Meet The Co-Authors | Embracing My Sexy Sixties

Pamela Reaves

Pam Reaves is the Founder of NELLA, LLC. She is a Certified Professional Coach, Published Author, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur. NELLA, LLC is the umbrella under which she operates her power coaching practice, facilitates empowerment seminars, speaks at conferences, promotes her books, and creates and distributes her skincare products.

Pam holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management; has received certification from New York University’s School of Real Estate, Johns Hopkins School of Real Estate; and has completed extensive seminar training at the Practicing Law Institute in New York City. She has also received Management Training Certification from Dale Carnegie Institute. Pam has more than 40 years of progressive experience working and thriving in diverse corporate cultures in the areas of human resources, labor relations, finance, legal, and real estate. She has worked for several major corporations listed on the New York Stock Exchange and has worked directly with some of the most highly regarded Wall Street senior executives.

Pam has appeared on several radio talk shows and participated in numerous blog-radio talk shows. She has shared her expertise as a relationship columnist with readers of several online publications. Pam is the recipient of an impressive list of awards for her accomplishments and philanthropy. Her first book has been used as a teaching tool by Ray of Hope Kenya. Pam has also been a featured author and speaker at a host of other cultural events, book festivals, and expos. As a mature woman, she has been honored to represent other businesses with her image as: “The Face of Rosebud – 2014”; and “The Trendy 4U Woman”. In 2015, Pam introduced her natural skincare line of products called “Essentially Good.”

Pam has been married to Reginald Scriber, Sr. for over 30 years.

Rev. Dr. D. Amina B. Butts

A life-long learner, the Rev. Dr. D. Amina B. Butts earned the Doctor of

Ministry (DMin) degree from the Wesley Theological Seminary, where she was

the only black woman to earn that degree in 2005. She received her Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree from the Howard University School of Divinity, and was the recipient of the Ford Foundation Grant for Outstanding Women in Ministry. She received a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree from Trinity Washington University and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Criminology from the University of Maryland, College Park. Currently, Dr. Butts is in pursuit of the Juris Doctorate degree. Dr. Butts was certified as a special educator and elementary teacher in both

Washington, D.C. and Maryland. For over thirty years she has pursued her passion

for developing young learners.

Dr. Butts has had a storied career as an administrator. She directed the Women’s Empowerment Program at the Alexandria Detention Center and the Community Continuum Program at the Institute for Behavior Change and Research (IBCR), an HIV program for women living with mental illness, substance abuse and HIV.

Rev. Dr. Butts has also had a thirty-year career as a pastor, serving in churches and institutions throughout Maryland, the District of Columbia and Oklahoma. Rev. Butts served as an Army Chaplain, a full-time prison chaplain at the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women, and as the oncology chaplain at the Washington Hospital Center and the Children’s National Medical Center.

Dr. Butts is a Master Reiki Teacher and Practitioner, a yoga, Tai Chi and Qigong enthusiast, an Optimal Life Breathologist, and a lover of the arts. She is the Founder of the Believe Center for Change, a faith-based non-profit.

Born in Washington, D.C., Dr. Amina currently resides in Takoma Park, MD, but her ancestral home is in Liberia, West Africa.

Laura Dorsey

Professor Laura Dorsey is the CEO of LLD Consulting, which specializes in taking your voice and the message that you want to convey and creating that written component that can be used in publications, speeches, and marketing and advertising. We also assist with sharing writing strategies for book manuscripts and magazine articles.

Professor Dorsey has a wide-ranging background in educational administration and corporate management. She has served as a University Academic Cabinet Member, SME General Education & English, and Area Chair: Academic Writing and General Studies in the College of Humanities for the University of Phoenix. Before her academic career, she had a very extensive career in financial services, retiring as Assistant Vice President of Trust Operations for Comerica Bank, responsible for merger/acquisitions, budgeting, and forecasting. Currently Laura serves as Communications Director for the Pan African Cultural Heritage Institute.

She is a member of the Central Florida Association of Black Journalists (CFABJ), an affiliate chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ). She is the Associate Editor and contributing writer for both IBA Success Magazine and ONYX Magazine and a contributing writer for Program Success Magazine.

