This year the Woman By God's Design Conference will host a "Leading Ladies Summit and Luncheon," on Saturday, April 25, (from 10 am - 2 pm) at the Citadel of Deliverance.
To register for the event go to the following link, presented below, or go to the Contact Us page for further information:
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/leading-ladies-summit-and-luncheon-tickets-16107195054?aff=affiliate1
Ephie Ballard-Johnson was born in Memphis, TN. She worked as an educator in the Memphis City School System for
a number of years before serving as the Administrative Director of Neighborhood
Christian Centers, Inc. After ten years as Administrative Director, she seceded her
mother and NCC founding director, JoeAnn Ballard, as President/CEO in 2008. Mrs. Johnson has spearheaded the creation of many developmental and social programs. Mrs.
Johnson is also the host of FOX 13 WHBQ’s “Faith Forum”. She
has been a keynote speaker for various faith-based, community service, and
women’s focused conferences throughout the country and around the world, most
recently traveling to Japan, Guyana, Kenya, and Argentina.
Lady Denise Tharpe is the First Lady of the Kingdom Citizen’s
Empowerment Center where she serves faithfully beside her husband. Lady Denise Tharpe was called and
ordained by God to preach the Gospel in 2005 where she graciously received her
calling. Her greatest joys are ministering to Women in ministry and First
Ladies. The ministries that God has
birthed through Lady Denise are as follows: The First Lady News Magazine, which
was established in 2001, The Women of Pearl Ministry and the Free to Be Me
Annual Conference. She is also honored to have accepted the very high
calling of the Overseer of Bishop and Ministers Wives under the Divine
Ministries International Fellowship Organization.
Evangelist Missionary Shelia Joyce Bryant was born and raised in Sikeston, MO. She accepted Christ as her personal Savior in January, 1973 at Green Memorial C.O.G.I.C. She has served in many capacities in ministry; Sunday School Teacher, Vacation Bible School Teacher, Usher, Pastor Aid Committee, Choir President, Choir Director, Purity Class Leader, Church Secretary, President of the Children's Church, President of the Women's Department, Sick and Shut-In Committee, Noon Prayer Committee, Prison Ministry, Evangelism Street Team, and more. She has been happily married to Pastor Clinton Charles Bryant for the past 30 years.
Lady Mary Portis Hall, M.D. is the daughter of Dr. Theodore Portis and the late District Missionary Cleo Portis of Grambling, Louisiana. God blessed her to become a physician, graduating from Louisiana State University Medical Center in Shreveport. She is a Gastroenterologist in private practice in Memphis, Tennessee. She has served in many areas in the church including Youth Director, and Scholastic Motivational Ministries. She received her Evangelist Missionary license after completing training in M.A.A.I. Lady Mary Portis Hall is the wife of Bishop David Allen Hall, Sr., Prelate of Tennessee Headquarters Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of the Church of God in Christ and the First Lady of Temple C.O.G.I.C.
Nisha Davis, a native of Milwaukee, WI, realized her passions early in life. Her passions have led her to a career as a nurse in the healthcare field and an entrepreneur in the beauty industry. Prior to these endeavors, Nisha served in the military as a Sergeant in the United States Army. She also attended the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) where she studied business, and then real estate. Currently, Nisha is the owner of AMIYA HAIR WIGS & BUNDLES, hand-crafting custom, quality, and stylish units and retailing virgin hair. Her newest embarkation is Nisha Davis Beauty Consulting. She is also continuing her education to further her nursing career and is currently enrolled at Excelsior College. Nisha is a loving and devoted wife and mother, and a persevering business woman.
Deidre Malone is the Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Carter Malone Group, LLC (CMG), a public relations, marketing and advertising firm headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. Prior to opening CMG in 2003, Malone served as Vice President of Marketing Development for ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Director of Public Relations for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital for 10 years. Malone currently serves on the board of directors for the Memphis Housing Authority, Levitt Shell, Circles of Success Learning Academy, Philanthropic Black Women of Memphis and Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church. She is a 1999 graduate of Leadership Memphis and in 2001, served as Leadership Memphis Alumni Association president. In 2010, Malone made an unsuccessful bid for Mayor of Shelby County and in 2008; Malone became the first African-American woman to serve as chair of the Shelby County Commission.
Stephanie Nerissa Jones-White was born in Memphis, Tennessee where she attended St. Agnes Academy. She went on to attend Lambuth University where she received her undergraduate degree in sociology and then on to the University of Memphis to receive her Master's Degree in Instruction Curriculum and Leadership. Stephanie began her career in education teaching Spanish, English, and Creative Writing. After ten years in education, she shifted to a career in politics where she served at the Shelby County Commission as the manager of legislative affairs. Stephanie now works for the City of Memphis as the director of library communications and WYPL television and radio stations. Stephanie is a member of several boards and professional organizations including but not limited to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated; the Boys and Girls Club; and Leadership Memphis. She always wants to be found serving for servitude speaks louder than any other action. 
