Purposely Driven Podcast

Bianca Coats, a native of Lafayette, LA, received her Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics and Nutrition from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and has also graduated from Southern University and A&M College with a Master’s in Public Administration. She was the recipient of the James E. Webb Internship Program at the Smithsonian Institution in Occupational Health Services in Washington, D.C. and has completed the Marshall University’s Dietetic Internship Program.

Bianca is a published Cookbook Author and has her own private practice through her brand Eating God’s Way. She is also the Supervisor/Director of Child Nutrition for the Zachary Community School District.

With the emphasis on Chronic Disease Prevention, she has worked on such projects like Exercise Your Faith Wellness Initiative, the Healthy Communities Project, and Action for Healthy Kids. Publications of her healthy living articles have been featured in Acadiana Lifestyle, VanGuard, & Lola Magazines.

She is featured on a monthly nutritional news segment on KLFY TV 10’s Morning Show, the WCG International Virtual Wellness Program, and has presented at the Research Association of Minority Professors Conference on the topic “Diet-Related Barriers of Diabetes Complications and Disparities in the African American Community.” She has participated with the Southern University Land Grant Today Radio Show; speaker for the Blacks at Microsoft, National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., and keynote speaker for the Southern University Dietetic Internship Graduation. She has been inducted into NAUW, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., and a Board Member for the River Road African American Museum. She is the recent grant recipient for Louisiana Healthy Communities Coalition for her project, “The Freedom Garden Outdoor Kitchen Exhibition.”

Bianca is the President of the Health & Wellness Ministry at New Hope Baptist Church with a monthly virtual segment that tackles the needs of the community. She has been named “People for 2021” by The Drum Newspaper of Baton Rouge and Recognized as a “Woman of Influence” by the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce. She is married to her wonderful husband, Mr. Jonathan Coats.

Email: [email protected]

Facebook Group/Page Eating God’s Way

Instagram: Eating_Gods_Way

Linkedin: Bianca Coats, MPA, RD, LDN

Twitter: EatingGodsWay

Natalie Bunner, MSW, LCSW has been advocating for children, youth, families and caregivers, both personal and professional, for over 20 years. She currently serves pediatric clients ages 7-18, adults with acute and chronic mental challenges with anxiety and depression, adults in pediatric-focused professions to combat burnout and compassion fatigue and families to promote healthy parent/child reconnection. As a therapist, Ms. Bunner utilizes a variety of therapeutic modalities in her practice including CBT, SFBT, REBT and EMDR, to name a few. As a consultant, she provides guidance for children and youth, ages 8-18, through her SCOPE Coaching program. She also provides life-enrichment consulting to adults who seek direction during non-clinical life transitions as well as professional consultation to those in pediatric-focused industries. Using a highly relational approach, she provides guidance while walking the life path with her clients towards abundant life.

Rochelle was born and raised in Lafayette, LA. She is the founder of Pure Intentions Candle Company; a boutique candle company crafting small batch candles. Rochelle is an emerging storyteller and new mom, navigating the joys and challenges of motherhood. Married to her high school sweetheart of Abbeville LA, she cherishes the journey they've shared together in Acadiana. With an unwavering belief in the power of community, she is passionate about building connections and uplifting those around her. Rochelle believes that together, through sharing a smile, lending a helping hand, or offering a listening ear, we can create a world filled with love and positivity. 

Pure Intentions Candle Company was born from a journey through the shadows of grief, postpartum depression, and the pandemic. It's a testament to the strength and resilience that can be found by staying in the light even during the darkest times. "It's often said that passions find their way into our lives, but in this case, it feels like this passion, the art of candle-making and the world of fragrances, chose me."  

Jessika Rae” Gayden. She is a Louisiana resident. Nurse of 10 years with experience in multiple specialities: post-operative care, hospice, WoundCare, LongTerm Care & Rehab, psychiatric care, home health, and nursing education and training. She loves spreading hope and joy through her nursing career as she seeks to be a vessel of healing for others. She is currently furthering her nursing education as her ultimate desire is to continue educating and training others in the field.

