For we are God’s masterpiece... Ephesians 2:10
Saturday, October 24, 2026 Simmons University
For we are God’s masterpiece... Ephesians 2:10
The Women’s Conference
A Message From Our Pastors Dear Sisters, Welcome! We are so delighted that you are here! And before we say anything else, we want to congratulate you. Yes, congratulate YOU! Because with all the demands on your time—your career, your family, your relationships, your church, and the countless people who depend on you— you made a decision to do something for yourself. And girlfriend, you deserve it! Life takes us through many seasons. Some are filled with joy, excitement, and new beginnings. Others bring unexpected changes, difficult transitions, and questions we never imagined we'd be asking. Whatever season you're in, we want you to remember one thing: You are God's masterpiece! Beautifully and wonderfully made, created with purpose, and worthy of love, joy, fulfillment, and abundant life. Not just in the season you wish you were in, or the one you're hoping will come next—but right here, right now! That's what Embracing Every Season of You is all about. Today, you'll hear from an extraordinary group of women who bring not only wisdom and expertise, but also the authenticity of their own life experiences. We are especially blessed to welcome Rev. Dr. Thema Bryant and Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell, Campbell along with a dynamic group of speakers and panelists. Our prayer is that you will leave here feeling encouraged, empowered, and equipped to embrace whatever life brings your way. That you'll discover new ways to care for yourself, and recognize the possibilities that God still has in store for you. Put down the to-do list. Stop worrying about what's happening at home. Give yourself permission to laugh out loud, make a new friend, share your story, shed a tear if you need to, and simply enjoy being YOU. This day was lovingly and intentionally created with you in mind. So, welcome, Sisters! This is YOUR day. Embrace it. Celebrate it. And most of all, celebrate the masterpiece that is YOU! With love and blessings,
Pastor Gloria and Pastor Ray Co-Pastors Bethel AME Church, Boston
Embracing Every Season of You
The Women’s Conference
A Message From the Conference Chair Dear Sisters, Welcome to Embracing Every Season of You! We are absolutely delighted that you are here! Every woman has a story. Every woman is on a journey. And every woman is navigating a season of life that brings its own joys, challenges, opportunities, and sometimes, unexpected surprises. Every season matters. And so do YOU! When we began planning this conference, we did something important. We listened. We heard from women of different ages and stages of life about the issues that mattered most to them, the questions they were asking, and the conversations they wished they could have. And we took those voices to heart. The result is the day you are about to experience—thoughtfully designed with YOU in mind. We've brought together an extraordinary group of women who will share their stories, wisdom, experiences, and professional expertise to help us navigate life's many seasons with greater confidence, courage, and joy. We encourage you to participate fully. Strike up a conversation with someone you don't know. Ask the question you've been hesitant to ask. Explore the books and resources available to support your journey. Laugh, reflect, and share. You deserve this time! A day like this doesn't happen without many helping hands and generous hearts. We extend our deepest gratitude to our dedicated planning committee, whose tireless work and commitment brought this vision to life; to our wonderful volunteers, who stepped forward to make every woman feel welcomed and celebrated; and to our gracious hosts at Simmons University. We are especially grateful to our exceptional speakers, presenters, and facilitators, who have so generously shared their time, talents, and expertise to make this day truly unforgettable. As you move through today's experiences, we hope you'll carry one message in your heart: You are God's masterpiece. Not because of what you accomplish, whom you care for, how you look, or what season of life you're in, but simply because of who you are. This is your season. This is your moment. And this day is for YOU! With love and gratitude,
Marilyn Anderson Chase Women’s Conference Chairperson Embracing Every Season of You
The Women’s Conference
SCHEDULE 8:00 am - 9:00 am
Arrival, Registration, and Breakfast
9:00 am - 10:00 am
Morning Keynote - Embracing Every Season of You Rev. Dr. Thema Bryant
10:30 am - 11:45 am
