The Power of Belonging!

Everyone needs to feel a sense of belonging. A sense of belonging is not just a "nice-to-have," it's a fundamental human need that influences mental health, productivity, organizational effectiveness, and overall happiness.

Book a Workshop Today

About the workshop

Who should attend

Facilitator

Testimonials

The PROBlem is all around us...

What's the Problem?

We smile, take selfies, and live our best lives online. However, in churches, schools, and companies across the country, the evidence shows that a sense of isolation and hopelessness is often the reality. The lack of belonging shows up in all populations: Students perform poorly, young adults experience increased anxiety and depression, employees don't reach their full potential, the elderly feel discarded, and veterans feel disregarded. It's no secret that our country is in an epidemic of isolation and loneliness. But YOU have the power to make a difference and impact BELONGING!

Assess and Activate!

Research shows that individuals who do feel valued and safe in a given setting are more likely to succeed in school, perform better at work, and experience better mental health outcomes. But when a sense of community and belonging are lacking, the opposite is true for both young and old--even in the church, where love and fellowship should abound.

We can help!

We begin with a brief pre-workshop consultation with stakeholders to assess your specific needs and goals.
We then design a tailored solution and deliver an interactive workshop with measurable objectives that align with yours.

Our workshop promises to empower your staff, leaders, or supervisors with winning strategies to activate and instill a lasting sense of belonging within your community of practice.

Check out the whole story

Back to Top...

Our Awesome Facilitators!

Founder and Principal of JQ Taylor & Associates Inc. She is an international speaker, facilitator, and leadership coach.

Janice Taylor - Leadership Coach

The founder and clinical director of The Joy Center and founder of Beautiful Feet Mentorship Program for teens and adults.

Kelley Ivey Brown - Clinical Director

A career professional with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and currently an advocate for the arts and wellness.

Traci Cook - Public Health Analyst

Our workshop host is a gifted writer and storyteller with over 30 years of experience in corporate communication, and creative writing,

Danese Turner - Instructional Coach

What you will learn:

Promote Inclusivity

Inclusivity is not a buzz-word, it is a Super Power! Develop and implement policies that ensure all individuals, regardless of background, feel welcomed. Inclusivity should be embedded in the fabric of your organization's culture.

Learn Active Listening

Gain strategies that encourage open dialogue by actively listening to the thoughts and feelings of those you serve to create a safe space where everyone feels valued and understood.

Engaging Activities

Plan and organize engaging activities that promote interaction and team-building. From workshops to informal gatherings, these events can strengthen connections and foster a sense of community.

Back to Top...

Who Can Benefit from our Workshops?

Educators

Educators need to foster a sense of belonging. In today's society, it is more important than ever to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for students. According to a study by the U.S. Department of Education, students who feel a sense of belonging in their school are more likely to be successful academically and have better mental health. In addition, an article published in the August 29, 2024 edition of American Progress online stated, "Joy and belonging have been shown to play a role in preparing students for future careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and across other fields."

Youth Leaders/Coaches

Youth leaders need to create an environment of belonging, especially with age groups that experienced the pandemic. As we continue to navigate past the challenges of the pandemic, it is crucial that youth leaders prioritize creating a sense of belonging within their communities. The pandemic crisis greatly impacted young people, with many experiencing isolation and disconnection from their peers and community due to experiencing lockdowns and social distancing measures.

HR Professionals/Supervisors

HR Professionals are called on to actively listen to workers' thoughts and feelings. By actively listening, they show that they value each individual's opinions and perspectives. This creates a safe space for open communication.

Social Workers/Program Managers

Today many people experience isolation which can have detrimental effects on mental health, as human beings are social creatures who thrive on connection and relationships. Social Workers/Program Managers must understand the importance of fostering a sense of belonging among people to promote overall well-being.

Story

Workshop Origin Story

The idea of The Power of Belonging Workshop was birthed after a trifecta of events. After working with Lisa Yolanda George to promote the “Unplugged for Self-Care” Exhibit; preparing to deliver a Leadership Development segment for her Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Chapter (Alpha Alpha Psi Omega Chapter), and also planning for the kick-off meeting with Worship Arts Ministry leaders at Turner Chapel AME Church in Marietta, where Danese serves as Worship Arts Director, she saw the critical NEED--now more than ever—for people in general, and especially youth and young adults, to be connected and to BELONG, fostering stronger bonds and positive relationships. After the WXIA TV appearance promoting the exhibit, one of her good friends and "pusHers" brought up the idea to Danese for a "mental wellness" conference, but Danese knew that this was merely confirmation for her vision to tackle the deeper issue, which affects our mental wellness: BELONGING.
Who should register?

