Dr. Ebony Butler, the creator of My Therapy Cards, the first card deck and self-help tool for Black women, has done it again! Because she strongly feels that Black girls should not be left out of the conversation about mental health and self-care, she has also created My Therapy Cards – Teen Edition, the first card deck created specifically for Black girls!
Similar to the original edition, the Teen Edition helps Black girls and other girls of color work through those thoughts, habits, and behaviors that impact their growth and development. My Therapy Cards – Teen Edition does not only provide support for self-exploration and insight but intentionally provides language to teen girls so that they are better equipped to understand their emotional experiences and communicate what they want and need. The Teen Edition also provides an age-appropriate guide for self-care and various activities for emotional self-expression.
The mission is to make sure that Black girls have access to quality tools and resources to take care of themselves and their mental health. Not only does the Teen Edition help make the process of emotional, mental, and behavioral exploration more accessible for teens of color, the deck serves as a valuable resource to help parents, teachers, administrators, and therapists partner with teens in their growth process! Working through the deck is sure to make for great exploration, conversation, and dialogue no matter if the teen chooses to work through the deck alone, with friends, with a teacher, or with a counselor/therapist. The prompts and tasks have been carefully crafted and vetted to provide the type of experience that is sure to guide teens through a deeper level of understanding of themselves and the world around them.
Just as with the original version of My Therapy Cards, Dr. Ebony took extensive and intentional measures to ensure that My Therapy Cards – Teen Edition included language, prompts, and tasks that actually resonate with Black girls, other girls of color, and teens in general. No matter if the issue is self-esteem, social media, home life, emotional expression, or peer pressure, My Therapy Cards – Teen Edition makes the work more doable! This is the very first self-help card deck and therapy tool specifically for Black girls, and we are excited to center the mental health and well-being of Black girls in a way that gives them full permission to learn more about themselves right where they are! We care about representation, accessibility, and breaking stigmas associated with seeking help, especially for our Black girls. My Therapy Cards – Teen Edition directly addresses all of this!
The My Therapy Cards – Teen Edition deck includes:
* 15 prompts and tasks per category for a total of 45 cards designed to address mental blocks, habit blocks, and ineffective coping skills.
* Glossary card designed to define common terms and language.
* Emotional wheel to help guide language around emotional experiences and emotional intelligence.
* Self-Care menu card created to provide a variety of ways to practice self-care.
* Resource card for additional support and guidance, including how resources for locating local therapists for continued support outside of the card deck.
* Access to emails containing tips for best practices, additional prompts, follow-up questions, and support!
My Therapy Cards – Teen Edition centers the mental health and self-care needs of Black girls and increases the conversation around ways that we can continue to take care of our Black girls and other girls of color.
The introductory price for My Therapy Cards – Teen Edition is $49.97 per card deck. To purchase or learn more about My Therapy Cards, visit MyTherapyCards.com
Cameka Smith, Beverly Johnson, Racquel Oden, Saundra Davis, and Eva Robinson
The BOSS Network, in collaboration with JPMorgan Chase and Advancing Black Pathways, will host the Minority Merchant Event series – a 2-day virtual event to educate, empower, and promote Black female founders on Dec 4th and 5th.
Black founders receive less than 1 percent of venture capital funds annually and Black women founders account for less than that, according to the Harvard Business Review. Through the Minority Merchant Event series, they will provide a platform for Black women to discuss their experiences in launching successful businesses, provide a blueprint on how to build a successful business and share strategies that Black female founders can leverage to gain access to capital.
Hosted by Cameka Smith, the Founder of The BOSS Network and presented by JPMorgan Chase and its Advancing Black Pathways initiative, the event will feature a panel discussion on “The State of the Black Female Founder” on Friday, December 4, with Beverly Johnson (Modelprenuer), Racquel Oden (JPMorgan Chase), Eva Robinson (JPMorgan Chase) and Saundra Davis (Sage Financial).
The following day’s event on December 5 will include the “Reclaim Your Future” business coaching session that will provide insights for Black women entrepreneurs on how to navigate the current economic environment and prepare their business for long-term success, with Chase Business Bankers, Lavonda Davis, and Kanayo Oweazim. The event will also include a performance from singer Tarrey Torae and poet J. Ivy.
Additionally, modeling icon and author Beverly Johnson will participate in a fireside chat with Cameka Smith.
The time is now to support these extraordinary women, who are breaking down barriers in technology and their respective industries, even in the midst of a global pandemic and social unrest that has ignited a national dialogue on systemic racism. This event, which will take place over Zoom, is open to the first 100 Black female entrepreneurs at no cost.
Click to listen to our interview Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie as she talks to us about SELAH 2020
Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the first woman elected to this position in the denomination’s 233-year history, and presiding prelate of more than 200 churches in Texas, has joined forces with Minnie’s Food Pantry, to feed the growing number of North Texas families facing food insecurity. Bishop McKenzie will host a virtual edition of her annual leadership conference, SELAH: The Main Event, on November 20-21, 2020. The event is open to the public and forty percent of registration will go to Minnie’s Food Pantry. Attendees can register at bit.ly/SelahMainEvent.
