Chocolate Chat Café: Candid Conversations

Dorlisa Adam

Born in Fort Rucker Alabama and raised in North Augusta S.C., Dorlisa Adams is the founder of Visions of Women (V.O.W.). During her time studying at Lander University, Visions of Women blossomed in 2014 to educate college campuses on domestic violence. She began raising awareness by starting a women’s support group, informing her colleagues on domestic abuse, sexual assault, and healthy relationships. Mrs. Adams continues to use the nonprofit organization’s platform to raise community awareness on abuse and volunteers for organizations to help abused and homeless families. She has become a victim service provider and taken sexual assault training nationally to ensure VOW remains a leader in domestic violence awareness. She is also a Girl Circle Facilitator, a program created from the One Circle Foundation and provided through the SC Domestic Violence Program.

When she’s not helping others, Mrs. Adams enjoys nature walks, swimming and watching movies. As she follows God’s calling on her life, Dorlisa will continue teaching others on the signs of domestic violence, how to stop abusive cycles and the importance of healthy relationships.

Gidget A Smith is the owner & Clinical Director of Etsah Solutions LLC. She is a Marriage and Family Therapist with over 15 years of experience in the mental health field. She provides comprehensive mental health counseling services to adults, children, couples and families. In addition, she is a Career Coach Strategist that assists clients in identifying personal goals, developing leadership skills, planning career moves, in which she provides feedback on resumes or cover letters while coaching her clients in strategizing for successful job interviews. Gidget believes in the power of resilience and human connection when overcoming adversity.

Gidget A Smith is the owner & Clinical Director of Etsah Solutions LLC. She is a Marriage and Family Therapist with over 15 years of experience in the mental health field. She provides comprehensive mental health counseling services to adults, children, couples and families. In addition, she is a Career Coach Strategist that assists clients in identifying personal goals, developing leadership skills, planning career moves, in which she provides feedback on resumes or cover letters while coaching her clients in strategizing for successful job interviews. Gidget believes in the power of resilience and human connection when overcoming adversity.

Dr. Vernita Glenn-White is currently an Assistant Professor of Mathematics Education at Stetson University. Prior to joining Stetson University, she served as a District Mathematics Specialist for the Office of School Transformation with Orange County Public Schools. Dr. Glenn-White has shifted her focus from solely Mathematics education and continues to share her knowledge regarding STEM education and Culturally Responsive Pedagogy, Environment, and Teaching at conferences across the country. Dr. Glenn-White also serves as the Assistant Director for the American Association of University Women’s (AAUW) Tech Trek program and College Representative for the Stetson University Branch of the AAUW organization. Dr. Glenn-White’s passion for educating others began with her time as a middle school mathematics teacher and high school instructional coach. Her main mission in life is to transform the learning experience of all learners by impacting 1Billion students and educators.

Melinda Harris is an Author, Speaker, Coach, and Domestic Violence Advocate. Melinda turned her test into her testimony. Her book titled I Survived It was released September 2018. Melinda stepped out on faith shared her testimony with the world how she survived domestic violence, hiding behind a mask, and how her life took a turn but it also helped her to become a stronger and powerful woman of God.

Her passion is to Educate, Equip, and Empower women although women as natural nurturers wear many hats however these hats become burdens and we are forced to mask what's weighing us down - unhealed hurt, financial strain, unhappiness, being overworked, dissatisfied, mistreated, disrespected, abused, and so much more or simply stripped of our God-given identity and purpose. She experienced all of that and along with depression, rejection, shame, and being embarrassed but by the grace of God over the course of the years Melinda gained strength and faith to turn the impossible to possible, it took her quite a long time to develop a voice, and now that she has it she will no longer be silent.

Melinda is a God's Girl, Servant Girl, Daughter, Sister, Auntie, Friend, Speaker, Survivor, Mentor, and Leader.

She enjoys spending time with her family and close friends, traveling, fashion from hair to make up clothes has a fetish for shoes, and handbags.

She works full time as a Customer Service Assistant Coordinator and has a side business as well Lady M Protection On The Go which is about equipping women with the necessary tools to keep them safe and also give them the confidence to know they have a way out of any situation.

Today Melinda is now able to volunteer and speak, teach to women in different prisons in Georgia that has dealt with Domestic Violence.

Dr. Sharon H. Porter (Dr. Sharon) resides in the Washington, DC area. She is the Owner of Perfect Time SHP LLC, Coaching, Consulting, and Book Publishing Firm, founder of the G.R.I.N.D. Entrepreneur Network, and Write the Book Now!  She is the host of the I Am Dr. Sharon Interview Show and host and creator of five podcasts.

