Love Letters to Our Bodies

Astrid Richardson-Ashley, LCSW-C is a Senior Clinical Manager at a charitable non-profit in Baltimore, Maryland where she provides clinical assessment, treatment planning, and therapeutic services to healthcare practitioners experiencing behavioral, psychiatric, and/or substance-related challenges. She earned her B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University. She became an International Coaching Federation-trained Certified Life Coach and Reiki I and II Practitioner in The Usui System of Natural Healing. At the Maryland Correctional Institute for Women (MCIW), she offered Reiki treatment - a subtle healing practice that encourages balance of the mind, body, and spirit – to inmates sentenced to life or long-term imprisonment.   After 20 years as an Engineering Consultant, she  followed her dream to become a psychotherapist and earned her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Maryland School of Social Work. 

Dee Manuel Cloud is a Breast Cancer Recovery Strategist, International Speaker, and owner and CEO of the  Intentional Living Academy. She is also the author of the bestselling book, Beauty in the Breakdown: Finding Peace in the Midst of Life’s Disruptions. 

Dee has developed her signature program, "Thriving on Purpose,"which provides a unique approach to bouncing back from breast cancer. 

As an accomplished speaker she has been invited to speak to multiple audiences and organizations, including TOUCH, the Black Breast Cancer Alliance Group via BlackDoctor.Org, Lynn’s Angel Foundation, Why Sales Network Women’s Empowerment Breakfast: Breaking the Bias, and the Comeback Champion Summit, just to name a few. Dee was also awarded the Rocking the Virtual Stage Award for Women Rocking Business by Sage Lavine. 

Delorme McKee Stovall is a Spiritual Counselor, Ordained Minister, Author, and Former Director Office of Human Rights and Commission for Santa Clara County Government. She was into born to a traditional middle classed Black family as the eldest of three daughters. She was required to serve as a quasi parent from the age of 8 until she left home at 18 .

Delorme recognized at an early age that she was born to be a healer. She became a nurse. Later she turned her passion for helping others to the area of human rights advocate and activist. Today her focus is on healing her body and spirit and engaging in self-care.

Dr. Astrid Williams currently serves as a Director, Programs & Initiatives for California Black Health Network. As an expert in public health, Dr. Williams' wide expertise ranges from chronic disease management to environmental justice, and maternal and reproductive health. She is particularly passionate about women’s health issues and how they relate to women of color. A significant portion of her work involves developing public policies that address community-level health and social issues using evidence-based practices.

Dr. Williams advocates for beauty justice and works to phase out toxic chemicals in beauty and personal care products. She works endlessly to shift cultural norms favoring Eurocentric beauty standards resulting in harmful health outcomes by leveraging advocacy and regulation of the cosmetics industry. Dr. Williams openly shares how toxins in the built environment and from personal care products can have a direct effect on reproductive health.

Dr. Linda Thompson (aka Dr. Linda T.) is a retired assistant professor from Howard University in the Department of Nutritional Sciences and a practicing licensed nutritionist.  She received her master of science degree and her Ph.D. in nutritional sciences from Howard University (with an emphasis in community nutrition). For more than 25 years, she has been involved in nutrition and health program and policy planning for minority urban populations. Dr. Thompson has extensive experience in developing and implementing chronic disease prevention/management programs among African American populations in low-income communities, especially with women.  She has published numerous research articles and presents at national conferences. In addition, she is a Reiki master, certified breathologist and has been practicing meditation/mindfulness for over 30 years.

Dr. Bolin is an innovator, leader, advocate, and seeker. For 25+ years, she has worked in addiction medicine, and explored the relationship between addiction and gender-based violence. Her work is infused by her belief in the equality of all peoples and the divine right of every human being to be free of all forms of violence.

Her work focuses on raising global awareness regarding the impact of addiction and gender-based violence on the health and well being of individuals and the society at large.  Her vision is to bring an end to all forms of violence and to develop best practice models that address the multiple forms of violence as a global public health problem. Currently Dr. Bolin is employed as Family Nurse Practitioner at the City and County of San Francisco Department of Psychiatry, Trauma Recovery Center.

Erin “Bionic” Brown, the above knee amputee from bone cancer, has leaned into her identity as an athlete and inspired a movement of disability inclusion in The Bahamas. And, she has the distinction of being the first black woman with a disability, Bahamian, and Para Triathlete in maritime history to be named Godmother of a Royal Caribbean International vessel - Royal Caribbean International Odyssey of the Seas. Learn more about Erin & the work of her firm Erin Brown Connects below.

Melbra Watts is the Executive Director of Charlotte Maxwell Clinic (CMC).  Founded in 1991, CMC provides free access to compassionate, integrative care for low-income women with cancer, including acupuncture, massage, energy work, movement, and nutrition advice.  These individual and group  services are delivered by licensed and certified volunteer practitioners. 

Melbra began with CMC as a volunteer energy healing practitioner in 2013 while operating a private practitice.  She joined the board in 2017 and was elected board president before becoming the Executive Director of the clinic in 2020.  She has brought over 20 years of previous public and nonprofit experience to her position.

Starla has long been a champion of social justice, dedicating her life to empowering individuals and communities. With over 18 years of experience as a community advocate, activist, and researcher, she has focused on the intersections between social determinants of health, public policy formation, and health disparities. 

As a member of Black Ladies Advocating for Cancer Care (BLACC), she has engaged in community-based participatory research, serving as a principal investigator for a study assessing the acceptability of a peer navigation program for Black breast cancer survivors and patients. Starla holds a BA in Sociology and a Master’s in Public Administration from California State University, East Bay.

Talaya Dendy is a 12-year Cancer Thriver, Cancer Doula, Independent Patient Advocate, Cancer Health Equity Consultant, Mental Health First Aider, and Podcaster who has dedicated her career to guiding, supporting, empowering, and advocating for people diagnosed with cancer. She developed a fulfilling career path from cancer patient to Founder and CEO of On the Other Side LLC, a cancer navigation enterprise that provides personalized support using a patient-centered and holistic approach.

Talaya hosts the "Navigating Cancer TOGETHER" podcast and is a contributing author to a #1 best-selling book, I Survived Cancer And Here Is How I Did It. It shares the stories of cancer survivors and thrivers to spread hope and show that a cancer diagnosis is not the end."

Valarie has been on the cancer journey since 2015. As a cancer thriver, her goal is to learn about the disease, educate the community, and bring light to the health disparities patients face daily. As a Patient Leader, she wants to be a voice for those who cannot speak up for themselves to ensure they receive equitable access to good healthcare, clinical trials, and proper treatment. She is passionate about teaching others how to be their own best advocate. Valarie enjoys spending time with friends, listening to music, and hiking.