Connect with us

Leadership

Rising Above: Lorna Blake’s Journey from Setbacks to Success

Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius.

Published

on

Facebook – Facebook.com/Lornamblake
Linkedin – Linkedin.com/LornaMBlake
Youtube – Youtube.com/LornaBlakeEmpowers
Instagram – www.Instagram.com/LornaMBlake
Website – https://mpowerurself.com/

Lorna Blake is an International Speaker, Success Coach, Author, and Real Estate Investor. Born to a poor teenage mom in rural Jamaica, she overcame poverty, abandonment, and abuse. Today, Lorna is a world traveler with a powerful success story. She has lived in five countries, traveled to nearly 20, and inspired thousands globally. Lorna was a featured author in the No More Chains: It’s Time For Change anthology and was highlighted in the 2019 film documentary of the same name. Her first solo book, Born To Rise: A Journey From Setbacks To Comebacks & Lessons Learned, has won several awards, including the International Impact Book Award. She has shared stages with Tony Robbins’ Top Business Strategist, Anthony Demario and Oprah Winfrey’s life partner Stedman Graham. Lorna was recently honored with a Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award.

How did your journey as an international speaker and success coach inspire you to write «Born To Rise»?

More than ten years ago in Canada, I was booked as the keynote speaker on How To Bounce Back From Setbacks. Sharing my story of persistence through multiple rejections as a black, single mom seeking a teaching job in South Korea, I inspired many. Despite being told I wouldn’t be hired, I persisted, was hired, and even met my husband there. After my speech, many thanked me for motivating them to rise, including a woman who became one of my first coaching clients. This overwhelming feedback and frequent inquiries about whether I had written a book led me to write Born To Rise.

Can you share a pivotal moment in your life that significantly influenced the message of your book?

I experienced several pivotal moments that shaped me profoundly—being abandoned by my father before birth, growing up in poverty, and enduring physical and sexual abuse. These challenges forced me to rely on a power greater than myself early on, strengthening my faith and resilience. I share these experiences to show others that they too can rise from adversity.

How do you integrate lessons from your book into your speaking engagements and coaching sessions?

? I incorporate practices like mindfulness, meditation, deep breathing, mindset strategies, and prosperity principles from my book into my speaking and coaching. I tailor these strategies to fit the specific needs of my audience or clients which is an amazing way to achieve success with ease and joy.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors and speakers who want to use their personal experiences to inspire others?

If you have a message to share, educate yourself, invest in skills and knowledge, surround yourself with others who are successful at what you desire to do then take action. Start by speaking at local venues and participating in anthologies to gain confidence and exposure. Embrace technology to help, but remember, success requires you to put in the effort. Just start—your audience is waiting for you and your message. You’ve got this!

Leadership

Bridging the Wealth Gap Through Government Contracts: The Vision of Dr. Karwanna D. Irving

Published

on

Dr. Karwanna D. Irving is a transformational speaker, author, and nationally recognized business coach who has built her career on helping six-figure entrepreneurs scale to seven figures by leveraging one of the most powerful yet underutilized revenue streams available: government contracts. With more than twenty years of experience spanning entrepreneurship, leadership development, and strategic growth, Dr. Irving has positioned herself as a trusted authority in teaching business owners how to successfully sell to the world’s largest buyer, the U.S. government.

Throughout her career, Dr. Irving has empowered more than7,000 entrepreneurs, executives, and business leaders to move beyond traditional income ceilings and step into sustainable, scalable growth. Her approach combines strategic clarity, practical execution, and mindset transformation, allowing her clients to confidently pursue lucrative public sector opportunities without sacrificing their vision or values. Known for translating complex government contracting processes into clear, actionable steps, she has helped countless businesses expand their reach, increase profitability, and create long-term financial stability.

Dr. Irving’s impact and leadership have been widely recognized. She is a recipient of the 2024 Stevie Awards in Business and the prestigious 2025 Enterprising Woman Award, honoring her influence as both a business strategist and a champion for economic equity. Her work has been featured in Success Magazine, and the San Francisco Business Times named her firm among the Top 100 Fastest Growing Bay Area Private Companies. Further solidifying her standing as an industry leader, Dr. Irving’s company ranked #1680 on the Inc. 5000 list of 2025 Fastest Growing Private Companies in America.