Morning Concurrent Sessions - Choose One Aging Gracefully: Embracing Change Rediscovering You: Meeting the Woman You’ve Neglected
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Luncheon Keynote Relax, Relate, Release: Getting to a Healthier You
2:00 pm - 3:15 pm
Afternoon Concurrent Sessions - Choose One “All The Single Ladies”: Living Your Best Life Now Coupled: Keeping the Romance In Your Relationship
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Closing Panel Discussion Legacy: Living a Life that Lights the Way for Others with Purpose
8:00 am Service
Rev. Dr. Thema Bryant
11:00 am Service
Rev. Liz Walker Embracing Every Season of You
The Women’s Conference
SESSION DESCRIPTIONS 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Embracing Every Season of You There is beauty, purpose, and grace in every season of your life—even the seasons you didn’t plan for, didn’t expect, or don’t fully understand. Embracing Every Season of You, invites you to pause, breathe, and recognize that God has been present through every chapter: the becoming, the blooming, the waiting, the rebuilding, the stretching, and the thriving. Together, we will learn how to let go of past narratives, navigate shifting roles, ages, and relationship statuses, quiet inner doubts, and step boldly into the unique beauty of every season. This opening keynote will set the spiritual and emotional tone for the day, as we explore what it means to honor who we have been, embrace who we are, and trust God with who we are becoming. This is a time to share space with a community of women who are moving toward purposeful living. Come ready to laugh, be encouraged, challenged, refreshed, and reminded: you are not behind, forgotten, or too late. Every season of you is worthy of being embraced. Morning Keynote Speaker Rev. Dr. Thema Bryant
Embracing Every Season of You
The Women’s Conference
10:30 AM - 11:45 AM
Embracing Every Season of You
The Women’s Conference
“All The Single Ladies”: Living Your Best Life Now Too often, single women are encouraged to put life on hold while waiting for the next chapter, the right relationship, or the future they imagined. Whether you've never married, are divorced, widowed, dating, happily single, or somewhere in between, one thing is true: your life is happening right now. What if this season isn't simply something to get through, but rather a season to embrace, enjoy, and fully live? This session is an honest and uplifting conversation about building a rich, meaningful, and joy-filled life—whether or not a partner is part of the picture. We'll talk about friendship, community, dating, loneliness, companionship, and the courage to create a life that feels full and authentic. We'll also explore how to honor the desire for partnership without allowing that desire to define worth or limit happiness. There will be laughter, real talk, and plenty of wisdom from women who have learned that being single is not the absence of something—it's a unique journey with its own opportunities, challenges, freedoms, and blessings. Because a full life is not measured by your relationship status; it's measured by how fully you live, love, grow, and embrace the masterpiece God created you to be. Session Panelists: Shakesha Coleman
Janice Miles Embracing Every Season of You
Dr. Shavon Warrick
The Women’s Conference
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
LEGACY: Living a Life that Lights the Way for Others with Purpose The word legacy sometimes sounds like something we'll think about someday—later in life, after retirement, or when we're looking back on all we've accomplished. But the truth is, your legacy is being lived right now. It's in the values you model, the encouragement you give, the people you mentor, and the prayers you pray. It's reflected in the children, friends, colleagues, neighbors, and family who are watching how you live and learning from your example. This inspiring and interactive session will challenge you to think differently about the impact you're already having and the influence you still have yet to claim. You'll leave with a clearer sense of purpose, and a vision for how you want to show up in the lives of the people who matter most. Because legacy isn't just what you leave behind. It's the light you shine, the lives you touch, and the love you share every single day. Session Panelists: Rev. Dr. Gloria White-Hammond Attorney General Andrea Campbell Jordyn Kerr Katheryn Prather Carole Copeland Thomas
8:00 am Service
Rev. Dr. Thema Bryant
11:00 am Service
Rev. Liz Walker
The Women’s Conference Committee would like to extend our sincere thanks to each of our Keynotes, presenters, speakers, moderators, and panelists. Without you, this day would not be possible. THANK YOU!
