Summit Guests 2024
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 Scharita Lacey - New Jersey
WES Visionary & Host
Global Women's Network Leader
Creative ~ Visionary ~ Author ~ Speaker
With a sincere heart and desire to see all women evolve into an authentic expression of who they were created to be it is from this place that Scharita shares, connects, and empowers women of all ages and backgrounds to be Bold, Beautiful, and Brave. Equipping them with life skills for their journey to build successful careers, ministries, marriages, families, and homes and to fulfill the passions of their heart.
Scharita has a special calling to touch and reach those who have been victimized and who feel unloved and rejected. Those that life has dealt an unfair hand to or circumstances or events have created great hardship and bondage. Her passion reaches the very depth of the souls of these women and ministers life, encouragement, and restoration. Allowing them to see their worth, and connect with their identity and exchange the ASHES of their life (the hurt, disappointments, set backs, failures, and rejection) for BEAUTY. Giving them Courage to LIVE AGAIN!
Scharita is the Visionary Leader of the annual Virtuous Women's Retreat and annual Women's Empowerment Summit WES Weekend and the Founding Director of Ignite HOPE Foundation. Through her women's empowerment network she connects hundreds of women around the globe through SCHARITA LACEY EMPOWERMENT where she inspires women at every age and journey in live to live again. She empowers (married women, single women, engaged/wives in waiting, pastors & first ladies, creatives & visionaries, business leaders and prophetic apostolic leaders). Her network provides resources and emotional & spiritual support to (single mothers, divorced & widowed wives, and caregivers of special needs children). Through her Virtuous Women's Network (VWN) founded in 2011 she develops, trains, and equips Women Leaders in business, ministry, and community leadership. Scharita personally mentors and coaches diverse groups of women in life in (career, ministry, personal image & identity, life coping skills, goal planning, pursuit of purpose, gifts & talents, positive character, and spiritual development & growth). She leads "Let the Prophets Speak" and Scharita Lacey LIVE platforms. She is the founder of Miss Central State University Queens Organization and The Power of Praise Creative Arts Enrichment Organziation.
Scharita holds a Masters in Business Administration; Leadership Credentials and is Ordained in the office of the Prophet.
SLE Global Apostolic Network is under the Apostolic Leadership of Apostle Lajun and Prophetess Valora Cole - The Contagious Connexion Global Network of Churches and Ministries.
To Learn More: www.sleglobal.net
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Dr. Tori Knox - Texas
CEO - Author - Visionary - Speaker
Summit Keynote Speaker
Dr. Tori is a keynote speaker that focuses on Ministry | Marketplace & Missions. These areas of concentration help people identify their mission and Gods Purpose. Women are a key focus for Dr. Tori. The Designed Life Women's Network is the home of multiple programs geared to Disciple & Support women in their Kingdom/Christian Journey. The DesignHER is a lifestyle program for women that teach them how to successfully launch their vision from being an Author to CEO or a stay home mom and even ministry leader.
As a Life Designer, Dr. Tori is dedicated to Re-Designing Your Life Gods Way.
As an author, Dr. Tori is on a journey to complete her 7 volume series Walk It Out Vol. 1-7
Walk It Out Is A Navigational Book Series For Men and Women Who Desire To Have A Lifestyle Of Walking In The Purpose and Plan of God In Confidence and Kingdom Identity.
To Learn More: https://www.thedesignedlifenetwork.com/
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Dr. MeMe Brown - Texas
Life Stylist - Pastor - Author
Summit Keynote Speaker
"Dr. MeMe Brown encourages women to embrace their full potential and live their best lives, empowering them to pursue their dreams with confidence and authenticity."
Dr. MeMe is a Life Stylist, a revolutionary thinker and transformational leader with a distinguished reputation as a catalyst for change in confidence. Her unique ability to walk in her unapologetic authentic self has created a lane for her ministry to teach and model the Freedom of Christ.
Branded as a Life Stylist, she is the creative strategist of The Muse Mentorship, which affords her the pleasure of styling and empowering women from the Inside Out. Dr. MeMe is the author of Not Your Average Chick, Kingdom Edition which has spearheaded her much anticipated weekly broadcast, Wednesdays With The Word Girl (WWG) and Not Your Average Chick Conference.
