The Fierce Freedom Summit Speakers
Audra R. Upchurch
Motivational Speaker, Entrepreneur, Bestselling Author
Founder & Conference Host of the Fierce Freedom Summit
Founder & Conference Host of the Fierce Freedom Summit
“What good is it to have professional success but my relationships are a personal mess?” Those are the stirring words echoed by Brooklyn born, U.S. Army veteran, marathon runner, motivational speaker, entrepreneur and bestselling author, Mrs. Audra R. Upchurch. Audra is proof-positive evidence that not only are there lemonade transformations, but with the “life runner” spirit…sparkling champagne.
Homeless at 15 due to her mother’s struggle with mental illness, family stability and being a single mom at 17, Audra knows how wrong choices and limited relationships can derail the life of the brightest and most promising individuals. Audra says it best, “reading books became my sanctuary to seeing the world through other’s eyes and “couch hopping” to keep a roof over my head…was my normal”. But in spite of severe life struggles, aka “lemons” and more; Audra intentionally decided to make a course correction…and her incredible life story and message for us today is “We Can Too.”
Fast forward. Today, Audra is a senior level administrator and works for a Fortune 500 corporation. No longer homeless; she’s a serial residential property owner! In partnership with her husband Tony, Audra is the owner of Xpress Mail, headquartered in Virginia Beach, VA. Together, they have 6 adult children and are now experiencing the joys of grandparenthood. As Audra says, her grandchildren are her “why” for following this new calling.
If you are looking for a speaker or motivator who is compelled to share how your past does not have to dictate your future; and how you can overcome the Lemonade Syndrome, then reach out to Audra today. No doubt Audra has a message to share and a method to get to that special place in your life where both your professional and your personal lives are synced for success.
Annie B. Andrews
Rear Admiral (Retired) U.S. Navy
After a 32-year career in the Navy, Ms. Andrews retired in September 2015 and holds the distinction of being the third African American female to hold Flag Rank of Rear Admiral. Her decorated Naval career includes tours of duty as Chief of the Requirements Branch and Joint Manpower Planner with the Washington Joint Staff, the Executive Assistant and Naval Aide to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, and as Senior Fellow on the Chief of Naval Operations Strategic Studies Group at the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island.
Ms. Andrews holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Savannah State University, a Master of Science degree in Management from Troy State University, and has been conferred an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Wilson College in Pennsylvania. Her military education includes a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the College of Naval Command and Staff; she is also a graduate of the Armed Forces Staff College.
Ms. Andrews was a recipient of the 2013 “Stars & Stripes” award for Leadership, and the 2015 Women of Color Lifetime Achievement.
April Woodard
TV Personality and Host of Coast Live
April is the Co-Host of Coast Live, a daily lifestyle show on WTKR in eastern Virginia. She also serves as an assistant professor at the Scripps Howard School of Journalism at Hampton University, in Virginia.
Her body of work has been distributed on social media, broadcast, web and other media platforms. She was a correspondent on the nationally syndicated newsmagazine, Inside Edition for 15 years. On BET and BET International networks she hosted the shows, Mad Swagg, Music Around the Globe and covered The Oscars, NAACP Image Awards The BET Awards, BET Honors, and Black Girls Rock among others.
April created and hosts the web entertainment site/show, The Media Brew, and has contributed as an expert on HLN and CNN.
Serving as Leading Lady at Favor Nation Ministry in Chesapeake, VA with Pastor and husband Adrian S. Woodard, the two began a production company by the name of Favor Multimedia in 2000, which includes consulting.
Woodard is highly committed to giving back to the community. She has been honored with The Trail Blazer Award, The Network Journal's 40 under 40, The Woman of Distinction Award and donates her time by serving on boards and loaning her talents to the YWCA, Purple Reign (A Domestic Abuse Program) The Trumpet Foundation, The Dwelling Place for homeless families, The NAACP and 100 Black Men of America.
