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, July 13 - "What's Your Story?"

Facilitated By: Katherine Jennings

In this engaging session, Katherine Jennings shares her personal journey of learning how to become a storyteller—discovering her voice, embracing her truth, and honoring the stories of others. She will invite the audience to reflect on the transformative power of storytelling as a means of healing, connection, and legacy. Participants will be encouraged to explore the question: What story describes who you are?—a call to reclaim and share their own narratives with purpose and pride. 

Monday, July 14th - “Reading Between the  Lines: Legislation Edition”

Facilitated By: Ndome Essoka

Join attorney Ndome Essoka as she breaks down the latest policy changes introduced through Trump-era bills and how they directly impact our communities. With clarity and insight, Ndome will help us make sense of the current political landscape—what’s at stake, what’s changing, and what we need to know to stay informed and empowered. This session is for anyone who wants to better understand the real-life impact of political decisions and how to navigate this moment with knowledge and agency.

Tuesday, July 15th - "Make Joy From Pain: Part III”

Facilitated By: Dionne Monsanto

Join Grief Transformation Coach, Dionne Monsanto, for a heartfelt 90-minute experience where we gently walk with our grief—not to fix it, but to honor it. Through breath, reflection, and meaningful prompts, we’ll explore where we’ve been, where we are, and where our hearts longs to go. Whether your loss is fresh or long-held, this is a space to begin reclaiming joy—without guilt, without pressure.

Come as you are and leave lighter, with tools and perhaps closer to acceptance of your loss.

Wednesday, July 16th - “Ready Or Not Here I Come!”

Facilitated By: Teresa Scott

Join Teresa as she shares the powerful story of her arrival into this world and the journey she's taken since. In honor of her birthday, Teresa will reflect on the moments that shaped her, the lessons she’s learned, and how she continues to show up—boldly, beautifully, and unapologetically. This is a celebration of life, legacy, and the magic of becoming!

Thursday, July 17th - "The Power of Words: Placing History Back on the Shelf" 

Facilitated By: Dr. Lori Latrice Martin

This session will explore Dr. Martin's journey as a scholar and author, emphasizing the power of words and the vital importance of telling the stories of those who might otherwise be forgotten. Special attention will be given to the remarkable life of Cynthia D. Hesdra and the significance of the Toni Morrison Bench by the Road Project, honoring the legacy of Black lives and histories that deserve to be remembered.

Our Facilitators!   

Katherine "Sweetness" Farrington Jennings, born in Queens New York, attended SUNY College at Old Westbury, York College and eventually obtained her BA in Sociology from the College of New Rochelle of New Resources, Rosa Parks Campus in Harlem. She is a Credentialed Alcohol Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC), with 15 years of experience.

Her final pursuit of higher education took place at New York Theological Seminary to get a Master of Professional Studies. Her working experience has been in residential treatment and detox short term programs in Manhattan, the Bronx and Queens. K. Sweetness also has experience with the mentally ill and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) population.

While attending higher education to get the letters behind her name and working full-time, she also engaged in prison ministry during her membership at the Presbyterian Church of St. Albans and Springfield Gardens United Methodist Church. She is a proud alumnus of the College and Community Fellowship program based in Harlem, NY where her passion for writing poetry was ignited. She is currently working on her memoir.

The K. Sweetness brand was established after completing a woman’s empowerment program, "Be The Tree" Rites of Passage Program for Women in January 2023 where she declared “Creating balance while powering in my peace” as her brand. Her purpose in this season of her eventful life is to, “embrace her divine destiny by being peaceful, extending love and grace; one healthy relationship at a time”. She believes her passion and education will assist her with living her purpose out loud and intentionally.

Upon the completion of the "Be The Tree" Program with Spirit of A Woman LLC., she is officially a Cycle Breaker while also being labeled a seeker and change agent. Her motto’s are:

“Never allow others to do more for me then I am willing to do for myself”
“To be fully dressed I must put on a smile.”
“If I decide to pray there is no need to worry.” 

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Ndome Yvonne Essoka Esq., MPH is a Staff Attorney at the Center for Reproductive Rights (CRR) and a former Equal Justice Works (EJW) Fellow sponsored by Covington & Burling LLP and Merck. & Co. Inc. Her work focuses on developing impact litigation, analyzing bills, identifying specific legal frameworks that facilitate access to midwifery care as well as those that create unnecessary barriers to care, and holding the U.S. government accountable for human rights obligations related to maternal health in collaboration and consultation with the U.S. Human Rights Team, the U.S. Litigation Program, midwives, and birthing people. Ndome graduated from William & Mary Law School in May of 2021 where she received the ABA-BNA award for Excellence in Health Law. Before her law school career, Ndome received her Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) from Rutgers University in May of 2016. After graduate school, she worked at the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in the Office of the Assistant Secretary Health (OASH) in the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) as an ORISE Fellow from 2016 – 2018 in Washington D.C. There she led the Diabetes Federal Interagency Workgroup (FIW) as part of the National Action Plan for Adverse Drug Event (ADE) Prevention, and the Taskforce for the National Clinic Care Commission (NCCC). Prior to graduate school, Ndome graduated from Stony Brook University in May of 2012 with a B.S. in Health Sciences. She has also been a proud member 

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Dionne C. Monsanto, Chief Joy Connector and Founder of Joyous Ocean, left a successful financial services career to pursue a passion as a yoga and dance instructor. She is blessed to have taught thousands of classes internationally. As a mental health advocate, life coach, speaker, and performer, she connects people to their joy. She provides the space for her clients to realize their goals and build better versions of themselves.

When not fully engaged in mental health advocacy with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention or The Siwe Project, she is supporting her clients and cooking up something new to share. Whether speaking, or training, she connects her clients to joy. As the Chief Joy Connector, she moves with ease through seemingly disparate worlds. With joy as the through-line, she is a Movement Fluidity Expert that brings her love for nature and process into all things. She believes that we can collectively change the world if we each build a joy-filled health body to support the lives we want to live. In short Dionne helps people Live Life INjoy.     

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Like a Blow Pop—Teresa Lorraine Scott is tough on the outside, but soft, chewy, and full of goodness on the inside. She's like a Sweet Tart—sweet with a little sour, depending on the day. Teresa's a Baby Ruth—rich, chocolatey, and just the right amount of nutty yet like a wintergreen Lifesaver, she's helped save a few lives along the way.

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Dr. Lori Latrice Martin is Associate Dean in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and Professor in the Department of African and African American Studies at Louisiana State University.  Dr. Martin is the author of numerous books and scholarly articles.  Dr. Martin’s recent publications include South Baton Rouge,  Introduction to Africana Demography, America in Denial, Racial Realism and the History of Black People in America, and White Sports Black Sports .  She was born and raised in Nyack, New York and currently resides in Gonzales, Louisiana.  Her most important role is as mother to Emir Sykes and Derrick Martin, Jr.  Dr. Martin is also LSU's Faculty Athletics Representative.  She was recently presented with the Inspiration Award from ABIS and appears on the cover of the current edition of Significance in Athletics and Sports Industry Magazine.

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