Dr. Shavesha Rutledge is a Component Engineer with Arctic Slope Regional Corporation providing engineering services to NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Dr. Rutledge received her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Alabama A&M University in 2000 and her Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from American University in 2006. She uses her chemistry and engineering experience to support satellite projects such as Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP), Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE), The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) and the current project she is working on is Mars Organics Molecule Analyzer (MOMA). She has been awarded several NASA Group Achievement awards, Special Act awards and Outstanding Leadership awards. Aside from her work at NASA, she tries to inspire the next generation of women to aspire careers in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Her elements for success have been her trust in God and perseverance. Dr. Rutledge resides in Maryland with her husband Jason, and three children Jaden,, Anna, and Jodi.
Lady NeShante Brown is the wife of Pastor Stephen Brown of Light of Glory International Church in downtown Memphis, TN, and West Memphis, AR. Lady Brown is committed to building a vibrant, Christ-centered ministry that honors God alongside her husband. Lady Brown holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Electrical Engineering from Princeton University, and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Christian Brothers University. She serves as the Executive Director of The Soulsville Charter School in Memphis, TN, a 6-12 college preparatory school serving about 630 students, where 100% of students have been accepted into college. Lady Brown believes that all children can learn at high levels and break barriers when they are given the opportunity to do so.
Missionary Fannie Tillman is a woman devoted to a life of sanctification. She is the wife of Elder Craig Tillman and the mother of Dylan, Jacob, and Logan. Missionary Tillman is a former student of C.H. Mason Bible College and also the author of several children’s inspirational lessons. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Delta State University, a Master of Science degree in Microbiology from Alabama A&M University, and a Master of Science in Education from the University of Michigan. She’s currently a Visiting Professor for DeVry University where she teaches Pathophysiology.
Shay Harris has been seen by millions as a television personality telling the news of the day as a Broadcast News Anchor & Reporter, as well as guest starring in hit syndicated shows like “The Parkers” & “The Steve Harvey” Shows. From her humble roots, Shay has been blessed to do many things. She has opened up for world-renowned Gospel recording artists such as, Tye Tribbett. Where it comes to her life, Shay praises God for the fact that when you see her she doesn’t look like what she’s been through. She bears the scar of a large tumor that invaded her body for 12 years leaving her feeling hopeless until the day she became convinced that Jesus Christ is the healer. During this time, Shay received revelation from Luke 8:43-48 that caused her to stand firmly in her stance with God, knowing that if He healed the woman with the issue of blood, surely He would heal her. Her faith proved true. She was healed! She bears the scars, but carries the victory in her message of hope to others.
Evangelist Patricia Merriweather has
served as educator in the Shelby County School system for over 25 years. She
currently serves as principal of Sheffield Elementary School. She received her
B. A. from Rust College and her Masters and Specialist Degrees from The University
of Mississippi. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership
Higher Education. She completed the University of Memphis Leadership Fellows
Program in 2010 and was the recipient of the James W. Anderson Distinguished
Administrator Award in 2009. In 2011 she was awarded the TN PTA Lifetime
Achievement Award. As founder of the ALL
CHILDREN CAN LEARN LEARNING CENTER, she works with youth in the community
performing community service projects. She has served as Elect Lady of the
Redeemed Fellowship Ministries Church in Holly Springs Mississippi with her
husband and Pastor Will A Merriweather. She
has three wonderful children, Kenyata, Kenny, and Memoree.
Evangelist Louise D.
Patterson is the wife of the late Bishop Gilbert Earl Patterson, former Presiding
Bishop of the Church of God in Christ. Sister
Patterson founded The Total Woman Women’s Conference to highlight national
crisis in the African American Community.
The TWWC draws women from across the country inspiring them to take
action against the social, physical and spiritual ills affecting our
community. Community service has always
and continues to be at the forefront of Sister Patterson’s life. She and her late husband have contributed
over $70,000 in scholarship money to help many young people across the country
attend college. Sister Louise is a
contributor to the International Dress for Success silent auction donating
items from her personal wardrobe that is admired for their unique style and
quality. She is a mentor to many young
women locally and across the country.
She is an advisor to many pastors’ wives and a symbol of strength to
many women across the world. She has
received countless awards and honors for her humanitarian work. She also serves
on the advisory board of The Porter Leath Organization. Sister Patterson is the
president of the board of directors for Bountiful Blessings, Inc. She serves as
general manager of WBBP radio station and she can be seen every Sunday on
several television stations across the country introducing her husband’s
ministry to thousands of viewers of the Bountiful Blessings telecast.
To register for the event go to the following link, presented below, or go to the Contact Us page for further information: