Melonie Butler is a speaker, author and nonprofit founder based in the Philadelphia-area, serving as the Executive Director of I Choose To Win.

​

 

Butler established the female-focused, narrative-shifting, power-building and transformational nonprofit organization, I Choose To Win, in alignment with her personal mission – to win in life. Winning, according to her definition, is not the winning vs. losing in a competitive environment, rather fully engaging a life in sync with her God-given purpose, passion, power and potential: aka Victorious Living. Today, in 2025, I Choose To Win is celebrating 10 years of service, positively impacting the lives of more than 8,300 BIPOC women and girls through its transformational programming.

​

She believed the charge on her life was to establish an organization that edified, empowered and equipped women and girls to choose to win in life by way of creative program development, impactful messaging, curating safe spaces, providing key tools and pairing people resources to aid in awakening and/or reminding these women of their purpose, passion and potential – and charging them with taking small action steps toward positive changes resulting in engaged living.

​

 

As a veteran marketing executive and brilliantly creative individual, Butler channels her curiosities into unique bodies of work, including her books and short film. This woman of faith is a published author with her latest guided pocket playbook for victorious living, WIN THE DAY; book of poetry and short stories entitled Time To Choose, which highlights pivotal moments in her life where she enacted the power of intentional decision-making to produce a different life outcome — a glimpse into the background story for the organization she founded. Also, a children’s book she co-authored, Together, We Win!, describing a firsthand account of a Winning Workshop by I Choose To Win; Lastly, she produced a documentary entitled Inner Warrior, visually depicting the battle of the mind to stay positive and focused amid chronic battling with the inner critic, featuring program participants from the organization she founded, I Choose To Win.

​

 

Butler is a Philadelphia native and an alumnae of Temple University. She resides in a small suburban community just outside of Philadelphia with her husband and three sons.

Dr. Marie Brown-Mercadel served as a human service professional for 38 

years prior to her retirement in 2021.  Her experience includes working at the executive level in North Carolina, Louisiana, Texas, and twenty years in California.  Dr. Brown-Mercadel is the Chief Executive Officer for Mercadel Consulting Solutions LLC and has over 15 years of experience providing executive coaching, motivational speaking, and leadership development services. She received her undergraduate degree from North Carolina Central University and a master’s and doctorate from the University of Phoenix.  She holds certifications in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from the University of Central Florida, and Lean Six Sigma from the University of San Diego. She is also certified through the Arizona Trauma Institute as a trauma and resilience coach.  She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and has written her memoir, titled, Getting to My Enough, A Story of Faith, Resilience, and Survival.  In her memoir, she describes her remarkable journey of persevering through unspeakable childhood sexual trauma, the loss of a baby as a teenager, and her tenacious resolve to get to her enough. She has conducted a TEDx talk titled “Healing Out Loud”, a concept that aims to encourage individuals who are trauma survivors to openly walk through their process of healing without shame, self-doubt, or 

The Rev. Dr. Laticia Hill Godette is a wife, mother, ordained Elder, entrepreneur,

philanthropist, community activist, social justice advocate, Adjunct Professor, and a servant-leader. She is a Qualified Mental Health Professional and serves on the Governing Board of Trillium Health Resources. Dr. Godette earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Health and a Juris

Doctorate from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Godette also graduated Summa Cum Laude from Hood Theological Seminary and earned a Master of Divinity. She was awarded The Faculty Award from Hood Theological Seminary in 2014. This award is the highest award given by the Seminary.

 

Dr. Godette is the first woman to serve as the Presiding Elder of the Wadesboro-Monroe District of the A.M.E. Zion Church. This history-making, trail-blazer presides over twenty-one churches in North Carolina. She teaches, trains, empowers, encourages, and mentors Pastors and

Laity. Dr. Godette also serves as the Executive Director of the Rapid Response Team Ministry of the A.M.E. Zion Church. She helps provide relief to individuals, families, and churches who have been affected by natural disasters. She uses her resources to lift others while she climbs. She uses her voice to fight against racism, sexism, and injustice.

Step into the realm of limitless potential with Dr. Gigi Hamilton, a trailblazer in the fields of personal enrichment and human development. With a dynamic fusion of expertise in organizational psychology, clinical teaching, and women's empowerment, Dr. Gigi has emerged as a guiding light for those seeking transformation.

​

In her hands consulting become gateways to personal revolution, offering individuals the keys to unlock their inner greatness. Dr. Gigi's innovative approach transcends conventional boundaries, breathing life into dreams and empowering individuals to rewrite their narratives.

​

Dr. Gigi's realm extends beyond the confines of traditional practices, weaving together psychology, education, and technology to create a landscape of endless possibility. Here, exploration and discovery reign supreme, as individuals are invited to embark on exhilarating journeys of self-discovery.

