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Friday Evening Speakers
The Unscripted Push Podcast w/ DeVonnda Shantel & Ebony S. Bailey
The Unscripted Push is a real life podcast hosted by Ebony S. Bailey and DeVonnda McCormick, created to push people past fear, comfort, and stagnation into the lives they were called to live. Known for their honest conversations, spiritual depth, and unapologetic truth, Ebony and DeVonnda bring raw dialogue, biblical insight, and real world wisdom to every episode.
Guided by their slogan, “Where becoming your best self is better unscripted,” the show creates space for listeners to confront what is holding them back, heal from what they have survived, and step boldly into who God created them to be. Whether discussing faith, purpose, relationships, mindset, or leadership, The Unscripted Push challenges people to stop shrinking, stop settling, and start moving.
More than a podcast, The Unscripted Push is a movement for those who are ready to grow, speak, and build without filters, fear, or limits.
🔗 unscriptedpush.com
Meet the Hosts
DeVonnda Shantel McCormick is a Self-Esteem Coach, author, and Leadership & Development strategist dedicated to helping women heal, build confidence, and live with intention. Through her book Heal Your Mind and Soul Through Self Work (2022) and motivational speaking, she empowers women to embrace their individuality and purpose.
Ebony S. Bailey is a publishing expert, entrepreneur, and women’s empowerment leader. As the founder of Purposely Booked Publishing and creator of DreamPad, she helps individuals bring their stories to life. She is also the visionary behind the She Woke Up Conference, inspiring women to pursue their God-given purpose boldly.
Together, DeVonnda and Ebony bring faith, wisdom, and life experience to The Unscripted Push Podcast, creating a space for honest conversations that push you toward your best self.
Nakia Lawrence Chavis is an international personal stylist, fashion expert, and hair boutique owner known for her chic, bold, and confidence-driven approach to style. Based in Raleigh, North Carolina, she is a wife to Bod Chavis and a proud mother to Trinity Baskerville. With four years of European styling experience, Nakia offers a global perspective on fashion, blending timeless elegance with modern edge.
Building her brand from the ground up, Nakia grew as a fashion stylist while also developing and managing an online hair boutique.
Beyond fashion and beauty, Nakia has been singing since she was a child—a passion that has always lived at the core of who she is. Now, she is stepping boldly into using her voice not only through style, but through song, storytelling, and inspiration.
Grounded in faith and fueled by purpose, Nakia believes God has greater in store. She continues to inspire aspiring stylists, creatives, and women everywhere to dream, create, and inspire.
Christina L. Mial is a powerhouse of purpose. A North Carolina native, she is the visionary behind By His Stripes Outreach Ministries and the CEO of For My Life Coaching, For My Life Journeys, and For My Life Images—three brands that reflect her mission to empower wholeness through faith, healing, and strategy. A certified life coach, published author, pastor, and award-winning speaker, Christina blends her lived experience with her leadership to help others rise from brokenness into boldness.
Known for her transparency and authenticity, she is the author of By His Stripes: A Story of Redemption and several other life-changing books. She has been recognized as 2024 ACHI Magazine’s Master Coach of the Year, 2025 DWAP Ministry of the Year, a finalist for SpeakUpSis Magazine’s 2025 Warmest Smile Award, and crowned 2025 Woman of the Year by I Am She Magazine.
Whether she’s behind a podium or curating purpose-driven events, Christina shows up to ignite transformation. Her life’s work is proof that healing is possible, purpose is powerful, and you can still believe God—right from where you are.
Visit: www.christinamial.com
Stephanie M. Battle is a pastor and ministry leader devoted to helping individuals and families grow in faith, wholeness, and spiritual maturity. She serves faithfully in church leadership, as a Staff Pastor at Word Tabernacle Church, under the leadership of Senior Pastor, James D. Gailliard. She oversees ministries centered on discipleship, marriage, women’s empowerment, and holistic wellness.
With a shepherd’s heart and a teacher’s voice, Stephanie equips women to seek God deeply, live biblically, and walk boldly in their God-given calling. She is the founder of the Glory Girls community, creating spaces for prayer, growth, and transformation rooted in the Word of God.
