SPEAKERS DIRECTORY

10 years of professional public speaking on empowerment, encouragement, and healing from past hurts. I am a 6x published author, trauma coach, and motivator. I look for ways to connect and engage with the people I come in contact with.

Heather 'Byrd' Roberts is an award-winning poet, creative catalyst, educator, and author of "Mahogany: A Love Letter To Black" with over 15 years of artistic bridge-building experience. Her business, Byrd's World, is dedicated to inspire and transform lives through creativity. Her work enriches experiences through storytelling and workshops. She helps aspiring writers get out of their heads, onto the page, so they can confidently reclaim their creative joy. Her favorite words are balloon and bubble.

Having been a Zumba Fitness instructor for over 7 years, Ms. Johnson knew her influence included more than fitness training. After a candid conversation with an exercise client, she realized that women in caretaker roles often forget about themselves. Genesys Fitness is a safe space where women can transform their mindset, body, and life in a caring and non-judgmental environment.

Dr. Jessye Talley is a professor of Industrial and Systems Engineering in the School of Engineering at Morgan State University where she leads the Risk, Optimization, Management, Evaluation (R.O.M.E) Lab. Upon completion of her PhD she co-founded Sisters Scholars to promote health and wellness during the doctorate and in academia. Her experiences in academia prompted her to begin coaching new early career faculty during the first three years on tenure track.

T.L. Blythers is a dynamic educator, master trainer/facilitator, author, entrepreneur, & transformational speaker. Her platform, “V.O.W” 9 Points of Impact, is a simple shared message of self-inquiry, which requires individuals to radically change perspectives about decisions & goals in life. Ms. Blythers engages, empowers, educates, and encourages the audience by incorporating her practical, spiritually-based solutions, while integrating inspirational personal experiences.

Katrice is a career coach and professional development expert with over 25 years of experience in corporate, government, and consulting settings. She specializes in empowering professionals to accelerate their career success, unlock their full potential, and increase their earning power. Katrice’s work focuses on leadership development, resilience, and career strategies. She has worked with major corporations like Amazon, Microsoft, and Starbucks, and she also supports clients through personalized career coaching.

A proud graduate of Howard University and a member of Gen Z, Michael has established himself as a credible leader in executive communications and strategic engagement. Michael’s keen eye for developing strategies that wed traditional media approaches with innovative outreach and engagement strategies is especially prescient in a world where justice, equity, and democracy are under attack.

Ceola knows what it is to be victorious and to overcome! She has overcome rape, domestic violence, barrenness, divorce, infidelity, material loss, and more herself. Being with her mother during times of devastation and struggle and then losing her mother when she was only thirty-three-years-old and Ceola, just sixteen-years-old was difficult for the teen.

Dr. Tyreese R. McAllister is a Therapist, Best-Selling Author, and an Anti-Gun Violence Advocate. She has over 25 years of experience in emergency mental health and crisis intervention. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and is heavily credentialed in her field. Dr. McAllister was voted 2021 Mental Health Advocate of the Year. She is a recipient of an Honorary Doctorate in Leadership and a Humanitarian Award for her work in the gun violence arena.

Alberta Thomas, a dynamic 32-year-old from South Carolina, wears many hats: CEO of Corporate Classy Podcast, Co-Owner of Mo Movements, Regional Director at TCC, Corporate Trainer, and Mentor. Passionate about empowering women, she leverages her own life experiences to offer guidance and support. Alberta believes in the power of mindset and determination to overcome challenges and achieve success. Through her platforms, she inspires women to embrace self-discovery, growth, and empowerment, fostering a community of greatness.

Owner of Every.Black. The mission of Every.Black is to assist entrepreneurs to create wealth through entrepreneurship by leveraging technology and a strategy of global networking. Founder of MacMasters Computer Services, a computer training and database development company. Conducted computer training workshops in more than 30 cities throughout eight southeastern states. Trained over 5,000 individuals on a wide variety of Macintosh software. Presenter and panelist about technology for numerous conferences around the country including two occasions at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc., in Washington DC, Apple’s Boston MacWorld and the Sickle Cell Anemia conference in Miami, Fl.

Shayla Atkins is a highly sought-after keynote speaker, global DE&I strategist, and leadership expert. Leveraging nearly 20 years of HR leadership experience in global Fortune 500 corporations, Shayla’s extensive expertise, proven track record and exceptional oratory skills has earned her invitations to speak on some of the largest stages across the U.S.. Shayla is the CEO/Founder of The Atkins Impact, a global consulting firm specializing in cultivating inclusive cultures and building authentic leaders.