WIT Magazine Dec 2022

CONTENTS

3 3 FOUNDER'S LETTER Dr. Jennell leaves a personal note for our amazing Walk In It Supporters, with many thank yous and lots of love. Take a look at our Founder's Letter on page 3.

4 2022 YEAR IN REVIEW Healthy Heart Challenge Walk In It Women's Conference LOD Spring Success Fun Day LOD Family Zooms May Pink & Fundraising Black Gala Scholarships & Awards Leadership Summit

14 LAUNCHED IN TENNESSEE Fayette-Ware Comprehensive High School officially launches our first Tennessee Ladies of Distinction site!

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MAJOR GIVING & GRANTS

22 DR. JENNELL ON THE MOVE From the 2022 GLOW Conference, 2022 IMPACT Awards, and the elite Selah Retreat with United States Ambassador Suzan Johnson Cook, Dr. J is still helping girls and women to walk in their greatness daily.

23 RENOWN SELAH RETREAT 27 2023 CALENDAR

@WALKINITTV @WALKINITINC @WALKINITINC ADMIN@WALKINIT.COM WALKINIT.COM

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Jennell Riddick WALK IN IT MAGAZINE

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2022 YEAR It was not just lots of fun, it was a collaboration of efforts that proved the amazing results of working together!

Hosted by Dr. Jennell Riddick, ladies from all over Hampton Roads and surrounding cities enjoyed empowerment sessions. A powerful line-up of speakers eagerly shared how they have excelled at home, work, business, and in everyday life.

Last year’s virtual pivot created ways for us to communicate with our Ladies of Distinction and their families from the comfort of their homes.

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IN REVIEW 2022 PINK & BLACK FUNDRAISING GALA The 2022 Pink & Black Fundraising Gala was an innovative way to raise awareness and funds over an elegant dinner and award presentations.

2022 SCHOLARSHIPS & AWARDS The Award and Scholarship recipients included over 20 Ladies of Distinction of the Year Awards, Site Awards, Sandra B. Smith Scholarship Recipient, LOD Scholarship Recipient, and this year's WIT Women Award Honorees.

Several Ladies of Distinction and their families came out for a fun time in the sun. The day was filled with inspiration and encouragement for a successful spring semester!

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In February we recognized and celebrated physical heart health, and social/emotional health. Ladies of Distinction sites joined in fun competitions as we fulfilled our mission of holistic health.

From February 7th -13th we challenged our Ladies of Distinction to track their steps as we raised awareness for heart health and social/emotional health. We posted weekly leaderboards on our social media pages, and participants shared photos using #GETFITWITHWIT. It was not just lots of fun, it was a collaboration of efforts that proved the amazing results of working together!

Once the contest was over, our Executive Director dropped in to surprise 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners: Florence Bowser Elementary, Jolliff Middle School, and King's Fork Middle School.

We wanted our ladies to know that their social, emotional, mental, and physical health matter. We are proud of you! Keep walking in your greatness!

Challenge #2 took place from Feb 14th – 20th, LOD and volunteers were challenged to spread love and positivity everywhere they went! Using posters, banners, and positive social media posts, such as #SetAPositiveTone we were able to spread the word to even our online followers.

JOLLIFF MIDDLE

See what we can do working together?

Congratulations Ladies of Distinction and supporters for logging over 1.5 million steps during the Heart Health Challenge as we focused on holistic health!

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ver 20 Ladies of Distinctions Sites (Primary and Secondary Schools) throughout Hampton Roads and North Carolina came together on Saturday, April 23, 2022, at Nansemond River High School, to celebrate the strength, success, and resilience of our young ladies for the 2021-2022 school year.

There was no question that we had to celebrate As we all know, teachers and students are still and reward them for who they are, their success, dealing with the effects of Covid-19 two years strength, and resilience, while encouraging later. We have seen so many of our young them to finish the school year strong! ladies deal with the normal aspects of life in addition to the mental and academic aspects Our Fun Day was filled with fun, laughter, and that came with transitioning from a previous games! We had an Obstacle Course, Giant Connect Four, Giant Jenga, Checkers, Bean Bag hybrid school year to an in-person school Games, Potato Sack Races, Tug-O-Wars, Dual year. Can you say a challenging school year?!

Basketball Games, Bungee Run, arts and crafts, Despite all that has occurred we have seen our and more! ladies make the shift and show up for themselves by asking for help, improving their Not only did our young ladies have an amazing grades, helping and supporting others, setting time, but also our site coordinators. It was an exciting day to bring everyone together for a and achieving goals, and so much more. good time!

