Thank you for attending our 3rd annual Professional Women’s Brunch: Defining Your Destiny networking and fund raising event on Saturday, September 24, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Brier Creek Country Club in Raleigh, N.C..
Event Information
In addition to a delicious 10-item brunch and door prize drawings, this year’s event included a keynote presentation by Terry Williams Spicer, a successful author, speaker, entrepreneur and community change agent who is also CEO and Founder of Epiphany Public Relations of NC and Founder/Executive Director of The SIsters Inspiring SIsters Incorporated, a musical performance by Zaire Ariana, and a fashion show produced by Fatima Smith of FSmith Productions.
Photos from the event, courtesy of Lady Iman Photography, are now available. To see the full photo album, click here.
Debra Morgan, anchor at WRAL-TV, was the moderator at our 2016 Professional Women’s Brunch. An eight-time Emmy Award winner, Debra has won numerous awards and recognitions throughout her career in journalism.
Click here to read her full bio.
Meet Our Guest Speaker: Terry W. Spicer
Successful Entrepreneur, Accomplished Author,
Effective & Impactful Community Change Agent
With great deliberation Terry W. Spicer has lived by the mantra of actively engaging and participating in community service initiatives and programs to extend humanitarian assistance beyond herself to help the needs of the community. Her mother, grandmother and other strong women were so careful to show her by example that she is truly “her neighbor’s keeper” as they required her to stand on their tireless legacy of committed service. She continuously answers that tugging and charge of public service on her life with tireless commitment to that same principle of service. Terry has focused her time, attention and talents on the pulse of the community and has used her professional skill sets as an accomplished and successful Publicist to champion causes of impact and address real life-changing situations.
In honor of their immeasurable gifts that directly impacted the successful principles and mantra of her life, she lifted their legacy to life in tribute with her self-published literary debut in the heartfelt pages of Lessons From Her Skirttail. A premier Publicist, she is the founder and CEO of Epiphany Public Relations based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Her relentless commitment to excellence, impact and winning results has effectively positioned her as one of the nation’s premier Publicists. She was a guest at the White House in February 2015, 2014 and 2013 for Black History Month via a personal invitation from the President of the United States as the Publicist for ASALH, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History founded by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, Father of Black History, in Washington, DC. She served as Publicist for the 2010 Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated Grand Conclave that was held in Raleigh that continues to stand as the largest conference ever held in the city; successfully with national acclaim. She was the National Public Relations Co-Chair for the National Centennial of her beloved Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Her portfolio is very diverse and reaches across the nation with corporate, nonprofit, entertainment, authors and privately owned businesses as her clientele. Her clients have appeared in Black Enterprise, Essence and Jet magazines and also appeared on Good Morning America, the CBS Morning Show, NBC Today, CNN and ESPN. She has a client on the OWN Network in Tyler Perry’s, “If Loving You Is Wrong.”
Terry is the Founder and Executive Director of The Sisters Inspiring Sisters Incorporated™, (The SISI™) a 501(c)3 Public Charity that provides Transportation Assistance to cancer patients to get to medical treatment toward survivorship with Gas Cards. Her Charity has helped 400+ cancer patients since August 2013. She also has a mentoring Program for girls ages 7-17. She is married to Stacey L. Spicer, Sr., Co-Founder of The SISI and they have one son, Stacey, Jr.
Zaire Ariana is a 17 year old singer, lyricist and pianist. After growing up in California, Zaire moved to North Carolina where she started her music career. She describes herself as an “Indie Pop Artist and an up and coming Singer/Songwriter”. Click here to view Zaire’s press kit.
Zaire, a Senior at Northern High School in Durham, uses her musical gifts and talents to raise awareness on behalf of teenagers and young adults who have been victimized by bullying and domestic violence. Her singles, Broken Bones and Morning Dew, were released under her own company, ZA Entertainment, in July 2015.
Zaire has participated in numerous local community campaigns and events including Stop the Violence (Anti-Bullying), Unity in the Community, Weekend of Hope, the Mills Family Cancer Fundraiser, Bull City Music Awards, Jerk Festival, and Show Time at the Apollo in Durham, North Carolina.