She is the Distinguished First Lady and Executive Pastor of Demonstr8 Church in Houston, TX.
Dr. MeMe has established several ministries under her brand:
Lace and Leather: Etiquitte for Women and Young Girls
RIBCANDY: a Wisdom based teaching for Pastors Wives and Ministers Spouses
Of her many accomplishments, she is the elated mother to her Brownie Bites, son Cire S. Brown, and daughter Savi M. Brown and she is also a proud wife to her husband and Pastor Apostle Eric Brown of 21 years!
To Learn More: https://www.drmemebrown.com/
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 Martha Castex Tatum - Texas
City of Houston Mayor Pro -Tem
Summit Featured Speaker
Martha Castex-Tatum, a dynamic community advocate, won the May 5, 2018, special election, to fill the unexpired term of the late Council Member Larry Green for District K, which stretches across southwest Houston into Fort Bend County. Breaking barriers, Martha started her public service journey as the first African American female on the San Marcos, TX city council, earning the role of Deputy Mayor Pro-Tem.
A native of District K, Martha entered her first full four-year term in January 2020, and was unanimously elected as the City of Houston's Vice Mayor Pro-Tem by Mayor Sylvester Turner and her Council peers. In January 2024, Martha was appointed Mayor Pro-Tem by Mayor John Whitmire. Martha's dedication extends nationally, where she serves on the National League of Cities’ Transportation and Infrastructure Services Committee, recently appointed as Vice Chair, and is a member of the National League of Cities 2024 Presidential Election Task Force.
As the Immediate Past President of the Texas Municipal League, Martha oversees services for 1,150 member cities, reflecting her unwavering passion for public service. Martha is a Leadership Houston Class XXXVI graduate, a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and a member of the Missouri City Chapter of Links, Inc. She holds a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas State University.
Beyond her impressive professional journey, Martha is the proud mother of one son, Jacob Paul Tatum. Her desire is to restore faith in government and foster a stronger, connected community at local, state and national levels.
To Learn More: https://www.houstontx.gov/council/k/about-martha-castex-tatum.html
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.png) Jessica Cooper - Texas
Therapist ~ Speaker ~ Coach
Summit Feautured Panelist
Fueled by a mandate to equip believers to live healed and purpose-filled lives, Jessica Cooper leverages over 13 years of ministry leadership experience and more than 15 years in the field of mental health to educate transform and empower her audience through Biblical Psychology and the Word of God. Her books training and coaching empower her clients to realign with their true identity and purpose in order to actualize their potential.
To Learn More: www.thejessicacooper.com
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 Verily Harris-Harper - Texas
Licensed Professional Counselor & Grief Recovery Specialist
Summit Featured Panelist
Verily is the Founder of TBE Global with over 16 years of professional and clinical experience.
Verily Harris-Harper graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from LeTourneau University, and Highest Honors with a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling From Capella University. Verily is a Board Certified Counselor licensed in Texas and New Jersey.
Verily also serves as a consultant to develop leaders in achieving excellence in business and their personal journeys of discovery across the country. Verily has sat on the planning committee for the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI Mercer), served as an Executive Officer on the Board for New Jersey Counseling Association, and is certified as a Grief Recovery Specialist through the Grief Recovery Institute.
Verily has utilized her therapeutic influence in non-profit, religious, and educational arenas; and is constantly taking steps in her continued evolution to expand her scope of influence and while nurturing her clinical and professional relationships.
To Learn More: https://www.tbegloballlc.com/
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 Dr. Alissa R. Jones - Texas
Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse Survivor & Advocate
Summit Guest Moderator & Emcee
Dr. Alissa R. Jones, a prolific Speaker and Author, is a sexual abuse and domestic violence survivor who turned her pain into Power! She is the Founder of Survivors with Voices Foundation, a 501© 3 Texas-based organization, and currently mentors several chapters under her organization. With this larger network, she designs motivational platforms to benefit survivors of mental and physical abuse. Since 2013, Dr. Alissa has been a voice for the voiceless, supporting the min their survival of the most horrific and traumatic circumstances. Through support led by her chapter members, presidents across the country, her Foundation provides an open forum for survivors to be supported by their peers who have experienced similar circumstances.
