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Photos by: Ashley Banks
"Being the person that believes in being the change you want to see is why I created Women Let's Speak" -Jessica Mitchell
On Wednesday, January 20th, 2016 I attended WLS, Women Lets Speak networking mixer at Truth Ultra Lounge in Chicago. This mixer was focused on "All things Beauty" which featured entrepreneurs. Natural Hair Specialist and Colorist Zaria Orr, Make-up Artist Davenda Thompson owner of Paintgal Studio, and Chanese Mitchell of Chicago Massage and Bodywork Center were the guest speakers of the evening. There was also a performance by Chicago's very own Dev Walker, artist on the rise. The event was phenomenal, and many were in attendance of this live networking mixer. The food, drinks and entertainment were great conversation starters for guests at this event. This is a perfect mixer to attend to introduce yourself and your brand to people in the community.
Founder and CEO Jessica Mitchell is the beauty and brains behind this influential organization. Born and raised in Chicago, Jessica, her two sisters and brother were raised by their mother. Their father was incarcerated for most of their upbringing, which left their mother to raise four children on her own. At an early age, Jessica saw women struggle, work hard, and unite as one to raise their families.
At the age of 19, Jessica moved to Atlanta, Georgia to finish her degree at Georgia State University. While furthuring her education, Jessica had seen young women and men do anything they could to maintain. What touched Jessica the most was seeing women selling thier mind, body and soul for money. She saw how lost these women were to their true power, which gave her compassion. This was why Jessica created Women Let's Speak. That's right, WLS was created in Atlanta, Georgia in September of 2013.
(Below) sisters Chanese Mitchell and Jessica Mitchell (CEO/Founder)
WLS Mission Statement: WLS is an organization created to help educate and empower women, by developing pathways to opportunity that will yield immeasurable success in faith, family, and community.
Jessica has a passion for for children's developmnt. She had observed a lot of single mothers trying to work and balance raising a family on their own. Jessica says, "it takes a community to raise a child. Our communities are at a disadvantage right out the womb. Our communities as people of color that is. Our lack of knowledge is why we're getting destroyed as people." This is why adding the element of education and community unity was so important to add into the mission statement for WLS.
At the age of 26, Jessica and her husband had their first child. She understands the value of family now that she has her own, and the importance of their daughters father being right there with her day in and day out. "The dynamics of man, woman and child is a precious union." Jessica also says, "Our people do not understand the blessings and the challenges having a family comes with. We are so quick to leave one another without thinking about the well-being of the children. The children are our future and its important that we raise our children with balance of male and female energy." Jessica's faith plays a very strong role in her life. Her faith is what she depends on to keep pushing to her fullest potential.
Chanese Mitchell
Zaria Orr
Davenda Thompson
Mentoring
One of WLS' biggest accomplishments thus far is the organizations mentoring program. WLS works with Camelot Safe Academy in Chicago, IL. WLS not only mentors the young girls, but the women in the organization are mothers, sisters and role models to this next generation of women. Jessica says , it's one of the most fulfilling projects yet and from that, WLS had the opportunity to speak to teens incarcerated. "Reaching back to our youth is the new direction I plan to take WLS. Our youth are hungry for direction and instruction. They are going to be the change, but they are in crying need for our attention."
Women Lets Speak core values are Faith, Family, and Community. Attending one of their events you can expect to be enlightened, expect to hear the truth and expect to be apart of a power movement!
Instagram: @womenletsspeak_wls
Facebook: womenletsspeak
Email: womenletsspeak@gmail.com