Stephanie is a wife, mother of three, and a passionate servant of Christ who believes true flourishing happens when lives are aligned with God’s purpose and glory.
Precious Bruton is a woman of faith, singer, and community builder who speaks from lived experience and God-given conviction. Through her voice and her story, she encourages others to turn pain into purpose and walk boldly in healing, hope, and wholeness.
More to be added soon!
Saturday Speakers
Ebony S. Bailey is an award winning author, publisher, speaker, and empowerment strategist dedicated to helping individuals awaken to their purpose and walk in it ON purpose. As the visionary behind the She Woke Up movement, she challenges women to rise above fear, doubt, and stagnation so they can build the life God designed them to live.
Ebony is a three time award recipient honored with the 2024 DWAP Innovator of the Year, the 2025 DWAP Creative Visionary Award, and the 2024 Unapologetic Excellence Award from Wealth Riot for her impact in publishing, empowerment, and transformational leadership. She is the founder of Purposely Booked Publishing, where she helps aspiring and established authors bring their voices and visions to print with clarity, excellence, and ownership.
With over 18 years of administrative and operations experience, Ebony is known for creating systems that help people move from idea to execution. Her work extends far beyond books. She curates transformational experiences through the She Woke Up Conference, the She Woke Up Web Series, and her Dreampad line of guided journals and planners that help people align their faith, focus, and future.
As a certified life coach, Ebony is deeply passionate about helping individuals confront what holds them back, heal what tried to break them, and step boldly into who God created them to be. Her voice has been featured in Bold Journey Magazine and Canvas Rebel Magazine, and she has spoken at women’s conferences, leadership events, and empowerment platforms nationwide.
She is also the co host of The Unscripted Push Podcast alongside DeVonnda Shantel, where they lead raw, faith centered conversations about life, business, relationships, healing, and becoming your best self.
Ebony’s signature experience, the She Woke Up Conference, is a powerful two day gathering that equips women to build, grow, and walk boldly in their God given assignments. Following the momentum of She Woke Up Dominating, the 2026 conference theme, She Woke Up Building, marks a new season focused on structure, sustainability, legacy, and putting faith into action.
Above all, Ebony is a devoted wife, mother of five, and a woman of faith who believes in the power of storytelling to heal, shift, and transform lives. Through her books, conferences, publishing company, and media platforms, she continues to remind people that their voice has value and it is time to wake up and use it.
Pastor Leah McNair is an entrepreneur, mentor, speaker, author, and the founder of The Sister Circle International. She is married to Rev. P. Michael McNair, and together they are the proud parents of twin boys, Judah and Jordan.
An alumna of The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Pastor Leah holds a Bachelor Degree in Public Health Education. She is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity degree from Virginia Union University. Additionally, she is a member of the Greensboro, NC chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated. Pastor Leah serves as the Lead Pastor of Circle City Church in High Point, NC, which was established in November 2021. She has authored five books, including "21 Days of Powerful Prayers," which inspired the founding of The Sister Circle International in August 2020.
The Sister Circle International, now a 501(c)(3) organization, began with 40 women in the Piedmont Triad area and has since grown into a thriving community of over 10,000 women nationwide. The organization's mission is to enrich the lives of women and their families, supported by community partnerships and The Sister Circle University, which includes the School of Business and the School of Health & Wellness. Under Pastor Leah's leadership, The Sister Circle has become a beacon of empowerment, providing essential resources that help women on their journeys toward healing and wholeness.
With over 25 years of ministry experience, Pastor Leah is known for her captivating teaching style that makes scripture relevant and relatable to her audience. Alongside Pastor Mac, Pastor Leah leads Circle City Church, a dynamic, unconventional ministry that reflects the values they campion both within and beyond the church walls. Through Circle City Church, Pastor Leah continues to create avenues for families to grow, connect, and thrive, boldly fulfilling her calling as an uncompromising voice in today's world.
Dr. Meloney Michelle Miller is known as, “The Woman in the Back of Success.”
