Women L.I.T

Glenisha Thomas, CEO & Founder of PrettyPonytails and the author of “Discovering the Pretty Within” stopped by our studio. As a child, Glenisha struggled with low-esteem and self-confidence. She is a woman of faith who has been on a journey of self-discovery in her adulthood. During this journey, the why behind her passion for helping young girls was revealed and her purpose was exposed!

After experiencing homelessness from 2018-2019, Glenisha gained the strength, faith and tenacity to go after what has always been inside of her. With God, her husband and children, as motivating fuel, Glenisha launched Prettyponytails in 2019. PrettyPonytail's impact and success has garnered connections in North Carolina and across the nation. With each connection that Prettyponytail's is fortunate to make, the mission of boosting the self-esteem and confidence of young girls will continue locally, nationally and eventually the world!

Kesshia and the ladies of Women L.I.T continue the discussion on opioid awareness.  There is so much power in knowledge!

Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

The number of drug overdoes deaths increased by nearly 5% from 2018 to 2019 and has quadrupled since 1999.  Over 70% of the 70,630 deaths in 2019 involved an opioid. From 2018 to 2019, there were significant changes in opioid- involved death rates:

1. opioid-involved death rates increase by over 6%
2. prescription opioid-involved death rates decreased by nearly 7%
3.  heroin-involved death rates decreased by over 6%
4. synthetic opioid-involved death rates (excluding methadone) increased by over 15%.

The ladies of Women L.I.T sit with Kesshia Brown, Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner for awareness and better understanding of the opioid epidemic. 

Kesshia has over a decade of experience and specializes in substance abuse treatment and recently opened her private practice, Brighter Dawn Counseling Services, LLC.

The episode concluded but the conversation did NOT end. Nicole Brittney and the ladies reflected on the show, personal experience, and simply connecting as women. 

Women L.I.T Team:

Renee Ridley, Co-Host; Tish Williams, Co-Host; Kadetra Cooper, Producer

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Nicole Brittney is an Author and Influencer with a keen interest in community building and empowering individuals to find purpose and healing. As a self-help author, her compelling use of storytelling draws readers into the complexities of life in a manner that will help them to better define and overcome challenging experiences.

Nicole chats with the ladies of Women L.I.T to discuss experience with abuse and her first book, Uncovering Your Power: The Guidebook to Escaping Emotional and Physical Abuse.  The book offers compassion and advice to readers who may have experienced trauma within romantic relationships. She draws from her own experiences with abuse to connect with survivors, victims and the families of those who may have suffered from these experiences.

Nicole's INSTAGRAM: @uncoveringpower

Attorney Megan Clark and the ladies did a little girl chat after an engaging and informative discussion around rights restoration and other legal-ish matters. 

Women L.I.T Team:

Renee Ridley, Co-Host; Tish Williams, Co-Host; Kadetra Cooper, Producer

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Attorney Megan Clark graced us with her presence for a chat on Rights Restoration and other legal-ish matters. We discuss civil rights, mandates for juveniles, importance of voting and representation, shifting power, and so much more.

Megan L. Clark took office in 2016 as the first female and first African American to hold the post of Commonwealth Attorney in Prince Edward County. She is currently the 5th District Representative for Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Services Council,  a member of the Virginia Criminal Justice Conference,  serves on faculty for various trainings sponsored by the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Services Council, and a Member of Kappa Rho Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Facebook: Megan L. Clark, Prince Edward Commonwealth's Attorney

Women L.I.T hosts: Renee Ridley & Tish Williams 

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We couldn't stop the conversation with Dawn & Mike. We had to go deeper into the popsicle sticks and had some unexpected fun along the way.

Women L.I.T Team: 

Renee Ridley, Co-Host; Tish Williams, Co-Host; Kadetra Cooper, Producer

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This episode shares the dating journey of two single parents with teenage children. We discuss sharing space in life for dating and managing expectations in the process.

Women L.I.T Hosts: Tish Williams & Renee Ridley

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In the conclusion of this 4-part episode, we continue to discuss the intentional practice of self-love and journey to self-discovery.  

