Tuesday, July 23, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.
Demetria Buie is a 33-year-old mother of one. She grew up in a small town in Louisiana, at eighteen, Demetria moved to Richmond, Virginia, seeking a chance to better her life. Demetria has experienced a wide and harsh variety of hardships, having been at one time or another homeless, unforgiving, depressed, and suicidal. All along, she has had to cope with the realities of her extremely dysfunctional family. Mrs. Buie was a junior high drop-out, but this never stopped her—she always kept pushing on. At 23, she earned her GED and began attending John Tyler Community College, studying acting. All of this was accomplished in the midst of hurt caused by fake family and friends, resulting in a forced move into a group home. It was these trying circumstances that fueled her passion to write her first book, an Autobiography called Refuse To Lose.
In 2014, Refuse To Lose would be self-published as Buie’s first published work. In it, Demetria shares her journey with the world, revealing how God held her hand through it all and carried her past her darkest storms. Demetria now works as a Life-Story coach, started a publishing company, and hosts Conferences & Retreats. She also has a women’s Empowerment Magazine called “Empowering Women To Speak Out”, which helps women learn to love themselves and let go of yesterday’s pains. As an independent author, she has 32 books under her belt. She’s currently working on her newest project, a Christian novel titled “The Day I Said Hello I Should’ve Said Goodbye”.
Andrea Arroyo
Andrea Arroyo is a Mother of two, Wife, Daughter, Sister and child of God. She lives in Northern New Jersey where I am a Certified Life Coach and Personal Assistant. “I have a life beyond my wildest dreams because I have a praying Mother and a praying Grandmother and a God that answered their prayers and mine,” says Andrea.
Charlene Harrod-Owuamana
Charlene Harrod-Owuamana, has over 30 years of experience in Healthcare. She started her career at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore City – as a Unit Clerk then she decided to pursue a career in nursing. As a professional Licensed Practical Nurse with her Associate of Arts Degree; focusing on Pediatric/Adult Care – Emergency Department, School Nursing, Urgent Care/Ambulatory Services, Neurology, Wound Care and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.
Some of her accomplishment includes:
Speaking at “Baltimore in Conversation”on Trust vs Mistrust in Healthcare with the LGBTQ community. 1st time Ambassador & Co-Author for “We Are Women of Substance”. She’s the Founder/CEO of Nursz’s Hive; providing mentorship for youth in her city. Two speaker at NursesTakeDC; Former President/Founder – Black Nurses Rock Baltimore Maryland Chapter, where she changed lives by educating the community in which she served.
Despite all of the challenges that her city has been faced with over the years. She returned to the neighborhood where she was raised 40 years ago. To strengthen the Healthcare System and show the community her commitment and dedication. She has managed to collaborate with top city leaders and educators; such as, Baltimore City Mayor’s Office, Baltimore City Police Department and Baltimore City Fire Department. Remaining busy in vulnerable communities doing what God intended her to be a nurturing, caring and inspiring NURSE. “I AM A NURSE!” declares Charlene
Trivia Payne
Trivia Payne currently resides in Baltimore City, the city of her birth and upbringing. She is the founder and Executive Director of Bondage to Grace Connections, which was established in February 2017 as a nonprofit for children affected by incarceration. For the past 8 years, she has been the chief coordinator for the Grace Beyond the Walls Summer Camp. Trivia has five daughters and a son and finds joy in making sure that they are all working towards the gifts that God has instilled in them. She is also a mother in law and soon to be grandmother. Trivia has received multiple parent volunteer awards, led several PTA organizations as president, and was the class mother for CIVITAS class of 2012. In 2009, Trivia married a childhood friend, Pastor Antoine Payne of Grace Beyond the Walls church. Together, they founded The Philemon Ministry, a mentoring community that supports men from incarceration into stable living.
Trivia attended Baltimore City public schools. In 2007, she graduated from Baltimore City Community College with an AAS degree in Early Childhood Education and a certification as a Human Service Aide. After graduation, she attended Towson State University, where she studied Family and Community Development, which was later changed to Family Studies and Human Services in 2011. In 2014, Trivia Graduated from Grand Canyon University with two Master’s Degrees, with an emphasis in Christian Leadership and Pastoral Ministry. Currently, she is working on completing her dissertation to obtain her Doctor of Education in organizational leadership with emphasis in Christian Ministry.
Faustina M. Mullings
Born in the Caribbean (St. Vincent), Faustina is a born again Christian who is happily married to Kenneth Mullings. Together they have five children, three girls and two boys. She migrated to Toronto, Canada in 2011, obtained her Social Service Worker diploma at Humber College and is currently attending York University in the effort to obtain her bachelor’s degree in Humanities. Her life so far is comprised of a wonderful family, and great friends. She went from a school dropout to be a college graduate that is motivated, compassionate, self-driven and highly interested in assisting people to navigate and accomplish their potential within.
Some people asked me “How did you go from being illiterate at the age of 8 to becoming a Social Service worker, an employee of the ‘Toronto District School Board’ and now pursuing a bachelor’s degree at York University, all in the space of 5 years?” my only response is to declare that without hope there would be no achievements in the world if nothing would ever be attempted. Every endeavor takes its life from a glimmer of hope. Hope is a state of mind that gives the ability and encourages one to work toward their goals. Therefore, by having hope, Mrs. Mullings is empowered and has a sense of being while on her journey to accomplish all that she desires. I am now the proud Founder/CEO of “Think Big, Talk Big & Believe Big, Dream 2 Reality and Real People, Real Testimonies of the Power of God.” Think Big Talk Big & Believe Big is a program that is designed specifically to empower individuals from around the world to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams.
