Elena Rahrig is an International Consultant and Trainer serving U.S., Canada, Belize, Australia, Philippines, UK, South Africa, & Thailand. She is the author of 12 books and Owns & operates a mastermind group, publishing company, and graphic design studio.

Born to entrepreneurial parents, Elena began her training at books on business, life, and spirituality–with testing to follow. Despite wanting to be a playful teenager, her parents instilled in her “You can’t sit down and slide uphill” as they brought her to work with them to work beside their office staff for basic training.

Falling in love with books, reading became a way of life for Elena, as did speaking on stages to share her wisdom. As others began to be intrigued by her knowledge, Elena saw it best to open a group where she could mentor others beyond the realms of what her parents were able to do for her.

Being mind-centered, Elena strives to be a student as often as possible as she continues to be the trainer. With a goal to write and publish 100 books in her lifetime, Elena has set forth an incredible line-up of topics to motivate, inspire, and teach others.

Other Career Highlights

• Author of 12 books
• Developer of 10 Academies
• Developer of 4 Programs
• Programs were taught in prison & school
• Began training as an entrepreneur at 12 years of age
• Trained by Andy Harrington, Patrick Snow, & others
• Has been speaking on stages for 16 years

To learn more, click HERE

Valerie J. Lewis Coleman

Best-selling author and award-winning publisher, Valerie J. Lewis Coleman serves professional speakers and experts to magnify and monetize their message by publishing quality books. With over fifteen years of experience in the book business, she helps aspiring authors navigate the mysterious labyrinth of self-publishing to leverage their expertise and make money.

This expert divulges industry secrets on avoiding the top five mistakes made by 95% of new authors, pricing your book to sell and identifying shady publishers. Since 2005, Valerie has hosted citywide book events, which have connected more than 750 authors to avid readers and writers. Her dynamic presentation and knowledge of the business saves you thousands of dollars, hours of research, and mountains of frustration by making publishing quick, easy, and affordable!

To learn more, CLICK HERE.

TL Martin

Infamous Media Designs

Contact Infamous Media Designs for your videography and media design needs @ [email protected]

Terra and Derrick Pernell

Terra holds a Bachelor of Science in General Management from Park University, Parkville, MO. She is a certified encouragement coach who assists her clients in discovering their I CAN Factor (Innate Courage to Achieve Now)TM.

Terra is Co-Owner of The Backhouse, YOUR Hospitality Venue, Creator of The Backhouse Huddle Series, “Four Quarters to Jumpstart your Goals and Stay Focused on Your Dreams ©” Co-creator and Producer of “LIVE At The Backhouse” a weekly Facebook Live broadcast and a fulltime employee (34 Years) of Wright-Patterson AFB.

Terra’s motivation and her why is rooted in her desire to leave a legacy of God’s faithfulness for her children and grandchildren: Derrick Jerome (Ebony, Chyane and De’Anthony) and Terra A’donna (Caliel, Lyrae and Lyric).

To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Robin Brun

Robin is a career coach, professional speaker and host of a weekly radio show called “Putting Faith & Hope In Your Job Search.” She is passionate about helping people discover their unique gifts and talents, so that they can achieve their true potential in their careers and life.

Robin is a graduate of the Christian Coach Institute and is a Certified Professional Life Coach. She has her own career consulting and life coaching business and is best known for helping people get jobs! She recently retired from the University of Dayton where she was the Director of Business Development for the Center for Leadership for seven years. Prior to joining UD, she was Vice President of Consulting Services for Right Management the Global Leader in Talent Management and Outplacement. She has helped hundreds of people with their job search and in managing their careers.

You can reach Robin at [email protected]

Pastor Fritz Merkes, Pastor of Community United Methodist Church

I remember walking into a church during a very challenging time in my life. I was greeted, not ignored. I was loved, and not pushed. Over time, through those caring people, Jesus healed me of my fear and bitterness. I believe Community United Methodist Church can be such a place of grace for you. So, welcome – more than this, welcome home.