She has dedicated her life to sharpening the blades of Kings and Queens. She
sharpens daily on the knowledge of her career that has included Failure and
Success! She has been blessed to sharpen leaders across vast areas of
expertise from public figures, government agencies to corporate CEOs. She is a
highly sought-after Master Brand Strategist, Brand Architect, Business & Brand
Fixer, Coach, and Consultant.
Meloney sharpened a decade of experience in corporate America in roles as
Executive Management, Corporate Trainer, Speaker, Corporate Face, and
Change Agent before transitioning to CEO for the last 14 years. She prides
herself with successfully leading businesses through the extreme lows and highs
of entrepreneurship and uses her business adventures as the backdrop of her
knowledge. As a business owner she has had significant accomplishments such
as being a regular Subject Matter Expert seen on WRAL an NBC affiliate
(previous CBS affiliate) for over seven years. She has also managed a $25M
dollar budget, negotiated $100M business crisis resolution and also produced
millions in revenue for her clients.
Meloney has also partnered with many local municipalities and state government
agencies for years to consult, coach and train business leaders, unemployed
professionals and incarcerated individuals on substantial success.
Her current business ventures and give back organizations include M-Cubed &
Co. Global, Miller World Enterprises and several partnership ventures. Her
philanthropy and community services work is included serving on the several
Boards.
At this point in her life she is focused on inciting and cultivating Life, Brand,
Business and WEALTH RIOTS that recalibrate our action to obtaining
unprecedented success by the means that are necessary for sustainability. She
believes that it is time to stop talking about MILLIONS and Make MILLIONS with
My First Million NOW! Meloney has a passion for women and minorities in
business. Meloney has come to disturb everything that stands in your way of
Success.
Previously included in the top Who’s Who in Black Raleigh Durham. Received
numerous awards and accolades.
Othaey Fitzpatrick is a United States Air Force veteran and a devoted mental health advocate whose life reflects service, resilience, and deep compassion. A Raleigh, NC native, she felt called to serve early in life and enlisted in the Air Force after graduating from Broughton High School in 1992, completing ten years of honorable service.
After her military career, Othaey pursued higher education with purpose and determination. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management from Southern Illinois University in 2001 and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from North Carolina Central University in 2006. In 2025, she completed her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, strengthening her commitment to supporting emotional and psychological well‑being.
Since 2014, Othaey has worked in social services, serving vulnerable populations through case management, counseling, and advocacy. Her hands‑on experience has equipped her to address a wide range of social, emotional, and mental health needs.
At the heart of her journey is her love for God—and even more, her love for God’s people. Whether serving her country or guiding individuals through crisis, Othaey embodies compassion, discipline, and unwavering dedication. She continues to champion mental wellness, resilience, and hope in every community she touches.
Michelle Holmes is the founder and CEO of Flourish & Thriving Solutions, a fractional executive firm that helps founders and teams scale with clarity, structure, and integrity. With over 20 years of leadership experience in operations, customer experience, eCommerce fraud prevention, and executive strategy, Michelle has led multi-million-dollar organizations through transformational change, building systems that work and developing people who thrive. She builds systems that work, and develops people who thrive. Her leadership spans high-performing, cross-cultural teams across the U.S., Australia, Belize, and Manila, turning big vision into executable strategy.
When she’s not equipping founders in the marketplace, she wears the hat of a wife, mother of six, and Pastor building a legacy that bridges both business and community.
DeVonnda Shantel McCormick is a Self-Esteem Coach, author, podcast co-host, and Leadership & Development Strategist committed to empowering women to heal, embrace confidence, and live with purpose. She is the founder of Confidence & Luxe Leadership Co. and co-host of The Unscripted Push Podcast alongside Ebony S. Bailey, creating spaces where women are equipped to lead boldly and authentically.
A proud Durham, NC native, DeVonnda holds a B.A. in History from Elizabeth City State University and an M.S.Ed. from Capella University. She has been recognized as one of North Carolina’s 100 Most Successful Women (2013) and has received multiple honors, including ACHI Magazine’s Master Coach of the Year (2022), Influencer Award (2024), and Excellence in Leadership Award (2025).
