Welcome back to "Black and Brown in the Woods: Going Outside to Heal Inside."In this powerful fifth episode, we honor a true community shero, Dr. Jeanetta Edwards, affectionately known as Dr. Jay. She is a mother, grandmother, therapist, professor, coach, nonprofit leader, and wife of 35 years. Dr. Jay wears many hats, but her greatest gift is how she pours wisdom, love, and grace into others.In celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month and our fifth episode of BABITW, Dr. Jay shares her journey from teen motherhood to mentorship, healing, and building a legacy through service. We talk about what it means to go “outside to heal inside,” and how mentorship, discomfort, and divine assignments can transform our lives and those around us. Dr. Jay takes us into her world—her work with future counselors, her nonprofit A Mother’s Love, and her vision for a physical space of healing and growth for women and families. From personal healing to community empowerment, Dr. Jay reminds us what it means to show up, pour in, and be present.Dr. Edwards’ therapeutic style is rooted in evidence-based practices and holistic principles, considering the interplay between psychological, emotional, and relational well-being. She guides her clients through challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, communication difficulties, life transitions, and womanhood, empowering them to cultivate resilience, deepen their connections, and lead more fulfilling lives.With a deep respect for diversity and cultural sensitivity, Dr. Edwards embraces the uniqueness of each person’s journey and provides an unjudgmental space for self-exploration and personal growth. She is dedicated to serving as a mentor and role model, staying abreast of the latest research and therapeutic advancements, and continually expanding her knowledge to provide her clients with the most effective and relevant support.Her dedication to excellence and mission to empower individuals to live well has earned her a reputation as a highly effective and trusted therapist. A quote that resonates with Dr. Edwards’ character and personality: They whispered to her, “You cannot withstand the Storm.” She Whispered Back, “I Am the Storm.”Dr. Edwards has been featured as an expert with the Community Advisory Board for NIH Study for African American Women at Risk for Cardiovascular Disease, Day in the Life Series-Navigating Breast Cancer, and Career Trajectory, Women of African Descent Development Institute-Global, Mother’s Love Community Organization, CAMP 1302, and is best known for providing tools and insights that foster lasting change.#Coachingwithmradam #Lifecoach #Whoshelpingyouheal #CoachMrAdam #MentalHealthMinute #Mondaymotivation #Fridaytransformation #BABITW

#goingoutsidetohealinside #michaelsykes #mreasyequity #BABITWWe’re thrilled to announce the fourth episode of our Black and Brown in the Woods Podcast! In this special healing episode, we pay tribute to the remarkable Michael Sykes, Founder & CEO of Equitable Solutions and author of the book Easy Equity. Join us in celebrating Mr. Easy Equity and giving him his well-deserved virtual flowers.Would you like to know more about Mr. Easy Equity?

Michael Sykes is a dedicated educator, equity consultant, and advocate for self-affirmation with 22 years of experience in education, including expertise in special education, behavior, equity, culture, and belonging. As the creator of Easy Equity, he has committed his work to making equity accessible and actionable by centering self-reflection, mindfulness, and the power of affirming language. His approach helps individuals and organizations embrace equity as a way of being rather than just an external practice.Michael has worked extensively to support diverse learners, foster inclusive environments, and develop equity-driven strategies. His expertise in special education and behavior has given him a unique lens to address the systemic challenges within schools and organizations, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of background or ability, feel valued and seen.His personal and professional journey has shaped his understanding that inequity often begins with self-denial. Through Easy Equity and his consulting work with Equitable Solutions, Michael provides tools and frameworks for individuals and teams to shift from self-doubt to affirmation using intentional practices such as gratitude exercises, cognitive reframing, and meditation.Michael’s vision for a more equitable and inclusive world is rooted in his belief that when individuals recognize their own worth and embrace their authentic selves, they naturally create inclusive and affirming spaces for others. His book, Easy Equity, serves as both a guide and a workbook for anyone looking to embark on a transformative journey of self-affirmation and equity-centered living.For consultations, training, or to learn more about his work, Michael can be reached at:📞 720-835-9888📧 sykes.equitable.solutions@gmail.com🌐 www.equitablesolutions.net📸 Instagram: @equitablesolutionscoloradohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-sykes-3a48726b/

CWMA is excited to share the third episode of our Black and Brown in the Woods Podcast! This inspiring installment honors the remarkable Dionne Victoria, Owner and Founder of The Healing Academy & The Art Center of Englewood. She is a Mother, a healer, and an artist.Mrs. Dionne is an educator and Chicago artist whose artwork is a meditative tool to heal and express the soul. Dionne Victoria has exhibited in the United States Congress Library as well as in the Museum of Science and Industry. Some major awards she has received are honorable mention during the Black Creativity Exhibition at the Museum of Science and Industry and a Congressional Award for her artwork. She has taught art and science all over the Chicagoland area, in other states and in South Korea where she taught using art as a modality in 2012. Once back stateside she volunteered with the youth at the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center doing art as therapy. She developed a science-arts integration curriculum while teaching at SkyArt, Northwestern University Center for Talent and Development as well as her own arts studio, Dionne Victoria Studios, INC. She began her curating career under Tye Johnson Artistry in 2014 and has curated all over Chicago including at the historic South Side Community Art Center.​​Securing her Masters in Teaching from the University of Chicago in 2018 opened the door to working with teens on a more in-depth scale. She began partnering with the University of Chicago’s Art Incubator teaching the skills necessary to create and operate an arts organization. She is a Field/WORK resident alum at the Chicago Artist Coalition and has completed the Bridge Program at the Hyde Park Art Center. She taught science at Art In Motion and this year will hold the chair as President of the Healing Academy, the arts and education based nonprofit that she co-founded in 2019. In 2020 she co-founded Gamma Xi Phi Kappa, the Chicago branch of the national professional artists fraternity. During the school year 2021-22, Dionne conducted a study that found how art (literary and visual) could help students understand science and practice cognitive skills in their personal lives through her fellowship at the Chicago Foundation for Education. While all of these are great accomplishments, Dionne’s most rewarding achievement is mothering her two children.Want to get involved with Mrs. Dionne's movements? https://wehealheal.org/index.html