"Power of Diversity & Music in STEM"

There's a lack of diversity within the STEM industry and it's a major problem. Learn how STEM professionals from diverse cultural communities can unlock the full potential of economic empowerment and increased wealth within those communities. Roy tells his own personal story regarding his journey in STEM, revealing his successes and roadblocks along the way as he aims to inspire the next generation of multicultural STEM professionals through engaging and entertaining music.

"Responding to Domestic & Sexual Violence"

In 2013, community and criminal justice agencies in Wichita/Sedgwick County, Kansas, took the bold step of forming a multidisciplinary team dedicated to domestic & sexual violence response and intervention. The Coordinated Community Response Team [CCR] was established as a formal, comprehensive, collaborative and survivor/victim-centered response team. Its founding members included law enforcement, advocacy, prosecution and forensic nursing agencies.

In response to the CCR’s strong foundation, the Kansas Governor’s Grants Office [KGGP] extended the unique opportunity for it to conduct the first “Safety and Accountability Audit” [Community Safety Assessment] of both domestic & sexual violence response in Kansas and in the nation. Dr. Edwards authored that report.

"The Reality of Foster Care"

Learn what it means to live the "Hard-knock Life". Every foster child has their own unique story. The lack of foster families is having a devastating effect on children in the foster care system. Courtney uses the popular character "Annie" to illustrate how she is not just a fictional situation portrayed on our screens, but it is the reality for many children in our world today.

"Getting in Alignment"

As women, mothers and entrepreneurs we have so many things going that we sometimes get out of alignment. Much like a printer when we get refilled it prompts us to realign. I want to share an experience of when I needed to realign and some steps to get back in alignment. It is imperative that we put the mask on ourselves before we engage in helping others to overcome.

It relates to the theme of helping, healing and hoping because without being in alignment you will have no hope, you will be sick( not just in your physical body but mentally and financially), and you won't be able to share your help with others. You are gifted and talented to ignite passion in others but without alignment, you will never land at that sweet spot called peace.

"Dying Well"

When someone is given a terminal diagnosis, family and friends often rally around that individual and pledge together to fight it. When death finally takes the person, those at the funeral find comfort when people say they “fought until the end”. What is the true cost of this approach, and does it rob individuals from really living and then dying well? When we are engaged in a battle it is exhausting and leaves little time for anything else. Making meaningful memories and connecting with loved ones gets pushed to the back burner as we spend all our time, energy, and resources in hospitals and searching for a miracle cure. This presentation will engage the listener as they consider stories of clients who have “fought until the end”. It will encourage them that there is more to fight for as they consider what legacy they leave—to not just live well, but to “die well”.