Join us for a transformative half-day event packed with workshops to elevate your personal and professional well-being. 🌸 Connect with inspiring women of color and expand your network in a supportive environment. Plus, enjoy continental breakfast, lunch, and a fabulous swag bag! 💼✨
Featured in OnMillwaukee.com and Urban Milwaukee!
Schedule Snapshot:
Registration & Continental Breakfast
Echoes of Empowerment: Amplifying Mantras and Affirmations (Full Group) - Gevonchai Hudnall-Vogel
Shades of Healing: An Art Therapy Gathering (Full Group) - Chrishella Roché
This interactive session will allow participants to explore their creativity and express themselves while releasing anxiety and other stresses.Session 1: You will pick one of these options
Breaking the Cycle Pt. 1: Identifying and Understanding - Kanisha Curry
Join us for an insightful exploration into how trauma and stress affect women of color. Together, we'll delve into the ways our past experiences shape various aspects of our lives, including motherhood, sisterhood, relationships, and career paths. (Recommended to take Pt 2. in session 2)Soulful Awakening: An Intuition & Healing Workshop - Angela Mallet
During this session, women will receive guidance to reestablish a connection with their intuition and explore healing techniques that resonate with their lifestyles.A Mindful Moment: Meditation Session for Clarity and Concentration (Full Group) - Gevonchai Hudnall-Vogel
Let’s unwind and tap into our inner selves with this meditation session. You’ll learn how to meditate to cancel outside noises and develop extreme focus.Session 2: You will pick one of these options
Breaking the Cycle Pt. 2: The Exit Plan - Kanisha Curry
So, now what?! We’ve identified the traumas/stresses and we will further explore what we can do to create a plan to heal from what has happened to us. We will review what research says aids in how to break negative cycles.(Recommended to take Pt 1.)
Blissful Balance: Awakening Your Greater Self-Awareness - Christine Russell
In this integrated workshop, we'll explore holistic healing practices by aligning breath with movement, intention with aromatherapy. Surrounded by Sisters, we'll delve into breathwork, yoga, mindfulness meditation, and essential oils to cultivate fulfillment and inner confidence.Networking Lunch
The Balancing Act Panel Discussion (Full Group) - Moderator- Kristen Pierce
Panelists - Dana Guthrie, Micaela-Berry Smith, and Courtney Shanmugabaskaran
This dynamic panel showcases women of color who juggle multiple roles, including the vital role of motherhood. Gain insight into how these accomplished women navigate the complexities of their lives and discover their strategies for achieving success while maintaining balance.
FACILITATORS & PANELIST
Kanisha Curry
Raised in Milwaukee, Kanisha Curry has more than 20 years of Diversity Equity and Inclusion and Human Resources industry. Curry got her start working for Manpower’s corporate office creating and implementing training for staff while offering process improvement ideas to the organization with regard to leadership.
While taking a break from corporate America, Curry pursued a lifelong dream to teach children and worked in the Milwaukee Public School district. She taught special education for grades 6-12, serving students with social-emotional and behavioral deficiencies and advocated for schoolwide respect of those students. She also helped shift the perspectives of staff to replace the mindset of “the bad kids” to “students in need of patience and social skills.” Curry was awarded Teacher of the Year for her work advocating for the needs of children in 2015, being one of the first special education teachers to earn that honor in the state of Wisconsin.
After eight years in education, Curry returned to the world of nonprofit work. She became certified in neuroscience of understanding the impacts of stress, trauma and adversity on the brain. She has facilitated and consulted with organizations to advance the work around diversity, equity and inclusion and a new age thinking to Human Resources. Curry currently is the Sr. Director of Organizational Development & Culture for the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee. She is also the chief strategist and master facilitator for her own organization Kaykenal Inc., where she assists, consults, and guides organizations in the areas of leadership development, process improvement, trauma informed care and a variety of DEI topics. Curry has a Masters in administrative and instructional leadership from UW-Milwaukee.
Gevonchai Hudnall-Vogel
Gevonchai Hudnall-Vogel (pronounced Gee-Von-she) is the Racial Equity Portfolio Manager for United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County. After 12 years of serving as a mathematics and performing arts educator in Detroit and Milwaukee, her enthusiasm for promoting equity led her to pursue work directly aligned with systemic community change. During her time at United Way, she has managed over 7.5 million dollars in investments into black and brown business in the City of Milwaukee.
