Top 10 Women to Watch in 2023

Women to watch Top 10 2023

Michele Aikens EXECUTIVE COACH

Michele Aikens is the CEO & Lead Coach of Sepia Prime Communications & Coaching. She is a certified professional coach and credentialed member of the International Coach Federation (ICF). Her areas of specialty include leadership, executive women, transitional, and team coaching. She consults with non-profits and growing businesses in the areas of leadership, team, and change strategies. Aikens has more than 30 years of experience in training, publishing, communications strategy, and team development. She helps individuals and groups navigate challenges with insight, empathy, and humor.

Aikens is also a storyteller. She is the author of five books, including her most recent work, “Consider ThePossibilities: Pursuing What Matters Most.”

Michele holds a bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies and a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership. Aikens is certified by the World Business Executive Coaches (WBECs) as an Enhanced Practitioner in the Accelerating Coaching

Excellence program, and a certified coach from Global Team Coaching Institute. She has coached leaders and teams at organizations including The Obama Foundation, ThredUp, and U.S. Cellular. Her life mission is to “Turn on lights for people so they can see that what is in them is greater than what is around them.” Her website is: itspossible.today.

Women to watch Lorna Blake

2023

INTERNATIONAL MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER

Lorna Blake is an International Motivational Speaker, Author & Success Coach.

She was born to a poor teenage mom on her grandparent's farm in rural Jamaica. During her early years, she experienced poverty, abandonment & abuse. At age 19 she boarded a plane on her own and moved to Canada where she struggled for several years to find herself and her life’s purpose. lornamblake

Her passion for helping others has led her to live and work in five different countries where she’s taught, coached, and inspired thousands from many cultures and walks of life. Her compelling story of confronting the truth of her paternity was featured in an anthology and a film/ documentary of the same name which played in select theaters in 2019.

Her latest book is titled Born to Rise: A Journey From Setbacks To Comebacks & Lessons Learned. Lorna is the mother of two sons. She lives in Florida with her soulmate.

Women to watch Kearn Cherry

VISIBILITY COACH

Speaker, the coach, 22 x #1 best-selling author, and award-winning businesswoman, Kearn Crockett Cherry, is a female tycoon and a successful entrepreneur. Laying to rest any stigma surrounding the stagnancy of female leadership in the Deep South, Kearn has enjoyed more than twenty-five years of excellence, as co-owner of PRN Home Care. She is the creator of Power Up Summit and Level Up Summit and the owner of KKonnections. Kearn Cherry is one of the founders of the Success Women’s Conference which previously had over 17,000 attendees worldwide. She is also a Visibility and Event Coach. Helping others to have their own conference or event while increasing their visibility.

Kearn Cherry was featured in Essence Magazine as the “Comeback Queen”, confirming her commitment to exemplifying dynamic business agility. Recently featured on Black Enterprise, VIP Magazine, Speakers Magazine, Sheen Magazine, and her very own, are among her favorites. In 2022 she released her own publication, KKonnections Magazine. Giving birth to Amazon's #1 bestselling book; Trailblazers Who Lead: Unsung Heroes, a manuscript comprising 29 stories featuring several well-respected female entrepreneurs, moguls, and business professionals.

Kearn remains diligent in helping entrepreneurs reach their destined potential. She released #1 Bestseller, “Make It Happen” anthology with 30 authors. In addition, she is the visionary for "Trailblazers Who Lead II" and her latest anthology "Undefeated" women sharing their secrets to winning.

Women to watch Top 10 2023

Laura-Beth Christensen DIRECTOR OF FINANCES

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Christensen's life, like many others, held immeasurable grief, suffering, and pain. She transformed all these tests into a courageous testament of perseverance. After childhood abuse, teen parenting, DV, and homelessness in a car with 3 children, she changed the trajectory of her future. While living in a car she decided that an education was the way up. With no family examples of advanced education, she embarked on the college journey and graduated Cum Laude from Seattle University on her 30 th birthday.