Laura is very involved in the community: board member and Vice President of the Southeast Region of Infinite Scholars Program; Board of Director’s Treasurer for Clarita’s House Outreach Ministry; Board of Directors Treasurer for Central Florida Diaper Bank; board member for YEP (Youth Empowerment Project). She is also a member of ABWA (American Businesswomen’s Association). Professor Dorsey’s career has led her to become a sought-after speaker on a variety of subjects.

Professor Laura Dorsey currently resides in the DMV, with her daughter and son-in-law, Tamika & Cecil Thomas. Her oldest daughter, Carolyn Diane Ross, two grandsons – Eric & Darrell, and great-granddaughter, Milah Tamika live on Long Island, New York.

Maeion Bryant

Maeion Bryant grew up in Seattle, Washington in the sixties. Her love for enhancing a person’s beauty today came at the early age of nine years old. She began by styling neighbor’s hair which gave her joy and excitement, and her compensation was fresh baked cookies! As she grew into a young lady, she learned so much about her new field and met wonderful people along the way, who helped develop her fashion and beauty career she loves so much today.

Maeion met her husband, Lou Bryant, in her early twenties in Seattle, Washington. They later relocated to San Diego, CA. During her three years of living in San Diego she continued modeling and making contacts. She opened a successful modeling program and began training professional models for San Diego Model Management. Her husband received a promotion on his job which moved them to Columbia, MD in the early eighties. They raised two amazing sons, Louis the 3rd and Keenon along with their niece, Casisunay.

Maeion continued her education in the beauty industry and received her certification at Von Lee International School of Aesthetics. She also received training in theater makeup at Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC). By working at Neiman Marcus and other major department stores she gained valuable makeup skills and learned important lessons on how to become a successful entrepreneur. She now owns and operates Maeion Beauty & Company, a fully equipped makeup studio on wheels which is used to serve clients on demand with their beauty & styling needs. Maeion consistently works with many professional media outlets in the Washington, D.C., and surrounding area. She provides makeup & hair styling services for professional clients for television commercials, special events, photo shoots with photographers, and serve national news stations.

Maeion takes pride in giving countless hours of service to organizations like United Way of Maryland and the Department of Social Services. She has donated business hours to Roberta’s House of Baltimore, Job Core, and Good Shepherd School for Girls. Maeion saw the need for young ladies ages 10 - 13 to have positive self esteem so she developed an 8-week Summer Sewing and Fashion program for them. She believes young girls should have positive role-models in their lives to develop positive strong young women.

Maeion also believes in taking care of her temple! With meditation, eating healthy, and routine check- ups, she will maintain a healthy lifestyle in her sixties and beyond, along with having a sexy body!

Sylvia Garrett

Sylvia Garrett is an Entrepreneur in direct sales that offers home and business services, as well as, health and wellness products, providing positive results. Her passion for helping other spans over 40 years. She worked in human service programs during her successful career as a human service professional and retired as a Program Administrator. Today, she devotes much of her time to her business. Sylvia calls her business her Ministry as she walks in her God given purpose of helping others. She especially enjoys her senior customers. Sylvia loves the positive experience of knowing she has helped others feel better and look better.

Sylvia holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology, with a concentration in Social Welfare, from Hampton University (1975). She completed graduate course work at Howard University School of Social Work. She received a Masters of Arts degree in 1996 in Management/ Public Administration. Currently she studies for Project Management Professional Certification.

Sylvia is the mother of two sons, a Health Advocate, and is known for her volunteerism. She is a member of the Sisters 4 Sisters Network, Inc.

Miriam D. Martin, MD

Dr. Miriam D. Martin is a seasoned emergency medicine and family practice specialist with a passion for promoting total health and wellness.

A native of Detroit, Michigan, Dr. Martin has earned both her Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry and her Medical Degree from Howard University. She received her training in Emergency Medicine at Howard University Hospital.

Dr. Martin is currently the medical director of MD Medical and Wellness Center in Prince George’s County, MD. She also practices emergency medicine in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia.

Dr. Martin hosts The Medical Message – a weekly social media broadcast focusing on the spiritual and physical well-being of her audience.

She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and serves on the Executive Committee of her local chapter as well as having served as Chairman of their Health Concerns Committee. In this role she has organized numerous health events, including blood drives, mental health seminars, and breast cancer screenings. She and her team were responsible for raising the most money in the state of Maryland for two consecutive years at the NAMIWalks Maryland for mental illness.

Dr. Martin is active in her church, the City of Praise Family Ministries, and is a member of their Leadership Team. She is the mother of three and the grandmother of three more. In her spare time she enjoys traveling, exercising, and spending time with family and friends.

Dr. Martin is fully committed to the health and wellness of our communities and serving in any capacity which promotes spiritual and physical well-being.

Annetta Wilson

Annetta Wilson is President of Annetta Wilson Media Training & Success Coaching (www.SpeakWithEase.com). She is a business strategist specializing in media training, presentation and communication skills coaching for executives, entrepreneurs and subject-matter experts.

Ms. Wilson was a performance coach for on-air journalists at CNN; coached for Walt Disney World’s Ambassador Program and I.T. specialists; and conducted trainings for AAA, Tupperware Brands, Inc., the Orlando Magic, the University of Central Florida and Delta Dental, among others.

Annetta holds the distinction of being the first African-American to anchor a weekday evening newscast in Central Florida (CBS affiliate WKMG-TV). During her award-winning career in the broadcast industry, she held positions as a reporter, producer, talk show host and writer. Ms. Wilson held management positions in the broadcast industry as a community affairs director and marketing director.

She is a Certified Mastery Coach and Certified Trainer, and is the creator of ‘You’ve Got Less Than 15 Seconds. Impress Me!’ (elevator speech system). She is known for her high-energy, highly interactive workshops and trainings.

Ms. Wilson was honored by the Orlando Business Journal as one of Central Florida’s ‘Women Who Mean Business’. She has been a guest editorial writer for the Orlando Sentinel newspaper.

She serves on the Board of Directors for Heart of Florida United Way, Give Kids the World, and the Board of Visitors for the School of Journalism and Graphic Communication at her alma mater, Florida A&M University.

Annetta was national emcee for the Office Depot Success Strategies Conference for Businesswomen in six major U.S. cities. She is one of 8 coaches featured in the book, ‘Coaching for Success’ (Insight Publishing) and is member of the International Association of Coaching. She is the author of the upcoming book, ‘Say Less. Talk More’ (Tips to Communicate for Power and Influence).

Angela C. Gaither-Scott

Angela C. Gaither-Scott graduated from Morgan State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. She received a Master of Science in Information Systems and Telecommunication from Johns Hopkins University. She developed a passion for education while teaching elementary school students in the Baltimore City Public Schools. Angela has engaged in several careers. She has worked as a Project Manager, a Systems Analyst, a Real Estate Agent and a Financial Planner. She used her career changes as an opportunity to grow. Her current position is at Morgan State University. As the Retention Coordinator for the School of Community Health and Policy and College of Liberal Arts, Angela was responsible for assisting with the coordination of the overall student retention activities. Her current position of Student Scholars and Strategic Partners Specialist gives her the opportunity to assist student scholars to successfully complete matriculation at Morgan. Angela’s goal is to develop ongoing relationships with the students that not only enriches their knowledge base but also encourages them to succeed in their chosen profession. As an alumnus of Morgan State University, she is committed to giving back to the university. Angela is a Diamond Life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, a public service organization. She has been an active member of the Morgan State University Gala Committee for over twenty-five years. She is a life member of the Morgan State University Alumni Association. In addition to being a member of the MSU Howard County Alumni Chapter, Angela is the president of the newly chartered RED Dynasty MSU Alumni Chapter and a Life Member of the MSU Alumni Association. She received the 2017 Special Achievement Award for chartering the largest alumni chapter of 400 members at MSU and raising over $100,000 for the RED Dynasty MSU Endowment. Angela is the proud mother of two daughters, Dominique and Morgan and grandmother to Mason.

Linda Marshall

Linda Marshall believes the key to success is discovering not only your calling but how to use it in the service of others. As a Family Engagement Specialist with the United Planning Organization, she works with families in the Head Start Program, which works with low-income parents to reach their goals. To expand her calling, Linda’s business, Team International Revolution, provides essential services to help people create generational wealth.

Her calling was dictated by her education:Medical Secretary- B.S. Social Work and M.S. Christian Counseling. Linda also holds a Social Worker, Doula, and Christian Counselor and family Development Credential. Mental Health First Aid from the Department of Missouri Mental Health and Infant Massage Certificate from Infant Massage USA and a Reiki Master in June of 2019.

Linda’s motto is that you make a living by what you get, but you make a life by what you give. She knows that volunteers do not necessarily have the time, they just have the heart, and she does. Her volunteer efforts include Mt. Jezreel Baptist Church: Christian Counseling; The Questers Inc, providing 4-year college scholarships; and Sister 4 Sisters Network Inc (S4SN), focused on domestic violence and mental health issues.

Even with her busy schedule, Linda’s devotion belongs to her family. The daughter of Melvin & Mary Burgess Christian, Linda, is also the wife of Guy Marshall for 31 years. Added to this union are four daughters, one son, 14 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Linda believes that her best life is yet to come. She wants to work with pregnant women; mothers when they are in most need of help. The goal is to start a foundation to provide breast pumps for mothers in need. She knows that God will not give her more than she can handle.

Sylvia Headen Douglin

Sylvia Headen Douglin has a enjoyed a thirty-year career as a Corporate Trainer providing training, facilitation and professional development to a wide range of Federal government and private sector customers. For the last twenty years she has worked in the hospitality industry holding roles of Director of Training for three top hotel companies where she is responsible for overseeing training design and delivery efforts for the company. She trains hospitality industry and corporate leaders to speak before clients and groups via effective presentation skills, workshops and individualized coaching sessions. She conducts Instructor Skills for aspiring trainers to deliver exceptional workshops that exceed customer expectations, participants’ needs and adhere to company standards of excellence.

Sylvia began as a runway model in the greater Boston area in her early twenties when she was recruited by the John Powers Finishing and Modeling School as a modeling instructor. That experience was the start of her training career and evolved into Image Consulting for commercial and government entities and for private clients including television personalities, national motivational speakers, and business professionals. Runway modeling remained a large part of her life. During her modeling days, Sylvia worked runways in Boston, New York, Seattle, and Washington DC into her late 50’s.

Based on these initial opportunities and experiences, she developed her signature program, “Image and Upward Mobility”, that she currently delivers to businesses and colleges through her company Refined Training & Consulting (RT&C).

Sylvia is also a prolific fashion designer. She was accepted at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in 1970 for both fashion design and fashion illustration. She has continued designing through the years and is currently focusing on a collection of coats.

Refined Training & Consulting is now the vehicle through which Sylvia runs her training and image consulting business. As a way to introduce emerging leaders, innovators, government and future entrepreneurs, RT&C delivers a program of “Professionalism” to matriculating college graduates and young professionals. This exclusive RT&C offering provides the participants with skills, information and an understanding of how initial images, workplace behaviors, workplace decisions and interactions, initiative and communication can impact first impressions and affect individual’s reputations in the early days of their careers (or employment?) and beyond.

Coniece Washington

Vocalist, composer, producer, Coniece Washington, sings from her heart, captivating audiences with her incomparable, distinctive, sultry, sweet styling. Over the course of her ascending career she has uniquely reinterpreted standards while honoring the legacy of the vocalists who influence and inspire her: Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald, Nancy Wilson, Shirley Horn, Billie Holiday and Carmen McRae.

This Trenton New Jersey native’s love for music was developed and nurtured from an early age at her grandmother’s church. Her vocal talent and pure passion for music were deepened and refined while serving in the US Army. Then, Coniece accepted various invitations and opportunities to perform in night clubs and venues throughout the United States and Europe. A trained vocalist, Coniece is a former member of the renowned Washington Performing Arts Society’s Men and Women of the Gospel Choir. She has performed throughout the Washington DC Metropolitan area at venues including: Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club, Twins Jazz, The Carlyle Club, The Other Barn, Mr. Henry’s, The Georgetown Ritz Carlton, The Henley Park Hotel, Café Agape, Westminster Presbyterian Church Friday Night Jazz, the historic Blues Alley; and at the following festivals: The DC Jazz Festival, The Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival, the Mid Atlantic Jazz Festival and the Annul Preservation of Jazz Festival.

Coniece composed the holiday song, “Snow Covered Stars”, and she self-produced her new CD, Shades of Shirley Horn, released March 17, 2019, and debuted on both the Roots Music Report’s Top 30 and Top 50 Jazz Album Charts and the North American College & Community Chart. Shades of Shirley Horn has received outstanding reviews from Midwest Records, Jersey Jazz, Jazz Weekly, Take Effect Reviews, Glide Magazine, In a Blue Mood, Audiophile Review, Jazz2Love, Bebop Spoken Here [UK], The Jazz Page, and Cadence Magazine. For more information please go to her website at www.coniecewashington.com.

