Phenomenal in Shades of Purple: Benefit Concert

On Friday, August 31, 2012, the Phenomenal Women's Summit held a benefit concert for the Initiative African American Women Against Diabetes.  MC'd by LeNa Ferguson Powe, Miss Black Alabama 2011, it featured Gospel Folk artists Joyce & Jacque, guitarist Roland Gresham, dancers One Step Above and a special Appearance by Grammy Nominate American Idol Winner Ruben Studdard.  Click on the videos to see highlights of the performances.  Pictures to come!


One Step Above
Roland Gresham
Ruben Studdard

Benefit Concert Preview

This afternoon, Joyce and Jacque, a gospel folk duo, did a sound check before their performance this evening.  Check them out.

Thank you to our Sponsors

The Phenomenal Women's Summit would not have been possible without the help of the following sponsors.  We'd like to acknowledge the following:

Councilor Steven W. Hoyt, President, Pro Tempore

Birmingham

Dr. George French, President

The National Institute for Human Development

The City of Birmingham

Alabama Power

Miles College

Gourmet Services, Inc.

Troy State University

Exford Architects

Holiday Properties

The Sheraton Birmingham and BJCC

Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau

Mr. Richard C. Willis

Mrs. Rita Woods

Fellowship, Style and a little Exercise

 On Friday, August 31, 2012, attendees of the Phenomenal Women’s Summit in Birmingham, Alabama proved that they can be both intelligent as stylish by mixing a Luncheon/Fashion Show in with their morning sessions. While partaking in a healthy lunch, Orlando Hunter of It's All About You Enterprises served as Master of Ceremonies of a show featuring styles by the vendors at the Summit with ready to wear looks. 

In addition, participants were able to work off their lunch and energize themselves with a Fitness Check featuring Patrick Parker and Jerri Haslem of Black People Run Bike and Swim. 

More pictures to come!  Check out www.blackpeoplerunbikeswim.com for more information.

Quilts for Kids

At the Phenomenal Women’s Summit in Birmingham, Alabama on Friday, August 31, 2012, registrants participated in the Quilts for Kids service project.  Quilts for Kids' mission is to "transform discontinued, unwanted and other fabrics into patchwork quilts that comfort children with life-threatening illnesses and children of abuse." Women at the Summit sewed, ironed, pinned and stitch fabric together in order to reach the goal of 10 quilts.  See the pictures below...more pictures to come! 

In the meantime, check out http://www.quiltsforkids.org/ for more information.

Phenomenal Spiritually

Dr. Karen Griffin (picture) from the Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, GA engaged Summit partakers in a session entitled “The Phenomenal Spiritual Self” on Friday, August 31, 2012, in Birmingham, Alabama.  She started by defining phenomenal as "great, extraordinary, outstanding." Sometimes, women lose sight of themselves. "Our spirituality is song that we sing and the our connection to God," mentions Griffin.  "When we lose our voice and our agency, we lose our connection to God."

This session was about working to recapture lost voices.  "Until I find my place, I don’t have anything to say," said Rev. Griffin. "We don’t hear the music because we are afraid to participate and then just stop giving."  After setting a foundation, Rev. Griffin allowed participants to share their stories and experiences of being silenced, and invited ways to find their voices again.  The powerpoint below goes into further details of her presentation.

Phenomenal Physically

On Friday, August 31, 2012, TJ Estell and staff of One Step Above in Atlanta, GA presented on "The Phenomenal Physical Self Dancing as a Star" through line dancing. 

TJ expressed the importance of moving your body and doing it in a fun way.  Originally from Detroit, MI, TJ and a group of urban artists sough to find an alternative to dancing in the clubs.  One Step Above was birthed out of that desire.  Taking a few volunteers, TJ proceeded to show how the dance company works by teaching the participants a line dance. Check out the video below.



For more information on http://www.1stepabove.com/