Laura-Beth has committed to helping others in every professional role she has held. She has worked in Housing and Economic Development of County government, in YWCA and Volunteers of America homeless shelters as the Director of women and children’s services, and ultimately started her business of benefits and financial services. She’s fortunate to be able to have her youngest son Caleb as a business partner of 10 years.

Today, her passion is to shatter how people think about funding their retirement and educate them on safe, tax-free plans, that protect against losses of ‘investment accounts’. She reminds us that we don’t know what we don’t know and that it is time to get out of the; ‘that’s the way it’s always been’ thinking regarding financial planning. Her company helps clients ‘Leverage’ unfamiliar options of truly safe financial planning.

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Women to watch

Kymberly L. Davidson

TRAUMA RECOVERY SPECIALIST

I am a survivor. I survived domestic violence and cancer at the same time. Upon informing my then-spouse of my diagnosis, I was savagely attacked in front of our two daughters, aged 10 and 9. My neck was broken in several places. I immediately sought medical assistance and

contacted the local authorities. I refused to be treated the way that I was, and I refused to allow the trauma to affect my daughters. There was work to be done, and I was determined to do it. I struggled through the taxing radiation treatments, physical pain, and insecurity of my future. I still refused to give up. I fought for my divorce and freedom. I survived the cancer and had some ways to go mentally to survive the effects of the assault. My daughters were doing better than me with the intervention of counseling.

A dear friend advised me to forgive myself. I took heed and noticed that my life improved greatly upon forgiving. Forgiveness is so powerful. I was confirmed cancer free. I returned to school and obtained a bachelor’s degree and two master’s degrees when I discovered cancer had returned. With less determination than before, I fought through another round of treatments and would eventually succeed again. With renewed strength, I began to share my story in hopes of motivating others. I am now a 7x best-selling author, a doctoral candidate, and the founder and CEO of ARISE MPowered, LLC which provides services to victims of trauma.

Women to watch Top 10 2023

Nydia S. Wells-Evans

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE H.E.L.P. COACH

Nydia Shatanya Wells-Evans, a native of New Orleans is a survivor of, as well as an advocate and public speaker for domestic violence. She watched her mother express herself freely every day and her dad would tear her down because he wanted things his way. Needless to say, this tore her down emotionally as well as mentally. She grew up thinking that the male was superior, and the female was supposed to do as she was told in a relationship.

After witnessing her parents experience domestic violence for years, Nydia vowed that she would never accept or go through what she witnessed. Therefore, she went through most of my years being submissive to everyone. She figured that if she didn't argue back or be rebellious it would make life a lot easier. Boy was she wrong! She has been in several unhealthy relationships involving domestic violence and sexual assault among other things. She spent nine years with a man that became abusive after only four months of being together.

And each assault was worse than the last. After six years together filled with “I’m sorry”, “I won’t do it again”, “I love you”, “I didn’t mean it”, etc., after every assault; they became husband and wife. Marital tragedy, bad memories, black eyes, being choked and many bruises is what they shared mostly. But she stayed because he loved her is all she ever felt.

Top 10

Women to watch Dr. Nadine Owens

CERTIFIED HEALTH AND WELLNESS COACH

Nadine-Pritchard Owens is the CEO of Our Brother's Keeper Inc. (OBK). She is the wife of Jeffery Owens and a mother of 5. Nadine has been a caregiver and parent advocate for more than 20 years to her adult sons with different abilities. She knows first-hand the challenges, the struggles, and the emotional rollercoaster that goes hand in hand

with pouring out so much. Nadine is a certified Life Coach, financial advisor, administrator, 6x best-selling author, emotional intelligence coach, motivational speaker, environmental health advocate, and the owner of Our Brother's Keeper Academy, which focuses on environmental health, moving & grooving with OBK, healthy behaviors, and community engagements.

