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Angela W. PattonFounder & Executive Director of Camp Diva
Tragedies are always difficult to overcome, but for Angela Patton they can be used as an inspiration to pursue endeavors that positively impact the community. Patton founded a group called Spa Travelers for women coping with challenging circumstances such as poverty, domestic violence and single motherhood. When Diva Mistadi Smith-Roane, the 5-year-old daughter of Patton's friend, lost her life through a careless firearm accident in early 2004, Patton saw an opportunity to develop a group similar to Spa Travelers that would cater to young girls. Patton's mission was to provide a camp where girls, between the ages of 11 to 17, could be safe and instill in them principles that would adequately prepare them for a healthy transition into womanhood. She decided to name this act of love Camp Diva, in honor and memory of Diva Mistadi Smith Roane.
Since its inception, CAMP DIVA, started as a five-week summer retreat and has since expanded to offer several after-school programs, summer retreats and other programs that extend throughout the year. The aim of this camp is to empower at-risk African-American girls to whom she refers to as "at-promise". CAMP DIVA empowers girls as they grow into young women through a unique blending of classes on topics such as healthy relationships, etiquette, financial management, holistic health, sewing and jewelry making. CAMP DIVA also features meetings with black business leaders, college tours, and training in entrepreneurship and community service. Girls discuss goals, receive mentoring and assert independence by representing the program in their communities.
Patton serves on the board of the East District Family Resource Center and has worked for Art180, the Children's Museum of Richmond, the YMCA and the Richmond AIDS Ministry. In 2011, Patton became part of the Girls For a Change (GFC) staff where she currently conducts GFC Richmond programs as part of Camp Diva. The partnership with GFC assists in providing opportunities for Richmond girls to continue social change projects with schools and community centers after school. Patton has experience in training women who are dedicated to developing, strengthening, and expanding programs for African-American girls to create programs to empower African- American girls in their own communities. Trained as a licensed practical nurse and a doula to assist pregnant women with pre- and post-natal care, Patton is currently completing her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from ECPI University and a Certification in Non-profit Management from Virginia Commonwealth University.
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Rev. M. Carmichael Burton, MDiv.Associate Minister of the Pilgrim Journey Baptist Church
MarQuita A. Carmichael Burton is a native of Arlington, Virginia who shares her life with her husband of 23 years, Anthony and their son, Anthony. She is an associate minister of the Pilgrim Journey Baptist Church where Rev. Angelo V. Chatmon is pastor. She was the founding pastor of the Vineyard Ministries in Richmond before furthering her chaplaincy Clinical Pastoral Education at the UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, California.
Rev. Carmichael Burton completed her Masters of Divinity degree at the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University and is the author of "A Drop of Oil" published by Blackwoman Press. She is also published as a contributor in Dr. Ella P. Mitchell's, "Those Preaching Women Volume 5".
Recreationally, MarQuita enjoys writing, reading, photography, horseback riding and swimming. She is a candidate for the Doctor of Ministry degree and looks forward to future opportunities to offer Pastoral Care and Counseling services within the church and community. Rev. Carmichael Burton is undergirded by the scripture found in 1 Corinthians 9:16, "For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for necessity is laid upon me; yea woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel" and the mandate found in Isaiah to "bind up the broken hearted and to set at liberty those held captive".
The preaching and teaching ministry of Rev. Carmichael Burton extends beyond the walls of the traditional church. She has served as a volunteer, board member, financial supporter and program coordinator for Camp Diva's after-school program and facilitates workshop for the girls during their summer retreat, which has often included taking the girls on the "Walk of the Enslaved", Richmond, Virginia's Slave Trail.
She served as a skills coach for California based, Girls for A Change, during their inaugural year in Richmond and partnership with Camp Diva. Rev. Carmichael Burton is excited to work with Girls For A Change and has accepted an offer to assist as the organization's Richmond Training Facilitator. This allows her the opportunity to work within her passion of assisting women who desire to work in healthy relationships with girls.
MarQuita's cultural sensitivities make her a sought out resource for counsel by women, men and children of multi-faith, intergenerational and across racial and cultural lines. Her colleagues trust her and refer persons who need a listening ear, a compassionate heart and one who will encourage and challenge persons to reach the goals they set for themselves; spiritually and emotionally.