She serves in her local church as the Worship Pastor. Her heart is to disciple others just as Jesus did. She enjoys sharing Jesus through music and other arts while empowering and building up others to lead. She also serves our community in musical theater by working with the youth at CYT (Christian Youth Theater) and participating in the adult productions.

She loves to spread love and encouragement through her two businesses. Mary Kay where she empowers women to see their beauty inside and out and to practice self-care. Lover of Jesus Apparel where she designs apparel items that empower your faith walk and identity in Christ. She also likes to do live discussions about faith where she invites guests to share their story about overcoming obstacles that we face everyday.

Most of all, her desire is to know Him (Jesus) and to make Him known among those she’s called to do life with.

www.JessikaRae.com  

Nicole Ryane Johnson, homeschooling mom, girl farmer, UL Lafayette graduate and local entrepreneur, has ownership in several leauxcal (local) business ventures, including CPR 2 Geaux, L4S Farms, Fightingville Fresh Market and The Fresh Growers' Collective. She has a passion for teaching and encouraging others in the areas of entrepreneurship, farming and self-sustainability. Nicole enjoys networking with other like-minded individuals and is passionate about her community! As a farmer, Nicole's interest in our local food system is at an all time high, with great emphasis on creating change around how we use food as medicine and how we prioritize shopping, supporting, and eating leauxcal! On a mission to show the world that women can do it all, Nicole is learning daily that the American Dream is exactly what you make of it.

Ebony Roberts is a fascinating woman with an eclectic background. A mother of five, a wife, and an elementary school teacher, Ebony has always been passionate

about beauty, self-care, and helping others feel confident by actualizing their most beautiful selves.

As a young girl, Ebony became passionate about beauty and self-care. She was so infatuated with the industry that at just ten years old, she started to experiment with various ingredients and became a self-taught beauty expert. Today, what started as a young girl's obsession has morphed into a thriving business that serves a

global clientele with multiple products that provide them with amazing results. We believe Ebony Beauty Roberts is an embodiment of the fact that anything is possible if we're willing to believe in ourselves. You can find her products online at www.ebonysbeauty.shop or 1800 NE Evangeline Thwy C6 Lafayette, La 70501, inside of the Northgate Mall.

Mel Haynes wears many hats – a nurturing mother, a loyal friend, a dynamic business owner, and an inspiring community leader. Born and raised in Broussard, Louisiana, she is the proud owner of Sweet Envie LLC located at 4302 Moss Street in Lafayette.

In a transformative decision made in March 2021, Mel bid farewell to a corporate career spanning over a decade, ignited by an unyielding passion to realize her bakery dream. Sweet Envie has evolved over the past two years, to more than a just a bakery. It is also home to one of the only Salad Bars on the Northside of Lafayette.

Sweet Envie stands as a welcoming haven where regulars gather not only to savor delightful treats but also to engage in conversations and reconnect with cherished friends. Mel is the driving force behind an atmosphere of inclusiveness that permeates every facet of her work. From hosting sensory-friendly events for children in the community to her daily undertakings, inclusivity remains a guiding principle.

When she’s not in the bakery, you can find Mel across Acadiana serving the community and helping people create special memories that will last a lifetime. Mel currently resides in Carencro, Louisiana with her fiancé, Nicky Jones, owner of Big Boy Cajun Concessions, and two wonderful kids, Abigail, and Samuel.

