Create Yourself: Imagery. Intimacy. Innovation.

Create Yourself featuring Dr. Clara Denise West

Black women and workplace challenges. A daughter's suicide attempt. Historical context. Career advocacy. The Civil Rights movement. Restorative frameworks. Dr. Clara Denise West provides a data driven, transparent and transformative blueprint as well as the opportunity to hear her perspectives from a personal and professional experience lens.  About Dr. West: Dr. Clara Denise West is a systems engineer and author who applies rigorous analysis to decode institutional behavior and build protection frameworks. One of fewer than 3,000 Black women in U.S. history to earn a Ph.D. in Systems Engineering, she spent 27 years documenting systematic racism in federal STEM (NASA, U.S. Army) and testified before Congress, contributing to the No FEAR Act of 2002. After her daughter's suicide attempt following relentless school bullying, Dr. West applied the same systems engineering approach to peer dynamics and institutional failure, creating Koko and Friends™—a comprehensive K-12 restorative SEL system. Author of THE COLLISION: White Male Fragility Meets Black Female Resilience—Lessons Learned, Dr. West provides systems analysis of institutional power for Black women navigating hostile workspaces and restorative frameworks for children facing peer-driven harm. Same methodology. Different populations. One mission: protection when institutions fail. Connect with Dr. West: Personal Website: www.claradenisewestphd.com [http://www.claradenisewestphd.com] LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/clara-west-ph-d-794a20a/ [http://linkedin.com/in/clara-west-ph-d-794a20a/] Instagram: @dwest200 Facebook: facebook.com/denise.west.313 [http://facebook.com/denise.west.313] Book -THE COLLISION: www.thecollisionbook.com [http://www.thecollisionbook.com] Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/189231312X [https://www.amazon.com/dp/189231312X] Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-collision-clara-denise-west/1149700424 [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-collision-clara-denise-west/1149700424] Independent Bookstores: https://www.strandbooks.com/the-collision-white-male-fragility-meets-black-female-resilience-lessons-learned-9781892313126.html [https://www.strandbooks.com/the-collision-white-male-fragility-meets-black-female-resilience-lessons-learned-9781892313126.html] KOKO AND FRIENDS: www.kokoandfriends.com [http://www.kokoandfriends.com] & www.kokoandfriendsfoundation.org [http://www.kokoandfriendsfoundation.org] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2459722/support]

Create Yourself featuring Dr. Rev. Sarita Wilson-Anderson

"Life is a series of movements." This "PK" is living and extending the legacy of her family. She epitomizes 'your gifts will make room for you', using words and movement in all aspects of her life. While this episode is inspiring, it's also quite informative in articulating creative ways to use your resources, dance to the rhythm of life, and operate in your purpose and potential.  About Rev. Dr. Wilson-Anderson: Rev. Dr. Sarita Wilson-Anderson is a native of Hampton, VA, and resides in Memphis, TN.  Currently, she serves as an Itinerant Elder in the AME Church and is the Director of Spiritual Care at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital.  At the heart of her ministry is the mantra, Dance the Word.  Through this ministry, which is a unique combination of liturgical dance and pastoral counseling, she focuses on spiritual resilience and self-care.  Her most recent book, Dance the Word:  Healing Grief and Trauma through Liturgical Dance, is a practical resource for both dancers and non-dancers to find healing and hope through movement. Connect with Rev. Dr. Wilson-Anderson: Website: www.dancethewordministries.com [http://www.dancethewordministries.com] Email: drrevsaritawilson@aol.com [drrevsaritawilson@aol.com] Dance The Word – FB Sarita Wilson Anderson FB Sarita Wilson-Anderson – LinkedIn Revritasue - IG Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2459722/support]