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HUNDREDS OF WIT WOMEN HIT #REBOOT AT THE 2022 WALK IN IT WOMEN'S CONFERENCE On March 26th, hundreds of women hit #REBOOT at the 2022 Walk In It Women's Conference! The entire world had to hit reset due to the pandemic.

After navigating our new normal, we were ready to move forward!

Hosted by Dr. Jennell Riddick, ladies from all over the Hampton Roads and surrounding cities enjoyed sessions from a powerful line-up of speakers who eagerly shared how they have excelled in ministry, business, and everyday life. Our power-panel and guest speakers included: International Influencer and Founder of PEARL Girls Inc., Pamela McLaughlin, Leadership Coach and Founder of Iron Dresses Inc, Cherelle Johnson, Mental Health Specialist Dr. CC Jackson, and the honorable, United States Ambassador of Religious Freedom, Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook. Sessions helped women to realize their potential and tap into their natural ability to lead in all areas of their lives.

Whether at home, in the workplace, government, politics, mental health, or in faith, our Walk In It Women were recharged and ready for the months to come as they continue to walk in their purpose!

KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY U.S. AMBASSADOR SUZAN JOHNSON COOK

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LOD FAMILY ZOOM NIGHTS Michele Lopez

Cherina Tidewell-Watson

A Good Time For Girls Night

Dr. Tamara Williams Elissa, The Say Life! Coach

L ast year’s virtual pivot created ways

for us to communicate with our Ladies of Distinction and their families from the comfort of their homes. We were joined by special guest speakers including; celebrity stylist Michele Lopez, counselor Tamara Williams, Elissa The Say Life! Coach, and Cherina Tidewell-Watson. These were just a few of our amazing women of distinction!

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FUNDRAISING EVENT OF THE YEAR!

$20,732 RAISED!

AT THIS YEARS

2022 PINK & BLACK FUNDRAISING GALA VIEW THIS YEAR'S AWARDS & SCHOLARHSIP RECIPIENTS ON PAGE 12

3 SCHOLARSHIPS 3 WIT WOMEN AWARDS 3 SITE AWARDS 20 LADIES OF DISTINCTION OF THE YEAR AWARDS

The fundraising event of the year! Ladies of Distinction from over 20 schools, along with their parents, site coordinators, and friends enjoyed an elegant evening in Newport News!

Attendees also joined us online as we gathered in the banquet hall and broadcasted online with interactive giving, live and silent auctions, resulting in over $20.732 raised this year!

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FORBES

LEAD LIKE A GIRL: HOW TO EMPOWER WOMEN AT EVERY LEVEL

By Zeynep Ilgaz

When women adopt leadership roles, they contribute unique skills, ideas, and life experiences that can broaden the entire company’s insight, strategies, and bottom line. On average, Fortune 500 companies with more female board representation achieved a significantly higher financial performance than those with fewer female representatives.

So how can businesses — especially women-led ones — recruit and nurture talented female leaders? The best way is by creating a supportive environment that actively empowers women to lead by:

Encouraging mentorship and collaboration.

Women increase their chances of business success when they have mentors to provide real-life examples.

Letting family come first. Having a family should never deter anyone — man or woman — from pursuing a career. Create an atmosphere that nurtures family life with benefits like flexible work schedules, on-site childcare, and education.

Taking the pressure off. Women should feel comfortable vocalizing their ideas — not just agreeing with their male counterparts to protect themselves politically. Encourage everyone to speak up.

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JOLLIFF

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LOD LANDED IN TENNESSEE THIS SUMMER

Last Year It Was North Carolina

The Walk In It Vision Continues To Move Forward

It has been quite a year or two for expansion!

Walk In It was excited to extend to North Carolina in 2021, launching our first out of state Ladies of Distinction Site at Central Middle School. Thank you Principal Eure and and Assistant Principal Langston.

As LOD Sites grow, the mission remains the same, to develop holistically healthy girls and women.

This Year, We Are In Tennessee "We've crossed over state lines, again!!"

- Dr. Jennell Riddick

Somerville, Tennessee is the newest location for our first Tennessee LOD School! We welcome Fayette-Ware Comrpehensive High School with great anticipation. The site is growing and learning our program week to week. Thank you Mrs. Massey and team.

