THANK YOU Zeke Upshaw Foundation for sponsoring the 2nd Annual Your Bold Is Beautiful Women’s Empowerment Summit taking place October 23rd and 24th!! The mission of the Zeke Upshaw Foundation is to spread heart health awareness and advocate for improved heart screenings for all athletes. The foundation was launched on the sudden and devastating loss of Zena Ray “Zeke” Upshaw. In March 2018, during an NBA G-League game with only 40 seconds left in the last quarter, Zeke collapsed and died from Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). No life saving measures were immediately administered.
The goal of the foundation is to educate athletes, teammates and coaches on ways to keep players safe by reacting quickly and properly. Through fundraising and donations, the foundation was able to gift AEDs to deserving organizations, who are also committed to educating their student athletes on this deadly disease and the importance of quick action. This influential and impactful organization provides heart health education and awareness, mentorship, tutoring and community engagement.
Zeke’s mother, Jewel Upshaw founded the organization keeping his legacy alive by continuing his journey of giving back to the community and helping children. Since Zeke’s sudden transition, Jewel has dedicated her time to educating student athletes on recognizing the signs and symptoms associated with SCA coupled with the importance of AED and CPR administration.
A Chicago native with new roots in Las Vegas, Jewel decided to begin her foundation’s mission in these two cities because she wanted to give back to those who’ve influenced her and Zeke. With time, Jewel’s goal is to ensure the foundation’s mission is fulfilled throughout the nation.
Jewel led a stellar career with over 24 years of management experience with one of the largest pension administrators in the U.S. Here she managed a staff of approximately 20 employees. Today, Jewel is a full-time entrepreneur and advocate focusing on expanding her foundation’s mission. She devotes her time campaigning the importance of heart screenings and the need for AED and CPR training. All the while, continuing to raise funds to purchase and donate new AEDs to deserving organizations.
For more information on this impactful and influential organization visit zekeupshawfoundation.org. Follow on social media: @zekeupshawfoundation.
THANK YOU @udomomhw for sponsoring the 2nd Annual Your Bold Is Beautiful Women’s Empowerment Summit!! Anita Aisha Momodu is the Founder of @udomomhw. We’re forever thankful for the continuous support she has given the YBIB platform, having sponsored every YBIB event to date. This amazing platform offers the following services to include:
• Individual, Family and Group Therapy
• Birth, Postpartum and Bereavement Doula Services
• Childbirth Education
Anita received her Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Military Families and Culture.
Udomom strives to empower women in multiple areas and stages of their life, finding their inner voice.
“I have enjoyed being a YBIB sponsor. Being a part of an organization that focuses on women feeling empowered in many ways is an honor.”
~ Anita Aisha Momodu
Follow @udomomhu! Be sure to use code YBIB to receive 50% off all courses and workbooks. She will also be hosting a workshop at the Summit. For more information on the amazing services provided visit udomom.com
Exclusive YBIB Summit Speaker Information!
Dr. Michelle Giddings is dually certified as a Psychiatric Mental Health and Family Nurse Practitioner; she is the owner of Peaceful Mind Psychiatric Services in Las Vegas, Nevada. Dr. Giddings received the American Psychiatric Nurses Association National Award for Excellence in Practice in 2020. She also received a Proclamation from the office of the Mayor on June 19th, 2019, for her service to the Las Vegas community. Dr. Giddings is the current President of the Nevada Chapter of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA).
Dr. Giddings is an expert clinician, speaker, and educator on mental health issues. She has testified before the Nevada legislature on behalf of APRNs in Nevada. Her mental health advocacy is evident in her work with the Azulblue Autism Foundation, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Homeless Stand Down, and Crystal Darkness Campaign to name a few. Dr. Giddings is a member of the International Honor Society of nursing (Sigma Theta Tau). She is a former Assistant Professor and Alumni of UNLV.
For more information visit: http://peacefulmindlv.com/
A loving wife, mother, grandmother, and daughter. A Girl Scout Troop leader, entrepreneur running several small businesses, Director of a non-profit, and one of very few Black, Female Corporate VPs for the world’s largest gaming and hospitality company. These are some of the many roles Tonika plays on a daily basis.
Tonika oftentimes describes her life as a series of lives lived in one. As a teenage parent, she was determined and strengthened by the pessimism and despair of teachers and counselors. Although life got in the way of many of her early dreams, she was determined to succeed and not become a negative stereotype.
Returning to school as a “non-traditional” college student, Tonika obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management in her mid- 30’s; regularly attending up to three different learning institutions at the same time, in an effort to complete her degree. She returned to school a few years later to obtain a Master’s in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and has since earned several Human Resource certifications through eCornell University and the Society for Human Resource Management.
For nearly 20 years, she has worked in Talent Development where she has been able to live within her passion of working with people, helping them to develop individualized growth plans, and watching them achieve their personal and professional goals. In her spare time, she runs a non-profit organization, Las Vegas Tumble Gym Bus, designed to help children learn and practice healthier eating habits and use play as a form of exercise.
Life hasn’t been a walk in the park for Tonika, although you would never hear her complain about it. Instead, she focused on one of her favorite quotes by Toni Morrison…”You wanna fly, you got to give up the shit that weighs you down”. This advice has helped her grow into the life that was designed for her.
Additional Speakers will be announced this week! Stay tuned.
Be sure to get your tickets today as they are selling out! Click here. This will be the BEST experience surrounded by the like-minded, engaging in thought provoking conversations that empower, motivate and uplift each other.
