YWCA is the oldest and largest multicultural women’s organization in the world. Since 1908, YWCA South Hampton Roads has strengthened social movements that eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all For nearly forty-five years, YWCA South Hampton Roads has run its emergency shelter, providing the only place of refuge for families escaping domestic and sexual violence in theCityofNorfolk.
OURWHY
THE MISSION
YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedomanddignityforall.
PLEDGETO
STAND AGAINST RACISM
LEARN MORE
Mindfulofthecontinuingafflictionofinstitutionalandstructuralracismaswellasthedailyrealitiesofall forms of bias, prejudice, and bigotry in my own life, my family, my circle of friends, my co-workers, and the society in which I live, with conviction and hope: I take this pledge, fully aware that the struggle to eliminate racism will not end with a mere pledge but calls for an ongoing transformation within myself andtheinstitutionsandstructuresofoursociety.
I pledge to look deeply and continuously in my heart and in my mind to identify all signs and vestiges of racism; to rebuke the use of racist language and behavior towards others; to root out such racism in my daily life and in my encounters with persons I know and with strangers, I do not know, and to expand my consciousness to be more aware and sensitive to my use of overt and subtle expressions of racism and racialstereotypes
I pledge to educate myself on racial justice issues and share what I learn in my own communities even if it means challenging my family, my partner, my children, my friends, my co-workers, and those I encounteronadailybasis.
I pledge, within my means, to actively work to support public policy solutions that prominently, openly, and enthusiastically promote racial equity in all aspects of human affairs; and to actively support and devote my time to YWCA, as well as other organizations working to eradicate racism from our society I joinYWCAintakingastandagainstracismtodayandeveryday
Welcome to the Conference on R.E.S.T. a space to Reflect, Educate, Strategize, and Transform as we honor Juneteenth and continueourmissiontoeliminateracismandempowerwomen
Thisyear’stheme,“WhatAbouttheWomen?”,urgesustocenter women’s voices in the fight for justice As rights are challenged anddisparitiesgrow,thisworkismoreurgentthanever.
Thank you to our partners and CAAmPP at Norfolk State University for their support. We’re grateful you’ve joined us to helpbuildastronger,moreequitablecommunity
Women, Movement Building & Cross-Racial Solidarity
Presenter: Keilah Jacques, Kei-Impact Group
Men in the Mission
Panelists:
Darryl Boykins, Virginia Department of Health
Amere Langley, Volunteers of America
Chesapeake & Carolinas
TravisYoung, COUSIN
Moderator: Eugene Daniel
12:0012:55 PM
1:002:15 PM
Juneteenth Lunch Cookout
Sounds by WNSB Hot 91
Politics, Policy, & Women
Presenter: Councilmember Jennifer Rouse City of Virginia Beach - District 10
Travelfair
Bridging the Gap
Presenter: Dr. Durryle Brooks Love and Justice Consulting, LLC 2:003:10 PM
3:204:20 PM 4:30 PM
10:00AM-6:00PM 123anywherest.,AnyCity,st12345
Panelists:
Viviana Andrade, Hispanic Resource Center
Manolita Akiko Holadia, Joynes & Gaidies
Melissa Ramsey, Rivers Casino Portsmouth
Ru Williams, Elizabeth River Project
Moderator: Councilmember Jennifer Rouse
Operationalizing Love
Closing Ceremonies
Legacy Awards Breakfast
Keynote Speaker
New York Times Bestselling Author, Activist, and Social Justice Advocate
Mikki Kendall
Mikki Kendall is a writer, diversity consultant, and occasional feminist; she has appeared on the BBC, NPR, The Daily Show, PBS, Good Morning America, MSNBC, Al Jazeera, WBEZ, and Showtime, and discusses race, feminism, police violence, tech, and pop culture at institutions and universities across the country.
She is the author ofthe NewYorkTimesbestselling HOOD FEMINISM (recipient ofthe Chicago Review of Books Award and named a best book ofthe year by BBC, Bustle, and TIME).