Dr. Shanika L. Hope
Digital Content Strategist, Amazon
Dr. Shanika Hope possesses over 20 years of experience in education. Shanika is a former elementary school teacher, principal and high school turnaround specialist. She has managed and/or supported more than three dozen DC public schools and public charter schools in various capacities. Prior to her current role as the Digital Content Strategist and Research Lead at Amazon – Shanika’s prior experience includes serving as the Vice President of National Urban Markets Initiatives at McGraw Hill Education, the Vice President of Curriculum and Instruction at Discovery Education, the Assistant Superintendent of Elementary & Secondary Education for the D.C. State Education Office, as well as time as a School Performance Officer for DC Public Schools. She also served as a school Principal and teacher in both Washington, D.C. and Virginia.
Dr. Hope earned a Doctorate of Philosophy in Education Leadership and Masters in math and science education from Old Dominion University, where she was selected as a Holmes Scholar.
Kimberly J
Radio Host WHOV 88.1 FM,
The Kim and Colby Show
The Kim and Colby Show
Kimberly Boyd Jenkins, also known as “Kimberly J”, is a wife, mother of three, Human Resource manager for her husband’s dental practice, as well as a CEO for her company, Attie Mac Resource Group, LLC. Through Attie Mac, Kimberly provides a number of services within the entertainment industry and community. Kimberly J’s love for people and helping others is an added bonus when fulfilling her purpose as a moderator, master of ceremonies for concerts and events, public speaker, author and educator. “Kimberly J” is also an on-air radio personality and co-producer of “The Kim and Colby Show” which airs the number one rated show on WHOV 88.1 FM. The station is heard nationwide through iHeart Radio and online through whov.org. Kimberly J has interviewed celebrities, such as Edwina Findley from Tyler Perry’s “If Loving You is Wrong,” which airs on the OWN network as well as Myesha Chaney from “Preachers of LA” while on her “Hiding Behind the Lipstick” book tour. Kimberly J has also interviewed a host of gospel artists, to include one of her personal favorites, Maurette Brown Clark. Kimberly J has also hosted and introduced chart topping artists and celebrities such as Tye Tribbett, Musiq Soulchild and Paula White. One of her more recent and proud moments was to serve as an Associate for Hampton University’s Inaugural “Hampton University Film Festival”, also known as the HUFF.
As noted in her book co-authored with 5 other exceptional women, The LemonAid Chronicles: Stories of Passion, Pitfalls and Purpose that Result in Payday, Kimberly J is a strong advocate for women going through a divorce. From personal experience, Kimberly J saw a need for those going through a life changing event, such as divorce, to find various resources (i.e. financial, legal, professional, re-inventing/branding etc.). Kimberly J was featured in the International publication, “The Ivy Leaf Magazine” as well as, “African Voices” and “Blessed Magazine.”
Residing in Virginia Beach, VA Kimberly J holds a B.S. degree in Marketing from Hampton University as well as an Associates degree in Dental Hygiene. Throughout her journey, she realized her purpose in life is to help others streamline and pursue their purpose (or dream) and not become discouraged about the process of getting there, personal shortcomings, or obstacles from past or present. She does this by facilitating restoration through communication. Her mantra is “Release, Restore and Renew!” Kimberly J believes she is the perfect example of negative experiences not dictating where God has you destined to go.
Airais McCoy
Black Girls Run, Ambassador
Airais McCoy is the former Ambassador for Black Girls RUN! Hampton Roads. After years of leading a sedentary lifestyle and having her third child at “advanced maternal age”, Mrs. McCoy decided it was time for a change. Once reaching her weight loss goal of 55 lbs. she started running to maintain the weight loss. She had no idea running would become a passion. As one of the co-Ambassadors for BGR! she used that passion to inspire and empower other women to regain control of their physical, mental and spiritual well-being. Mrs. McCoy has completed 26 marathons to include marathons in Brazil, Japan and Zimbabwe. “Running is the greatest metaphor for life because you get out of it what you put into it”, Oprah Winfrey.
