Choose to Awaken with the WUE Nation!

On March 29, 2020, Spirit of A Woman, LLC, launched the Wake Up Everybody (WUE) Virtual series in partnership with community healers, thought leaders, coaches, medical and mental health professionals, educators and artists from across the nation. WUE was created to provide community members, from across the country and abroad, with an opportunity to keep their mental, emotional,  physical and spiritual well beings balanced and whole as they navigated the impact of the devastating impact of the COVID-19 global health crisis. 

WUE was  originally designed as a 30 day offering that would provide “temporary” covering and support for participants until the quarantine period ended, however, the producers and community members quickly realized that the WUE journey would last much longer than they originally anticipated. 

The series was created by Shawnee Benton Gibson, CEO, of Spirit of A Woman (SOW) Leadership Development Institute, who was inspired by the lyrics of the song  “Wake Up Everybody” by Teddy Pendergrass, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes. The song, which was popular in the 70s, speaks of issues that we are still glaringly relevant today; (racism, war, poverty, sickness, political strife, corruption, etc). The WUE Virtual series was designed to “WAKE UP” the masses by providing empowering messaging, holistic healing tools, guidance for daily living and strategies for addressing the injustices, pain and imbalance that exists in the world. 

All of the “Wake Up Everybody” sessions take place 5 days a week (every Sunday, Tuesday, & Thursday from 7:00am - 8:30am EST and every Monday and Wednesday from 7:00am -7:30am EST.) over Zoom and Facebook Live. Every session is facilitated by powerful and prolific presenters from various backgrounds and areas of discipline. Each facilitator guides participants through an interactive experience that fosters education, conversation, new insights, empowerment  and expansion. 

The WUE Family invites you to join our phenomenal community so that you can share, heal and grow as part of the collective. You are free to join as a community participant, as a session facilitator and/or a member of the admin team to support the magic that happens behind the scenes. We hope to hear from you. 

Sunday, October 6th - "Turning Desire Into Action – The 6 Steps to Achieve Your Goals"

Facilitated By: Dr. Lavonya Douglas
In this transformative workshop, we’ll dive deep into the six steps inspired by Think and Grow Rich to help you define and achieve your goals with clarity and purpose. Participants will:

1. Clarify Your Vision – Pinpoint exactly what you want to accomplish in your life or career.
2. Commit to the Sacrifice – Identify what you’re willing to give in exchange for your success.
3. Set a Deadline – Create a concrete timeline for achieving your goals.
4. Build a Plan of Action – Develop a step-by-step strategy to bring your goals to life.
5. Craft Your Success Statement – Learn how to write a personal success manifesto to keep you focused.
6. Activate Your Mindset – Practice daily goal visualization techniques to stay motivated and inspired.

By the end of the workshop, you’ll leave with a written success plan, actionable strategies, and a mindset primed for growth and achievement.

Monday, October 7th - "Mother Wit, The MOVE-meant"

Facilitated By: Shawnee Benton Gibson

The term Mother Wit is timeless. It speaks to the innate intelligence and intuition that women possess. It is a demonstration of practical intelligence or common sense and it is a powerful source of guidance. In 2011, Shawnee Benton Gibson and her daughter, Jasmine Nicole Gibson, co-created a theatrical production called "Mother Wit Echoes From The Womb". The production was brought to life by 10 women who performed the piece in Brooklyn New York in front of a live audience. The production has since turned into a conference called Mother Wit and this year is the 10th anniversary of this powerful convening. Join Shawnee Benton Gibson as she shares dramatic pieces from the dramatic presentation and engages the WUE community in an authentic discussion about the state of reproductive health in the United States and across the globe. 

Tuesday, October 8th - "If Meditation Seems Too Hard for You, Try Breath Meditation - The O.L.D. Way"

Facilitated By: Ayo Handy-Kendi

In the fast paced, modern world, the ancient practice of meditation could make a big difference in managing your daily life.  Yet, many struggle with practicing this modality and give up on it.  In this interactive session, learn and practice one of the most simplest form of meditation available - a Breath Meditation, developed by Ayo Handy-Kendi, the Breath Sekou.  Sekou Mama Ayo (master teacher) will help you understand what meditation is and isn't; practice a group breath meditation session; suggest techniques to support your meditation practice; encourage alternate ways to practice meditation; and provide answers to any questions that may enhance your meditation.

Wednesday, October 9th - "Let Food be Thy Medicine and Medicine be Thy Food"

Facilitated By: Lora Clarke

Join us as we explore ways to strengthen our immune system during the autumn and winter seasons through the use of food!

