MEET THE SPEAKERS
Suzette Standring
Spread the Gospel: Write a Successful Spirituality Column
Being a religion writer was the last thing Suzette ever expected to be, yet, You-Know-Who had other plans. Nationally syndicated since 2008, she has learned valuable writing lessons along the way. Suzette will share how to be more effective in writing about spiritual matters.
Suzette Martinez Standring is nationally syndicated for her religion column through GateHouse Media. Her award winning books, The Art of Column Writing and The Art of Opinion Writing, are used in university journalism courses nationally. In 2017 she received the Will Rogers Humanitarian Award from the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. She never even went to college. Visit www.readsuzette.com or email: suzmar@comcast.net
Motivational song: The Times Are A-Changing by Bob Dylan
Personal quote: “Being uncertain naturally causes fear. But there is a merciful beauty in not knowing the future. It gives one hope for the possibilities". - Suzette Standring
Dr. Tope Keku
Topic: TBA
Tope is the author of Weathering Storms devotional. She is passionate about helping others reach their full potential, body, mentor soul, and spirit. She inspires women to discover their identity and purpose. She encourages women facing adversity to discover the hidden treasures in their situations. She is a speaker, professional coach and bible teacher.
Tope has mentored women for over 25 years. Through her devotions, she motivates women to grow in their faith and apply biblical truths to their situations and embrace hope. She is a women’s ministry leader at her church. She is a wife and mother of four young adults. She enjoys praying, reading, writing, cooking, research and hanging out with family and friends. Visit Tope at www.HiddenTreasuresandRiches.com
Dora Snead
Topic: The Power of a Sound Mind
I am a wife of an ordained minister and my husband; Kenneth is also an Elder & and
Vice President (Board of Trustees) at our church. I am also a mother of 6 (ranging from
35 years to almost 16 years) and grandmother of 6. I am the chairperson of our
usher/greeter ministry at church, I also co-chair along with my husband the Couples’ in
Christ ministry (couple’s ministry), I am the overseer of the Hospitality Ministry, and I
also coordinate and schedule all activities that our church has going on.
I am a former Grand Canyon University 2018 graduate with a Masters in Christian
Leadership. This summer I will be entering the doctorate program at Liberty University
for my Doctorate in Ministry Leadership for God has called me to counsel all women.
I have been employed with a CPA firm in Cary, NC for almost 5 years as an Office
Manager/Staff Accountant.
My hobbies include bowling, going to the movies, playing Phase 10 cards & board
games, shopping, cooking, baking, and just creating memories with the family.
Madeline Long
Topic: Moving Beyond Awareness
Madeline Long, Founder & CEO of Supporting Our Sisters International, Inc. (SOSI) started the
organization after her own personal and family struggle with breast cancer to offer support
African- American and Hispanic/Latina sisters with a message of health, hope, healing and
quality care. The organization is dedicated to improving knowledge and access across the
continuum of cancer care, helping women adapt healthier lifestyles in order to help reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence. She started her career in direct services working as an
Employability Skills Training Instructor with the DC Department of Human Services. She is a
former Board Member of the St. Louis Family Violence Council, a former Corporate Advisory
Board Member of NAFEO (representing 106 Historical Black Colleges and Universities). She
spent 12 years as a volunteer for Komen St. Louis before becoming an Advocate in Science, a
community of dedicated volunteer advocates who work to reduce the burden of breast cancer in their communities. Madeline is a Fellow with the National Leadership Academy for The Public’s Heath (NLAPH), funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
NLAPH is a national program focused on improving population health by working with multi-
sector leadership teams and training the teams through an applied, team-based collaborative
leadership development model.
In 2016, SOSI was awarded a Susan G. Komen grant expand its impact in the national capital
area. She also served for over six years as a volunteer Chaplain with the St. Louis Police
Department assigned to the Homicide Division under the Homicide Ministers and Community
Alliance Program, providing support for victim’s families. She served as President of Sisters
Network Prince George’s County, these coupled experiences helped her understand the
importance of health equity for all breast cancer survivors. Under her leadership, the awesome executive team of Sisters Network Prince George’s County reached over 10,000 people in less than 2 years through community health programs, workshops and medical screening participation.
Madeline has shared her story on the Dr. Oz show, Good Day Washington, the Tom Joyner Morning Show and various of national conferences. . Madeline recently accepted the position as Marketing Director of BeSure, a company advancing innovation in breast cancer
early detection by breaking traditional inertia through the support of focused innovative
methods of screening, and mechanisms to provide risk assessment and early detection to
communities of color and at-risk populations.
Motivational quote: "Three things in life – your health, your mission, and the people you love."
Minister Tina Lucas
Skit: Thirsty
Minister Tina Lucas is the daughter of Roger and Frances Torain. She resides in Stem
NC with her husband Larry and together they have 5 children and 5 grandchildren.
Minister Lucas has worked at Duke Medical Center for 17 years, she is a Clinical
Research Coordinator.
Minister Lucas gave her life to the Lord in August 1985. She was licensed to preach the
gospel in August 2007 and ordained in May 2009 at Lattisville Grove Missionary Baptist
Church under the leadership of Pastor George Crews III.
Min. Lucas started Titus’2’Ministries in 2010 to encourage, equip, and empower men,
women, boys, and girls to discover their identity, purpose, and plan for their lives
through writing, speaking and conferences.
Minister Lucas and her husband are currently attending New Hope Church, Durham
NC. Where Dr. Benji Kelley is the Pastor. Minister Lucas strives to let the Love of God
be shed abroad in her heart and to be a light to every one she meets.
Psalm 34:1
I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.