Born in 1963.  Married to Claire in 1987.  Two Adult Sons:  Wesley and Will. Master of Divinity. Doctor of Ministry. Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore KY. Master of Arts. Biblical Studies. Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.

To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Pastor Chenelle Price

Price resides as Assistant Pastor of True Divine Kingdom Ministries International in Cincinnati, Ohio. She is a woman of God known for her gifts not only in Cincinnati, but in various cities. She has taught classes to equip Armor bearers for ministry, worked with children and youth ministries for over 17 years, served as a worship leader, participated in various evangelism and outreach projects, and assisted in launching a multicultural ministry.

Pastor Chenelle is the author of the book “Wise Up Challenge”, which is a life application tool, equipping believers to overcome the issues of life. This book has been used to teach in centers for the homeless, those in transition and those recovering from drug and alcohol addiction.

She attended Cincinnati Christian University, where she received ministerial and biblical training and received her bachelor’s degree at Union Institute & University in Early Childhood Education. She also received her Masters of Teaching at Liberty University and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Education at Union Institute & University.

Pastor Chenelle is currently an Elementary School Educator and is the founder of Let Every Voice Empower, a ministry that has reached 22 cities across America through words of inspiration and expressions of love through giving.

Although she has been faced with many obstacles in her years of ministry, Pastor Chenelle has stood on her favorite scripture, which still encourages her to go forward today:

“We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in
despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.”
~ 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

Marcella Ashe is a spark that has gradually generated a flame for her audience with inspirational reading material for the entire family. She solidifies and supports her encouragement with Biblical verses in most of her work. Ashe is a General Motors retiree with 30 years of service. She is one of the founding members of the Soul Of The Pen Tour Group. She works from her own self-publishing company, Allecram Publishing.

She is a member of the National Council of Negro Women. A member of Dayton Author’s United. She served as a team leader for Dayton Metro Kids Club. She is the mother of her own two children and her husband’s seven children. She claims to think in ink from her Bible sink as she continually asks God to wash and rinse her own residue. She attended Sinclair Community College studying Marketing Research. Work with the Calumet Lane Book Club Special Needs and continues to give back to those that need her.

Presently caring for her mother in her home, A journey she did not pack for but has already made good use of through writing and releasing her book about caregiving, “Love Locked In When Strong Called My Name.” Ashe has written, self-published, and authored nine books for the benefits of encouragement to others. She often refers to 1 Cor 13 as God’s Love Language.

You may find Mrs. Ashe’s books at your favorite book store or email her at [email protected]. You can also send correspondence to her @Allecram Publishing P.O. Box 6003 Dayton, Ohio 45405. Mrs. Ashe can be reached at 937 760-6168.

Kim Jarvis

Owner and Founder at On Purpose Academy and Mentoring Center.

To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Kenny and Stacey Coleman

Motivational Speakers & Business Owners

For more info, CLICK HERE.

Jeanne Porter is a proponent of Women helping Women! As the founder of Women in Business Networking, Jeanne applied her creative energy and natural tendency to be able to create meaningful relationships to develop and grow a unique organization called Women in Business Networking (WiBN). Even though WiBN was a for-profit organization, all 150 annual events, leadership team, ambassador team and advisory board were all volunteer-driven. In January, 2014, Women n in Business Networking merged and became a program of the Better Business Bureau of Dayton.

Prior to WiBN, Jeanne was in program development and volunteer management for 18 years serving as Volunteer Administrator for Casa de Amparo, a crisis center for abused and neglected children in Oceanside, CA, she also developed and served as Director for two Court Appointed Special Advocate programs (CASA) in Greene County and Warren County, Ohio from 1996 – 2010. Jeanne recently authored the book SUCCESS Powered by Relationships. She orchestrated 20 co-authors that contributed a chapter to the book and its success. Jeanne has been recognized in the community by the:

• YWCA Woman of Influence 2011
• BBB Eclipse Integrity Award 2013
• Distinguished Leadership by Western Ohio Girl Scouts 2013
• Women in Business Champion of the Year by the Small Business Administration 2016
• Fairborn, Ohio City Schools Alumni Hall of Honor, 2019

To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Juanita Darden

Owner of Third Perk Coffee House & Wine Bar

Mission

Third Perk Coffee House & Wine Bar’s mission is to provide an establishment that will offer its patrons excellent coffee products throughout the day and wines during the evenings in a friendly sophisticated atmosphere.