Not only does her heart shine bright for her people through her professional work, but she also shines just as bright through her personal business Ghetto Mantras. Through Ghetto Mantras, she is on a mission to empower women to embrace their inner light through the transformative power of mantras, wellness experiences, and accessible self-care products. To date she has worked with over 40 black-owned brands nationwide. Ghetto Mantras is more than a product, it's a movement that invites every woman to heal and transform in a way that's authentic to them.
Angela Mallett
Angela Mallett is not just the owner of HoneyBee Sage Wellness & Apothecary at 1819 N. Martin Luther King Drive; she's a "professional space holder," creating a safe haven where patrons embark on healing journeys through HoneyBee's offerings. With over 11 years in the health and wellness field, Angela is a certified massage therapist, reiki healer, full-circle doula, and yoni steam practitioner. Her passion for natural health stems from personal experience, driving her to provide resources for holistic healing at HoneyBee.
Originally from Milwaukee and later Kosciusko, Mississippi, Angela's educational journey led her to MATC and Alverno College before diving into her massage therapy studies. Her career took her to Nashville, where she honed her skills at Massage Envy and ran her independent practice. In 2017, Angela returned to Milwaukee, opening HoneyBee Sage.
Beyond offering products, Angela fosters a warm, family-like atmosphere at HoneyBee. Her mission to "spread love" permeates every aspect, from the decor to the attentive staff, creating a welcoming space for all.
Through workshops, consultations, and classes, Angela and HoneyBee Sage empower the community to prioritize their health and wellness. Whether seeking herbal remedies, nutritional guidance, or spiritual support, HoneyBee Sage serves as a trusted resource, embodying Angela's commitment to holistic healing.
Christine Russell
Christine Russell currently serves as Director of Health & Wellness Programs with the Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness. With a background in health promotion and corporate wellness, she brings over 17 years of experience supporting and administering health and wellness programming for hospital systems, global pharmaceutical companies, and national health management organizations, bringing greater health, wellness, and outcomes to employees and families. Christine is known for her creativity, mindfulness and intention in the health and wellness space. With a hope-filled, transformative wellness journey of her own, she infuses her training as a fitness and yoga instructor, intrinsic wellness coach, and essential oil practitioner into her program development. She rounds out her experience with program implementation, data analytics, marketing, and communications, and leads strategic initiatives. In addition to her role at the Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness, Christine serves as a Community Advisory Board Member at the All of Us Research Program. Through her leadership and advocacy, she works to ensure that the voices and health needs of underrepresented populations, particularly Black women, are prioritized in research initiatives. Christine’s passion for community impact and multifaceted approach to integrated wellness, has inspired her local work in Greater Madison to support underserved individuals and their families through support groups, maternal care, financial, and physical well-being. Her transition from corporate wellness to community health drives her commitment to further support her own community and create empowering spaces and experiences where Black women and their families can thrive
Chrishella Roché
Meet Chrishella Roché, a multi-talented individual serving as the Owner, Creative Director, and Artist at VIBEZ CREATIVE ARTS SPACE. Specializing in acrylic pouring, also known as fluid art, Chrishella brings a unique touch to her creations. Since 2018, VIBEZ has been a beacon in the community, offering a space for learning, exploration, and enjoyment of art across various mediums. Through paint & sip experiences, workshops, and community events, Chrishella's goal is to educate and introduce individuals to the diverse world of art.
Kristin Pierce
Kristin Pierce serves as co-anchor of WISN 12 News at 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. She brings her community-centric storytelling and insightful journalism to the anchor desk, while also reporting weekdays. Kristin started with WISN in March 2022 as weekend evening anchor. She was promoted to the 4:00 and 5:00 evening shows shortly after. Kristin comes to Milwaukee from Louisville, Kentucky, where she worked as a morning anchor. While in Louisville, Kristin launched a weekly news segment called “What’s Right with Kristin Pierce” which highlighted community members creating positive change within their communities. She was also heavily involved in the community serving on the board of directors for The Center for Women and Families, the planning committee for The Hunger Walk for Dare to Care and an honorary chairperson for Jefferson County Public Schools.
