Jonathan McReynolds is a 2x GRAMMY® Award–winning singer-songwriter, bestselling author, and Distinguished Professor at Virginia Union University. Known for his soulful voice and transparent lyrics, he has earned multiple #1 albums and singles, 15 Stellar Awards, 4 Dove Awards, and collaborations with icons like Stevie Wonder, Kirk Franklin, Common and Maverick City Music. Through his music, books—including the bestseller Before You Climb Any Higher—and work as head of Life Room Label, Jonathan continues to inspire intentional living and faith with integrity.
Sharona D. Henderson is a nationally recognized speaker, award-winning entrepreneur, and thought leader at the intersection of creativity, psychology, and AI ethics. Known for her electric presence and emotionally intelligent delivery, Sharona brings a rare blend of bold storytelling, cultural insight, and strategic foresight to every stage she steps on. She is the author of This Is What Light Does and After They Touched Me—a raw, revelatory memoir exploring trauma, power, healing, and spiritual resilience. Her talks help audiences move from survival to clarity, exploring the future of humanity in an AI-driven world, the role of creativity in leadership, and how we recognize and protect untapped genius. Sharona began her career as a record label general manager and touring vocalist for Grammy-nominated artists. She later founded PEARL, a nonprofit mentoring young women in one of Chicago’s most underserved communities through global travel and cultural exchange. Today, she leads The Nameless Group and serves as executive director of Reify, where she launched the Heard First Musicians Awards—the first U.S. award show exclusively honoring gigging musicians. Sharona’s speaking platform spans universities, conferences, and spiritual spaces, where she’s known for making complex ideas feel personal and urgent. Whether unpacking AI ethics, reimagining leadership, or sparking new movements, she leaves listeners with one conviction: you were born to make impact—on purpose, and with power. Her work has been featured on OWN Network, CBS, NBC, FOX, Revolt, Business Insider, and more.
Expert video coach and accomplished content creator, Kirk Nugent, has reinvented how seasoned consultants pastors/speakers or executives reach the world. Whether he is engaged in one-on-one training to help those who seek to grow their business or he’s captivating audiences through Amazon and CNN with his expertise as a product ambassador, Kirk’s goal is to help non-media professionals leverage video naturally. As the host and producer of the podcast “How it All Werks,” he believes that you don't have to become a media professional to produce high-quality content on a tight schedule and budget.
Latoya Whitfield is a powerhouse speaker, purpose coach, and founder of the award-winning nonprofit A Queenpreneur’s Plan. With an unshakable commitment to purpose and community, she champions Black women-owned businesses and reminds women they don’t need permission to shine—only courage to be their authentic selves.
As the visionary behind The Dare to Dream Awards, a sold-out celebration honoring Black women creatives, leaders, and hidden gems, Latoya ensures they are seen, celebrated, and supported in every room they enter. Through her signature M.A.P.S. Framework—Mindset, Attraction, Purpose, and Stewardship—she equips women to lead with clarity, build aligned communities, and create purpose-driven lives and businesses.
Her work has been featured on NBC, FOX, and across countless communities, where she shows up with love, strategy, and results. Whether mentoring youth, speaking to students, or coaching entrepreneurs, Latoya brings energy that shifts atmospheres.
Rooted in faith and legacy as a wife and mom of three, Latoya is living proof that when Black women walk in purpose, communities rise.
Dr. Nehemiah Mabry is a highly requested STEM Speaker, Engineer, Educator and Entrepreneur based in Raleigh, North Carolina.
His technical experience includes 15+ years as a NASA Researcher, Bridge Design Engineer, and Adjunct Professor. Dr. Mabry is Founder and CEO of STEMedia Incorporated; which he started as a PhD student in 2012. STEMedia is a digital media company that provides educational and entertainment content for the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) community. Since its inception, they have won international awards, engaged thousands through lectures and presentations, and partnered with several corporations, organizations and academic institutions in STEM outreach.
Rev. Jeremiah Isaiah Chester serves as Senior Pastor of St. Mark Baptist Church in Huntsville, AL. He became a licensed minister at the age of 14. Pastor Chester has always had a heart for reaching people in the community in which he serves. As such, he led a team that founded the Roosevelt Leadership Academy for Young Men at Roosevelt Middle School in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Academy was designed to prepare middle school male students for education and life by exposing them to community and culture. In addition, he served as Administrator and Magnet Coordinator for the school. In the fall of 2012, he was honored as one of South Florida’s Black Leaders Under 40 of Today and Tomorrow by Legacy Magazine of the Palm Beach Post.
Pastor Chester is a graduate of Samford University in Birmingham, ALL and Princeton Seminary in Princeton, NJ. He is completing a PhD in Religion and Practice at Fordham University in New York.
On July 20, 2013, he married the former Ms. Brittannie Stanley of Leighton, AL. Dr. Brittannie Chester, a graduate of the PhD program at Auburn University, is Director of Dietetics at Alabama A&M University. She is also Founder and Director of Chester Nutrition Counseling, specializing in diabetic health and education. They are the proud parents of Josiah Wayne Chester.
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