Vision

The vision of  the Third Perk brand is to operate in its new downtown location with the same great customer service and product selection with an expansion of Third Perk Express. The company will grow again in 2021 with the opening of the Gem City Market Cooperative grocery store located in the city of Dayton. The goal of Third Perk is to begin roasting its own coffee beans within the next two years.

To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Jenny Warner

Founder and Executive Director of MVNC

Jenny’s career has been dedicated to nonprofit administration and organizational development. Her experience includes human resource management, training and leadership development, career coaching, nonprofit community development and program management in both the nonprofit and church sectors.

Jenny’s passion is serving as the Founder and Executive Director of the Miami Valley Nonprofit Collaborative, a network of area organizations that provide affordable, accessible resources, training and support to the local nonprofit sector. Jenny also volunteers as a “Big Sis” in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.

Currently serving as the Associate Executive Director of the Life Enrichment Center, Jenny has also held leadership positions in several local organizations including the Christian Life Center, People Working Cooperatively, the Widows Home of Dayton, and the YMCA of Greater Dayton.

Jenny graduated from Miami University with a B.A. in psychology. She lives in a 100-year old home on the National Historic Register in Tipp City, with her husband, Dave, and has three children, Shelby, Emma and Jonathan.

To contact Jenny, visit https://www.mvnonprofitcollaborative.org/

Daria Dillard Stone

Founder and CEO of Sharing Ministries, LLC.

Daria, a Transform Publishing Award-Winning Author of Success Powered by Relationships, is a three-time Author and considered an international icon, as she motivates, inspires, and teaches around the world. She has assisted hundreds of thousands of people, just like you, to navigate through business and life difficulties. Her passion is sharing her wisdom and knowledge, writing, singing, and being generous.

To learn more CLICK HERE.

Dana Calhoun

Ms. Calhoun is the owner of www.pictureperfectpaintparties.com, a social and corporate paint party and DIY studio. Picture Perfect Paint Parties offers social paint parties for all occasions and ages, they also specialize in corporate and team building exercises and activities including paint parties.

She also owns www.thankyou4thegift.com – a corporate gift basket and gift company, which are both located at 123 N. Ludlow St. Downtown, Dayton Ohio in the Talbot Tower.

Danalynne also has a passion and gift for assisting those in the prison and reentry phases of their lives. Dana began her career working in the federal probation office 26 years ago. This is where she found her interest and passion in helping those with criminal challenges. Dana created and is the co-facilitator of the Clients Skills Development & Employability Program, and coordinator of the Dayton Restored Citizens Summit for the U.S. District Court & Federal Probation Offices.

Dana is certified to facilitate in the following programs:

• Entrepreneurship Education
• Offender Workforce Development
• Beginning to Work It Out Cognitive Behavioral Soft skills Program
• (youth & young adults), Making It Work Cognitive Behavioral Soft skills Program
• (formally incarcerated) and the Finding the Work You Love an Interest Skills Assessment tool

During her 12-year volunteer tenure at the Dayton Correctional Institution, she founded the Entrepreneurship Reentry Association – A Inmate Group Program approved through the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Corrections. She also created The Lady Mind Your Own Small Business Entrepreneurship & Employment Readiness Program, and the I Am, Soft Skills Self Development Workshops among others. Her Reentry efforts include mentoring men and women whom she has shared information with through classes that are now community citizens. A couple of her founding love programs also include the “Meet Me At The Gate – Reentry Needs Assistance Program,” and the private Facebook group “Lady Mind Your Own Small Business.” She is also a board member for three At-Risk charter schools for youth.

