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About Melody | Speaking Topics: Domestic Violence and the Workplace. Life after Abuse. Parenting after Abuse. IPV and the Black Community. Supporting Survivors. Racism in the Gender Based Violence Movement
Melody Gross is a speaker, facilitator, certified professional life coach, survivor, and disruptor of intimate partner violence. Her company, Courageous SHIFT, is a speaking and consulting agency providing transformative work to people-centered organizations at the intersection of domestic violence and DEI. Through speaking engagements, workplace training, advocate coaching, and policy consulting, Melody and her team partner with organizations to shift culture and develop psychologically and physically safe work environments. Melody’s clients include large companies and gender-based violence organizations such as Safe Alliance (Charlotte, NC), The Network-Advocating for Domestic Violence, Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, YWCA-Evanston/North Shore, the Texas Council on Family Violence, and the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Melody has over 15 years of nonprofit experience in various capacities, including marketing, communications, community engagement, policy development, and training. In 2021, she launched the Eva Lee Parker Fund to provide emergency financial assistance to Black victims of intimate partner violence, thereby removing a barrier to escaping. The fund also offers virtual retreats for survivors and programming to understand the impact of domestic violence in the Black community. In 2023, she provided valuable lived experience insights to Rep. Terry Brown to develop the North Carolina Coerced Debt Relief Act to reduce the ramifications of financial and economic abuse on victims and survivors.
Melody has witnessed the impact on families, communities, and organizations and is on a mission to #DisruptDomesticViolence. Follow her on all social media platforms at @iammelodyco.
Take a look at some of Melody’s keynote talks and download her speaker one-sheet.
About Shawnice | Speaking Topics: Teen Dating Violence. Healthy Relationships.
Shawnice Stratford is a Domestic Violence Survivor and Anti-violence Advocate. She shares a resilient message of having the courage to push through adversity and reveal the unlimited power within ourselves to rise above our past and create the life we choose. Shawnice enjoys discovering new music and getting the right information about healthy relationships and abuse in front of young people.
Using interactive activities and group dialogue, Shawnice teaches young adults how to recognize and protect themselves from the dangers of unhealthy relationships with discussions being delivered both in-person and virtually.
Her previous speaking engagements include:
Jamie Kimble Foundation For Courage Teen Summit '19
Peloton '21
NRCDV's Call For Unity '22
McClintock middle, Garinger high, Mallard Creek high
East meck high, Butler high, and South meck high '22
Panelist, "DVAM kickoff event" Dowd YMCA '22
DV in the workplace presentation, Radio One '22
About Galen | Speaking Topics: Breaking Stereotypes. Cultural Sensitivity. Recognizing Abuse. Healthy Relationships.
Galen “G Baby” Cromartie, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, is a wireless software engineer with a unique blend of passions and a mission to inspire change. Born and raised in Anderson, South Carolina, he holds an associate’s degree in office system technology from Tri-County Technical College and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Lander University.
Galen's diverse interests span from bowties and fashion to technology, mobile devices, and video games. However, his journey goes beyond his professional accomplishments. He is a survivor of domestic violence and an advocate for change. In October 2017, he was honored to participate in the Emerge Philly campaign, sponsored by the Choose Courage Foundation, which celebrated the strength of six survivors of domestic violence. Galen made history as the first African American male to be photographed by the Choose Courage Foundation, breaking down barriers and inspiring others.
Galen is a trailblazer who challenges traditional notions of masculinity through his unique fashion sense, a reflection of his belief that men can express themselves boldly through clothing, transcending the conventional blues, grays, and browns. He founded dopeattire2inspire, LLC, with a mission to redefine men's fashion, fostering masculinity and individuality through creative attire choices.
In addition to his passion for fashion, Galen is a dedicated life coach with a niche focus on solopreneurs who feel stuck and survivors of domestic violence who have lost their voice. He empowers individuals to discover their inner strength, regain their power, and find their authentic voice in both their personal and professional lives.
Galen “G Baby” Cromartie is not just a wireless software engineer but a visionary leader, advocate, and life coach dedicated to inspiring positive change and challenging the status quo, one bowtie and one life transformation at a time.
About Juliana
Everybody has a story. Juliana's story started in Gastonia, NC. Daughter of Colombian immigrants, Juliana struggled to find her identity in a small town. One of the few Latinas growing up in Gastonia at the time, she encountered different experiences that led to her perseverance. Juliana is first generation college student, graduate of UNCC with a Bachelors Degree in Social Work.
She completed the Advanced Standing Masters Degree Social Work Program from the University of South Carolina. Juliana completed her studies by the age of 22, all while balancing motherhood, working fulltime, and experiencing trauma.
Juliana not only has the education but she has the experience. Overcoming abuse is central to Juliana's work a therapist and it is central to her life. She is a Domestic Violence Survivor who has turned her pain into purpose. A passionate advocate in the community, she now spreads awareness on the issue of Domestic Violence and advocates for women who are experiencing intimate partner violence.
Juliana has overcame adversity which led to the development of Despierta, the non-profit she founded that is creating community for Latina immigrants in Charlotte, many of whom have experienced trauma.
She hopes she can empower women to find the healing that will lead to peace and restoration by providing the support and skills needed to thrive. From surviving to thriving, Juliana desires to break the mental health stigma within the Latinx community by educating and spreading awareness.
A passionate advocate in the community, she now spreads awareness on the issue of Domestic Violence and advocates for women who are experiencing intimate partner violence. Learn more about Juliana and Despierta’s amazing work here: https://www.despiertaclt.com/