Back to Top...

Time Is Running Out!

0 0

Days

∶

0 0

Hours

∶

0 0

Minutes

∶

0 0

Seconds

You missed out!

Workshop Speakers

Speakers / Facilitators

Danese turner

Workshop Facilitator, Professor and Writer

Danese Turner, a gifted writer and storyteller with over 30 years of experience in corporate communication, content and leadership development, and instructional design, has the unique ability to bring any vision to life. She has written and produced over 20 stage productions, which have been seen by thousands. Danese gives leadership to youth and adults in the Worship Arts Ministry at Turner Chapel AME Church in Marietta, GA. She is also an Instructional Coach for teachers and teacher candidates through the Global Campus of Davenport University (Michigan).

In addition to her work in ministry and education, Danese has been recognized as a dynamic creative consultant. She recently served as the Creative Consultant for the "Unplugged for Self-Care" exhibit, curated by Lisa Yolanda George, founder of ConnectingYou To…PR Corp. Danese promoted the event across media outlets such as ATL Live on Atlanta News First, Praise 102.5 FM's "The Neiko Flow Show," “Perspectives with Condace Pressley,” heard on various FM radio stations, and "Atlanta & Company" on WXIA 11 Alive. Danese is also the founder of The Purpose & Power Connection, LLC.

Janice Taylor

Leadership Coach
Lunch, Learn, and Lean-In facilitator

Janice Taylor is an international speaker, facilitator, and leadership coach. Her 15+ years’ experience in coaching, training, and leadership development uniquely positions her to empower clients to lead with greater impact and attain significant breakthroughs in their endeavors.

With a rich background in Human Resources and operations management, she brings extensive experience from senior leadership roles in FORTUNE 500 and multimillion-dollar companies across various sectors.

Always active in her community, Janice is currently a member of the Advisory Board for the School of Business at Life University, with previous service on the Advisory Board for the Retail, Tourism and Hospitality Management Program at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and as Advisory Board Chair for the National Society of Minorities in Hospitality.

kelley ivey brown

Clinical Director

Kelley Brown serves as the State of Georgia’s Authority in mental health in the Division of Behavioral Health in the Office of Adult Mental Health at The Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD). Kelley is also the founder and clinical director of The Joy Center, LLC, a private practice located in Fayetteville, GA. She is the founder of Joy in Motion – Beautiful Feet Mentorship Program for teens and adults that promotes creative expressions in movement using various interventions to build self-esteem and foster emotional healing. Kelley is the founder of Maggie’s Scholars Foundation as well as the author of various motivational and self-help resources (Oh the Joy of Beautiful Feet workbook, I Choose Joy, and The Joy of Walking in Your Own Shoes daily journals) (www.joynmotion.org).

traci cook

Public Health Analyst

Traci Cook is a Public Health Analyst at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Traci promotes mental health wellness through the arts, through public speaking, community engagement, youth development and womanist leadership projects. She was nominated for the Mississippi Pinnacle’s Outstanding Small Town Enterprise Award in 2021, when through her Arts2Health2Wellness work, she transformed City Hall, in her hometown of Magnolia, MS, into an art gallery. Traci studied at Princeton University and Westminster Choir College and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in piano performance, theater and art history at Rider University. She received a Master of Arts in Teaching at Emory University and is currently a doctoral student at the University of Toronto in Social Justice, with an emphasis in Public Health.

Back to Top...

Venue: Smyrna Community Center - Dogwood Room

We're excited to welcome you to this informative and interactive session.

Workshop Instructions: Please plan to arrive a few minutes early to secure parking as other events are always happening at the beautiful Smyrna Community Center, even as they continue to expand and grow. We've been told that the nearby churches and Smyrna Market Village are often accommodating of any extra parking if necessary.

Click here for directions

Pre-workshop Assignment: Please bring a small item that is important to you. Make sure it's not an heirloom or expensive treasure. You'll be responsible for your item.