Her transformational book, Heal Your Mind and Soul Through Self Work (2022), along with her motivational speaking and mentoring programs, continues to inspire women worldwide to redefine beauty, overcome self-doubt, and pursue their God-given calling.
In addition to her entrepreneurial and coaching work, DeVonnda serves as an Associate Director in the Research Triangle Park (RTP) area, balancing her corporate leadership role with her passion for women’s empowerment, fashion, and personal growth.
Dr. Monique Haynes — The Apostolic Catalyst — is a bold, transformative leader, author, and international speaker who equips individuals and organizations to lead with wholeness, wisdom, and impact. Known for her ability to bridge spiritual authority with marketplace expertise, she empowers leaders to rise from obscurity into purpose-driven influence in ministry, business, and community leadership.
Dr. Haynes has planted two churches and, alongside her husband, Pastor Johnell Haynes, oversees VeriSource Raleigh. She also serves as the Chief Operations Officer for VeriSource Global, where she combines visionary leadership with operational excellence.
As the founder of The Chayil Commission, she trains and certifies leaders to move with integrity, multiply their impact, and break generational cycles of limitation. Her work blends Kingdom principles with practical leadership strategies, financial literacy, and emotional wellness—equipping leaders to build lasting legacies.
Ashley Williams is a Raleigh, NC native. At a young age she realized her fascination with the medical field and instantly set out to accomplish all she could to ensure it would be a part of her future. After graduating from Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School she attended The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. There she graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in Communication Studies with a concentration in Health along with a double minor in Public Health and Biology, all while completing her perquisite coursework for Physician Assistant School. Ashley obtained her Master’s Degree in Physician Assistant Studies from Morehouse School of Medicine’s Physician Assistant Program in 2023. Ashley obtained her Doctorate in Medical Education with a certificate in Healthcare Administration and Management from the University of Lynchburg’s Doctorate of Medical Science Program in 2025. She now works as a Pediatric Physician Assistant in Fayetteville, NC. Outside of work she enjoys helping the youth dance and mime team of her church, reading, crossing things off her at Deliverance Church of Christ in Siler City, NC. She enjoys reading, spending time with loved ones, and loving life out loud and in alignment with God’s plan for her life.
James Sam is the Senior Pastor of J. Sam Ministries, a dynamic and growing ministry committed to transforming lives through the life-changing power of God’s Word. Originally from Queens, New York, Pastor Sam brings both urban authenticity and spiritual depth to his leadership and preaching. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies from Hidden Manna Bible College and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Psychology with a concentration in Family Counseling and Therapy. His preaching is known for clarity, power, and relevance—bridging biblical truth with everyday life to produce lasting transformation.
Pastor Sam has served faithfully in multiple areas of ministry, with each season shaping his spiritual maturity and preparing him for greater kingdom responsibility. He believes that remaining a lifelong student of God’s Word leads to the highest degree one can attain—wisdom, knowledge, and divine revelation. Where he teaches, revelation is released, and where revelation flows, growth follows.
He is joyfully married to his teenage sweetheart, LaShawn Sam, and they are the proud parents of four children. Beyond the pulpit, Pastor Sam is the founder of Pathways, a nonprofit empowering young people to walk in both spiritual purpose and practical excellence.
Elder LaShawn Sam is a native of Jamaica, Queens, New York, and a devoted servant of God with years of faithful ministry experience. She has served in various roles, including Usher, Liturgical Dance Instructor, Mentor to Young Women, and Church Administrator. In 2002, she answered the call to ministry and was ordained as an Evangelist, preaching and teaching the Word of God.
In 2009, her husband, James Sam, was called into ministry and was ordained as Pastor in 2010. He founded and served as Pastor of Rivers of Living Water. Together, they are aligned with Hidden Manna Ministries International under the leadership of Presiding Prelate Bishop Cranford M. Davis. In 2014, LaShawn was ordained as an Elder and now serves as Senior Administrator for Bishop Davis and Pastor James Sam.
Elder Sam is the founder of Diamonds in God’s Eyes, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering and supporting women. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Organizational Management and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Health Administration, with plans to obtain a Doctoral degree. Elder LaShawn Sam faithfully serves alongside her husband at J. Sam Ministries.