Dr. Alissa began the “Unlock Your Voice" City Tour to provide tools and heartfelt testimony to empower victims to move beyond their past and inspire the next survivor to discover their strength. Presented by the Foundation, the mission of the tour is simply to assist all survivors by helping them to embrace their seen and unseen scars, find their voice, and ultimately overcome their past.
Her annual Survivors with Voices, Voice Your Invisible Wounds Conference provides first step tools, support and valuable resources for current and former victims. It hosts an open forum for victorious survivors, their peers and supporters to be recognized, coached and inspired by some of the most viable and transformative success leaders in the country.
Dr. Alissa personally selects the speakers and talent to render heartfelt talks about lessons learned, changing directions when on the wrong path, lessons in self-love, breaking vicious cycles, and seeking solutions for oneself. Her team provides first step tools, survivor testimonials. She propels the change she wants to see!
In the continual spirit of overcoming, Dr. Alissa uniquely delivers inspirational messages of hope and victory. As she has been a staunch advocate and volunteer advisor for more than a decade, she has garnered annual support from a plethora of media and major brand sponsors, to include Walmart Corporation and Southwest Airlines.
To Learn More: www.facebook.com/SurvivorsWithVoices
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Psalmist Krystal Joel Holmes - Texas
Pianist ~ Vocalist ~ Educator
Summit Feautured Musical Guest
Krystal Joel is a distinguished American pianist, vocalist, songwriter, and educator with a rich background in music. Her artistic journey is showcased through her creation of two independent albums, "This Is Your Moment" and "We Will Glorify," both of which have enjoyed releases across all major streaming platforms.
Krystal credits her spiritual encounters through music and worship to her beloved mother and godmother; whom she accompanied on piano as early as the age of 7. Her educational foundation is rooted in her studies in choral music education at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Her academic pursuits have been enriched by her extensive teaching experience in both public and private educational settings. Her expertise extends into a deep understanding of multi-denominational church music, encompassing liturgy, praise teams, and choirs.
Over fifteen years ago, she channeled her passion for music and education into founding the One A’ Chord Music School in Houston. This institution has become a nurturing ground for both aspiring students and seasoned professionals, preparing them for higher-level performances and competitions. Under her guidance, individuals are trained to excel in local, regional, and national venues, setting the stage for their future successes in the world of music.
To Learn More:
https://oneacmusic.mymusicstaff.com/
https://www.youtube.com/@major7minor/videos
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Ms. Cheryl Thomas Fortune - Texas
WES 2024 Honoree & Special Guest
A Grammy award nominated songwriter, Cheryl is also a gifted pianist, vocal arranger and singer. But, her greatest role, is that of Mom to her four kids.
To Learn More: https://www.facebook.com/SimplyCherylFortune/
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 Melanie Thomas - Mitchell - Texas
WES 2024 Worship Leader
Melanie is a native Houstonian and has shared the love and faithfulness of Christ through songs of praise since the age of nine. “it is when we praise and worship God that chains are broken, healing begins, hearts are mended and deliverance takes place in the life of the worshiper. This statement would prove to be true as she endured a season of difficulty and grief in 2004. But God proved to her that He was her constant companion and He gave her the strength she needed to walk through her pain and grief. Melanie is the proud mother of 5 children, 3 in-loves and 11 grandchildren.
Melanie served as the Worship leader at the TFOP under the leadership of Pastors Remus and Mia Wright for over 22 years. She currently serves as worship coordinator at Walking in Victory Church under the leadership of Pastor Harcell Montgomery where she ministers the word of God thru song and also teaches the Women’s bible
study.
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DEW Ministries - New Jersey
(Divine Explosive Warriors Ministries)
WES 2024 Dance Ministers
Advancing the Kingdom of God by spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ to save, set free, heal, and deliver souls! The purpose of this ministry is to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ through prayer, love, dance and evangelism to all the nations. Our commitment is to train liturgical dancers in the gospel of Jesus Christ and dance technique. We are dedicated to shifting the atmosphere through prayer, praise, worship and spiritual warfare to glorify and edify the kingdom of God.
To Learn More: https://www.dewnj.com/
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