Named one of the top eleven conferences for women who want to level up by Essence Magazine, Selah is a place for leaders to reset, refresh, and recalibrate. This year’s line-up includes power-packed speakers and performers, including Grammy-award winning recording artist, Marvin Sapp; author, Minda Harts; master entrepreneur, Gloria Mayfield Banks; author, Rev. Dr. Cecelia Williams-Bryant, preacher and author, including her newest book, “Together: A Biblical Meditation and Guide to Enrich Covenant Marriage”; Nicole Fortune, National Manager, Customer Relations Toyota Lexus Financial; Rev. Dr. Danielle Brown, pastor of church life at Cathedral International; Nicole Roberts Jones, nationally recognized transformational speaker and bankroll your brilliance expert; and Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie.
“There are thousands of families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of them have food security issues for the first time in their lives,” said Bishop Vashti McKenzie. “We felt compelled to support Chery Jackson and Minnie’s Food Pantry to help her help hurting families. We invite our Selah women and the Dallas Metroplex to join us.”
Each year, SELAH partners with an organization to make an impact in the community. This year, they are partnering with Minnie’s Food Pantry to feed families for the holidays. With the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic, job loss and unemployment at an all-time high, the number of North Texas families facing food insecurity has increased by nearly 60% since this time last year.
“From March until June of 2020, more than 1.9 billion meals were distributed nationwide to people facing hunger. Minnie’s Food Pantry has distributed 3 million meals since March and food pantries are giving out 60 percent more food than an average month,” said Cheryl Jackson, CEO and founder of Minnie’s Food Pantry. “The need is greater than ever and generosity of neighbors all across the country is a necessity to keep up with this demand.”
NEW FILM SHEDS LIGHT ON THE LEGACY AND RISKS OF BLACK BIRTH
When Black mothers are dying during labor at a rate that is three to four times higher than their white counterparts, it’s time we start paying attention to the Black maternal mortality rate in the United States. The Black woman’s voice has long been overlooked in the medical system. A new film, High Risk: Black Mothers Protecting Themselves and Their Babies, brings light to this topic by exploring Black women’s strategies for taking control of their mental health to produce positive outcomes.
“We wanted to make this documentary to show that now, more than ever, Black women are dying during childbirth, and these deaths are completely preventable,” said Nicole Carr, producer. “COVID-19 has put increased exposure on poor medical practices during labor and delivery. This documentary will help Black women make the right choices needed in order to let their voice be heard.”
In the documentary, viewers will hear from birth workers who will help the viewer explore the legacy of Black birth, as well as discussion around how to make the healthcare system more friendly and accountable to Black women.
High Risk: Black Mothers Protecting Themselves and Their Babies is in production and early stages of funding. With a goal of $10,000, the producers are asking potential funders to contribute to their Indiegogo campaign. The campaign lasts through November 25.
About Melaneyes Media Melaneyes Media is an independent film company based in San Antonio, Texas. They are committed to providing knowledge-based Black culture films, projects, and products relevant to the African diaspora. To learn more, visit their official web site at MelaneyesMedia.com
2-weeks of free virtual workshops for Middle School and High School students
Theatre Educator & Program Director ShaVonne Banks-Davis is hosting the DFW Virtual Youth Enrichment Summit via Zoom from 4:00pm to 5:30pm until Friday, August 7, 2020. The online event features 2-weeks of free virtual workshops for middle school and high school students. The workshops are being taught by members of the Facebook Group, “DFW Black Mentors & Youth Organizations”. Over 50 students have registered and are participating in daily discussions and workshops on the topics of social justice, culture, leadership, and life skills.
“If the future lies in the hands of the young people who are attending the DFW Virtual Youth Enrichment Summit…we are good! They are so smart, ready, and aware.”
ShaVonne Banks-Davis, Organizer & Host
Through the support of Big Thought and the Dallas City of Learning, the event is free to all who register. Their support also provided the opportunity to give back to the community by being able to compensate the highly qualified Workshop Presenters for their expertise and contribution to the summit.
For full event details and registration, click here.
The DFW Virtual Youth Enrichment Summit provides a safe platform for youth to express themselves, meet other students, and engage in interactive workshops. The summit began on July 27 with a discussion entitled, “Being Black in the 21st Century” where students shared experiences and commented on topics such as police brutality, racism, and attending Historically Black Colleges & Universities. Over the duration of the summit, participants will explore areas such as creative expression, goal-setting, self-care, and healthy relationships.
“If only they knew how much I appreciate what this organization is doing to educate and inspire the next generation. Thank you Mrs. ShaVonne Banks-Davis and much success for the DFW Virtual Youth Enrichment Summit for years to come.”
Michael Guinn, MSW & National Spoken Word Artist
ShaVonne Banks-Davis with Acting With Mrs. Davis collaborated with the Maroon 9 Sickle Cell Support Organization to create the DFW Virtual Youth Enrichment Summit. Maroon 9 is dedicated to working with community partners to create free or low cost endeavors that support arts in the community, spread awareness about Sickle Cell Disease, and highlight important topics.