Create Yourself featuring Simone Oliver

This episode is a timeless conversation filled with nuggets from the very beginning. ‘Walk by faith’ is more than spiritual. Simone Oliver takes us on a journey from interior design and educator, to seminary, and her stubbornness to master and move on to what’s next. We’ll talk survival, the joys of 1-on-1 coaching, purpose in our experiences, eliminating the noise of what ‘everybody’ is doing, and what it means to let your life lead you.  About Simone Simone Oliver is an ordained minister, educator, author, and speaker. She is the founder of ReVision Ministries and its subsidiary ReVision Women Coaching & Consulting, where she prophetically coaches women in ministry and domestic violence survivors who desire to strengthen their faith. Rev. Oliver received the Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary [https://www.ptsem.edu/] with a certificate in Women’s Studies. She was the recipient of the John Alan Swink Award for Excellence in Preaching.  Rev. Oliver has published Think Like Christ, The Pearl of God’s Eye [https://www.amazon.com/Pearl-Gods-Eye-Fresh-Biblical/dp/1733834702/ref=sr_1_1?crid=31YHRTU1HKF9E&keywords=the+pearl+of+god%27s+eye&qid=1690298794&sprefix=the+pearl+of+god%27s+eye%2Caps%2C87&sr=8-1], From Grace to Grace: A Prayer & Healing Journal, and has co-authored three additional books. She is also an honored recipient of the Phoenix Award from Harambe Social Services [https://harambesocialservices.org/] for her work in the field of domestic violence. As passionate as she is about ministry and writing, her greatest joy is life with her husband and daughter. Connect with Simone BEST WAY is email: admin@revision-ministries.org [admin@revision-ministries.org] Website: https://www.revision-ministries.org/ [https://www.revision-ministries.org/] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2459722/support]

Create Yourself featuring Christina Raye

BWEL is truly an anointed community, and Christina Raye is anointed and appointed. Embracing what it means to express her gifts and talents in a nontraditional way, hear how this powerhouse corporate executive has turned her vision into execution, continuing to evolve into the person she has been called to be, and leading the charge for leaders and entrepreneurs through celebration, connection, and cultivation. This one is personal, professional, and all about intention versus performance because, as she shared, rest is worship. About Christina Christina Raye is a visionary leader, transformational coach, and advocate for women of color and underrepresented professionals navigating corporate and entrepreneurial spaces. With a background in strategic planning and enterprise transformation, she has led high-impact initiatives at organizations such as Harbor Capital Advisors, Brighthouse Financial, and MetLife. She is the founder of The Visionary Coach, PreachGirl!, and BWEL—platforms created to help visionaries lead with clarity, confidence, and purpose. Whether in the boardroom or the pulpit, Christina empowers leaders to break through systemic barriers, amplify their voices, and build lives rooted in impact and intention. Known for her emotionally intelligent and spiritually grounded leadership, Christina creates spaces where faith, career, and vision align. Her work centers community, healing, and legacy—because true success isn’t just about what you build, but who you help rise along the way. Connect with Christina Website (BWEL): www.bwelonline.com [http://www.bwelonline.com/] Website Christina Raye: www.iamchristinaraye.com [http://www.iamchristinaraye.com/] IG: @iamchristinaraye  FB: facebook.com/christinarayehamilton [http://facebook.com/christinarayehamilton] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2459722/support]

Create Yourself featuring Brenda Torres-Wells

Therapeutic recreation and memory changes. Elderhood. Advocacy and leadership. Brenda Torres-Wells draws on her previous experiences in fashion design, dancing, and party promotion, and the emotional experiences they provide, to design beautiful experiences for those experiencing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, as well as support for caregivers and professionals. “We are their guests.” Learn how you can become certified, tools and resources available, and a beautiful example of creativity and music journaling that illustrates art, music, and movement in action.  About Brenda: Brenda Torres-Wells is a nationally recognized expert in dementia care, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS), Certified Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia Care Trainer (CADDCT), and Therapeutic Thematic Art Programmer and Trainer (TTAP). With over 25 years of leadership experience in long-term care, assisted living, and adult day services, she emphasizes person-centered dementia education, staff training, and the development of life enrichment programs. Brenda is the founder of Memory Care Consulting LLC, providing Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia Care (ADDC) certification seminars, caregiver training, and consulting services to senior living communities and healthcare providers. Her work integrates therapeutic recreation, music, creativity, and technology to enhance dignity, connection, and quality of life for older adults. Brenda is committed to helping caregivers and professionals improve dementia care through compassion, innovation, and practical strategies that make a meaningful difference in daily life. Connect with Brenda: Website: https://memorycarellc.com [https://memorycarellc.com] Email: Brenda@memorycc.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/brendatorresmemorycarellc [http://www.linkedin.com/in/brendatorresmemorycarellc] Programs: Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia Care (ADDC) Training Seminars Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2459722/support]