Saturday April 19 @ 11amVirtual Event
Minds Matter Prince George's
Virtual event geared towards helping local Prince George's residents take control of their mental health and wellbeing.
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What Is Minds Matter Prince George's?

This virtual event will delve into the brain-gut connection and its crucial role in mental health and overall wellness. Through three expert-led workshops, participants will explore how the gut microbiome influences cognitive function, mood, and stress, and learn strategies to improve mental health through holistic practices and nutrition. The event features three distinct workshops led by licensed therapists and wellness experts who will provide practical tools and knowledge for better emotional and physical well-being.

Join Us April 19, 2025 @ 11 AM

This Is A VIRTUAL Event

Minds Matter Agenda

This is a floating event schedule section. Click the workshop to view the details about time duration, speaker, venue & more.

Opening Remarks

11:00 AM
Porcha Johnson
Opening remarks by The BGH Foundation Founder Vitual Laporcha Grigsby
  • Porcha Johnson
    Porcha Johnson
    Executive Director | BGH Foundation

The live event kicks off with opening remarks from several notable speakers.

Kickoff Speaker

11:05 AM
Join us as we kick off the Minds Matter event with an inspiring session led by our keynote speaker, Dr. Rhonda Wood: Award-Winning Keynote Speaker | Bestselling Author | Media Personality | Mental Health Advocate. Virtual Dr. Rhonda M. Wood

The live event kicks off with opening remarks from Dr. Rhonda Wood.

Healing Through Connection: The Brain-Gut Relationship and Stress Management

11:15 AM
Explore the concept of the brain-gut connection and its profound impact on mental health and stress management. Virtual Takirra Faulkner, LGPC

Workshop Focus:

  • Introduction to the brain-gut connection
  • The impact of this connection on mental health
  • Effective stress management techniques supported by this understanding

Empowered Healing: Holistic Practices for Stress, Trauma, and Wellness

12:15 PM
Demonstrate breathwork, gentle movement, and sound healing to release stress and promote healing within daily life to support the gut-brain connection. Virtual Lourdine Jean-Francois, LCPC

Workshop Focus:

  • Breathwork techniques for reducing stress
  • Gentle movement and sound healing practices
  • How these methods promote healing and improve the gut-brain connection

Wholeness Within: Integrating Mind, Body, and Spirit for Total Wellness

1:00 PM
Explain how nutrition (specifically plant-based diets) influences brain health and mental wellness. Virtual Dr. Shaneka McClarty, DHSc, LCPC, LPC

Workshop Focus:

  • The connection between nutrition and brain health
  • How plant-based diets can improve mental wellness
  • Practical steps to integrate these insights into daily life for overall well-being
Ms. Takirra Faulkner, M.S., LGPC

Ms. Takirra Faulkner, M.S., LGPC

Dr. Rhonda M. Wood is a powerhouse voice in mental health advocacy, an award-winning international keynote speaker, bestselling author, and media personality dedicated to breaking the silence around mental health. Once a thriving corporate professional, she privately battled depression, anxiety, and unresolved childhood trauma. Her decision to seek therapy was a life-changing moment—one that not only transformed her own healing journey but also ignited her passion to empower others to do the same. As the host of The Dr. Rhonda Show, Dr. Wood uses her global platform to amplify the voices of women who silently struggle, fostering a movement of healing, transparency, and resilience. Featured on major media outlets such as ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX, her work has earned her prestigious honors, including two Presidential Lifetime Achievement Awards and the United Nations Women of Distinction Award. Beyond media, Dr. Wood serves on the Board of NAMI Prince George’s County, influencing policy and expanding access to mental health resources. She is deeply committed to helping women reset their values, renew their vision, and reclaim their voices. Her message is clear: true healing begins when we break the silence and boldly choose to “heal out loud.”

