The Motivated Mom announced today that Spinderella, best known as a member of the famed hip-hop group Salt-N-Pepa, will be the featured speaker during a fireside chat on Saturday, September 21. The fireside chat will take place during the luncheon at 12:30 p.m. at the Virgin Hotel Dallas, 1445 Turtle Creek Blvd, Dallas, TX 75207, on Day 2 of The Motivated Mom Retreat. The fireside chat with Spinderella will be conducted by event creator and host, LaToyia Dennis. Tickets for the retreat can be purchased online via Eventbrite.
The retreat opens on Friday, September 20. That evening at 7 p.m., as part of the Converse + Cocktail Dress Soiree, Hollywood actors & producers Larenz Tate, LaRon Tate and Lahmard Tate (The Tate Brothers) will lead the Celebrity Dad’s Panel and bring a father’s perspective to the conversation. Over almost four decades, the Tate Brothers have collectively worked on TV and film projects such as Power Book II: Ghost, 21 Jump Street, Love Jones, Crash, Barbershop, All-American and the upcoming biopic Michael. The soiree also features the Motivated Mom of the Year Awards, which awards North Texas moms in areas such as education and philanthropy.
The 2024 Motivated Mom of the Year honoree is Nicci Gilbert-Daniels. Gilbert-Daniels is best known as the lead vocalist in the female R&B group, Brownstone. She will be presented the award by Rose Rock, mother of Hollywood icon Chris Rock, and previous Motivated Mom of the Year recipient. The award is now named in her honor. The 2024 Motivated Dad of the Year honoree is Laterras R. Whitfield. Whitfield is recognized as the host of the top-rated, always trending, and often viral relationship podcast, Dear Future Wifey. Whitfield is making history as the very first recipient of the Motivated Dad of the Year Award.
Other 2024 honorees include:
Motivated Mom/Dad in Education
- LaTanya Goffney – Superintendent, Aldine Independent School District & President-Elect of the National Alliance of Black School Educators
- Michael Sorrell – President, Paul Quinn College
Motivated Mom/Dad in Philanthropy
- Thana Hickman – Founder/CEO, Viola’s House
- Richard Miles – Founder/CEO, Miles of Freedom
Motivated Mom/Dad in Ministry
- Stephanie Carter – First Lady and Sisterhood & Fearless Mom Leader, Concord Church
- Pastor Chris Simmons – Senior Pastor, Cornerstone Baptist Church
Motivated Mom/Dad in Business
- Sheena Payne – Director of Community Affairs, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas
- Roland Parish – CEO, Parish McDonald’s Restaurants
Motivated Mom/Dad in Education
Hollywood actor and comedian, and disc jockey, Flex Alexander, will be the featured celebrity disc jockey. Comedian Jason Earls will provide entertainment.
With a theme focused on “Embrace, Empower, Energize,” this transformative event will welcome approximately 200 moms from all over the country, offering a sanctuary for rejuvenation and growth. Designed to celebrate the extraordinary mom in each of us in an environment encouraging them to shed the “mom guilt,” The Motivated Mom Retreat will consist of engaging and interactive workshops and panels featuring top celebrities, industry influencers, speakers, authors, bloggers, entertainers and experts in the fields of education, wealth building, beauty, health, wellness, and self-care. There will also be complimentary spa treatments available.
Saturday, September 21, will be jam-packed with even more activities with moms in mind. Breakfast will be provided, following a series of general sessions featuring a maternal health panel and discussions on wealth building, mental health, wellness and self-care. The power-packed speaker line-up for the 2024 Motivated Mom Retreat will include Nicole Cooper, CEO at Black Life ATX; national nonprofit leader, Froswa Booker Drew; Elayna Fernandez, Positive Mom; therapists Parker Forte and Kimberly Miller; Alisha Woodall, therapist and founder of Village Moms; and Kayla Tucker Adams, nationally known public relations strategist. The event will be hosted by Latoyia Dennis, renowned mom advocate and leader, mom advocate, mompreneur and event creator of The Motivated Mom.
There will also be a speed date a therapist session, before a special surprise excursion for attendees. Later in the day, a pool party will take place in the hotel, and a karaoke pajama party will be held in the evening.
Attendees will attend the MOMories closing brunch and general session on Sunday, September 22, where additional complimentary spa treatments will be available.
The 2024 Motivated Moms Retreat is sponsored by Pfizer, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Mielle Organics.
**Red Carpet interviews will take place on Friday, September 20 at 6 p.m. at Virgin Dallas Hotel prior to the start of the start of the Converse + Cocktails Soiree. To request media credentials to attend and cover, please contact Kayla Tucker Adams at info@kaylatuckeradams.com or 214-403-9852.
ONSITE MEDIA INTERVIEW/PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES
- Latoyia Dennis, host of The Motivated Mom Retreat, mom advocate, mompreneur and event creator
- Larenz Tate, LaRon Tate and Lahmard Tate, Hollywood actors
- Rose Rock, mother of Hollywood actor and comedian Chris Rock
- Nicci Gilbert-Daniels, Motivated Mom of the Year Honoree
- Laterras R. Whitfield, Motivated Dad of the Year Honoree
- Flex Alexander, actor, comedian, celebrity DJ
- Spinderella, rapper, producer and DJ; best known as a member of the hip-hop group Salt-N-Pepa
- All Motivated Moms Retreat speakers, panelists and honorees
About The Motivated Mom
Latoyia Dennis, mommy advocate and founder of The Motivated Mom and A Chance to Learn, walked away from a lucrative corporate career to create The Motivated Mom, a network to encourage women around the globe to go passionately after their dreams and create the lives they’ve dreamed of. Her goal is to provide opportunities for women and help them discover who they were created to be. “As moms we are educators – teaching our kids manners, ABC’s and how to drive. We are doctors – cleaning boo boos and taking temperatures. We are chefs – cooking mac and cheese or Thanksgiving dinner,” said Dennis. “We are so many things, and we need time to fall back and RETREAT. This is the ultimate moms retreat delivering motivation, inspiration, education and most importantly, relaxation.”
Latoyia Dennis started The Motivated Moms in 2016 with a nationwide tour that drew sold-out crowds of women and moms looking to grow, learn and reach their dreams. For more information or to register for the 2024 Motivated Moms Retreat, visit https://motivatedmom.org/events/.