Beyond accolades, Dr. Irving is deeply committed to bridging the wealth gap by equipping six-figure business owners with the knowledge and confidence needed to unlock multi-million-dollar opportunities. She believes access to government contracts can be transformative not only for individual entrepreneurs, but for families, communities, and future generations. Through speaking engagements, coaching programs, and educational challenges, Dr. Irving continues to inspire business owners to think bigger, execute smarter, and build enterprises that create lasting impact.

Special thanks to Dr. Karwanna’s Sponsor

San Francisco African American Chamber of Commerce
Website: www.sfaacc.org 

What’s New: Major Momentum and Opportunities Emerging in the Last Three Months

Over the past three months, the momentum within my business has been nothing short of incredible, and I am excited about the opportunities we are now opening for business owners at a higher level. One of the most significant developments is the re-launch of our five-day challenge designed specifically to help business owners, entrepreneurs, and high-level executives add an additional six to seven figures by securing lucrative government contracts. This initiative was created in response to the growing demand from entrepreneurs who are ready to scale but are hitting a ceiling in the private sector.

What makes this challenge different is its focus on real strategies, real opportunities, and real execution. Participants are not just learning theory. They are gaining clarity on how government agencies buy, how to position their businesses correctly, and how to confidently pursue contracts that align with their existing services. In a time when many businesses are experiencing uncertainty in traditional markets, government contracting offers stability, consistency, and long-term growth, and this challenge meets business owners exactly where they are.

Another exciting development is the expansion of our educational framework to support more advanced entrepreneurs who are already earning six figures and want to transition into seven-figure government opportunities. We are seeing an increase in executives and established founders who recognize that government contracts are not just an add-on but a strategic growth pillar. This evolution reflects our commitment to meeting our community at every stage of growth while continuing to elevate the conversation around wealth creation, access, and sustainability.

For those ready to take advantage of these opportunities, the upcoming five-day challenge is the perfect entry point. Business owners can learn more and secure their spot by visiting ContractsToMillions.com, where the next level of scaling begins.

Looking Ahead: What’s Coming in the Next Few Months

In the coming months, my focus remains on expanding access to education, strategy, and execution around government contracting at scale. The centerpiece of this effort is our upcoming five-day challenge, which will serve as both an intensive learning experience and a catalyst for long-term growth. This challenge is designed for business owners, entrepreneurs, and high-level executives who are serious about adding six to seven figures in revenue and are ready to move with intention.

During the challenge, participants will gain insight into how government agencies source vendors, how to align their current offerings with public sector demand, and how to build credibility quickly in a highly competitive space. We will also address mindset barriers that often prevent entrepreneurs from pursuing government contracts, such as fear, misinformation, or the belief that these opportunities are out of reach. My goal is to demystify the process and empower participants with clarity and confidence.

Beyond the challenge itself, this initiative sets the stage for deeper engagement and continued support for those ready to fully integrate government contracting into their business model. The upcoming months will also include expanded resources, strategic partnerships, and advanced training opportunities designed to help entrepreneurs move from learning to implementation without unnecessary delays.

For anyone who knows they are capable of more and is ready to pursue stable, scalable revenue, now is the time. The upcoming five-day challenge provides a powerful starting point for transforming how business owners think about growth and opportunity. More details and registration information can be found at ContractsToMillions.com.

Contact Information

Continue Reading

Leadership

Healing, Forgiveness, and Purpose: Rhonda James Woolard’s Mission to Transform Lives

Published

on

Rhonda James Woolard, A Life Devoted to Healing and Empowerment 

Rhonda James Woolard is a survivor of sexual abuse who has turned her experiences into a powerful mission of healing for others. She has used her story not only to navigate her own journey of recovery but also to guide countless others through similar challenges. Rhonda has coauthored the book “A Catalyst Change,” available on Amazon, which offers insight into personal transformation and resilience. In addition, she is the author of “A Time to Heal: 7 Steps to Healing and Forgiveness After Sexual Abuse and Assault,” available at yourtimetoheal.net, providing practical guidance for anyone seeking restoration after trauma.