Women L.I.T with Renee and Tish, connect with Kortni Boyd and Melissa Jones Clarke. The ladies reflect on the value of self care and the importance of defining what works for you.   

Choosing yourself is not selfish, it is NECESSARY! Don't wait for permission to create YOUR self care agenda.  

Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to Women L.I.T!!!  

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In this 4-part episode, we discuss the intentional practice of self-love and journey to self-discovery.

Women L.I.T with Renee and Tish, connect with Kortni Boyd and Melissa Jones Clarke. The ladies discuss how how life is a perpetual season of change. 

Choosing yourself is not selfish, it is NECESSARY! Don't feel guilty when it comes to pouring into yourself - never forget how DOPE you are!

Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to WOMEN L.I.T!!!

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Crystal Green stops by Women L.I.T to chat with Kadetra.  Crystal is the powerhouse behind The Crystal Affect Real Estate Team.  She made an intentional decision to leave corporate America to become a Real Estate and Credit Specialist and birth her Real Estate business called “The Crystal Affect".  

The Crystal Affect ensures everyone has a Crystal experience when buying, selling or investing in Real Estate. The community aspect of the Crystal Affect is assisting single moms in buying a home and rebuilding their credit through “Single Moms Buy Houses.”

Crystal's prayer is to ensure that home buying is as stress free as possible for everyone. 

Instagram: @thecrystalaffect

Facebook: The Crystal Affect Real Estate

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In this 4-part episode, we discuss the intentional practice of self-love and journey to self-discovery.

Women L.I.T with Renee and Tish, connect with Kortni Boyd and Melissa Jones Clarke. The ladies discuss how to trust, lean in, and listen to YOUR voice.  

Choosing yourself is not selfish, it is NECESSARY! Learn to release the image others created of you and the expectation others place on you. 

Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to WOMEN L.I.T!!!

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In this 4-part episode, we discuss the intentional practice of self-love and journey to self-discovery.

Women L.I.T with Renee and Tish, connect with Kortni Boyd and Melissa Jones Clarke. Kortni and Melissa teach us how to “sprinkle” self-care throughout our day and make it a lifestyle not a moment.

Choosing yourself is not selfish, it is NECESSARY! Take time to honor what YOU need!

Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to WOMEN L.I.T!!!

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In this episode, we focus on the impacts of trauma on the body.  

Women L.I.T with Renee and Tish, sit with LaToya Ntlabati, Board Certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner.   LaToya has experience and training treating patients with psychiatric disorders and some of her practice specialties include (but are not limited to) Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar, ADHD, and PTSD.  

70% of adults in the US have experienced a trauma which makes understanding ACE scores and the effects on our body so crucial. The discussion centers around what defines trauma, how it negatively impacts the body, and eradicating the stigma of mental illness.  You will learn of ways to prevent ACE's in our communities and tools to be mentally healthy.

SUBSCRIBE to our podcast, Women L.I.T 

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In this episode, Kadetra connects with entrepreneur Tiffany Hill.  Tiffany is the creative force behind Puzzle & Bloom.  We discuss how she intentionally stepped into her purpose to celebrate children of diverse cultures and traditions.    

Tiffany is an author, business owner, and student of healing arts.   She is going to share her story on working toward your passion in a pandemic, healthy living, self- reflection, and being sensitive in an insensitive world.   

Follow Puzzle & Bloom on IG: https://www.instagram.com/puzzleandbloom_ ; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/puzzleandbloom;  Twitter: https://twitter.com/puzzle_bloom 

SUBSCRIBE to our podcast, Women L.I.T http://anchor.fm/women-of-4d

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In this episode, Kadetra chats with Felicia Moses, Owner & Operator of Sw33t Tooth, LLC.

Felicia is the mother of two, self-taught culinary artist, business owner, and woman of intention. She will share how her business expanded from the needs of others, the key principles of running a successful business, and the call on her future.

Be sure to keep up with Felicia and satisfy your SW33T Tooth.