To reach Dana, you may contact her at [email protected] or by calling 937-265-0691.

To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Billi Ewing

Anyone that knows Billi will attest she has a “voice” to be reckoned with in many ways! A devoted wife & loving mother of three beautiful children, Billi is a sought-after vocalist, motivational speaker, compassionate communitarian, a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, and The Omega Baptist Church. Hailed as one of Dayton’s true musical gems, she’s appeared on stages all over the region, including opening for iconic hip-hop group “The Roots.” She has inspired naturalistas around the world as a spokesperson & blogger for Carol’s Daughter, a top-selling international women’s hair care & body products company.

Over the past five years, she’s allowed her voice to be heard in a different manner. Miraculously adding BRAIN TUMOR SURVIVOR to her extensive list of personal & professional accomplishments, Billi’s become a fearless, faith-filled advocate for the University of Cincinnati’s Neuroscience Institute, becoming the change she wanted to see as the new “face” of brain tumors awareness! You’ve likely spotted her signature “shine bright” smile & spirit on a billboard or commercial, sharing her amazing story of survival and HOPE! Giving purpose to her pain, she formed her team of “BElievers” in 2015, participating in UC’s annual “Walk Ahead for a Brain Tumor Cure 5K Walk/Run” and has continued to lead the charge all the way to Capitol Hill, advocating for increased funding for research towards a cure. Her efforts have been acknowledged and applauded by the Mayor, Governor & Senators, each presenting her with proclamations officially recognizing May as National Brain Tumor Awareness Month and September 9, 2014, the date she officially became a survivor, as “Billi’s BElievers Day!” All these reasons and more fittingly earned her the honor of being one of WiBN’s (Women in Business Network) Top 25 Women to Watch in 2016.

Billi earned her B.A. in Communication Studies from Wright State University in 2000. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family, close friends, volunteering, performing, traveling, cooking, supporting the arts, public speaking, and changing the looks & lives of women as an Independent Mary Kay Beauty Consultant for the past 17 years. Her bold, authentic, and humble spirit blesses everyone she encounters.

To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Barbara Vinzant

Ms. Vinzant is a native Daytonian and Dunbar alumnus who has put into motion the statement Judge Waldron shared at her federal court retirement in 1998 “Don’t Say Can’t” to Barbara Vinzant for she will prove you wrong every time.

Barbara is the first Negro to be hired in 1957 at Good Samaritan Hospital to work in the Nursing Service Office. She was then hired in 1959 as a federal employee and worked at the Defense Electronic Center, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, the United States District Court and retired in 1998 as a supervisor with the United States Bankruptcy Court.

While working with the court system, Barbara was the editor of the Dayton, Cincinnati, and Columbus Bankruptcy Banner newsletter. Her editorial skills also made her the editor of Tabernacle Baptist Church newsletter, the Dayton Urban League Newsletter, the Dayton Duplicate Bridge Club newsletter, and served fifteen years as the editor for the national American Bridge Association quarterly publication. Upon her retirement in 1998, she became a reporter for the Dayton Weekly News where she still serves today continuing to gather the news you can use.

Barbara gave of her time by serving as a board member and officer for PowerNet of Dayton which was a program created to assist newly released prisoners in their effort of getting their life back on track. Barbara was always seeking ways to uplift the community in the Germantown Street business district where her in-laws ran B&D Record Shop. A year after retirement Barbara renovated the doctor’s office next to B&D and opened Vinique’s Beauty and Nail Salon. Two years later Barbara expanded the salon to include a Women’s Consignment Boutique where gently worn quality clothing could be purchased at an affordable price.