Prior to Derby City, Kristin worked in New Orleans, Louisiana. At WWL-TV, Kristin worked as a weekend evening anchor/reporter. In this role, Kristin was first to report on a scandal involving a utility company paying actors to attend city council meetings and speak in favor of a $210 million gas plant. This story led to that utility company being fined $5 million. In New Orleans, she created a segment called “Neighborhood Heroes” which is similar to “What’s Right.” Kristin also worked in her hometown Detroit, Michigan. As a reporter for WXYZ/WMYD, she covered several big stories such as the corruption trial of former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, the Renisha McBride murder case and the Flint water crisis.
Before venturing in front of the camera, Kristin spent some time behind the scenes. She worked as an associate producer for WDIV in Detroit and WTVG in Toledo, Ohio. Kristin graduated cum laude from Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and a minor in Sociology. She is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
As a survivor of domestic violence, Kristin also works as an advocate against this type of violence. Hoping to make a difference in the lives of others, she often shares her personal story of surviving abuse.
Micaela Berry-Smith
Micaela Berry-Smith is the heart and soul behind the Maternal and Child Health Initiatives at the Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness, serving as its passionate Program Manager. With an illustrious track record in birth equity leadership, early childhood education, and social entrepreneurship, Micaela brings unparalleled dedication and expertise to the Foundation.
Over the span of 15 years, Micaela has immersed herself in diverse settings, working tirelessly with children and families while spearheading several impactful initiatives. Beyond her professional endeavors, she has personally managed a Nanny service in the Greater Madison area, skillfully connecting in-home childcare providers with working professional families. Her academic journey reflects her commitment, having completed a double major in Early Childhood Development and Art Therapy at Metro State University in St. Paul, Minnesota. Micaela's extensive qualifications include being a DONA trained Doula, certified Infant Specialist, certified Lactation Consultant, a Protective Factors and Ages and Stages Trainer, and a former Head Start Teacher.
In 2019, Micaela was honored as an outstanding Innovator with the Madison Magazine MList Award, a testament to her exemplary contributions. However, she defines her most significant role as that of a devoted mother and wife, showcasing a deep and personal commitment to both her family and her impactful work in maternal and child health initiatives. Micaela's passion resonates in every aspect of her life, making her an inspirational leader and advocate for the well-being of women and children.
Dana A. Guthrie
Dana Guthrie is Managing Partner at Gateway Capital, a venture capital firm focused on Wisconsin-based, early-stage startups. Prior to her current role, Guthrie founded and managed Alchemy Angel Investors, an angel investment network. She founded Alchemy while being employed full-time at a Fortune 500 company and managing a multi-million dollar, global product offering.
Guthrie is a two-time patent recipient, holds a B.S. in Computer Engineering from Milwaukee School of Engineering, and a M.S. in Energy Engineering from University of Illinois at Chicago. She is a member of Black Women in Venture Capital, Blacks in Tech, and serves on the boards of the Milwaukee Metropolitan Association of Commerce (MMAC) and Teens Grow Greens.
Courtney Shanmugabaskaran
Courtney Shanmugabaskaran is a seasoned Radiation Therapist at Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin for the past 11 years. She dedicates herself to treating patients of all ages, from children to the elderly, all while nurturing her young family. But her passion extends far beyond the clinical setting. Raised in Oak Creek, WI, Courtney's story holds a unique thread - she was adopted from Chile. She actively seeks opportunities to connect with her roots in her spare time.
At the hospital, Courtney goes above and beyond her role. Recognized as a Notable Hero in Healthcare by the Milwaukee Biz Times in 2022, she has been featured on Fox 6 and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel for her heartwarming initiative of decorating children's radiation masks. Her efforts to bring festive cheer to patients during the holidays have also been highlighted on TMJ4.
As a mother to an 11-month old baby girl, Courtney is continuing to learn about the balancing act of motherhood, career, and relationships.. When not at the hospital, she cherishes spending time with her family and friends, while embracing opportunities to travel and allowing time for self-care. Her artistic spirit flourishes through hobbies like baking, cake decorating, sewing, and painting, with her unique talent of personalizing children's radiation masks blurring the lines between profession and passion.
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