Like on Facebook: @Sw33tToothLLC

Follow on Instagram: sw33t_tooth_llc

Follow on TikTok: sw33ttoothllc

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In this episode, Eileen sits with Latoya Ntlabati to discuss her book, “I Almost Threw in the Towel, How I Bounced Back From Infidelity”.

LaToya is a wife, mother, mental health professional, entrepreneur, talk show host, and author.  She is going to share her story on how she dealt with infidelity in her marriage and give encouragement to women who have or may be dealing with this in their lives. 

LaToya wants to help guide women through dark times as they rebuild healthy, strong and fulfilled relationships.

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In this episode, we continue the conversation on the vital role that is played by a single mother's village.

Women L.I.T with Renee and Tish, speak with two mothers will share their similar yet different journeys of how their village has stepped in to assist them in the parenting process emotionally, mentally and financially.   We will also hear how the village extends beyond familial support to include external support systems (therapy, social networks, etc.). We will learn through both women while on the journey of single motherhood that it is the help from our villages that promote healthy functioning families.

It is ok to ask, seek and accept help from family and other connective support systems!

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In this episode, we focus on the vital role that is played by a single mother's village.   

Women L.I.T with Renee and Tish, speak with two mothers whom share their similar yet different journeys on how their village has stepped in to assist them in the parenting process emotionally, mentally and financially.   We will also hear how the village extends beyond familial support to include external support systems (therapy, social networks, etc.). We will learn through both women while on the journey of single motherhood that it is the help from our villages that promote healthy functioning families.   

It is ok to ask, seek and accept help from family and other connective support systems!

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In this episode, we will drop nuggets of effectively navigating the co-parenting experience.   

Women L.I.T with Renee and Tish, sits with a father of one and a mother of five, who talk about the dynamics of their journeys in a co-parenting partnership. A Licensed Professional offers insight on managing healthy relationships as co-parents; as well as, the importance of informal and formal support.   

Makel Dickerson, speaks to becoming a father in his mid 20's and how he had to readjust life to meet the demands of a son while redefining his image of fatherhood.  Aletha Fernandez, shares life after ending a marriage of twenty plus years, the importance of not using children as “pawns” and the responsibility of being the primary parent.  Mike Evans, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, provides best practices and emphasizes, “in parenting it’s not what you say, it’s what your behavior says”.  

The conversation will also focus on the impacts of COVID-19, mediating conflict, establishing boundaries and the credibility of behavior.   

The most priceless investment is a healthy family!

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Cheryl Edwards-Cannon is one of the world's unsung heroes in her advocacy for elder care.  The conversation will focus on how she created a space in her life to understand her mother's early onset dementia diagnosis, how it would affect her mother, and impact the dynamic of their family. Cheryl took us inside her world through a series of heartwarming, real life vignettes inside Taking Care of Miss Bee Bee: Stories by a Daughter Extraordinaire (Taking Care of Miss Bee Bee).  

She shares her journey of perseverance while taking care of her elderly parents and the tough decisions she had to make for them.    Cheryl's accomplishments as an elder care professional have been featured in the Women’s Lifestyle Magazine, Grand Rapids Press, Toledo Blade, and USA Today. Her caregiving stories have been published in a series for “Chicken Soup for the Soul".  

The valuable tips she teaches will help other caregivers who are facing or will face the challenges of elderly care.

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In this episode,  Dr. Karyn Ward joins host Eileen Alexander to talk about her book “Faith Walk, Using your faith tool to get through life’s challenges.”

The conversation will focus on how God spoke to her through the writing process and tapping into her relationship with God. In Faith Walk, Dr. Ward shares several stories on how people use faith to get through difficult times.  The book shows the omnipotence of God and trusting He would never leave or forsake us, especially in times of trouble.

Dr. Ward is a mother, educator, author, and humanitarian. She recognizes the power of words and uses them as tools of knowledge to uplift, educate, and empower others. Her hope is that Faith Walk will bless and provide others with strategies for using their faith muscle to "tie a knot and hang on" when life becomes challenging.

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