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Empowered Women
Welcome to the Healing Her Retreat!
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Come join us for a day of empowerment and renewal. This retreat is designed to help strengthen women in mind, body and spirit. Whether you're looking to grow, connect, or simply take a break from your busy life, this retreat is perfect for you!
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At the Healing Her Retreat, you'll have the opportunity to participate in workshops that address mental and physical health, well-being, and spiritual wellness.
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Don't miss out on this chance to be inspired. Join us at the Healing Her Retreat and take a step towards a stronger you!
Inspired Women
Meet The Speakers
Rev. Dr. Jessica K. Ingram
Reverend Dr. Jessica Kendall Ingram is an anointed Spiritual Director, preacher, lecturer, and author delivering over 47 years of notable achievement in helping individuals develop and sustain strong relationships with God. As Founder of The Ingram Difference Spiritual Renewal Center Rev. Dr. Jessica masterfully cultivates a trusted, sacred, and safe space for spiritual formation. Her engaging and personalized approach allows individuals to examine their spiritual growth for a life filled with focus, purpose, and fulfillment. She is also the founder of the Woman Difference Collaborative. The group is comprised of twenty-five women who are leaders in the African American faith community in the Detroit Metro Area.
Rev. Dr. Jessica is a devout woman of service. For years, she has been recognized as a visionary, noblewoman of excellence, and pillar of hope throughout global communities. Rev. Jessica retired in July 2021 from serving the African Methodist Episcopal Church for 45 years. She served churches in Alton, Springfield, Chicago, Illinois and Detroit, Michigan. Upon the election of her husband, Bishop Gregory G.M. Ingram to the Episcopacy in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, she served as the Episcopal Supervisor for the 15th District (South Africa), the 10th District (State of Texas) and the 1st District. (States in the Eastern corridor and Bermuda).
Through meaningful conversations, curriculum, fellowship, prayer, and proven resources, Reverend Jessica helps clients from all walks of life better understand their uniqueness, God’s purpose in their lives, and how to live out the best relationship with God.
Rev. La Tonja Ellis
Rev. La Tonja D. Ellis is an innovator, educator, pastor and community leader. Rev. Ellis is a career Human Resources professional with over 20 years of experience in private industries higher education, non-profit organizations, and public sector (mental/health substance abuse, community counseling and foster care and family wrap around services).
As a strategic and dynamic Chief People Officer and operations leader, La Tonja brings over 20 years of proven success in driving transformative human resources strategies, operational excellence, and culture-building initiatives across diverse industries and organizations. Her passion lies in aligning human capital with overarching business objectives to foster innovation, engagement, and sustained growth.
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La Tonja has had the privilege of serving organizations like Tides Advocacy,
Children’s Defense Fund, the University of Illinois Chicago, and the University of Chicago, where she spearheaded key initiatives such as negotiating labor contracts, introducing mental health first aid programs, and developing streamlined HR infrastructures. Leading teams of HR professionals, she has consistently delivered scalable, best-in-class services while prioritizing equity, innovation, and collaboration.
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She currently serves as the first female Pastor of Grant A.M.E. Church Chicago and Turner Outreach Center in the Bronzeville neighborhood in
Chicago.
Dr. Veronica Johnson
Veronica R. Johnson, MD is an obesity medicine physician and Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Her research interests include health care disparities in obesity management, treatment of obesity in pediatrics, adolescents and adults and integration of obesity in primary care.
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Dr. Johnson received her BS in Biopsychology and Cognitive Sciences from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and her MD from the University of Illinois in Chicago (UIC) where she participated in the Urban Medicine program and was elected to the Gold Humanism Honor Society. Dr. Johnson completed her residency training in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at Tulane University and fellowship in Clinical Obesity Medicine and Metabolism at University of Texas at Houston McGovern Medical School. She is board certified in internal medicine, pediatrics and obesity medicine and currently sees patients at the Center of Lifestyle Medicine at Northwestern Medicine.
Rev. Dr. Shakira Sanchez-Collins, MD
Dr. Shakira Sanchez-Collins, known as “Dr. Shakira”, is a wellness advocate, physician, preacher, pastor, speaker and writer.
Dr. Shakira helps people flourish in mind, body and spirit. Through her work, she focuses on addressing the whole person. A gifted speaker, Dr, Shakira was inducted in the 35th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Board of Preachers at Morehouse College. She has been featured in the Chicago Tribune and has also appeared on the podcast, Black Girl Fit Files. A prolific writer, Dr. Shakira has published articles in ABC News Online, Urban Cusp Magazine, American Diabetes Association Diabetes Spectrum Journal, among others. Dr. Shakira serves on the board of The Daughters of the African Atlantic Fund, an organization that seeks to enhance the quality of life of continental and diasporan African women and girls. She has been featured on CBS Chicago and in the Chicago Tribune.