Speaker Bios: Woman Thou Art Loosed! The Grand Finale

Bishop T.D. Jakes

Named “America’s Best Preacher” by Time magazine, Bishop T.D. Jakes is CEO and founder of T.D. Jakes Ministries and senior pastor of The Potter’s House, which has a passionate international audience. He reaches tens of thousands through conferences such as Woman, Thou Art Loosed! and the International Leadership Summit, a standard-bearer for ecclesial learning and professional development.

He also is a real estate mogul, New York Times bestselling author, pioneering CEO and entrepreneur, global humanitarian, and a devoted philanthropist who serves communities worldwide. As the founder of T.D. Jakes Real Estate Ventures, LLC, he continues to positively impact the global marketplace and stimulate wealth development. His multimedia entertainment empire spans film, television, radio, music, books, and an award-winning music label. His films include: “Miracles from Heaven” and the “Seven Deadly Sins” anthology on Lifetime. His latest book, Don’t Drop the Mic: The Power of Your Words Can Change the World, unlocks the code for how to make your voice matter.

Serita Jakes

Mrs. Serita A. Jakes is an author, speaker, and visionary. Alongside her husband, Bishop T.D. Jakes, she serves the 30,000-member Dallas-based church, The Potter’s House. Mrs. Jakes’ compassionate heart for women and children is evident in the programs she has spearheaded, including God’s Leading Ladies, Distinctively Debs and the ministry that has become Capable Minds, Hearts & Hands, which supports those with intellectual or developmental disabilities and the family and friends who walk with them. A gifted writer, her books include, “The Princess Within, Beside Every Good Man: Loving Myself While Standing by Him and a novel, The Crossing. She also is the founder of Serita Jakes Home, a collection of unique home accessories that help turn a house into a sacred, calming and peaceful space.

Sarah Jakes Roberts

Sarah Jakes Roberts is redefining what it means to be a modern woman of faith. Her messages spread throughout the world, defying cultural, religious, gender and socioeconomic boundaries. Through her bestselling books, sermons and viral messages, she reaches people who are seeking to make peace with their past, maximize their present, and deepen their relationship with God. Alongside her husband, Touré Roberts, she co-pastors The Potter’s House at One LA and The Potter’s House Denver. In 2017, she launched Woman Evolve, a ministry focused on incubating women to their fullness. Since its conception, Woman Evolve has successfully guided thousands of women to awaken healing, wholeness, and love for themselves and others.  

Bishop Dr. Carolyn D. Showell

Bishop Dr. Carolyn D. Showell is committed to being a lifelong student. She received a B.A. from Goucher College, a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in counseling psychology from the Carolina University of Theology. Showell is the executive pastor at First Apostolic Faith Church in Baltimore, serves on the Executive Board of the Joint College of Bishops, and is the dean of the Senior Shepard’s Track. In 2014, she was consecrated as the first female bishop in the Global United Fellowship. A certified Christian therapist, she also has worked as a psychometrist for the Baltimore City Schools. 

Priscilla Shirer 

Priscilla Shirer is a wife and mother first; but put a Bible in her hand and a message in her heart, and you’ll see why thousands meet God in powerful, personal ways at her conferences, and through her books and Bible studies. Alongside her husband, Jerry, she leads Going Beyond Ministries, through which they provide spiritual support and resources to the body of Christ, serving every denomination and culture across the spectrum of the church.

Rev. Marissa Farrow

Rev. Marissa Farrow attributes her ministerial start to one “Good Friday Morning” when asked by her father, Bishop Robert E. Farrow, to stand in for a pastor who was unable to make their annual Seven Last Words service. From that moment, at age 14, she found herself stepping out of the background of ministry into the forefront. Reaching national platforms before the age of 30, she has shared the Word on high-profile stages and in print. She currently serves as the preaching assistant and minister to young adults at the Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York.

Janice Bryant Howroyd

Janice Bryant Howroyd is an entrepreneur, author, mentor, presidential special appointee, and founder and CEO of the ActOne Group. As the leader of a multibillion-dollar, award-winning, international workforce management and technology enterprise, Howroyd is passionate about what we can accomplish when we invest in each other. She provides commonsense wisdom and real-world guidance for her own businesses, and as a well-respected influencer around the world.

Motivated by a desire to improve the disparities of community economics and molded by the supportive home environment of her own youth, Howroyd believes people perform best when their personal strengths are developed and challenged.

Hattie Hill

Hattie Hill is a senior executive and transformational leader with more than 30 years of experience in diversity and inclusion strategy, board governance, profit and loss management, and risk mitigation for multinational industries. Hill serves as the president and CEO of the T.D. Jakes Foundation, which provides the skills, education, and training to lift communities, increase diversity and inclusion, improve gender equity, and power the modern global economy through science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) jobs.

Hill also is a celebrated author and speaker who has been featured in O, The Oprah MagazineUSA Today and The Wall Street Journal. She has been recognized as one of Forbes’ Top Texas Women in Business and appeared on National Restaurant News’ 2018 Power List.

Valerie Love

Valerie Love is a trusted adviser and passionate leader with experience in talent and performance management, organizational design, succession planning, mergers, executive coaching and more. As chief of Human Resources North America for the Coca-Cola Company, she leads organizational design and people-related strategies designed to develop and retain the best talent while creating a work culture that enables all associates to function at their best.

