Women Blossoming: A Traditional Tea & Celebration to Inspire and Empower girls and women 16 and older

Women Blossoming: A Traditional Tea & Celebration to Inspire and Empower is the event of the spring season, featuring fantastic speakers and creatives:

The event features appearance by the following:

Jennifer Okosun  is a creative writer, speaker and creative entrepreneur, who as a young child she used the arts to cope with trauma; as a young adult, she's used it to heal. Jennifer has facilitated several workshops on self-care and healing trauma.  Now, she is launching a blog about creative wellness called Power upWell and a book about her journey to healing. Jennifer will present a workshop beginning at 3:00 pm.

Ana R. Harvey  is president / CEO of HarveyHudson Group and  Chief Executive Officer of the Dupont Underground, an arts organization committed to developing a multidisciplinary platform for creative expression. She is a former director of the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD). For four years, she served in the administration of  President Barack Obama as the U.S. Small Business Administration's Assistant Administrator for Office of Women's Business Ownership, managing a budget of over $50 million. Ana will present insights for women interested in business and the business of culture beginning at 3:30pm

ADDISON SWITZER is a professional actor who has been on most of the local stages, including Arena, Shakespeare Theatre, African Continuum Theatre and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. He has appeared on popular television programs like The Wire, and SWAGGER.  Addison has most recently been seen with Julia Roberts, Matt Damon and  Don Cheadle in The Kennedy Center Honors Awards in Washington, DC.  Addison is also co-chair of the board of directors of Esther Productions Inc.  and its visual director. A native Washingtonian who currently resides in  Cheverly, MD., Switzer is president of Buckwildmedia.com at 4:00 pm  during the Women Blossoming Celebration he will present an original  dramatic monologue.

Kaleidoscope Women's Writing Collective, a diverse group of poet and fiction writers at various stages in their career. They released their first book this year "Women of Color Reflecting on Life." Sharon Burton, Kanimozhi mv, and Betty Nyangoni are among the members scheduled to appear reading new and published works at 4:00 pm. (an open mic will follow from 4:30 to 4:45 pm)

Afrika Abney, an alum of the prestigious Corcoran School of Art, is an accomplished professional visual artist, whose influences include Jorge Somarriba, Marvin Sin, Lois M. Jones, Romare Bearden, Jacob Lawrence, and Sam Gilliam. She has received multiple grants from the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities. Her paintings have been exhibited widely throughout the East Coast, including at Emma Mae Gallery (Washington, DC), The New Harlem Gallery (New York City, New York), Wisteria ArtSpace (New York City, New York), Corcoran Gallery of Art (Washington, DC), Market 5 Gallery (Washington, DC), The Phillips Collection (Washington, DC) and Dupont Society (Washington, DC). Afrika's work will be on display and for sale throughout the event.

Don't miss the healing, the inspiration, the empowering moments and the fun!

IT'S FREE. SEATING IS LIMITING AND REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.

Light, traditional tea-styled, refreshments will be served.

COME CELEBRATE YOURSELF! YOU DESERVE IT!