners.

Visit BlackWomenWidowsEmpowered.com/book to reserve your copy today!#widowedbutnotwounded

Widowed But Not Wounded Book celebrates the life, work, and resilience of thirteen black widowed women who have chosen to document their life after loss. This introductory book is rich in love and laughter and touches on several of the five stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance). Widowed, But Not Wounded was also written to expose the challenges of what black women widows are often faced with after the death of a spouse.

We will chat with each author, and grab a few informational nuggets on how they've survived as well as listen to what they have to offer the black widowed woman - and more!

Kudos to the contributing authors: Maureen Bobo, Khadija Ali, LaTisha Bowie, Kimberly Holmes Wiggins, Danielle James, Beverly Wallace, Cheryl Barnes, Beverly Kelley Jeter, Angela Allen Richardson, Kerry Phillips, Rhonda Butler, Melody Dixon Brown

Yanni Brown is an author, blogger, relationship educator, speaker, and a lover of love. As far back as she can remember, Yanni has always been a passionate observer of relationships, intrigued with the dynamics of what works for some and didn’t work for others. Her signature offerings include “What every bride should know before saying “I DO”, The Touch of Love workshop for couples, and Making Love Better TwoGether, a series of marriage and relationship education workshops designed to assist couples as they navigate through the challenges that accompany love, intimacy, relationships, marriage, and the pursuit of happiness.

The Yanni Brown Making Love Better TwoGether brand was birthed from an unsuccessful marriage and learning from past relationships that enlightened her on how to infuse education, research, love, passion, and purpose to create better relationships. Yanni’s writings on love, life and the pursuit of happiness have been featured in Essence, Rolling Out, the Six Brown Chicks blog, and Black and Married With Kids and is best known for her appearance on OWN “Iyanla: Fix My Life, Season 1(Fix My Backstabbing Friends)”. Yanni is a member of the BOSS Network, NARME (National Association of Relationship and Marriage Education) an Honorary Color Girl for the She’s In Color campaign, a member of the Boss Network and a former Chief Chick of the Six Brown Chicks. She has been heard regularly on The Doug Banks Radio Show.

Certified relationship expert & Grief Recovery Specialist Cortne Lee Smith is a perfect example of someone whose passion and calling in life chose her. As a relationship coach, Cortne prepares engaged couples for marriage so they can stay together and teaches existing spouses how to keep their romance continually blooming. She is determined to do her part to ensure marriages have a strong foundation and don't devolve into another divorce statistic. A Georgia native, Cornte grew up in a tight-knit family in the Metro Atlanta area and has always been the nucleus of relationship advice for her family, friends, and co-workers since a young age. Currently, Cortne shares her advice via spoken word as the host of the Master Relationship Mechanic Show, which airs live on 108Praise.com. Through written word as a contributing writer for Apostolic Voice's magazine; Kingdom Marriage Corner. However, the work Cortne enjoys most is interacting with her private clients, conducting workshops, or hosting group events through her business, The Relationship Service Station, which launched in November 2015.

Unapologetic about her faith, Cortne believes that all healthy relationships between couples start with a healthy individual relationship with God. Her drive to help others find their  “happily ever after,” is also fueled by a sense of gratitude for getting what she considers a second chance at life and love. You can get a taste of the wisdom Cortne has to share through her writings and radio show. 

You may visit her site at: relationshipservicestation.com

Listen in as we hold a Q&A with Financial Advisor, Russ Thornton of Wealthcare for Women who helps women shrewdly and powerfully manage their money with confidence. 

1. What professionals can serve as helpful resources when adjusting to life as a widow?

2. What are some initial financial steps that should be taken once you’re a widow?

3. How can widows handle the day-to-day finances?

4. Will we be able to chose to receive our husband's social security and our social security? (Excellent question and response!) 

"After watching my Mom piece together her new life, I vowed to spend the rest of my life helping women like her. But know that I’m not here to give you advice because I think a man can do it better. I’m here to help you in the way that I wish someone would have helped my Mom, with EMPOWERING information, support, and a plan

I want to help you PREPARE FOR THE UNEXPECTED with a financial plan that will guarantee you lasting wealth. Because hitting a crossroads (losing a spouse, getting re-married, choosing the single life after marriage) shouldn’t mean a life of misery."

You may visit his website at: wealthcareforwomen.com

Karen Millsap became a widow at 29 when her husband was tragically murdered while teaching his CrossFit class. After losing most of her support network and experiencing a domino effect of other losses, Karen recognized the overall lack of assistance in our society for grieving people.

This realization ignited Karen’s desire to launch The Grief Consultant, a company that offers leadership development workshops and strategic reinforcement programs targeting emotionalawareness. Grief is ever present across the nation and around the world, from the death of loved ones, to life-altering illnesses, divorce - even job loss.

In addition to the workshops offered through her company, Karen speaks at conferences nationwide and hosts community events to teach how everyone can put compassion into action - and why it’s important we don’t stand idle in the face of each other's struggles. She has designed practical tools that, when combined with her inspirational story and magnetic personality, fortify unity and uplift humanity.

Karen has been featured on MSNBC's Morning Joe, Good Morning Washington and various news outlets. She's also been featured by SHRM Magazine and is a regular contributor to the international online magazine, Richtopia.

Karen Millsap became a widow at 29 when her husband was tragically murdered while teaching his CrossFit class. After losing most of her support network and experiencing a domino effect of other losses, Karen recognized the overall lack of assistance in our society for grieving people.

This realization ignited Karen’s desire to launch The Grief Consultant, a company that offers leadership development workshops and strategic reinforcement programs targeting emotionalawareness. Grief is ever present across the nation and around the world, from the death of loved ones, to life-altering illnesses, divorce - even job loss.

In addition to the workshops offered through her company, Karen speaks at conferences nationwide and hosts community events to teach how everyone can put compassion into action - and why it’s important we don’t stand idle in the face of each other's struggles. She has designed practical tools that, when combined with her inspirational story and magnetic personality, fortify unity and uplift humanity.

Karen has been featured on MSNBC's Morning Joe, Good Morning Washington and various news outlets. She's also been featured by SHRM Magazine and is a regular contributor to the international online magazine, Richtopia.