Embracing Every Season of You
The Women’s Conference
Simmons Main Campus Building Map First Floor
Third Floor
Embracing Every Season of You
About our Pastors, Keynote Speakers, and Panelists
The Women’s Conference
About Our Pastor
Embracing Every Season of You
The Women’s Conference
About Our Pastor
Embracing Every Season of You
The Women’s Conference
Morning Keynote Speaker
Embracing Every Season of You
The Women’s Conference
Featured Speaker
Embracing Every Season of You
The Women’s Conference
An empathetic, client-centered therapist with over 20 years of experience, Stacey brings a wealth of clinical insight, warmth, and practical wisdom to strengthening relational health. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Certified CBT Coach, and Certified Marriage Facilitator, she specializes in guiding couples, families, and individuals through life’s complex transitions, communication barriers, and emotional challenges. Her background spans higher education, school adjustment counseling, and telehealth, with extensive experience educating and advising undergraduate and graduate students as well as delivering evidence-based care for anxiety, OCD, depression, trauma, and neurodivergent conditions. Stacey’s passion for relational wellness extends deep into community spaces. She has helped lead community planning groups to establish marriage ministries designed to help couples cultivate deeper communication, trust, and intimacy. Drawing from her extensive background in counseling, higher education, and conflict resolution, Stacey creates a secure, grounded environment where partners can resolve conflict, rebuild connection, and lay the foundation for a resilient, lasting marriage.
Embracing Every Season of You
The Women’s Conference
Embracing Every Season of You
The Women’s Conference
Dr. Lexx Brown-James, LMFT, CSE, CSES is your favorite sex therapist. Her work through The Institute for Sexuality & Intimacy, LLC is grounded in healing through #shamefreesexed from womb to tomb. Dr. Lexx is also a keynote and media speaker with discussions taking place across the world with places like The Women’s Fund of Omaha, Sex Down South, Healthy Teen Network, The National Sex ed Conference and presentations across multiple conferences. Embracing Every Season of You
The Women’s Conference
Dr. Lexx is an accomplished published author in the areas of sex positive education, treating marginalized identities, healing racial trauma, working with relationships, and supporting medical professionals in sexuality medicine. Her book The Black Girl’s Guide to Couple’s Intimacy and her Relationship Tune Up card deck are bestselling tools for relationship support and intimacy building. You have seen Dr. Lexx in the media as a sexologist sharing her expertise in Self, CNN, Essence, Therapy for Black Girls, It Gets Better, NPR, and ScaryMommy. Dr. Lexx breaks down the most complicated and taboo topics to create easily digestible information that creates actionable change. Dr. Lexx loves love and loves to support healing and intimacy through sex positivity.
Thea James, MD, MPH, MBA, is Vice President Of Mission, Associate Chief Medical Officer and Co-Executive Director of the Health Equity Accelerator at Boston Medical Center. She is Professor of Emergency Medicine and Director of the Violence Intervention Advocacy Program at BMC. Dr. James is a founding member of the Health Alliance for Violence Intervention (the HAVI). In 2011, she was appointed to Attorney General Eric Holder’s National Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence. As Vice President Of Mission, Dr. James partners with caregivers throughout BMC and coordinates BMC’s relationships and strategic alliances with a wide range of local, state, and national organizations and partners across sectors, to meet the full spectrum of essentials that enables patients and communities to thrive. The intentionality is to foster a strategic ecosystem of growth, innovation, transformation, community collaboration, and effective models of care that are rooted in equity, clinical excellence and economic justice. A graduate of Georgetown University School of Medicine, James trained in Emergency Medicine at Boston City Hospital, where she was a chief resident.
Jordyn Kerr is a recent Masters of Science graduate, educator, and student advocate with a passion for supporting young people, strengthening communities, and creating meaningful connections. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Policy from Union College and a master’s degree in Environmental Health from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, where she focused on environmental justice. Throughout her academic and professional experiences, Jordyn has explored the ways in which environmental conditions, health, and social circumstances shape people’s lives. Her work has included pediatric environmental health, community engagement, public health research, and advocacy. She has also found a strong sense of purpose in working with students, fueling creative thinking and self-exploration. Embracing Every Season of You
The Women’s Conference
With a background in dance, acting and performance arts, Jordyn has also grown to value the balance between learning, personal growth and creative arts, thus always striving for a way to bring creativity and curiosity into everyday life. She is always eager to explore the many ways people learn, connect, and find purpose, and is learning to embrace the uncertainty and possibilities that come with each new chapter.
