Guest Speakers and Team Bios
Subscribe to our channel to stay up to date on broadcast below.
2025 Conference Keynote Speaker
Reverend Tamieka Gerow
Rev. Tamieka Nicole Gerow is a native of Philadelphia, PA. She received her early education in the public schools of Philadelphia and her Bachelor of Arts from Eastern University. With an innate ability to inspire people from all walks of life, she remains committed to her Christian walk, ministry and her education. With a thirst to better understand the Word and will of God, she enrolled in the Master of Divinity program as a Kern Scholar at Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology, Virginia Union University and graduated in 2008.
While attending STVU, Rev. Gerow received a certificate in Congregational Pastoral Care from the Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care, Inc. In 2013, she completed a certificate program in Theology at the Princeton Theological Seminary. While in the process of certificate completion, she was the first student to become a mentor to the following cohort members. She is rock solid in her faith, yet her mind is open to new opportunities to understand and exercise her faith.
Rev. Tamieka Nicole Gerow earned her Heart of Leadership Coaching® Certification and Registered Corporate Coach™ designation through the Worldwide Association of Business Coaches. She is designated a Certified Practitioner for Everything DiSC® and Five Behaviors.. Rev. Tamieka Nicole Gerow is a Leadership Coach and Facilitator with Impact Business Coaches, a firm that works with people around the world to help them achieve their goals, live their best lives, and create legacies of impact.
She has a passion to support emerging leaders, especially when they grapple with the challenges of finding work/ life harmony. Drawing on her diverse background as a mother, pastor, leader, and educator, she supports her clients in achieving wholistic success in life.
This proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated is the doting mother of Kennedy Noelle and Keon Nicholas Xavier. Inspired by Luke 4:18, she is often heard saying, “I must be faithful to this moment in time that God has given me. I recognize that the anointing on my life is tied to the needs of others; someone somewhere is counting on what God has placed inside of me.”
2025 Conference Psalmist
Donna Tyler
Donna’s favorite Scripture is Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
She is a passionate Psalmist from Geneva, NY, who shares a deep love for God and a heartfelt commitment to uplifting others through music. Growing up in a community that values faith and togetherness, Donna found inspiration in the power of song to connect with people and spread positivity. With a mission to inspire and uplift through soulful melodies and powerful lyrics, Donna continues to touch hearts and bring joy to audiance’s everywhere.
2025 Conference Praise Dancer
Ashley “Star” Taylor
Ashley is a performer, entrepreneur, creator, teacher, speaker, wife, and mother. She was born with rhythm in her heart and determination in her mind. She operates a performance art training center called CreativeMotion Arts Center. The mission is to help others find joy in their Art.
She also has a true love for empowering entrepreneurs. Hosting small business expo events and entrepreneur development workshops to empower entrepreneurs is her latest venture. As a speaker Ashley is “The Faith Pusher” encouraging audiences to choose Faith NOT fear! She believes, “We are Blessed to be a Blessing” so she will always be a giver in any way that she can.
2025 Conference Psalmist
Lisel White
Lisel White is a devoted singer who ministers through music as part of the mass choir and praise team at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Burlington, NJ. She has uplifted congregations through her music at various services, including the prestigious National Baptist Convention, always bringing a spirit of worship and praise.
Her musical talents extend beyond the church, as she also performs at restaurants, weddings, and private events, blending gospel, jazz, R&B, and more to connect with diverse audiences.
A proud retired veteran, she served 20 years in the United States Air Force, where her voice became a powerful symbol of national pride, singing the National Anthem on numerous ceremonial stages. In addition to her musical ministry, she has worked as a realtor for over 25 years, advocating for democracy in housing and helping families find their homes.
Family remains a cornerstone of her life. Having raised three beautiful children who now lead their own successful lives, she values the special time she spends with her husband, Darrell White. She also gives back to the community through her work with Quest Ministry at Tabernacle Baptist Church, providing food and clothing to those in need. With a heart for service, a passion for music, and a deep love for family, she continues to inspire others to live beyond limits through her faith, work, and dedication.
2025 Conference Moderator
Jenell Johnson
Jenell was born in Liverpool, England. She is the proud mother of an amazing daughter-Jade.
Being a profound feminist, Jenell enjoys amplifying the importance of women empowering women, particularly in arenas where women continue to remain the minority.
Jenell takes a personal sense of dignity in transcending the message that "Women should have the audacity to be heard in all spaces." The force of women standing in solidarity with each other may result in a movement that takes us to greater heights, knowing we're never alone.