Love has served as executive chair of the African American Employee Resource Group at General Motors and co-chair of the Executive Ancestry Leadership Council at Johnson & Johnson. Today, she is the executive chair of the Coca-Cola Company U.S. Social Justice and Racial Equity Steering Committee.

Nana Gecaga

Nana Wanjiku Gecaga is chief executive officer of the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), a state corporation in the Kenyan government under the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife. KICC is the largest convention center in East Africa and the fourth largest in Africa. On July 8, 2022, H.E. President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya recognized Gecaga for her distinguished and outstanding services rendered to the nation of Kenya.

Gecaga is a single mother of three young boys. On any given day, she interacts with heads of state from around the world or gives motivational advice that plays a strong role in uplifting youth. She is seen as one of Kenya’s biggest role models because she openly talks about how she overcame her alcohol addiction and normalizes the day-to-day challenges women face.

Pastor Sandra Riley

Pastor Sandra Riley is a conference speaker, talk show host, seminar presenter, and women and young adult workshop presenter who has obtained national and international acclaim across denominational lines. As president and CEO of Just for U Ministries, Riley has been touched by the hand of God and has received keen insight into what God speaks to this generation. She also is an independent certified coach, teacher, trainer and speaker with the John Maxwell Team, and is an international evangelist with the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World. 

Kelley Cornish Slaughter

Kelley Cornish Slaughter is a diversity and inclusion executive, transformation leader, author, and speaker. She currently serves as executive vice president, chief administrative officer for diverse segments, representation and inclusion for Wells Fargo. In May 2022, iHeartMedia Radio recognized her as SHERO Woman of the Year; and in 2019, Savoy magazine named her one of the year’s “Most Influential Women in Corporate America.” She also is First Lady of Second Baptist Church in Aiken, South Carolina, where she faithfully serves with her husband, Senior Pastor Dr. Douglas Slaughter; and is the women’s ministry leader and founder of Women of Purpose, where she addresses the needs of women and children, social justice, and women’s philanthropy.

Dr. Natasha Stewart-Gresham

Dr. Natasha Stewart-Gresham is an inspirational speaker, adviser and life coach who mentors through TV, social media, one-on-one consultations and conferences. She currently serves as the director for The Potter’s House Center for Counseling and Behavioral Health. Her passion, transparency, authenticity and ability to connect with people in a judgment-free atmosphere have afforded her the opportunity to work with professional athletes, governmental agencies, faith-based entities, and some of the nation’s top universities and colleges.

Bishop Jacqueline E. McCullough

Bishop Dr. Jacqueline E. McCullough is the senior pastor and founder of The International Gathering at Beth Rapha in Pomona, New York. Her vision for evangelistic ministry is expressed in the international outreach of Precious JEM Ministries, a nonprofit religious organization. She is also the founder and president of Beth Rapha Christian College and Theological Seminary.

In addition, she oversees the Rapha Alliance, made up of 18 churches; spearheads the WordAlive Medical Mission, which provides free medical services to people in parishes throughout the island of Jamaica and Monrovia, Liberia; and has authored six books including, 105 Days of Prayer and Satisfaction of the Soul.  

Dr. Anita Phillips

Dr. Anita Phillips is a nationally acclaimed trauma therapist and host of the “In the Light” podcast, where she is recognized for her groundbreaking work at the intersection of mental health, faith and culture. A versatile and dynamic speaker, she brings mental health and illness to the forefront in communities of faith, and strengthens racial unity in the body of Christ.  

Trinitee Stokes

Trinitee Stokes, best known for starring on Disney Channel’s live-action series, “K.C. Undercover,” is an actor, author, international speaker, host and scholar. A shooting star from the start, Stokes released her award-winning book, Bold & Blessed: How to Stay True to Yourself and Stand Out From the Crowd, when she was only 12 years old. As a keynote speaker, she has empowered thousands of kids on school tours and speaking events. 

She also serves as the global ambassador for “Read Across Africa,” where she promotes literacy in Kenya. Stokes made history at age 14 by becoming the youngest student ever admitted to Emerson College, majoring in political communication and public diplomacy, and has recently joined Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority at age 15.

Pastor Sheryl Brady

Pastor Sheryl Brady is a compelling speaker with the ability to bring the listener with her on her journey of unlocking the keys to kingdom living. She is the pastor of The Potter’s House of North Dallas, where she leads a progressive body of believers alongside her husband, Bishop Joby Brady, and her family. She is an accomplished author, a frequent guest on TBN and Daystar, and has been a contributor to The Washington Post and Huffington Post.

Bishop Kim Jones

Bishop Kimberly Jones, known as Real Talk Kim, travels the world fulfilling her passion and purpose of loving people back to life. She is a mother, pastor, entrepreneur, mentor, motivational speaker, entertainer and five-time bestselling author. She uses her influence to mentor people worldwide through her RTK Inner Circle program, as well as RTK Trailblazers, for women and men in ministry. She also headlines her weekly podcast, Real Talk Kim, and is the senior pastor at Limitless Church in Fayetteville, Georgia.

Connie Orlando

Award-winning media executive Connie Orlando has risen to become the highest-ranking and most treasured Black woman at any TV network—and she’s just getting started. Most recently, she served as executive vice president and head of programming at Black Entertainment Television (BET), with oversight of all genres of original programming. She has been with BET since 2007, and her tenure has been marked by groundbreaking success and an ever-growing reputation as one of the top media executives in the business. She continues to serve as executive producer of all of BET Networks’ tentpole events, including the BET Awards.

-30-