Betty Entzminger

At a glance, Betty Entzminger's beauty and spiritual essence brings to mind both the intriguing mystic of Grace Jones and the sheer elegance of Dionne Warwick. However, upon closer view; as you watch her stride the length of a runway; or capture the uniqueness of her character; or, present a classical gospel spiritual you will discover Betty E's aura is exclusively her own.

Betty E's modeling credits are documented nationally. She is recognized as having graced the pages of Essence, Brides For Today, along with several other publications. She is, and perhaps will always be, the preferred model by top designers of Afro-centric Wear, throughout the United States...Having just the "right stuff," which she terms her "secret weapon" only serves to enhance the display of the garments and accessories in ways it really needs to be shown. To know Betty E is to be inspired by her inimitable African-ness...

Betty E's beauty, charm, grace, and poise are present in all characters she portrays. her acting resume' includes; The Colored Museum, In The Line of Fire, For The Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf, and Don't Sing No Blues For Me...partial listing.

Betty E's singing talents began early in her childhood. As the daughter of a Baptist Minister, her musical talents blossomed in the Churches of Washington, DC. Her passion for singing continues to overwhelm the hearts of thousands, whenever and wherever she performs. Betty E always puts out to the content of her spirit and to the pleasurable delight of her fans.

Whenever Betty E does what she do ... GOD gets the Glory!

Dr. Cynthia S. Brown

Cynthia Samuels Brown was born on December 24 in Fredericksburg, Virginia; the tenth of eleven children to Charles P. and Mary E. Samuels. Cynthia fulfilled her dream of becoming a teacher after her formal schooling and to this day; teaching remains one of her greatest passions. She is a retired school administrator with over 35 years of experience in the field of education. Cynthia worked as a classroom teacher, teacher mentor, assistant principal, and principal. Throughout her career, she had a reputation for high expectations, an uncompromising desire for excellence, and outstanding skills for communicating, organizing, and managing the social and educational development of others. Cynthia continues to be a highly effective scholar and visionary leader, a mentor for aspiring administrators and a role model for numerous other individuals. She is currently an Education Consultant. Her school teachers were among some of her early influencers and upon high school graduation, she attended Mary Washington University in Fredericksburg, Virginia for her undergraduate studies; earned her Masters in Education in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia and completed her doctoral studies at Virginia State University in Petersburg, Virginia.

Cynthia is an active and contributing member of the community in which she lives and has served on several boards in Arlington County while working diligently with other Board members to continue the mission and community impact of these organizations. Cynthia has an extensive background in volunteering and values the teamwork and collaboration board membership affords. She is a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church and serves as a Lector. Cynthia’s life is further enriched by her membership in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She has been an active member since joining in April 1995. She is a member of the Northern Virginia Alumnae Chapter and has served in several leadership positions at the local and regional level. Cynthia is married to Bernard Brown and lives in Arlington, Virginia. She is the proud mother of her adult son Christopher and lives her best life by traveling, spending time with family and friends, cooking amazing recipes, re-reading some of her favorite books, going to the beach, and acknowledging her blessings.

Rosetta Thompson

Ever since I was a little girl in Baltimore, I was taught much about cooking and became the family mac-n-cheese person! While living in NC, I decided to do what I’ve always loved, cooking. I had always dreamed of working for myself, like my parents did. I started a business in catering and streamlined it to cake decorating. When I moved back to Maryland, I got married and opened a storefront, The Party and Wedding Gallery. I added florals to my business and became a Certified Floral Designer in 2000, the year I gave birth to our daughter, Kayla Rosetta. During my time as CEO of my own business and the General Manager of that storefront, my partners and I provided space for 12 other vendors creating a very successful one-stop shop for over 6 years. We planned bridal shows at hotels, hosted in-house bridal fairs and planned events for hundreds of satisfied clients.

Owning your own business is a 24/7 venture. I was blessed to be able to do this early in my life before becoming a mother. Endurance, perseverance, consistency, pruning, growing, learning, failing, and succeeding were all valuable experiences. I gained priceless knowledge by enhancing my craft, networking, being mentored, intentionally knowing my competition and building relationships with people in my industry.