She is also the author of AMAZONS, ABOLITIONISTS, AND ACTIVISTS, a graphic novel illustrated by A. D’Amico. Her essays can befound at TIME, the NewYorkTimes, The Guardian, the Washington Post, Essence, Vogue, The Boston Globe, NBC, and a host of other sites.
2025 LAURA ETTA DAVIS TRANSFORMATION
COMMUNITY LEADER AWARD
DELCENO C. MILES
PRESIDENT/CEO, THE MILESAGENCY
DelcenoC. Miles isthe President/CEOof
The MilesAgency, a Virginia Beach-based niche marketing and public relationsfirm shefounded in1989. It is arguablytheoldest minority-owned PRfirm in Hampton Roads.
Delceno’s areasofexpertise arecommunityoutreach, promotions, marketing, media and public relations and special event planning. Delcenowasthe founding president ofthe Hampton RoadsChapteroftheConferenceof MinorityTransportation Officials (COMTO).
Currently, she’s providing public affairs, public relations and stakeholder support toVDOTfor its$3 8 billion Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel Expansion Project.
Delcenowas appointed in 2002 asthefirst African American and onlythethird woman chairofthe Hampton RoadsChamberofCommerce regional board. She waselected totheVirginia Beach School Board and served asvicechairfortwo years. Shewas honored bytheVirginia Black Expo and CityofVirginia Beach with the 2007 Business LeadershipAward.TheVirginia Beach NAACP awarded her its 2009 CommunityServiceAward. Shewas honored by Inside Business publication with itsWomen in BusinessAchievement Award in 2009. Inside Business named herto its 2011 Power List asoneofthetop75 most powerful leaders in Hampton Roads. Shewas named tothe Power List again in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022,2023 and 2024 asemeritus.
2025 CHAINBREAKER AWARD KEMBA SMITH PRADIA
INTERNATIONAL
CRIMINALJUSTICE REFORM ADVOCATE
Kemba Smith Pradia is a nationally recognized advocate for criminal justice reform whose story of resilience and the need for redemption brought national attention to mass incarceration and the war on drugs in the 1990’s. After being sentenced to 24.5 years for a drug-related offense tied to her abusive boyfriend and fighting a highly publicized legal battle, she received executive clemency from President Clinton after serving 6.5 years.
Her story has inspired youth and women nationwide about life choices, while motivating students and professionals across disciplines to become advocates for social justice. She is the author of her memoir, Poster Child: The Kemba Smith Story and executive producer of the award-winning film KEMBA, now streaming on BET+
Kemba has worked alongside Members of Congress, The White House, the United Nations, state officials, universities and national organizations in advocating for laws and reform such as drug policy, voting rights, prison education, reentry, clemency, probation, women and incarceration. Previously, she served on the Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission and Virginia Parole Board under Governors Terry McAuliffe and Ralph Northam.
This year, Kemba was selected as an Equity in Action Visiting Scholar at the University of Pennsylvania and was a national consultant to a federal initiative aimed at rebuilding trust between communities and law enforcement She also led an impact campaign launched along with KEMBA, urging President Biden and governors to grant clemency to women who experienced intimate partner violence This effort helped secure the release of her friend, Michelle West
2025 CHAN AWAR
VIVI ODE
VICE PR
EQUITY HAMPTO
COMMU
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As an exper voices, unde to build lon celebration of Black Philanthropy Month in 2018 that continues as a regional event. In 2019, she founded Visionaries for Change, a giving circle, with other Black business and civic leaders to develop solutions for Black communities experiencing economic distress The first giving circle of its kind in Hampton Roads raising more than $1 million.
AWARD
VIRGINIA ORGANIZING
Virginia Organizing is a non-partisan statewide grassroots organization dedicated to challenging injustice by empowering people in local communities to address issues that affect the quality of their lives.
Virginia Organizing especially encourages the participation of those who have traditionally had little or no voice in our society. By building relationships with individuals and groups throughout the state, Virginia Organizing strives to get them to work together, democratically and non-violently, for change.