Thursday, October 3rd -  "Standing In Your Purpose"

Facilitated By: Ashley Rainey-January

As individuals, it's essential to understand our purpose in life. Each day should be lived with the intention of achieving a fulfilling life and reaching our established goals. This session aims to delve into living with a purpose and plan.

Upcoming Facilitators!  

Dr. Lavonya Douglas is a distinguished scholar who holds a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership Psychology with a specialization in African and Caribbean Mental Health. Her expertise lies at the intersection of psychology, leadership, and cultural diversity. With a strong commitment to enhancing individual and community well-being, Dr. Douglas specializes in developing professional development and leadership programs. Through her research and studies, she has gained profound insights into the psychological dynamics within these communities, enabling her to design impactful initiatives that foster personal growth, leadership skills, and mental health awareness. Dr. Douglas' work not only advances the field of organizational leadership psychology but also addresses the crucial requirement for culturally sensitive approaches to professional development and mental health support. Dr. Douglas is a leader, mentor, mother, and energy producer! She is a leader of leaders who leverages individual strength. She’s a coach and mentor to her colleagues and teams. She helps transform lives, create a sense of purpose, and instill a passion for excellence in individuals and organizations.

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Shawnee Benton Gibson, LMSW / FDLC, is the Co-Founder and CEO of Spirit of A Woman (SOW) Leadership Development Institute; established in 2002 to educate, elevate and effect positive and sustainable transformation for individuals, groups, families, communities and leaders within institutions. Under Shawnee's leadership and vision, SOW offers innovative coaching, counseling and training experiences to those who are seeking to expand their power, purpose and impact in the world. 

Ms. Benton Gibson is a licensed practitioner with over 31 years of professional experience. She is also the Co-Founder of the ARIAH Foundation (The Advancement of Reproductive Innovation Through Artistry & Healing) which was created in memory of her eldest daughter, Shamony Makeba Gibson who passed away on October 6, 2019 due to complications associated with giving birth. Shamony’s story and Shawnee’s reproductive activism are depicted in the award winning documentary “Aftershock” which addresses the black maternal health crisis in the United States and its origins. 

Shawnee’s expertise ranges from substance abuse prevention, treatment and recovery, child welfare, youth development, individual, family and group counseling, trauma, grief, loss and bereavement, women’s health and leadership, birth equity, racial equity, social and restorative justice. Shawnee employs a holistic, cultural and spiritual approach to her work and applies a racial equity, social justice lens as the foundation for all of the programs and services that her company provides. Her principal teaching, training and healing tools consist of spiritual counseling, vision coaching, psychodrama, sociometry, sacred rituals, energy work, the performing arts and storytelling as mediums to ignite transformation and initiate catharsis. According to Shawnee, doing healing work is "a labor of love and liberation".

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Ayo Handy-Kendi, is the Breath Sekou, a 50+ year master teacher/practitioner  of breathing practices, Certified in Transformational Breathing, Reiki, RaSeiki, QiGong, Laughter Yoga,  Breathology and Diversity Training,  She is the founder of the system, Optimum Life Breathology (OLB) which has certified over 250 Breathologist.  Further, she is the founder of Black Love Day, Feb. 13,  the Ritual of Reconciliation and African American Holiday Association (AAHA), a non-profit, that connects culture with health.  Her company, PositivEnergyWorks (P.E.W.) has breathed with millions in the media, featured on Steve Harvey's Morning Show, Roland Martin's Hour, CNN, and most recently, the Boris P. Henson Foundation, CEO, Taraji P. Henson; the New York Times; and Washington Post.  She is a sought-after breath facilitator/diversity trainer; speaker/storyteller/reenactor; author/playwright; sound healer/composer; degreed counselor/life coach; and community organizer/entrepreneur, who has  thrived, not just survived, through many of life's adversities, due to breath training.  Breathe  to Feel to Heal at  http://www.PositivEnergyWorks.com, 202-667-2577

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Lora Clarke was born in Jamaica and currently lives in Brooklyn! Lora has served others all of her life through a number of roles that included; child laborer, teacher, customs officer, restaurateur, companion, nanny, and a registered nurse. Now, she is currently enjoying the adventures of retirement!

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Meet Ashley Rainey, a dedicated nursing professional who embarked on her career after earning her Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree in 2011. Her passion for perinatal care has driven her to her current role as the Clinical Director for the Women, Children, and Families Commission for the State of Indiana. In this capacity, she plays a vital role in advancing clinical practice across 75 delivery facilities in the state. Ashley is not only an esteemed member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society but also an alumna of the 2019 Maternal-Child Nursing Leadership Academy cohort. She remains actively involved with the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) both nationally and locally, while also pursuing her Ph.D. in Nursing Research at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.