In 1980, I made the most important decision of my life and received Jesus as my Lord and Savior and am learning to become more like Him. Without this decision, my accomplishments would not have been as elevated, anointed and successful.

The business wisdom I have gained over the past 30 years adds to the excitement of this journey. I recently had the joy of planning my 60th birthday party and was tickled red (favorite color).

Contact RT Inspired Designs with your next idea!

Debbie Morris

Debbie Morris is a Media Savvy Senior Management Executive with a 32-year career highlighted by rapid advancement and consistent achievement in revenue and profit within extremely competitive markets. Debbie has outstanding qualifications in securing six-figure sponsorships with Fortune 1000 Companies. She has worked for the top-ranking radio stations in the Washington DC metro area including WHUR-Howard University, CBS Radio, Radio One, and most recently WAMU National Public Radio, the #1 station in Washington, DC, where she served as the National Sales Manager. While serving as Director of Event/Sponsorship sales, Debbie also became inspired by real estate, and became a Real Estate Investor. She is also now a licensed Realtor in the Washington, DC and Maryland areas.

Debbie has always been passionate about the well-being of Women of Color and their families. In 1992, she was one of the Visionary women who launched the very first “For Sisters Only" Conference in Atlanta, GA, Baltimore, MD, and later in Washington, DC. Under her leadership, the revenue soared year to year making it one of the most successful events, with over 200 participating sponsors and other local, regional, and national companies.

Debbie has served as a certified instructor (Family to Family Class) for the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI). She was recognized and presented many awards, including one from the Honorable Ben Cardin, United States Senate for her outstanding work in NAMI.

Debbie is a native Washingtonian who was raised in a close-knit extended family. She has two children. She received her BS degree from Fayetteville State University and did graduate studies at University of Maryland in Business Management. She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Sorority, Inc. and currently serves on the Executive Board and as the Co-Chairman of the Women’s Health and Wellness Committee.

Florence Champagne

Florence Champagne is an accomplished Author, Artist, and Social Worker. Throughout her professional career she has served as the Director of Social Services at nursing homes in the Washington DC area, as well as provided services for youth in DC Public Housing, individuals with mental illnesses, and continues to provide services for the disadvantaged and low-income families throughout the DMV. She has provided constituent services for the United States House of Representatives for Maryland’s 4th Congressional District and worked for the office of legal counsel at the White House during the Clinton Administration.

Florence suffered a heart attack on March 2012. She was misdiagnosed several times before she had emergency open heart surgery. Being a heart survivor, she shares her testimony and personal story of survival and disparity. She found purpose in her pain as she provides support, advocacy, and leadership to women who are either living with or who are at risk of heart disease through the only national organization for women with heart disease called WomenHeart. Through WomenHeart, she has had the opportunity to be on the Dr. Oz show, write heart health articles, appear in educational videos, and speak at heart health events throughout the DMW.

In 2014 she launched her own non-profit called the Open My Heart Foundation. She is a published author, publishing her first book called, “Inez’s Granddaughter”. Look out for her second book, “Understanding Purpose Through Pain” soon to be released, where she openly discusses the effects of stress and depression on the heart, as well as the risk factors of cultural influences, family history and lifestyle. She is from Philadelphia, PA and resides in Upper Marlboro, MD. Through her many gifts, she enjoys expressing herself through her writings and through the arts, as she aims to heal the hurting.

Gloria Wilson Shelton, Esquire

Gloria Wilson Shelton is a resident of Anne Arundel County, Maryland. She received her Juris Doctorate Degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law and holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration. She is a certified mediator in Alternative Dispute Resolution, and a graduate of the Asian American Government Executives Network SES Development Program, Federal Executive Institute Leadership Program (FEI), Leadership Maryland, and Leadership Anne Arundel County.

Gloria currently serves as Deputy Chief Counsel in the Office of General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs where she serves as primary legal advisor to the Secretary on employment, labor, and EEO law and litigation matters. She has served in the Office of the Attorney General of Maryland as Chief Counsel for the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund, Principal Counsel of the Courts and Judicial Affairs Division, and as Assistant Attorney General for the Maryland Department of Corrections. Additionally, she was appointed Deputy Legal Counsel for the Baltimore City Police Department and worked as an Associate at Semmes Bowen and Semmes. Gloria had the honor to also serve as a Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable Harry A. Cole on the Court of Appeals of Maryland.