Embracing Every Season of You
The Women’s Conference
Dr. Jeannelle Perkins is a licensed marriage and family therapist, international speaker, author, educator, and founder of Haruki Health. She is widely recognized for her work in emotional resilience, psychological injury prevention, trauma recovery, and healthy relationships. Dr. Perkins has trained professionals across the United States, Australia, Vietnam, and Africa, equipping individuals and organizations with practical tools to build resilience and thrive through life's challenges. As the author of Into-Me-See: Mastering Black Intimacy for the Relationship You've Always Wanted and Strategic Emotional Resilience: Mastering Your Inner World for a Life of Power, Purpose and Peace, she is passionate about helping people embrace every season of life with courage, wisdom, and purpose
Dr. Christine E. Pierre
Embracing Every Season of You
The Women’s Conference
Embracing Every Season of You
The Women’s Conference
Embracing Every Season of You
The Women’s Conference
Embracing Every Season of You
The Women’s Conference
Congratulations, Bethel
SScholarship chola larrshiip
Sisterhood
Service Se ervice
The Boston Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority, Inc.
congratulates
Bethel A.M.E. Church on a successful Women’s Conference Embracing Every Season of You
SSocial ociiall Action
@BostonDST greaterbostonDST.org
The Women’s Conference
Embracing Every Season of You
The Women’s Conference
Sportsmen’s Tennis and Enrichment Center is proud to support
Bethel AME Church Boston and The Women’s Conference: Embracing Every Season of You.
Thank you, Bethel, for your longstanding support of Sportsmen’s and your commitment to strengthening our community. We celebrate the women who lead, inspire, nurture, serve, and make a difference every day. SPORTSMEN’S TENNIS & ENRICHMENT CENTER Building leaders on the court, in the classroom, and in the community.
950 Blue Hill Avenue, Dorchester, MA 02124 617.288.9092 www.sportsmenstennis.org
Embracing Every Season of You
The Women’s Conference
Family is everything. The Wiley Family
Embracing Every Season of You
The Women’s Conference
Children’s Serv Services r ices of Roxbury r (CSR) brings peace of mind to children and fa ffamilies milies across Massachusetts.
Our O Ou ur Se S Services: ervices: BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
EARLY EDUCATION HOUSING & STABILIZATION FAMILY SERVICES YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
TO LEARN MORE
617-445-6655 info@csrox.org www.csrox.org 520 Dudley Street, Roxbury, MA 02119 Embracing Every Season of You
The Women’s Conference
Embracing Every Season of You
The Women’s Conference
Embracing Every Season of You
Thk You Women’s Conference Committee Your steadfast commitment to working for the Lord was phenomenal. Amelia Aubourg
Helena Joseph
Lauren Bowens
Carlene Noelsaint
Michael Bradley
Karen Wallace
Marilyn Anderson Chase
Sandra Walker
Janet Humdy Morrison
Karen Burns White
Tamarra James-Todd
Kimberly Willingham
Enna Jimenez
Toni Wiley
Special Thanks to our Room Facilitators, Committee Helpers, and Liaisons Rev. Dr. Gloria White-Hammond (Co-Pastor, Bethel AME Church) Rev. Dr. Ray Hammond (Co-Pastor, Bethel AME Church) Malik Andrews Shaina Aubourg BMA TenPoint Lennie De Souza Carlos Garcia (Office of the Attorney General) Marc Germaine Lauren Murray (Simmons University) Daniel Saintival Natalie Serrano (Senior Executive Assistant to Dr. Thema Bryant) Raynya Simmons (Emcee) Carl Thompson
Thank You to Our Sponsors ABCD
Denise Montgomery (Mary Kay)
Alzheimer's Association
Laundry Rx
Anonymous
Manifested Events
Boston Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta
The Family Van
CandleLux
The New Boston Fund
Children’s Services of Roxbury
Sportsmen's Tennis and Enrichment Center
DRB Facility Service
Toni Wiley
Thank you for joining us. We hope to see you soon. www.bethelame.org/embracingyou