Expanding her mission of healing, Rhonda has created two coloring books, “A Color to Heal” and “A Time to Heal to Color”. These resources serve as tools for reflection, mindfulness, and emotional restoration. Beyond her publications, Rhonda is the founder of RJW Guiding Services, LLC, where she serves as a Certified Master Life Coach specializing in forgiveness and grief coaching. Through her coaching, she empowers individuals to release past pain, cultivate self-compassion, and embrace their path to wholeness.

With God as the center of her life, Rhonda attributes her resilience and accomplishments to faith and divine guidance through every circumstance. She believes that her legacy is not merely in her personal achievements but in the lives she touches and the lasting impact she may never personally witness. Her work embodies the principles of empathy, faith, and empowerment, and she continues to inspire people worldwide to rise above adversity, forgive, heal, and embrace their purpose. Rhonda’s story and work are a testament to the power of faith, courage, and commitment to helping others transform their lives.

CELEBRATING RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Anything new that you want to share about your business that has happened within the last three months?

In the past three months, Rhonda James Woolard has reached new milestones in both recognition and creative contributions. She was honored as one of 100 Women in Business, a distinction that highlights her influence, leadership, and dedication to empowering others. Adding to her growing body of work, she released two coloring books, “A Color to Heal” and “A Time to Heal to Color,” both designed to encourage mindfulness, emotional processing, and self-reflection.

Rhonda’s efforts to reach broader audiences have also included several speaking engagements and podcast appearances. She has been featured on Pained to Purpose, Author Spotlight, and Unboxed on Purposed, sharing her insights on healing, forgiveness, and resilience. Additionally, she has spoken at impactful events including Finding Peace Through it All, Boss Health Matters Breast Cancer, Rebirth Summit, Courage to Heal, and the BIPOC Healing Together Summit, which focused on addressing mental health stigma in communities of color.

Her community engagement extends to in-person events as well. Rhonda participated as a vendor at the Wonder Women Conference, providing her resources and guidance to attendees. Most notably, she was honored as Woman of the Year at the Survivor’s with a Testimony and PATH 5th Annual Charity Gala, recognizing her courage, leadership, and commitment to using her experiences to help others heal. Each of these milestones reflects her growing influence and the consistent impact of her work in the areas of healing, forgiveness, and empowerment.

UPCOMING EVENTS AND ENGAGEMENTS

Do you have anything coming up within the next couple of months? Please include what it is and website for more details

Rhonda James Woolard has several upcoming opportunities to share her message and empower audiences. She will be speaking at the Business Bestie Networking Experience from March 13-15, providing strategies, inspiration, and personal insights to help entrepreneurs thrive. In addition, she will participate in the Community Author Showcase and Writer’s Symposium on December 7th. More details can be found at essiefdennis.com.

On December 14th, Rhonda will join the Recalibrate HER Virtual Summit, a Roundtable for HER by HER, where she will share guidance on healing, empowerment, and professional growth. Registration and event details are available at www.popupandcreate.com/events. She will also appear at the Litcon Virtual Holiday Empowerment Authors Summit 2025 on December 6th, a platform that highlights authors and thought leaders. Details for this summit can be found at www.litconvirtualexpo.org.

Additionally, Rhonda received the Author Allstar award, further recognizing her contributions to literature, healing, and empowerment. She was also recognized as Top 20 Authors for 2025 for Author Allstars. These upcoming engagements reflect her ongoing commitment to helping others find strength, forgiveness, and healing through her work, writing, and speaking.

CONTACT INFORMATIONEmail: rhondawoolard@yahoo.com
Website: rjwguidingservices.com and yourtimetoheal.net
Facebook: rhonda.jameswoolard
Instagram: @rhondajameswoolard

Continue Reading

Leadership

From Challenges to Change: Tonya L. White’s Journey of Reflection and Empowerment

Published

on

Tonya L. White, Educator and Advocate for Intentional Living

Tonya L. White is a mother, special education teacher, author, and founder of And Suddenly Life Got Busy LLC, a brand dedicated to helping people slow down, reflect, and rediscover balance through journaling. Tonya’s journey into the world of guided journaling was deeply personal. Life presented her with challenges that reshaped her perspective, teaching her the transformative power of writing and self-reflection. She recognized that the simple act of putting pen to paper could help untangle thoughts, reduce stress, and create intentional space for growth. Inspired by this realization, Tonya combined her educational expertise and creative passion to develop her signature guided journal, which has become a cornerstone of her work in promoting personal wellness and reflection.