​

And at the heart of this exhilarating odyssey lies Dr. Gigi's latest offering: "The Cape Escape: Redefining Your Superpowers." Within its pages, she unveils the secrets to unleashing the superhero within, empowering readers to embrace their unique gifts and rewrite the stories of their lives.

​

Join Dr. Gigi on a transformative journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Dare to redefine what's possible and unlock the extraordinary within.

​

Explore Dr. Gigi's transformative resources and embark on your own journey of self-discovery at DrGigi.com.

Dr. Alicia Tetteh, LCSW, RYT-200 identifies as a change agent, residing in Norfolk, VA. She attended Virginia Commonwealth University for her undergraduate degree and Howard University for her Master’s degree—both in Social Work. Her Doctorate is from Simmons University where her research focus was anti-racist leadership practices. She owns a group mental health practice, Building Endurance PLLC where she provides outpatient therapy to children and adults; clinical supervision for provisionally licensed therapists and educational trainings for the community. In 2018, A Dr. Tetteh created the ATTUNE app in hopes of connecting more individuals to mental health services. In 2019 she published, Not Healed As F***, a journal created for those in the helping profession to practice reflection and self-care. 

 

Dr. Tetteh is an Assistant Professor at Norfolk State and Adjunct Professor at Howard University, in the social work department. Some of her platforms include working with clinicians, financial literacy, healthy relationships, anti-racist practices and healing trauma as a collective. She is an EMDR consultant, certified in Brainspotting, and TF-CBT. 

 

Dr. Tetteh walks firmly in her faith and believes sincerely in the power of change. Dr. Tetteh enjoys a good laugh with friends, anything outdoors, reading and family time with her daughter and twins. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, the National Association of Black Social Workers and the National Association of Social Workers. 

Dr. Jennifer M. Montgomery is a dedicated healthcare professional with expertise in pharmacy, clinical mental health, and health advocacy. Holding a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD), Master of Business Administration (MBA), and Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, she is passionate about bridging the gap between physical and mental well-being while advocating for accessible healthcare.

 

Dr. Montgomery currently serves as a Clinical Pharmacist for a managed organization and is pending licensure as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor in North Carolina. She is deeply committed to community service and is a proud member of the Union County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where she serves as co-chairperson for the Physical and Mental Health Committee.

 

Through her work, Dr. Montgomery actively promotes holistic wellness strategies, self-care practices, and mental resilience. She is passionate about empowering individuals through educational workshops, advocacy initiatives, and mentorship, ensuring equitable access to healthcare for all. Whether discussing stress management, trauma awareness, or self-care techniques, she strives to create meaningful change in the lives of those she serves.

Myra Capri is a visionary leader and the driving force behind Capri Brand, dedicated to empowering ambitious female leaders to revolutionize their approach to leadership. With a passion for fostering a culture of holistic well-being and growth, Myra's mission is to guide women towards leading well, authentically, and with purpose, enabling them to create meaningful impacts both personally and professionally.

​

Myra's journey to founding Capri Brand was born out of her own transformative experience. Despite outward success, she felt deeply unfulfilled and out of alignment with her true desires and chose to let go of societal expectations and embarked on a path of purposeful living, regardless of the

impact on her social equity.

 

With a BA from Spelman and an MBA from Goizueta Business School from Emory University, she strategically chose top-tier institutions to surround herself with the best minds. Yet, she remains grounded in her roots, mindful of seeking balance amidst her pursuit of excellence.

 

An advocate for continuous growth, Myra also received accolades for her role as one of the first coaches in Emory's Leadership Coaching program.  Her commitment to excellence and empowering others culminated in receiving the prestigious

"Guiding Star" award from Emory’s Executive Women of Goizueta Business School, honoring her as a rising entrepreneur.

 

Today, as the CEO of Capri Brand, Myra is at the forefront of championing women to lead from a place of authenticity, integrating personal brand development, executive presence, and overall well-being. Her unwavering dedication to helping

women realize their full potential continues to inspire and transform lives, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of leadership.

Joy Pearson Robbins, a native of Henderson, North Carolina, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Wake Forest University and a Master of Arts in Counseling from UNC Charlotte. Joy has worked in diverse clinical roles at Florence Crittenton Services, Union County Public Schools, Novant Health, and Atrium Healthcare. For over 17 years, she has run a private practice in Union County, specializing in therapy for children, adolescents, and adults. A Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor, Joy also mentors upcoming professionals and provides leadership coaching for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

​

Joy is a published author of two books, “On My Couch: A Therapist’s Journal” and “7 Days to More Joy,” and in 2022, she launched enJOY Wellness Retreats to help women prioritize self-care. She is married to Phil, and they have two sons, Jayden and Brenden. In her spare time, Joy enjoys traveling, exploring new cuisines, and advocating for mental health awareness, especially among women of color.