On Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, the Georgia International Convention Center will be transformed from a facility of choice to host the next business conference, convention or summit to a venue for transformation. As soon as you walk in the doors, there will be an environmental shift. Attendees can leave preconceptions and misconceptions at the door. They’ll be greeted with “Welcome to SisterTalk, get ready for your healing.”
The third SisterTalk Women’s Empowerment Conference presented by Judge Penny Brown Reynolds is a free event with plenary sessions that aim to liberate women and girls from oppression and self-imposed fear and doubt. This year’s theme is “The Place Where Dreams Begin.” Reynolds will give the keynote address.
“We need to stir up people’s gifts and how to dream,” says Reynolds. “I keynote. I give [attendees] the word God has given me. We are lifting the veil on issues that people don’t want to talk about. We have a lot of feel-good celebrity conferences. That’s not what this is.”
The goal of this year’s conference is twofold, to balance the images portrayed of Black women in media and what is acceptable behavior?
“We need to have a contrasting view. We wanted to be able to show a good and positive image of Black women,” she affirms.
The other goal is to “reclaim our womanhood.” “We have girls who watch videos of each other fighting on social media channels like it’s a badge of honor to fight in the streets and not be ladylike. Young ladies leave their homes wearing hair bonnets and pajama bottoms. No one is saying to them, ‘You don’t leave the house like this.’
“Rather than condemn or judge women, we must showcase the alternative. We are thoughtful and intellectual.”
The host of the court TV show, “Family Court with Judge Penny,” she adds, “There are certain things I won’t do while wearing the robe and I am a woman of God. I am a pastor.”
Attracting 5,000 women and girls, the free event takes place from 7 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. There are also ticketed events including the climaxing event of the conference, a benefit concert with MAZE, featuring Frankie Beverly, a Prayer Breakfast and Sister of Substance Awards luncheon honoring legendary gospel great, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Attorney Janice Mathis, and Elisabeth Omilami.
Reynolds, whose mother taught her that recognition comes from the fruits of your labor, not by trying to put others down, adds, “I don’t think we support each other enough. We have become very comfortable of being critical and do not lift and empower each other enough. An entire generation has lost hope. We need to stir up people’s gifts and how to dream.
“Atlanta is a beautiful place to live, but we can be cliquish. To be honest, we can be selfish about giving other people opportunities. I believe God’s resources are plentiful. People believe they have to be the only one. That troubles me. Every good and perfect thing comes from God,” she closes.
Tickets to the music concert can be purchased at TicktetAlternative.com. The concert begins at 8 p.m. (doors open 7 p.m.). The concert, breakfast and luncheon are ticketed events that benefit The Judge Penny Brown Reynolds Foundation and can be purchased from the conference website, sistertalkconference.com.