As a woman entrepreneur, author, communicator, brand elevation visionary and graphic designer, Ms. Sherilyn Bennett has overcome challenges at the highest levels of her expertise. And because many women are still breaking through in pursuit of gender and pay equality, she utilizes her bevy of products and expertise to ensure that each client reaches the pinnacle of their pursuit. She is regularly sought out by prospective clients to fill the void of their visual branding and marketplace strategy needs, a true testament to her work ethic.
She has inspired countless women to not only leap into greater, but to leap beyond limitations of education, age, and even the unknown. This women’s day message is bolstered by her pioneering work with award-winning clients (her companies boast 99% women clientele).
The touchpoint of her message for International Women’s Day is a clarion call of sorts, with hopes that women everywhere will be inspired and encouraged upon hearing it. Women aspiring to change the world around them can look to Sherilyn Bennett who with her life as a testament of perseverance and faith, encourages women to take three things to heart in consideration of this year’s theme, “Each for Equal”:
1) As women, we must learn to view our differences as assets, not liabilities.
2) The quest by women to affect change will only be achieved with a united front.
3) Because “each for equal” communicates the collective lift women contribute to society, we must grow to understand that (for even the strongest women), we need each other!
Three attributes accredited to Ms. Bennett that all women can benefit from are her fearlessness, faithfulness and fierceness. The tenacity with which she pursues purpose has not only blessed her life, but the lives of many women across the United States and beyond.
Sherilyn is the embodiment of a strong woman. She has survived divorce, raising boys to men and even the life-altering layoff that thrust her into the world of entrepreneurship as founder and CEO of the Camden Lane Creative Agency. With the odds stacked against her, she chose to fight with faith and now stands tall not only as a winner, but to welcome other winning women to become their best selves.
As a believer, Ms. Bennett hearkens back to the symbiotic relationships of women like Naomi and Ruth and Elizabeth and Mary. The women needed each other to achieve the great things they became known for and Ms. Bennett feels the same for women, today. Her deepest desire is that women understand the intrinsic affirmation and support women glean from each other in healthy relationships.
Bennett has many a benefactor, many of which attend her Leap, Girl Leap! experience which in three short years is now an international experience. The 2019 experience in Puerto Rico was re-scheduled due to Hurricane Dorian but will convene in Jamaica this summer. This weekend of empowerment puts leading women on a shared platform to impart wisdom and next level know-how for attendees in various phases of life. Ms. Bennett will reach beyond her platform to share her inspiring story of endurance and perseverance with The Clorox Company in celebration of International Women’s Day.
Ms. Bennett will be in Atlanta for the International Women’s Day celebration with The Clorox Company but will be sharing this message throughout Women’s History Month in hopes of inspiring women to embrace their roles in relationships that not only lift women, but society!
“We’re thrilled to again celebrate International Women’s Day with lunch and learning from global leaders along with activities that celebrate the indomitable spirit and accomplishments of women at The Clorox Company and the world over”, said Tena Drummer-Nutter, Order Management Specialist at The Clorox Company. She goes on to say, “the presence of both internal and external leaders help bolster our focus to regularly promote diversity and inclusion. This acknowledgment reinforces our commitment to celebrate the historic strides we hope will one day end inequality in the workplace.”
Follow Sherilyn on Facebook or Instagram and join the conversation using the hashtags: #WeNeedEachOther #BetterTogether #StrongWomen
So, Who Is Sherilyn Bennett?
Sherilyn is the CEO of Camden Lane Creative Agency, a full-service corporate design and branding agency. She has over 20 years in the creative industry in both the news and advertising arena. Her clientele includes Billboard / Grammy nominated and Dove award-winning gospel artist, Jekalyn Carr, Project Runway Model Winner, Liris Crosse, African Miranda from Bravo TV, Food Network’s Chopped Champion Shacafrica Simmons and Stellar-Award winning gospel artist Beverly Crawford along with an array of corporate clients.
Camden Lane is a haven for female entrepreneurs as they make up over 90% of its clientele. To that end, Camden Lanes annual event, LEAP GIRL, LEAP! empowers female entrepreneurs to take their faith into the market place. An ordained minister, Sherilyn Bennett is a celebrated advocate for Female Entrepreneurship.
Sherilyn is an accomplished and sought-after national speaker, award-winning graphic designer and brand strategist who is taking the marketplace by storm. She is a noted author with titles “It’s Time for a Village Meeting: Awakening Moms, Reclaiming Our Girls” and the soon-to-be-released book, “Pink Slip: A Faith Leap Into Entrepreneurship” birthed from her pen.
Bennett’s cross-country travels have inspired countless women to live their faith out loud boldly, bolstered by the belief that they were created with everything they need to walk in their purpose. Additionally, she supports many of these women by walking alongside them on their journey as either attendee of her conference or as a client.