“Sew & Tell”, produced by Creative Director/ Producer Fatima Smith of FSmith Productions, was a fashion presentation comprised of four (4) designers from two of North Carolina’s most prominent colleges: North Carolina State University and North Carolina Central University. These four individuals have carefully studied their craft in the textile design department and have creatively emerged as fashion designers showcasing their own unique styles.
Juanica Thomas (Designs By LeShea) along with two of her colleagues from North Carolina State University and Sanaa Sharrieff (Savvy Chic) from North Carolina Central University allowed the audience to take a brief journey into their minds as they disclosed intricate details of their designs (SEW), while revealing who and what inspired them (TELL).
Our make-up artist this year was Valerie Barr, owner and founder of Diva5000 Makeup Artistry.
Featured Designers
Juanica Thomas (Designs By LaShea),
Fashion & Textile Design Graduate Program Student
Website: http://jlthom11.wix.com/designs-by-lashea
Juanica Thomas is a fashion designer specializing in customization via alterations and modifications. She holds a Bachelor’s in chemistry and is currently studying Fashion & Textile Design at NC State’s College of Textiles graduate program. Juanica is a single mother of two boys whose aim is to teach them that they can accomplish all they’ve dreamed no matter if they face setbacks or hardships. Her focus is children’s & tall women’s clothing. The clothing collection is from her exclusive line called Designs by LaShea.
Jas
mine Tranai (Kitty & Rhodes),
N.C. State Grad, MBA Candidate
FB: https://www.facebook.com/KittyCollection1990/photos
Jasmine Rhodes, Designer of Kitty&Rhodes, graduated in May 2013 from the College of Textiles of North Carolina State University with a Bachelors of Science degree in Fashion and Textiles Management. Her concentration was in fashion development and product management. Jasmine is currently pursuing a Masters of Business Administration degree with a concentration in Marketing.
Since graduation, she has participated in numerous fashion shows for charity and for pure enjoyment throughout North Carolina, including hosting one of her own in October 2014. Currently, while working full time for Global Brands Group and going to school, Jasmine creates custom pieces for clients, style models for photo shoots, and create pieces for her own personal projects such as editorial shoots and fashion shows.
Kitty & Rhodes is a brand of ready to wear women’s apparel that is designed for the ultra-feminine. With its classic silhouettes, the fabulous prints, and its effortlessly sexy style, these garments will keep you in style no matter what the seasons may bring! For Jasmine, fashion is life!
Rasoul Butler,
Master of Science in Textiles Website: http://fasH9Rasb.wix.com/rasoulamir
Rasoul Amir, Fashion Designer, has made an impact on his family, friends and community. He began sketching fashion designs at a very early age. Each sketch gave more insight to his creativity and talent. His drawings were very unique in that each would be a part of a theme and story. In 2010 Rasoul decided to major in textile design. In his first year he was noted in an article for being fashionable and creative. He also won the Sankofa art award for his designs created during that same year and his contributions to the African American Textile society. Since then he has remained active in the fashion industry through on campus and community based activities. He will complete his Masters of Science in Textiles in 2016. His goal is to continue to create his own brand and open multiple boutiques.
Sanaa Sharrieff (Savvy Chic Clothing, Co.),BA Psychology, North Carolina Central University
Website: www.therealsavvychic.com
Savvy Chic Clothing, Co. was established from humble beginnings. In 1994 the founder, who was just a young girl, was determined to create a style and image that separated her from others. She would spend hours hard at work just for the sake of perfecting her craft. After much time spent laboring, Savvy Chic Clothing was born. It would be many years later, July 2006, that Savvy Chic Clothing would be established as a company. We began featuring designs for children, but in honor of the founder we expanded to women’s high fashion. We strive to create a style and image that no one can duplicate. From true couture to ready-to-wear, Savvy Chic believes in using only quality fabric and top notch designs. Never straying from the core values, Savvy Chic Clothing boasts of quality fabric, as well as beautiful designs created to compliment the individual who wears them. Savvy Chic currently offers products online and by personal request. When you want the best of the best, think Savvy Chic Clothing.