Their goal is to uplift voices of directly-affected Virginians across the state. They do that by sharing stories through press conferences and town halls, speaking with local and state officials, and direct actions to make sure that the voices of our community are being heard. Much of their work centers around local issues and campaigns across 18 chapters, as well as statewide
RACIAL JUSTICE SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
YORK-PAGE SEATON
York-Page Seaton is an upcoming senior at Norview High School and a member of the Leadership Center for Science and Engineering (LCSE).
With a 3.955 GPA and a passion for STEM and the humanities, he is a resilient, open-minded scholar, athlete, and leader.
He is also the captain of the track team, vice president of Model Judiciary, junior class treasurer, and musical lead of the Strolling Silver Strings. In addition to excelling academically, he’s active in organizations like the National Honor Society, Tri-M, Model UN, and Student Council. His passion for photography and music, driving him to see the world through diverse perspectives, and a commitment to service, York- Page Seaton stands out as a well-rounded and determined future b
With a broadcastingcareerspanning majorcitiesincluding Washington D.C., Baltimore, Milwaukee, and MyrtleBeach,Janet is knownfortelling impactfulstoriesthatservethepublicgood. Heraward-winningdocumentarieshavetackledcritical issues.Notably, herdocumentaryDonovonexploredthecontroversial policeshootingof Donovon Lynch,while20 andOddchronicledthearrivalofthefirst enslavedAfricansin English NorthAmerica.
Sunshine Huggins
Sunshine Huggins is the inaugural Miss Juneteenth Virginia She represented Virginia at Nationals in 2024 bringing home the Miss Juneteenth USA 2024 title!
She is currently enrolled at Norfolk State University as a rising sophomore majoring in music media with a concentration in the harp Sunshine an aspiring artist with multiple talents in modeling, music, drawing, writing, and media production. She inspires to be a worldwide influencer and entrepreneur. Her goal is to own a Music Therapy resort and spot called Azalea’s frequency
Vocalist
Tamar Smithers
Tamar Smithers is a dynamic actress, vocalist, and arts advocate whose powerful voice and commanding stage presence have captivated audiences nationwide.
A classically trained performer, Tamar holds a B.F.A. in Acting from Syracuse University and has graced the stage in a wide range of theatrical productions, concerts, and performances Her artistic repertoire spans classical and contemporary theatre, jazz, r&b, funk/soul, sacred music and gospel.
She currently serves as Chief of Staff at ARDX, a healthcare management consulting firm, while also pursuing a Ph.D. in Community Engagement at Point Park University
Featured Conference Speakers
Keilah Jacques
Keilah Jacques is a Health Equity Scholar and equityfocused experience designer, facilitator, and Certified Professional Coach. With a background in policy organizing, health advocacy, nonprofit leadership, and curriculum design, they bring a systems-thinking lens to transformational work across sectors.
Their consulting focuses on experiential education, equitable leadership, and liberatory organizational culture, grounded in antioppressive methods, somatic awareness, and structural competence. As a healing-centered coach, they support clients in unlearning limiting beliefs shaped by systemic oppression.
Councilmember Jennifer Rouse
Jennifer Rouse was elected to Virginia Beach City Council on Nov 8, 2022, to serve as the District 10 representative
Councilmember Rouse has been appointed to various city council boards including the Active Transportation Advisory Committee and Clean Community Commission. Currently, she is an Assistant Professor of Sociology and former Department Chair for Social Sciences at Tidewater Community College In 2023, she was recognized by Inside Business Magazine’s as part of the region’s “Top 40 Under 40.” She is currently working toward her PhD Public Administration and Policy at Old Dominion University.
Dr. Durryle Brooks
Dr Durryle Brooks is a Baltimore-based interdisciplinary scholar-practitioner and the Founder/CEO of Love and Justice Consulting, which equips leaders with tools to authentically engage in diversity, equity, and social justice work.