Jenell often communicates "as we continue to break the glass ceiling and climb the ladder, be humble enough to remember the ladies cleaning the glass, and the women that need us to throw the ladder down to lift them up."
Jenell believes as long as you remain centered with a focus on your higher being, your energy will determine your destiny. Jenell lives a very spiritual life and aims to always be centered, however, her favorite quote comes from Psalm 46:5 "God is within her, she will not fall".
Jenell holds a masters degree from Peirce college (2017) in Organizational Leadership and Management; Jenell graduated with high honors.
October Guest Speaker and 2025 Conference Panelist
Keys to Operating In Uniqueness
Ciara is a wife, and mother of 2 boys. She is also founder of the Light Up Movement designed to empower women. She believes that women are designed to do incredible things and that we can all get there a lot faster if we cheer each other on.
Having been bullied her entire life, Ciara is now on a mission to remind every woman of who she is so that each woman radiates so much confidence in how brightly her own light shines, that she doesn't even think to speak negatively about her sisters who are also doing their very darn best!
Website: https://www.lightupmvmt.com/themovement
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ciaravindel
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@ciaravindenl
Ciara Vindel
October Guest Speaker and 2025 Conference Panelist
Yadira is a wife, and mother of 3 boys. and 1 daughter.
Yadira Simmons is a dedicated advocate for parents of special needs children, serving as an active member of the Special Education Parent Advisory Group (SEPAG) and a volunteer with CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate), where she fights for the rights and well-being of children in foster care. As the mother of a special needs child herself, Yadira brings a wealth of personal experience and compassion to her advocacy work.
She has formed a nonprofit advocacy and support group, Navigating Autism Together, aimed at empowering parents of special needs children.
Yadira is also writing a book that chronicles her journey raising her autistic son, focusing on the challenges, triumphs, and navigating the educational system.
In her professional life, Yadira is an accomplished community development professional with over 20 years of experience in affordable housing and a successful business owner. She holds an MBA in Finance and Fraud and is passionate about uplifting underserved communities and advancing impactful solutions through her work.
Yadira continues to inspire and uplift others, offering support, resources, and encouragement to parents navigating the complexities of raising special needs children.
Yadira Simmons
June 2024 Guest Speaker and 2025 Conference Panelist
The Power of Prayer
Merian Wright, servant of Christ, married for 37 years, 2 children, and 2 grandchildren. She has a passion for intercession and evangelism, seeing women set free from bonds that hinder their spiritual growth. Her favorite scripture is Romans 8: 37-39 as it speaks to “deliverance”!
As a powerful intercessor and prayer warrior, Merian has been Involved in ministry for many years in capacities such as evangelism, outreach, counseling, mentoring, teaching, prayer and more!
Merian Wright
July 2024 Guest Speaker
Freedom
Coach Déa
Coach Déa is a dedicated advocate for women's empowerment and a skilled Marriage and Divorce Coach, as well as a Certified Trauma Healing Facilitator. As an award-winning podcast host, she uses her platform to inspire and guide others on their journeys to self-discovery and resilient relationships. With a passion for helping women navigate life's challenges, Coach Déa is committed to fostering empowerment and resilience in every aspect of her clients' lives.
Pursuing Your Purpose- 3 Keys You Need to Know
April 2024 Guest Speaker and 2025 Conference Panelist
Author - Queens Uplifting 21 Day Daily Devotional
Nyree Reed
Nyreespeaks.com
Nyree Reed is a spiritual motivational speaker, author, actress and a nurse. Nyree passionately inspires women in overcoming past experiences and everyday life challenges through motivational inspiration by sharing the Word of God. Nyree’s spiritual journey and pathway to peace, led her to a passion for helping women mature in their spiritual growth and seeing their value as a Queen. Nyree started Queens Uplifting, a daily commitment that she dedicated to her closest friends “Queen Team”, which inspired her to build the vision in sharing this same impartation to the rest of the world.
Secrets to Winning Against Opposition
May 2024 Guest Speaker
Lekan is a first-generation immigrant from Nigeria, raised in NJ from a lower income household. Also a first-generation college student and graduate. The first in his family to become a law enforcement officer, followed by law school. He is now a litigation associate attorney working alongside one of the nation’s leading entertainment and media lawyers in NYC, arguably one of the nation’s toughest and most competitive legal markets. This accomplishment comes at the heels of the adversity that accompanies being a trailblazer.
Lekan Sumonu, Esq.