Tonya’s mission extends far beyond journaling itself. She offers workshops, speaking engagements, and digital resources that support healing, emotional growth, and mindful living. By designing tools and experiences that are accessible and practical, she empowers busy individuals to embrace a slower pace, consider their priorities, and cultivate self-awareness. Her background in education gives her a unique ability to create materials that are not only engaging but also structured to foster meaningful reflection and personal development.

Through And Suddenly Life Got Busy LLC, Tonya has cultivated a community where people feel seen, supported, and inspired to invest in themselves. Her work emphasizes that pausing to reflect is not a luxury but an essential practice for living intentionally. Tonya’s growing influence continues to encourage people to slow down, breathe, and navigate life with purpose. Through her journals, workshops, and online presence, she inspires others to embrace reflection, celebrate growth, and become the best version of themselves. Tonya L. White’s story is a testament to the power of combining personal experience with professional expertise to create tools that genuinely enhance lives. 

RECENT BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS

Anything new that you want to share about your business that has happened within the last three months?

Over the past three months, Tonya L. White has experienced significant growth and visibility for her brand And Suddenly Life Got Busy LLC. She has been featured on three podcasts: Ville-Land Podcast, Ready, Set Collaborate! with Wanda Pearson, and The Minding My Business Mic Drop. On each platform, she shared her personal journey, the inspiration behind her guided journal, and her mission to help people slow down and find balance. These appearances not only expanded her reach but also connected her with audiences who resonated deeply with her message of intentional living and self-reflection.

Beyond media exposure, Tonya continued to build her online presence, enhancing her website, social media platforms, and marketing materials to better communicate her brand’s purpose. She focused on refining her offerings to prepare for upcoming workshops and speaking engagements. These efforts have not only elevated her professional visibility but also strengthened her confidence as an entrepreneur. Tonya notes that connecting with like-minded individuals through podcasts, events, and online platforms has provided opportunities for collaboration, feedback, and community engagement. Her growth during this period highlights her dedication to helping people navigate busy lives while embracing reflection and personal growth.

Tonya L. White was celebrated in a major way at the 2025 Author AllStar Awards, taking home multiple honors that highlight her impact and influence in the literary community. She was awarded the $1500 Author AllStar Income Generator Award, the Author AllStar Comma Club Award, the Magazine Award Winner recognition, and secured a spot as a Top 20 Author of the Year. Her accomplishments reflect her dedication to empowering writers and elevating the author community through excellence and authenticity.

UPCOMING EVENTS AND PROJECTS

Do you have anything coming up within the next couple of months? Please include what it is and website for more details

Tonya L. White has several exciting projects and engagements planned for the next few months. She is currently working on her second guided journal, which will expand the tools and exercises available for personal reflection and intentional living. This new journal builds upon the success of her first, offering more structured guidance for people seeking to slow down and prioritize self-care.

In addition to her new journal, Tonya will be recognized and honored at the 4th Annual International Women’s Gala hosted by Fueled by Flaws, celebrating her contributions as an entrepreneur and advocate for personal growth. She is also a featured speaker at the 1st Annual Conference Sistas Inspiring Sistas and the Recalibrate HER Virtual Summit. These engagements allow her to share her journey, insights, and practical strategies for reflection and balance with wider audiences.

Tonya is also actively seeking more opportunities to speak both locally and virtually, using her story and her journal to inspire others to pause, breathe, and invest in themselves. She continues to create workshops, build collaborations, and grow her online community, all with the goal of making intentional living and journaling accessible, meaningful, and transformative for people navigating busy lives.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email: tonyawhite@suddenlylifebusy.com
Website: www.suddenlylifebusy.com
Facebook: facebook.com/tonya.l.white.3
Instagram: @tonyalwhite

Continue Reading

Trending