Aleisha Johnson Cook is a native of Lafayette, LA. She graduated from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and earned her Master of Business Administration from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville with concentrations in Global Supply Chain/Logistics and Marketing. After 12 years working in various Supply Chain, Operations, and Project Management roles for a Fortune 100 company headquartered in Memphis, TN, she moved back home to Lafayette at the beginning of 2020. Aleisha earned a Post-MBA Healthcare Administration Certification from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette while serving as the Supply Chain Services Manager over Inventory and Shipping Receiving at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, LA. She then went on to complete an Administrative Fellowship at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center in Lafayette, LA, and recently launched a Supply Chain, Operations, and Project Management consulting company, AJC Business Solutions. Aleisha is passionate about Personal and Professional Development, Diversity and Inclusion, Mentoring, and volunteering in her community. She is an active member of the Junior League of Lafayette and serves on the Board of Directors for the Acadiana Center for the Arts, the705 Young Professionals of Acadiana, and the Louisiana Chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Brent P. Broussard is the Chief Executive Officer of The Broussard Enterprise Group, LLC. A Lafayette native, who has also spent time in Baton Rouge, is a graduate of Northside High School. Brent went on to study Music & Criminal Justice at the University of Louisiana- Lafayette. In the past decade, Brent has worked in various roles in the sales industry before deciding to begin a journey as a budding entrepreneur.

 In 2021, while attending the Accelerate Northside program, given by the UL LEED Center and Lafayette Economic Development Authority, Brent went on to found The Broussard Enterprise Group, LLC. The Broussard Enterprise Group, LLC. is a small business development and management firm that manages two entities that fall under the umbrella of the company. One of those entities, Youth Leadership Initiative, an upcoming nonprofit organization that will be working with youths ages 10-18 to help foster life skills such as job readiness and placement, resume building, interviewing skills and etiquette, as well as mentoring and preparing the youth for postsecondary education through community college and or a traditional 4 year university. Youth Leadership Initiative will also provide graduating seniors a scholarship/stipend to assist with the rising costs of higher education. The other entity under the umbrella is Beads by Brentley, a custom and handmade beaded gemstone jewelry design brand that can be found in retail store Earth Found inside the Northgate Mall. The Broussard Enterprise Group, LLC. has also assisted several local entrepreneurs within the Lafayette community to help get their start up businesses get necessary resources such as funding opportunities and programs like Accelerate Northside. 

In addition to the entrepreneurial journey, Brent is also an active member in the Lafayette community. Brent is currently a member of Leadership Lafayette XXXVI (36). Brent is a volunteer instructor for Legacy Institute for Economic Attainment, a local nonprofit organization founded by Corey Jack. Brent is also a volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Acadiana and a member of the local chapter of 100 Black Men of Greater Lafayette, Inc.

Dr. Liz Romar-Chavis has been providing conservative, gentle, specific chiropractic care to diverse populations of people across Louisiana for well over a decade. She received her BS from Xavier University of Louisiana after successfully completing the Biology Pre- Med program with honors. After completing a Post-baccalaureate program in Biomedical Sciences at Georgia Campus – Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Chavis enrolled in Life University’s College of Chiropractic and has never looked back!

“I am amazed at the body’s ability to heal without the use of drugs or surgery when interferences to the nervous system are removed with chiropractic adjustments. What a privilege it is for me to wake up every morning to help just a few more people to enjoy a better life with better health!”

Dr. Chavis has been licensed to practice chiropractic by the Georgia Board of Chiropractic Examiners and the Louisiana Board of Chiropractic Examiners. During her years as a chiropractor, Dr. Chavis has had the pleasure of providing chiropractic adjustments for families, pregnant mothers, babies, kids, athletes, those suffering from personal injuries sustained in car accidents, and of course wellness patients. Dr. Chavis has also been privileged to provide chiropractic care to pregnant mothers and has had success in using the Webster Technique to decrease intrauterine constraint to allow for normal, optimal fetal positioning.

Dr. Chavis is also excited about providing Chiropractic Care to businesses as a Wellness at Work service. We are allowing employers the opportunity to provide easily accessible, eco-friendly chiropractic care to their employees onsite at their location. YES!!!

Along with being a chiropractor, Dr. Chavis is also a travel agent and photographer. She enjoys traveling, enjoying Acadiana, working out, and spending time with family and friends!

Website: https://www.quiropracticolouisiana.com/dr-liz-romar-chavis/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConnectChiropractic1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecreolechiropractor

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Elizabeth Chavis:

ABC Rehab & Chiropractic

1304 Bertrand Drive, Suite B-4

Lafayette, LA 70506

337-706-7878