After McDonald’s closed at the top of the hill on Germantown Street there was a void for beauty shop customers to get food after leaving work so Barbara converted her salon kitchen into a mini fast food parlor. The requests for food came from all around the neighborhood so in 2010 the idea to stretch her vision to renovate the old Churches Chicken building located across from the salon to provide a sit-down eatery in the community – thus the vision became a reality and Diamond D’s Dinner was born and served the community until March 2017. In 2015, Barbara was approached by some golfers to seek management of the restaurant at Madden Golf Course – she applied and was selected by the City of Dayton and operated Ms. V’s restaurant until her second retirement in March 2020.

Barbara Vinzant is a doer, a worker bee, and is a 62-year member of Tabernacle Baptist Church, and a 50 – year member of its usher board. Barbara is a four-year cancer survivor and for the past three years in October has sponsored a Fund Raiser for Breast Cancer. Barbara continues to give to others as God continues to give to her while relying on her favorite scripture “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” – so Don’t Say Can’t to Barbara Vinzant

Rev. Dr. Denise Gilmore

Dr. Denise E. Gilmore is the daughter of the late Josephine Gilmore and the sister of William, Darlene, and Donna. Church has always been a vital part of her existence. At the age of seventeen, she rededicated her life to the Lord and committed herself to full-time Christian service. She conducted 5-Day Clubs as a summer missionary for Child Evangelism Fellowship and led many children to Christ. She earned her BA from Cedarville University in Cedarville, Ohio, majoring in Bible Comprehensive and her M.Div. from the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia, majoring in Womanist Studies and her D.Min. in Collaborative Leadership, at United Theological Seminary, in Dayton, Ohio.

She has been involved in the community through the tutoring of children and adults, teaching about breast cancer awareness, managing a drill team, and mentoring children in both Ohio and Atlanta. She has volunteered at Dayton Early College Academy and Fairview Elementary. She was also the Site Coordinator for the first Freedom School held in the Dayton area in conjunction with Unified Health Solutions and Dayton and Montgomery County Children’s Services.

In the church community, she taught at Northwestern School of the Bible, was a Sunday School teacher, a Guild Girl mission counselor, a member of the Youth Activity Community, Vacation Bible School (VBS) director, speaker for various programs and events in the Dayton area, and a resource and curriculum developer for VBS, youth prayer meeting, youth retreats, and plays.

She is currently the Youth Pastor at Zion Baptist Church, under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Rockney Carter and at Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church. She was both director and founder for the Zion Baptist Church Afterschool Enrichment, and Mount Carmel’s Summer Enrichment Camp. The camp serves 100 youth and employs 20 youth workers through Youth Works. It is still a part of the community today. Her work in the community has allowed her to be acknowledged as a participant in the Triple Jeopardy Project for African American Women with Disabilities, received the Mentor of the Year award from the Mentoring Collaborative, and Key to the City award for Outstanding African American in the area of Ministry by the Dayton African American Legacy Institute Inc. She has also received The Lottie M. Mitchell Founders Award as an “Outstanding African American Woman” Outstanding Community Service from the Ohio Desert Conference-Gala Days Daughters of Isis.

Her work also involved impacting young people as a speaker for the Access Center for Independent Living’s Youth Transition program: speaking with 7th and 8th graders at Westwood Elementary and Belmont about communication and healthy relationship. She was also featured as an unsung hero in the 2015 Christmas Day edition of the Dayton Daily.

Her philosophy of life is to empower, enrich, and enlighten the lives of young people by developing self-esteem, self-determination, and self-reliance. It is her belief that developing self helps one to become a change agent who helps others to develop as change agents.

Embracing change has been a vital part of her life. A medically fragile body made sure of that. A sudden paraplegic at age 14 developed her capacity to adapt to change. Her battles against breast cancer and journeying through the grief of her mother; all strengthened her to accept, adapt, and achieve through change.

She believes in the transforming power of Jesus Christ and in the sustaining power of God Almighty. She believes that God changes self so that self can make a change in family, community, country, and world. She believes that she is fearfully and wonderfully made and that God uses whom God chooses. Psalm 139:14.