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Summit & Training

LADIES OF DISTINCTION ANNUAL LEADERSHIP

SITE COORDINATOR

During the Ladies of Distinction Annual Leadership Summit, selected LOD from multiple schools gathered for an interactive day. This moment was designed to spark creativity and prepare these LOD to be leaders in their schools and community! Site Coordinators attended their annual training sessions as well, setting goals and planning for a successful school year. Shout out to our AMAZING Site Coordinators! We are thankful for all that you do for your sites, young ladies, and one another. We couldn't do it without you!

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2022 SELF-ESTEEM

WALK & RALLY King's Fork Middle School Suffolk, Va Saturday, Oct 22nd

Walk In It’s Self-Esteem Walk and Rally 2022 was a great success! Ladies of Distinction from Suffolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Franklin, and North Carolina represented! Participation numbers were incredible, but the energy was even more amazing! Thank you to an incredible team who consistently makes it happen! To every participant, parent, Site Coordinator, administrator, volunteer, supporter…thank you!!! We are raising the next generation of world changers!

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MAJOR GIFTS YOU HELP TO MAKE IT ALL POSSIBLE!

WE ARE THANKFUL FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT

THANK YOU HAMPTON ROADS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION!

Established in 1950, the Hampton Roads Community Foundation is a charitable network of generous people, nonprofit partners, and civic leaders working to make Hampton Roads a Thriving and more inclusive community for all. The Foundation works to improve the quality of life in southeastern Virginia through research, funding, and special programs which brings the community together to tackle important regional concerns and to advance racial equity. Funding has helped expand our Ladies of Distinction Program.

THANK YOU OBICI HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION

The Ladies of Distinction Program is funded in part by a grant from the Obici Healthcare Foundation. The mission of the Foundation is to improve the health status of the people living in the service area by responding to the medical needs of the indigent and uninsured and by supporting programs which have the primary purpose of preventing illness and disease.

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AND GRANTS WE APPRECIATE THE CAPITAL GROUP!

The Capital Group ranks among the world's largest and oldest asset management firms. It is privately held, with offices around the globe in Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas. Funding from the Capital Group was received to support general operations and racial equity.

We recognize Walk In It Board Member Latora Cason of the Capital Group for her continued work and support.

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HOW

COURTNEY HARRIS COACHING

TO TALK WITH YOUR TEENAGER ABOUT SELF-CARE

By Courtney Harris 1. Practice self-care consistently, regularly, and with purpose. Check-in with yourself daily and multiple times a day if you can. You are making time for yourself EACH day.

You are constantly modeling behavior to your children; they witness and learn from how you tend to yourself and your energy. Equally importantly, you need self-care practices to feel sustained and resourced so that you can show up in your role as a parent.

2. Define self-care together. The purpose of these practices is not a way to be “fixed” or “changed;” instead, it’s about being exactly where we are. Describe these practices as a necessary and regular part of life for all people, and invite your teenager to share what they know about the topic. Additionally, it might be helpful to address emotional hygiene as part of overall wellness.

3. Ask your teen where and how they feel the happiest/most comfortable/most at ease. You might ask questions like, “Where do you feel most joyful and relaxed?”

“What helps you feel most calm and comfortable?” Please give them the space to name and describe places and activities that feel calming. Your job here is to listen more than you talk.

4. Ask your teen about the parts of their lives that cause stress or energy drain. Get in the habit of asking openended questions like, “When do you notice feeling the most stress during the day?” Again, you are creating an opening for self-reflection through which your teen will better know themselves, so steer clear of advice-giving as you listen.

5. Emphasize that self-care doesn’t have to cost money or look like it does in magazines or on Instagram. We must demystify self-care. It doesn’t have to mean going to a fancy spa for an entire weekend. These practices can be DIY, done in the comfort of your home or a public park, and require little time and intention.

6. Make family check-ins normal. Model emotional awareness by describing where you feel sensations like anxiety, overwhelm, peace, joy, etc., in your body. Please check in with yourself and your family, inviting your teen to notice and name what they see. (If you get shoulder shrugs at first, that’s okay.

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WE APPRECIATE YOU! WE APPRECIATE YOU! WE APPRECIATE YOU!