Deran Young
Black Therapists Rock, Founder
Deran Young is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has served in the U.S. Air Force for 17 years! While serving, she received several awards including Airmen Leadership School, Distinguished Graduate and 2014 Medical Officer of The Year. She obtained her Masters in Social Work at the University of Texas and also holds a Masters in Public Administration (with emphasis on leadership, diversity, and organizational culture). She has visited over 32 countries and conducted her final semester of grad school in Ghana, West Africa, where she established a High School counseling center.
Her clinical experience has primarily focused on Depression, Anxiety Disorders, PTSD and family crisis intervention (specifically domestic violence and child abuse). She continues to enjoy traveling with her five-year-old son and recently returned to the U.S. after working and residing in Italy for over two years. She is the founder of Black Therapists Rock, an organization focused on improving social and mental wellness in vulnerable communities, while also providing vital support to mental health professionals that serve these communities.
She was recently acknowledged by the Mayor of Baltimore for "helping to educate the public on mental illness and end the stigma that is often associated with it". Her hard work and dedication to raising awareness of mental health issues afforded her the opportunity to be featured in the Huffington Post as one of the "10 Black Female Therapists You Should Know".
Her clinical experience has primarily focused on Depression, Anxiety Disorders, PTSD and family crisis intervention (specifically domestic violence and child abuse). She continues to enjoy traveling with her five-year-old son and recently returned to the U.S. after working and residing in Italy for over two years. She is the founder of Black Therapists Rock, an organization focused on improving social and mental wellness in vulnerable communities, while also providing vital support to mental health professionals that serve these communities.
She was recently acknowledged by the Mayor of Baltimore for "helping to educate the public on mental illness and end the stigma that is often associated with it". Her hard work and dedication to raising awareness of mental health issues afforded her the opportunity to be featured in the Huffington Post as one of the "10 Black Female Therapists You Should Know".
Penny Sanchez
ARDX Foundation,
Executive Director
Executive Director
Penny Sanchez is the Executive Director for the ARDX Foundation. The ARDX Foundation will shine a light on the importance of mental and behavior health and wellness, by being an advocate, a partner, an educator and a change agent. We will make a difference!
Sanchez oversees the community commitment and leadership that ARDX established since 2006 by partnering with the local community groups and building coalitions with others across the United States. Sanchez works in conjunction with the ARDX Foundation Board of Directors by ensuring the ARDX Foundation is out front and making a difference.
Sanchez’s leadership approach is collaborative and constructive, as she takes pride in empowering employees to outperform expectations and to make a difference.
Sanchez is highly connected and sought after for speaking engagements, boards and publications. She served as the 1st Vice President, YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago, and was the Chair of the 2006 Leadership Luncheon raising over
$750,000. Sanchez served her alma mater as the President of the Trinity College National Alumni Association from 2007- 2009 with a focus on Career Services and served as a member of the Board of Trustees for Trinity College from 2008- 2013.
In the Hampton Roads area, Sanchez graduated from LEAD Hampton Roads in 2013 and currently serves on two local boards; Together We Can Foundation Board and Edgar Cayce's A.R.E. Association for Research and Enlightenment.
Sanchez was a co-author for two chapters in the book; “Women and Leadership: Transforming Visions and Diverse Voices” by Jean Chin, Bernice Lott, Joy Rice and Janis Sanchez-Hucles.
Sharvette Mitchell
Talk Show Host
The Sharvette Mitchell
Radio Show
The Sharvette Mitchell
Radio Show
Sharvette Mitchell is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing. She has 24+ years experience in corporate America in the field of training & development. She has been featured in HOPE for Women Magazine & other publications. Sharvette is a web designer & coach who enables you to build a online platform and generate revenue. Lastly, she hosts a weekly internet talk radio show that airs LIVE and in iTunes.