Dr. Sharon is the author of The Power of Networking: How to Achieve Success With Business Networking, Next In Line to Lead: The Voice of the Assistant Principal, Class of 2017 What’s Next?” and Women Who Lead: Extraordinary Women With Extraordinary Results, and North Carolina Girls Living In a Maryland World.

She is a contributing author for “The MLM Book: The Business of the 21st Century”; “Women On A Mission: Sisterhood of Stories; ” 3 P’s of Success: Purpose, Passion, Profit”;  “Renegotiating Greatness: 21 Lessons From Bold Entrepreneurs Who Have Built Successful Brands”; Behind the Scenes of a Phenomenal Woman and “Black Woman By Birth, Champion By Choice”.

Dr. Sharon has served as an educator for over 25 years. She currently serves as a Leadership Coach for novice school administrators. She is a former elementary and middle school principal in Maryland and North Carolina.

She is a graduate of Winston-Salem State University, National-Louis University, The Johns Hopkins University, Walden University, and Howard University.

Sharon holds a National Association of Elementary School Principal Mentor Certification and is a Certified Gallup-Strengths Coach.

She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, International Association of Women (IAW), an Official Member of the Forbes Coaches Council, Sister 4 Sisters Network, Inc, and Professional Women of Winston-Salem.

Felicia is the proud wife of Mr. Jason H. Brookins and holds the prestigious title of mother to one wonderful son, Phillip J. Brookins. She is a graduate of the University of Southern MS 1989 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Broadcast Journalism. She has always enjoyed writing poems and reading. She is the author of her first Christian Fiction trilogy, Sister Nadeen’s WAYS, which was released Spring 2017 and is available on Amazon.com paperback or Kindle Edition. She is also the winner of the 2016 Southern Laced Literary Award, 2018 AAMBC Urban Book of The Year and 2018 Finalist for Best Book Award from American Book Fest.

Felicia Brookins is also the Founder of the literary touring event, Inspired Resources, LLC ---‘WriteTheVision’-Writers Conference which connects aspiring writers and authors with experts in the fields of publishing, marketing, social media and legal advice for authors. She has held several successful tours in the Atlanta, GA area and recently in Jackson, MS.  She is available for book club discussions and speaking opportunities concerning the platform of her book.

Joy McLaughlin-Harris is a native of Gadsden, South Carolina.  Mrs. Harris is the founder of Touch of Joy, International, Touch of Joy Youth Foundation, and Hannah Joy Collection. Mrs. Harris has an Associates of Arts Degree, Bachelor of Psychology, and a Masters in Organizational Leadership and Development. Outside of being a successful entrepreneur, she is a renowned Published Author, Certified Financial Literacy Coach, Community Activist, Wife, and Mother.

In 2011 Joy was nominated and crowned as one of Columbia, South Carolina Phenomenal Women. In 2016 she was recognized by the Beauty Association and featured in Pastor’s Journal Magazine for her generous work in the community.  Joy continues to work hard each day creating a platform for women of color to express their voice as community leaders and successful entrepreneurs.

Joy approaches every day by the motto “failure is part of the process, only if you believe the process is part of your destiny”.

Megan K. Manigault, Best-Selling 3x Author, Inspirational Speaker, and Trauma Recovery Strategist, is passionate about assisting troubled youth and individuals who have experienced traumatic life's obstacles. Megan has always been involved in the community and hopes to encourage others to be the change they wish to see in the world. Through her strategies, she's helped many individuals overcome and find the beauty they possess within. When she isn't writing, she's progressing her International NPO "I AM VOICES” and loves spending time with family and friends. She spends a lot of time learning and researching mental and physical health in our communities so that she can encourage a full circle process to individuals searching for a peaceful, healthy, stress-free life, that's starts with internal development. She finds excitement in assisting others to get their stories from inside and into the atmosphere, her motto is "To Find Who You Are, You Must Acknowledge Where You've Been"

Life audits are necessary in evaluating your well-being, not just in one area but in basically everything. Life Audits are more crucial as in this day and age we are constantly running on 'E' with so much time spent on electronic gadgets when do we really take time to stop and smell the flowers. Check out emotions, our mental status, our health........ This is a time to Hit Pause and Reset and take a closer look at our lives. When doing your life audit, remember to keep your journal handy as I offer a few questions I used while doing my life audit. It's time to truly enjoy life!