WeNation Event Recap

SwagHer attended Lucinda Cross WeNation Re-Entry Conference & Expo, and boy ole boy was it a treat! 

From the door, WeNation Ambassadors greeted attendees at the entrance with a smile and excitement. Upon entering the Performing Arts Center located in Queens NY, 153-10 Jamaica Ave, Jamaica, New York, one sponsor on the scene was New York’s popular radio stations WBLS/HOT97 playing the hottest jams while giving away free merch. Another table had catered breakfast, with options of scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, omelets, waffles and chicken made to perfection. If you had a sweet tooth, the @TheDonutologist was on the scene with his deliciously delectable mini donuts. 

After breakfast, attendees had the opportunity to mix and mingle, take photos at the WeNation step and repeat, and head into the space where all the magic would happen. If you know the Vision Board Queen Lucinda Cross, you know when she puts together an event you’re going to leave a new person, with a job (or some leads to a job), a little pep in your step, and an activated vision for your life. 

The WeNation Conference/Expo started out with a bang featuring a lovely dance piece by Uptown Dance Academy based out of Harlem. The young dancers, whose poised and polished moves looked like they’d been professional dancers their entire lives, were something to marvel at. 

After their performance Lucinda was awarded with a citation from the City Council for all her amazing work in communities around the tri-state. 

Lucinda then welcomed international speaker, life coach, author, and all around mentor to thousands, Dee C. Marshall to the stage and had attendees doing the exact math of days they’ve been on earth, (365 x’s your age = your time on earth), while explaining how much time we waste on a daily. After her mic drop words of wisdom, she left the audience with a last assignment to always “find something to be grateful for”. 

Not only was it a powerful morning message, it was a perfect start to what would follow. One sponsor LaTonia Pouncey, Corporate Manager and head, Diversity and Inclusion L3 Technologies, Inc. hit the stage to break down L3 Technology Inc. and what it’s doing for and in communities all over the world. 

Lucinda hit the stage again and had a slew of treats for attendees. First it was a crown demonstration, yes crown; Lucinda provided each and every Queen with a beautiful gold crown to wear and take home. She did an impactful demonstration guiding everyone to lower their crowns on their heads while reciting a powerful declaration. 

Andrew Morrison, founder of Small Business Bootcamp, hit the stage with an equally powerful message and some much needed tough love. He spoke about growing up in the Brooklyn projects, sleeping on a pull out bed and sharing space with his Jamaican family. At the age of 17, he would begin his life work of working with people behind bars. Mr. Morrison had many amazing messages, two of them being “The frequency of your thoughts today will help you manifest what you seek to create in the future” and “Your future success is hidden in your daily habits”.

After Andrew’s awe-inspiring story Lucinda introduced political pioneer, esteemed social justice leader, advocate and activist, Tamika Mallory, to the stage. Lowery shared about her days of being arrested and jailed protesting for people’s rights and political awareness. She also spoke about her rambunctious days as a youth and losing her son’s father to gun violence and being left in a ditch for two weeks before being found. It was this tragic incident that sparked her passion to make a political stance for her son, women who’d lost their child’s father to gun violence, and communities all over. It was another powerhouse testimony leaving attendees inspired and ready to vote. 

Following Lowery was another treat, featuring a dance performance/experience, this time by @Styletainment, who were adorned in colorful vibrant garments and moving beautifully in-sync, a show worth sitting hours for. 

Of course, Lucinda had more up her sleeve in the form of a super sweet surprise. She asked the attendees to reach under their chairs to see if they had an envelope with cash in it! Yes, you read that correctly! The amazing sponsors, who made WeNation possible, stuffed some envelopes with bills of $20, $40 dollars for some women. It was certainly a sight to see, watching the women squeal with excitement after finding an envelope. 

A fireside chat ensued featuring a powerhouse panel of philanthropic influencers who shared their personal stories of trials and tribulations, to a vision of victory. It was an explosive conference and every great quote touched each and every woman.

As DJFanaticBK spun some old school and new school tracks for a dance battle as the We- Nation conference came to an end. Lastly, Lucinda requested that participants walk across the stage reciting their individual intentions while leaving any negative or unfulfilled thoughts in the past as they made their way to the other side of the stage.

After taking away so many life lessons and valuable information SwagHer Magazine is definitely looking forward to the next WeNation Conference & Expo! 

Delilah Williams