Womenofcolorfoundation.com

Gina Hobbs

Posted April 7th 2010

Phenomenally, they are Phenomenal Women

Phenomenal Women and Powerful Topics at 8^th Annual Women of Color Retreat

Cleveland/Akron, Ohio —- “Cause I’m a woman – Phenomenally.  Phenomenal Woman, that’s Me.”  One of Maya Angelou’s most famous poems, “Phenomenal Woman” will be witnessed, up close and personal, as some of the most powerful women in Northeast Ohio convene at the 8^th Annual Personal and Professional Development Retreat for Women of Color.

Alexandria Johnson Boone Chairwoman & Founder Women Of Color Foundation

Over 400 women are expected to attend the event, which will take place Saturday, April 10 through Monday, April 12 at the University of Akron. The Retreat is being presented by the University of Akron, The Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio, WEWS-TV5 and PNC.

The retreat is a unique concept and forum designed to facilitate the collaboration, networking, mentoring, sharing, executive development and training of women and girls.

Numerous programs with panelists are planned for the three-day conference.  Designed to leave women with a greater sense of “empowerment,” participants will be encouraged to actively participate in workshops and interactive exhibits discussing topics relating to health, career planning, technology and social media, politics, volunteerism, leadership, family life and work balance, and mentoring

Some of the women expected to participate in the Retreat include:  Candace Campbell Jackson, Vice President and Chief of Staff, the University of Akron; Dr. Daisy Alford-Smith, President and CEO, Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio; Viki Regan, Vice President and General Manager, WEWS-TV, Newschannel 5; Ann Bomar, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Dominion East Ohio; LeJoyce Naylor, Executive Director, Diversity and Inclusion, Cleveland Clinic; Marquita Batchelor, Operations Training Manager, Medical Mutual; Linda Sternheimer, Development Manager, Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority; Sharon Dennis, Magistrate, Domestic Relations Court; Tracy Oliver, Director, Media, Dominion East Ohio; Dr. Jacklyn Chisholm, Vice President of Planning and Institutional Relations at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum; and Daisey Williams, Retired Training Administrator/Manager, GMAC; and more.

Dr. Daisy Alford-Smith President, CEO Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio

Candace Campbell Jackson, Vice President, Chief of Staff University ofAkron

Judy Smith, NDMT, NDCT, Internationally renowned Author, Trainer, Poet and Facilitator

S. Renee Smith, Nationally renowned Image Consultant, Speaker, Author and Media Expert

Attendees will have the opportunity to freely navigate between three “tracks” of their choice, featuring a variety of topics:  Track one, Leadership Enhancement, is designed for the professional woman who has already established herself as a senior level executive within her company and/or industry.  Track two, Emerging Leaders, is designed for the woman who is aspiring to a greater leadership role within her company and/or industry. And this year, for the first time, the conference is including Track three, for aspiring college leaders.  Track one topics will include:  “Managing Life, Work and Family…Dispelling the Myth of the Superwoman!”; “The Business of Politics..…Is it a Viable Career Option

for Women of Color?”; and “Getting to the Other Side…..Tips for Surviving the Challenges of Life!”.  Track two topics will include:  “Considering a Career in Diversity and Inclusion?….Hear Critical Tips from Diversity Professionals”; “The Dynamics of Success and Failure for Women in Business and Relationships”; and “Community Building During a Recession….What is the Role of Women?”.  Track Three topics will cover:  “Developing a Career Plan for Success…..Start Planning Now, Before You Leave College!;” “Identifying a Mentor 101……………Talking Verses Stalking!”; and “Financial Literacy and Financial Aid….Things You Need to Know!”  Plenary sessions will also take place and will feature two Executive Women’s panel discussions on “Navigating Corporate Mine Fields………… Strategies for Survival!” and “Am I My Sister’s Keeper?………You Bet I am!”.  The annual Women’s Health Forum, which is one of the most popular workshops at the Retreat, will focus on “Domestic Violence, Murder and Rape..…How Do We Protect Ourselves and Our Children?”  The Retreat will also feature two nationally renowned authors and motivational speakers, S. Renee Smith and Judy Smith.     .  Says “Alexandria Johnson Boone, Founder and Chairwoman, the Women of Color Foundation, “The women and the topics this year, are truly phenomenal.  Anyone who is able to experience this year’s Retreat better bring their own container, because they will be filled with determination, inspiration and motivation to take their personal and professional lives to the next level.”

Additional activities at the Retreat will include special sessions for Girl Scouts in 1^st through 4^th grades, conducted by the Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio: the “Penny Project” where girls will learn the value of money, how to earn it and what to do with it; and Cent$ability where they will fast forward to the future where they are now 25 year-old financially savvy young women with a career, and they will learn critical personal money management skills.  There will also be a luncheon with WEWS-TV, Newschannel 5 anchor, Kimberly Gill as Mistress of Ceremonies, and a “Serenity Sanctuary,” (where attendees may indulge in some light pampering on Saturday via manicures, pedicures and massages).  The Retreat will culminate with a “COLORS” Networking Reception.

Other prominent sponsors of the Retreat include Kaiser Permanente, Dominion, Fifth Third Bank, Cleveland Clinic, and media sponsors, The Plain Dealer, the Call & Post, Cleveland365.com, The Cleveland Women’s Journal, Clear Channel Outdoor, WZAK-FM, WERE-AM, Z107.9 FM and Praise 1300 AM.

A variety of registration packages are available for the 8^th Annual Personal and Professional Development Retreat for Women of Color, and other Women of Color events.

For more information, please contact 216-391-4300, ext. 307 or visit the website, www.womenofcolorfoundation.com.