In addition to preaching and speaking engagements, MarQuita's services as a guide for what she calls "The Walk of the Enslaved" are often in demand. She has taken large and small groups of family reunions, church youth groups, Dr. Katie Geneva Canon's PhD students from the Union Presbyterian Seminary, Project Burning Bush from Union Presbyterian Seminary and the members of The Ellison Convocation from Virginia Union University. Those who have taken the journey with her have commented that the experience was "life changing" and spiritually enlightening. The following is a brief list of conferences and she adds to her credits:
Baptist General Convention," Breaking Strongholds", USA Women's Conference March 26-27, 2010
Women's Conference 2010, Union Branch Baptist Church
Women Embracing Life.All of It, Pilgrim Journey Baptist Church 2009
UCLA Medical Center Conference for Caregivers, Facilitator for Spiritual Reflection 2008
"Women of Wisdom and Power" Mount Olivet Church, Richmond , Virginia 2002
"Healing from Past Hurts", Spa Travelers, Richmond, Virginia 2004
Camp Diva, Spa Travellers, Panel Discussion at Program Graduation 2005
The John Malcus Ellison Convocation 2005, Virginia Union University,
The Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology, "Lest We Forget"
2003-2004 Bonner Book Discussion, University of Richmond
The Spiritual Activist: Practices to Transform Your Life, Your Work and Your World by Claudia Horwitz. Saturday, February 27, 2004, "Horowitz shows you how to use mindfulness, ritual, art, silence, movement, and the happenings of daily life to help you find unity between your inner journey and your outer commitments."
Awards, Fellowships, Grants
Faith Trust Institute Training for Interfaith Organization Sermon of the Year 2010
Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, Clinical Pastoral Education, Scholarship 2007-2008
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia Phi Etta Sigma National Honor Society Member
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia-The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute for Women in Religion and Higher Education-Class Valedictorian, 2003
It is with great humility and devotion she endeavors to fulfill the call upon her life.
Rev. Carmichael Burton looks forward to opportunities to share with you,
until then, Be..and Be well.
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Jessica Smith
Founder & Owner of Culture Kingdom Kids, LLC
Jessica Marie Smith, a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre Education with a minor in African American Studies. Smith began her career as a high school Drama and English teacher. Since then, she has worked in the arts education industry as an accomplished director, playwright, choreographer and curriculum writer for the past decade. Smith has done extensive work with non-profit organizations such as Art 180, Camp Diva, High Tea Society, and Kaiser Permanente Educational Theatre Programs. She has also directed programs for Maryland National Capital Parks and Planning Commission, Happily Natural Day Festival and a host of schools, churches, and community centers throughout the country.
Ms. Smith is the proud founder and owner of Culture Kingdom Kids, LLC. Culture Kingdom KidsT produces year around programs, performances, and birthday parties that teach children about African and African-American culture through the creative arts. Each child-centered program serves as a "living exhibit" of cultural creativity being expressed by a community of cultural arts ambassadors. The company bolsters a state-of -the-art cultural heritage curriculum that aligns with the Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Virginia Educational Standards for Reading, Language Arts, Fine Arts, Social Studies, and History for grades K-5. Culture Kingdom Kids has a proven track record of attracting large numbers of families with children ranging from the ages of 5-17 who reside within the Washington Metropolitan area. Culture Kingdom prides itself on providing families with opportunities to spend quality time together engaging in fun, culture rich activities that instill cultural pride values. To date, Culture Kingdom Kids has served a variety of clients including the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum, Alexandria Black History Museum, The Newsome House Museum and Cultural Center, African American Heritage Festival, Sankofa Bookstore, Prince George's County Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George's County Public Schools, Prince George's County Memorial Library System, Jack and Jill of America, Inc and a host of schools, churches and community centers and organizations.
Jessica will lead workshop on cultural creativity for families and programs that want to include cultural and ethnic pride into their programs and homes.
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Karen WilsonFounder & Chief Styling Specialist of Karen Wilson Natural Beauty
Karen Wilson is a licensed cosmetologist and instructor with over 10 years experience in the beauty and hair industry. An established stylist, instructor and lecturer, Karen is the founder and Chief Styling Specialist of Karen Wilson Natural Beauty - a natural hair care business educating women on the beauty of natural hair.
Committed to educating women on loving and styling their own natural hair, Karen developed the Kurl Talk: Learning to Love Your Hair One Strand at a Time educational series. This series was designed to teach participants about ways to adopt healthy hair through a healthy lifestyle, and further complements Karen's other educational platform Home Hair Parties - educational parties for women transitioning to or newly wearing natural hair.
Karen's broadcast credits include her features as a regular commentator and natural hair care expert for CBS News WTVR's two-part report on perceptions of natural hair in the African American and professional community as well as CBS News WTVR's This Morning Virginia coverage on "The Science behind Healthy Hair." Besides broadcast segments, Karen has been a featured presenter at several natural hair workshops and seminars in Virginia, including: Embracing Your Beauty Hair Extravaganza hosted in both Richmond and Norfolk, VA; African American Hair Summit; and Richmond Naturals Seminar. Karen's print credits include regular contributions to Beauty Times magazine. Karen also has been highlighted in print media as a voice for women to encourage them to love their natural hair.
Karen received a dual Master's in Social Work - Urban Studies degree from Michigan State University and currently resides in Richmond, VA.
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