Gloria has been elected and appointed to numerous national, state and local positions throughout her illustrious career. She was elected as the first African American woman to Chair the ABA Judicial Division Lawyers Conference, and the first lawyer appointed to Chair of the ABA Judicial Division Standing Committee on Diversity in the Judiciary. She has served as President of the Federal Bar Association (Maryland Chapter) and President, Alliance of Black Women Attorneys of Maryland. Her public and community service involvement includes; Golden Life Member, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incoporated, The Links, Incorporated, National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Board of Directors, Boys and Girls Club of Anne Arundel County and Annapolis, Board of Directors, Baltimore Washington Medical Center, and Board of Directors, Girl Scouts of Central Maryland. Gloria has been honored twice as one of Maryland’s 100 Top Women.

Peggy A. Muorris

If you know Peggy Morris, then you know her true love and passion for Sisterhood. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Peggy received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Morgan State University. Her professional career spans over 30 years in the telecommunications industry, 18 years in the non-profit arena and 8 years in county government. In 2015, Peggy retired from the Prince George’s County Government in the Office of Community Relations.

Peggy grew up with five sisters and their parents always encouraged them that no matter what, they stick together and today, that sisterly bond is perpetuated through Sisters 4 Sisters Network, Inc. (S4SN). As Founder and President of S4SN, in 2002, Peggy, along with her cousin, Audrey Dickson and two friends, Sharon Bullock and Dee Adams saw a need to create a platform to allow like-minded women to come together to exchange information, resources and contacts to encourage each other to push forward to follow their dreams. This unique organization is dedicated to helping women to build lasting relationships through the art of networking. The organization’s focus is Entrepreneurship, Domestic Violence, Health & Wellness, and Education & Mentoring.

Peggy’s other love is photography and she takes great pride in her work with ‘Still and Event Photography’. She has captured some of the most exquisite photos at conferences, workshops, networking events and celebrations.

Peggy has received many community service awards for her true commitment in helping to make a difference in her community. Her many accolades include: Power Networker of the Year - Phenomenal Woman 2019; Purse, Pump and Power Network - I Declare Greatness Award 2019; 2019 Voice for the Voiceless Award - SpeakerCon; Essence of Sisterhood - Women Who Care Ministries; Men Aiming Higher Community Partner Award 2014; Certificate of Recognition- Women of Prince George's County 2016; Prince George's Chamber of Commerce - Business of the Year; Black Capital Awards - WDC Trailblazer Award; Women Empowerment Conference Leadership Award; Class Act Productions Honor.

Peggy A. Morris

Tina Lorne' Hall

Tina Lorné Hall is the owner of Lorné Enterprise, a multifaceted organization with a focus on digital marketing utilizing artificial intelligence. In this capacity, Hall is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing marketing campaigns that promote a company, its products, and services. Her customer base is varied and includes health, and nutritional products focused on weight maintenance as well as pharmaceutical sales. Additionally, Hall has recruited, trained, and developed a team with a client that dealt with dental, vision, and prescription plans.

Believing in multiple streams of income, Hall is also a Real Estate/Funding Broker as well as a Health and Wellness Consultant. To give back to the community that gave so much to her, Hall also acts as a Substitute Teacher in the Baltimore City Public School system. Previously, Hall was a Counselor at the Maryland State Department of Education Gifted and Talented Program. Not one to have her entrepreneurial skills levied to one country, Hall acts as a Correspondent Writer for U.S. Express, Tokyo Japan, where she writes about trends that develop in the U.S. for a Japanese newsletter publication.

Hall has put her degree in Broadcast Communications from the University of Maryland Baltimore County to good use in her network ventures. A member of the Maryland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Hall is also an Account Executive with WBGR- Sports/Entertainment Network. The Recording Academy- Member of The Grammy Association can be included in her list of accomplishments.

Her philanthropic work includes CYEYC, Cody Young Empowerment Youth Charities board member and media correspondent. Hall is also a Lector at New All Saints Catholic Church in Baltimore. The organization that ties all of her work together is her Lifetime Memberships in Sisters 4 Sisters Network, Inc; a group focused on women helping women to connect.