Nadine has a passion to see everyone become the best version of themselves. Nadine also speaks at different events and volunteers her services to fight for insurance, equal rights, equal pay, and quality care for health insurance. Nadine Owens has received the Degree of Honoris Causa Doctor of Humane Letters, and she is also a Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree. She holds a wealth of knowledge and wisdom when it comes to various areas of independence, self-care, and dignity.

www.ourbrotherskeeper.org

Women to watch Top 10 2023

Dr. Tabia Pope

TALK SHOW HOST

Dr. Tabia Pope is the Founding President & CEO of Head to Speech, Incorporated, the leading 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to educational, scientific, and charitable initiatives in sports concussion, the effects on cognitive-communication skills, and overall brain health.

She is also the Owner of BIA Communications, a digital media productions, image, and personal branding agency specializing in health communications and social impact and video marketing services, communication skills and image enhancement consulting, on-camera coaching, interview training, and content creation through her curated image

management experiences. Her image management talk show program, BIA BRAND with Dr. Tabia Pope interviews social entrepreneurs, business owners, and influencers who have transformed their million-dollar ideas into programs and products that make a social impact within their communities.

In her new book, Align Your Brand with Social Impact, she takes you through the 5-Step Process, which ultimately helped to sustain her business and achieve massive growth. Get on the waitlist now for her upcoming masterclass on biabrand.teachable.com. Limited spots are available for her to Align Your Brand with Social Impact Masterclass. Book a discovery call now for $149 using the following link, https://drtabiapope.as.me/ biabranddiscoverycall. You will be able to learn more about her upcoming book and speaking tour and receive an interview on her image management talk show.

@drtabiapopeshow @headtospeech

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@drtabiapopeshow

Women to watch Top 10 2023

Dr. Nephetina L. Serrano

RELATIONSHIP EXPERT - THE MARRIAGE CEO ©

Her Excellency Dr. Nephetina Serrano is a United Nations Ambassador for Peace. Global transformational speaker, committed influencer, award winning Author and 8xs best seller. Success Magazine named her 100 Best Coaches. Recipient of the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award 2022. She is the first awarded African American Legacy Queen with Woman of Achievement 2023. She is making a difference in the lives of couples and women around the world. Dr. Serrano is Co-host of “The Serrano Show,” Co-Founder of Covenant Marriages, Inc., Covenant Rescue 911 a 24-hour hotline for couples and families in crisis and Covenant Marriages Institute.

Co-Author of the Book, “The Marriage Corporation” and Publisher of Marriage CEO Magazine for the Entrepreneur Leader Building Legacy. Married for over 33yrs to the love of her life and best friend, Ambassador Dr. Richard Serrano and one daughter Brande Serrano. She along with her husband have an outside the four walls ministry, supporting couples in transitional phases within their

marriage while also providing a learning platform for singles preparing to embark on their own marital journey. This dreamer and woman of influence is on a mission to helping one million couples and families to winning in marriage and relationship. She is making impact, living life on purpose, fulfilling her destiny and building legacy.

Social media contact: www. DrSerranos360.com

Women to watch Top 10 2023

Dr. Raykel Tolson

MONEY MINDSET CONSULTANT

Dr. Raykel Tolson is an Author and Money Mindset Consultant who encourages the children of God to elevate their thoughts surrounding money while offering practical solutions to grow and protect their money. She is passionate about helping “church folk” to build generational wealth that would keep each generation from having to start from the bottom.

Dr. Raykel writes inspirational nonfiction and romance books. She has co-authored two children's picture books with her adult son, Larenz

Tolson. Dr. Raykel is also a screenwriter and short film producer. She is a contributing writer for the Living Day by Day Magazine and host of Blessed: Mindset Matters on WYTV7.

Dr. Raykel is a New Thought Christian tackling the limiting religious beliefs that many Christians hold onto tightly. Beliefs that cause them to feel unloved, and unworthy and that offer them no peace. Dr. Raykel stresses that we need to be cautious about what we think about; because what we think about is what we bring about.

Dr. Raykel was born and raised in University City, a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri, but currently resides in Los Angeles. She is a graduate of Florida A & M University College of Pharmacy, Florida State University College of Law, and Capella University Harold Abel School of Social & Behavioral Sciences. Dr. Raykel is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.