Dr. Rhonda M. Wood
Award-Winning Keynote Speaker | Bestselling Author | Media Personality | Mental Health Advocate
Ms. Lourdine Jean Franćois, LCPC

Ms. Lourdine Jean Franćois, LCPC

CEO and founder of FLOW With Coach Lou

Ms. Lourdine Jean Franćois, LCPC, is a Licensed Holistic Therapist, transformative healer, and guide who harnesses the power of holistic practices to nurture the inner strength of women and guide them toward their power. With over 15 years of dedicated experience, she's inspired and supported hundreds of women in unlocking their innate potential and navigating life's journey with grace and authenticity. Originally hailing from the vibrant streets of Jersey City, NJ, Ms. Jean-Franćois proudly embraces her roots as a firstgeneration Haitian-American. For the past 24 years, Maryland has been her home, where she has cultivated her practice and touched countless lives with her wisdom. Trained in psychology, Ms. Jean-Franćois earned her Bachelor's Degree from Morgan State University in 2005 and her Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology from Frostburg State University in 2008. As the visionary CEO and founder of FLOW With Coach Lou, she has birthed the POWA Circle, a sacred space for women to reclaim their authentic power and embrace abundance. Her signature, Flow Method | Embody Your Power and Create the Joyful Life You Deserve, was birthed from her commitment to empowering women from all walks of life. Additionally, she is the co-founder and co-owner of Better Days Counseling, LLC, a sanctuary for mental health and healing in Greenbelt, MD. For Ms. Jean-Franćois, empowering women is not merely a profession but a sacred calling, a divine inspiration to uplift and elevate. Her holistic therapy and coaching practice integrates mental, emotional, energetic, and spiritual principles and practices, honoring ancient wisdom and indigenous traditions. In a world that often challenges women's strength and resilience, Ms. Lourdine Jean Franćois is a beacon of hope and empowerment. Her unwavering dedication to fostering personal growth and self-discovery illuminates the path for those seeking to embrace their true selves. Through her holistic approach, she creates not only a space for healing but also a community where women can connect, share their journeys, and celebrate their victories together. As she continues to inspire and transform lives, Ms. Jean-Franćois remains committed to her mission: to nurture the powerful, joyful lives every woman deserves, ensuring that they feel seen, valued, and empowered on their unique journeys.

Ms. Lourdine Jean Franćois, LCPC
Visionary CEO & Founder of FLOW With Coach Lou
Ms. Takirra Faulkner, M.S., LGPC

Ms. Takirra Faulkner, M.S., LGPC

Ms. Takirra Faulkner, M.S., LGPC is a native Washingtonian with a heart for helping people! She retrieved her Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology. After this, she immediately enrolled in Graduate School to retrieve her Master’s in Counseling Psychology. Ms. Faulkner has done extensive research to properly convey how the mind, body, spirit, and emotions of a human being work together. From this, she is able to help many people understand and get to the root of their problems. Ms. Faulkner is not only a leader, but she is also a light that shines bright to illuminate the way for others. By doing so, she is able to help many people find their true purpose in life. Ms. Faulkner understands, she guides, and most importantly, she listens.

Ms. Takirra Faulkner, M.S., LGPC
Native Washingtonian With A Heart For Helping People
Dr. Shaneka McClarty, DHSc, MA, LCPC

Dr. Shaneka McClarty, DHSc, MA, LCPC

Founder of Therapy Girl Counseling & Consulting

Dr. Shaneka McClarty is a licensed psychotherapist, health scientist, and plant-based chef dedicated to improving mental health and overall well-being through evidence-based strategies. As the founder of Therapy Girl Counseling & Consulting with locations in Columbia, MD, and Atlanta, GA, she specializes in health psychology, focusing on anxiety, depression, stress management, and nutrition-related concerns. Dr. McClarty holds a Doctor of Health Science from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, a Master of Arts in Psychology with a Specialization in Professional Counseling from Argosy University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Stillman College. A passionate advocate for holistic health, Dr. McClarty leads several initiatives, including Cook to Thrive, a plant-based mental health meal prep program that teaches participants how to prepare flavorful, healthy meals, and Eat Run Pray, a wellness group that combines running, healthy eating, and prayer to promote physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Additionally, she is the producer of the edu-documentary, Food Swing: Integrating Nutritional Interventions with Therapy. Through her diverse expertise in mental health, nutrition psychology, and public health, Dr. McClarty remains committed to empowering individuals and communities to thrive.

Dr. Shaneka McClarty, DHSc, MA, LCPC
Founder of Therapy Girl Counseling & Consulting
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