YWC Speakers Areva Martin, Esq. KEYNOTE SPEAKER Passionate, outspoken and insightful, AREVA MARTIN is one of the nation’s leading voices in the media. An award-winning attorney, advocate, legal and social issues commentator, talk show host and producer, Areva is an audience favorite on a long list of shows from Dr. Phil, Good Morning America to ABC Live to World News Tonight. Areva is a CNN/HLN Legal Analyst whose television credits include cohosting CBS’ daytime syndicated talk show Face the Truth and The Doctors, an Emmy Awardwinning talk and informational show in its 14th season. Areva is the host of Areva Martin Out Loud on KBLA1580 Talk Radio and the politics, legal and social issue digital talk show, The Special Report with Areva Martin. Known as “America’s Advocate,” Areva is well known for her no holds bar and candid commentary on a range of topics from celebrity news, pop culture, race, politics, the law and breaking news. Blending her legal expertise with common sense approaches, Areva can confront and then coddle while gaining the trust of audiences, viewers and guests. She has become a valued confidante, source of reliable information and an inspiration to many including countless followers and friends she connects with across her various social media platforms. Her fourth book, Awakening: Ladies, Leadership and the Lies We’ve Been Told (Leadership Press 2021) hit bookshelves on October 26, 2021. Kirkus says, “Even jaded readers are likely to put this book down feeling that their perceptions of sexism are accurate, the problem is indeed a fixable one, and Martin is in their corner, cheering them on as they try to transform the world.” A Harvard Law School graduate, Areva founded the Los Angeles based civil rights firm, Martin & Martin, LLP. As an attorney, she has been involved in high profile cases and has been identified as a Southern California Super Lawyer consecutively for the last five years, a designation reserved for the top 5 percent of attorneys in the state. Areva is also the founder and CEO of Butterflly Health, Inc., a behavioral health technology startup focused on addressing the unmet mental health needs of underserved communities.
Shantell Kennedy MISTRESS OF CEREMONIES A native of Pasadena, Shantell Marie Kennedy comes from a family that believes in community service. As an independent consultant with United Wealth Education, she runs a financial training program to help individuals stabilize their finances, build their credit, and increase their financial literacy. She attended local schools and Pasadena City College. She enjoys traveling as well as spending time with family and her close girlfriends. Her priorities are her work, volunteering, and supporting her wonderful son Jaxon Taylor who is the beat of her heart. Social Media handles: IG: shantellmkennedy Facebook: shantell kennedy
“No country can ever truly flourish if it stifles the potential of its women and deprives itself of the contributions of half of its citizens.” – Michelle Obama 40 So Cal Women’s Conference – Celebrating 20 Years of Service