Some of our

2022

financial supporters

who help us continue to transform lives one step at a time

Jocelyn Adams

Latora Cason

Venis Adams

Charles and Clementine Cone

Alice Adoga

Chyna Cotton

Natalae Askew

Candace Credle

Russell and Gwen Banks

Rubin and Valerie Cuffee

Jennifer Barclift

Dr. Tonya Eady

Alice Baxter

Curtis and Evelyn Edmonds

William and Nelda Bellamy

Denise Goode

Dorothy Blunt James and Joyce Boone Carly Ann Bosco Rosa Boyd Melanie Bradshaw Lakeesha Branch Andrea Brooks Desiree Brown Everlyn Johnson Buendia Roy Bynum Wanda Bynum-Taylor

Theo and Angela Griffin Valerie Hall Pamela Haney Diane Harris Reanna Hart-Walker Latreesha Herring Bythella Hickman Helivi Holland Adrianne Holmes Rose Horton Jacqueline Jacobs

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Dr. Karen Jewette

Keisha Pressey

Barbara Warren Jones

Kendra Pressey

Brenda B Jones

Priscilla Prince

Erine Jones

Dr. Dwight Riddick II

Pat Jones

Dr. Jennell Riddick

Robin Jones

Dr. Dwight Riddick Sr.

Donald and Angela Land

Vera Riddick

Marilyn Lawrence

Donna Rogers

Jessica Little

Ray and Tracy Ruffin

Wendy Martenson

Marian Shearin

Kisha McDaniel

David and Melvina Shepard

Pam McLaughlin

Todd and Danielle Smith

Pansy McKenzie Morton

Jasmine Smith

Chandra Patterson

THANK YOU! Thank you to the many donors who are unlisted. Your giving matters.

Michael Smith

Karen D Portman

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Shannon Smith Valerie Smith Tiffany Snowden Kelli Sweat Tora Sweat Lillian Taylor Sharmane Torres Sabrina Turner Monica Vaughan Archie and Willie Walker Kim Walker-Lee Ariamanda Ward

Kim White Donnie and Kathy Whitfield Elsie Whitfield Mark Whitfield Marvin Whitfield Ashley Williams Linwood and Tiara Williams Monica Williams Demitir Wilson Cynthia Woodley Mable Wynne

Angel White

YOU ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE

WE APPRECIATE YOU! WE APPRECIATE YOU! WE APPRECIATE YOU! *Thank you to the many donors who are unlisted. Your giving matters.

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DR. JENNELL ON THE WORLD STAGE

DR. JENNELL SPEAKS AT THE RENOWN ANNUAL

SELAH RETREAT

IN FLORIDA Hosted By:

U.S. Ambassador of Religious Freedom

Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook

Dr. Jennell was a presenter at the beautiful Eau Palm Resort in West Palm Beach Florida for the Selah by the Sea Retreat. She was honored to speak at this amazing experience hosted by Ambassador Suzan Johnson Cook and Women on the Worldstage.

"To be in the company of such incredible WORLD CHANGING women was sincerely an honor! From some of the most impactful preachers, to the first African American female NFL coach, to prolific business minds... I am grateful!"

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OUR FOUNDER ON THE MOVE

The Suffolk Hilton Garden Inn was full of impactful community leaders and changeagents. Many were recognized for their community contributions with a 2022 Impact Award. Among the honorees was our Founder, Dr. Jennell! We are celebrating an amazing leader who continues to reach so many with endless encouragement.

The month of October remained full, as Dr. Jennell spoke to several audiences including the GLOW Conference hosted in Norfolk, and The Illuminate Conference held in Hampton, vA.

Dr. Jennell was one of the fabulous speakers for this year's 2022 GLOW Conference hosted in Norfolk, Virginia. She was honored to be among several well-known world changers such as award winning singer Maurette Brown-Clark, and Stephanie Ike. Ladies, GLOW 2022 was everything! Congratulations Pastors Janeen McBath & Lydia Osborne on an amazing gathering featuring faith and the beauty of powerful and purposeful sisterhood.

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From North Carolina, to Tennessee, to Hampton Roads, we have definitely expanded over the past 15 years. We have grown from one site with only 16 girls weekly, to hundreds of diverse and distinct young ladies eager to learn and grow together! It is a joy to host our program in so many locations. We are privileged to meet and impact ladies from all walks of life.

We are inspired to keep moving forward as we we reflect on moments like these. This year, one of our supporters visited an Indian orphanage and gifted the girls with Ladies of Distinction signature t-shirts and other goodies! The girls showed such gratitude and appreciation.

Supporters like these make time spent encouraging and equipping girls and women so well worth it!

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