Holding degrees in Religious Studies (B.A.), Sexuality Studies (M.A.), and a Ph.D. in Teacher Education and Social Justice Education, Dr. Brooks has spent the past 15 years addressing the impact of racism, sexism, homophobia, poverty, and religious oppression on marginalized communities. He is also the author of (Re)conceptualizingLove:Moving TowardsaCriticalTheoryofLoveinEducationforSocialJustice.
Men in the Mission Panel
A call for men to step up, stand strong, and show up as intentional allies in the fight to eliminate racism, empower women
Moderator
Eugene Daniel
Eugene Daniel is a morning anchor for 13News Now in Norfolk, Virginia. He serves as President of Hampton Roads Black Media Professionals, the local affiliate chapter of National Association of Black Journalists. His work on issues facing the Black community earned a regional Murrow Award in Illinois. He is a proud graduate of Elon University in North Carolina.
Featured Voices
Amere Langely
Amere Langley is a dedicated mental health professional with a background in psychology and sociology He is currently pursuing a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Regent University He currently holds the role of Program Specialist for Newport News YouthBuild under Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas.
Darryl Boykins
Darryl Boykinscurrentlyserves astheTraining and Workforce Development Coordinatorforthe Hampton and Peninsula Health Districts. He supportsstaff and communitydevelopment through leadership, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and health literacy initiatives. AVCU graduate, Darryl is passionate about equity and uplifting women and marginalized communities.
Travis Young
Travis Young is a social entrepreneur and the Founder, CEO of COUSIN For 15 years, he has worked at the intersection of education, technology, and media, co-conspiring with brands, institutions, nonprofits, and start-ups to solve complex social issues.
Bridging the Gap Panel
Connecting Voices Across Generations for Equity
Moderator: Councilmember Jennifer Rouse
Featured Voices
Viviana Andrade
Viviana Andrade is a respected educational entrepreneur with more than 20 years of experience in empowering students and families through personalized learning. She began her journey with the launch of A Plus Academics in Hampton an initiative that quickly grew through her strong partnerships. Today, Viviana serves as the Director of the Hispanic Resource Center of Coastal Virginia
Manolita Akiko Holaida
Manolita Akiko Holadia is a seasoned civil litigation attorney with over 30 years of experience representing clients in personal injury, wrongful death, and complex tort cases across Virginia’s courts. In addition to her legal practice, she is an adjunct professor at Old Dominion University and an active voice for inclusion, justice, and community empowerment.
Ru is a 2024 graduate of William and Mary in 2024 with a Bachelor’s in Geology and a minor in Sociology In college, she focused her studies on environmental injustice, conducting research on the disproportionate effect the historical pollution that plagues the Elizabeth River Watershed has on the Black community. Her passion for social change derives from her strong upbringing and proud Jamaican roots
Named for YWCA’s signature color, the Persimmon Circle is the leadership-giving society of YWCA South Hampton Roads comprised of our most consistent and generous supporters
Together, we carry forward a legacy of empowering women and girls, with a bold vision to serve for generations to come.
step into legacy!
WHAT IF YOUR GIFT
Be part of the force that fuels safety, healing, and hope Join to support critical services like our 24/7 crisis hotline, emergency shelter, and advocacy for women and families in crisis.
MEN IN THE MISSION
DONATE
JOIN THE MOVEMENT!
Your gift fuels our work to eliminate racism and empower women. Together, we can create lasting change and improve the lives of women and girls for generations to come.
VOLUNTEER & INTERN
Whether you're looking to give back, gain experience, or grow your network, we offer meaningful volunteer and internship opportunities that make a real difference.
ADVOCATE
We need bold voices like yours to push for policies and systems that promote justice, equity, and dignity. When we speak together, we’re stronger.
EDUCATION & OUTREACH
Want to bring awareness and change to your community? Request one of our dynamic workshops on topics like racial justice, healthy relationships, and more
WORK WITH US
Looking for more than just a job? Join a mission-driven team committed to eliminating racism, empowering women, and advancing justice and equity for all.
