Motivated Moms and Dads from Across Texas Honored at First Retreat Since Global COVID-19 Pandemic
Hollywood Line-Up Included Flex Alexander, DJ Spinderella, Larenz Tate, Larron Tate, Lahmard Tate, Nicci Gilbert-Daniels, Rose Rock, Laterras R. Whitfield, and Jason Earls
DALLAS, TX – The Motivated Mom has officially closed its 2024 Motivated Mom Retreat. The retreat was held September 20-22, 2024, at the Virgin Hotel Dallas, located at 1445 Turtle Creek Blvd, Dallas, TX 75207. This year’s retreat was sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, Pfizer, Mielle, Luxury Mobile Experience, The Design Factory, Mar Howard, and the Reconciliation and Restoration Foundation.
With a theme focused on “Embrace, Empower, Energize,” this transformative event welcomed hundreds of moms from all over the country to 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 Moms Retreat aims to empower North Texas moms in mind, body and spirit. This was the first Motivated Mom Retreat since 2019, when Rose Rock, mother of Hollywood icon Chris Rock, received The Motivated Mom of the Year Award. The award, presented during the Motivated Mom of the Year Awards, is now named in her honor and she returned as a presenter this year.
The retreat opened on Friday, September 20, with the Converse + Cocktail Dress Soiree, Hollywood actors and producers Larenz Tate, Larron Tate and Lahmard Tate (The Tate Brothers) led the Celebrity Dad’s Panel, moderated by actor and comedian, Flex Alexander, and brought a father’s perspective to the conversation.
The soiree also featured the Motivated Mom of the Year Awards, which honors North Texas parents in multiple professional areas. The Motivated Mom and Dad of the Year are Nicci Gilbert and Laterras R. Whitfield, respectively. Gilbert is best known as the lead vocalist in the female R&B group, Brownstone. Whitfield is recognized as the host of the top-rated, always trending, and often viral relationship podcast, Dear Future Wifey. Whitfield made history as the very first recipient of the Motivated Dad of the Year Award.
LaToyia Dennis, who founded The Motivated Mom, was dedicated to giving Motivated Moms and Dads their flowers for all the work they do in their personal and professional lives across education, philanthropy, ministry and education. This year’s Motivated Mom in Education is Dr. LaTanya Goffney, Superintendent of Aldine Independent School District & President-Elect of the National Alliance of Black School Educators, while this year’s Motivated Dad in Education is Dr. Michael Sorrell, President of Paul Quinn College. This year’s Motivated Mom in Philanthropy is Thana Hickman, founder & CEO of Viola’s House, and the Motivated Dad in Philanthropy is Richard Miles, the founder and CEO of Miles of Freedom. The Motivated Mom in Ministry is Stephanie Carter, the First Lady and Sisterhood & Fearless Mom Leader of Concord Church, while the Motivated Dad in Ministry is Pastor Chris Simmons, senior pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church. Finally, the Motivated Mom in Business is Sheena Payne, Director of Community Affairs at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas while the Motivated Dad in Business is Roland Parish, CEO of Parish McDonald’s Restaurants.
“We haven’t gathered for five long years and so much has changed since then,” said LaToyia Dennis, who is also host of The Motivated Mom Retreat. “We took careful steps to give flowers to those who have chartered new paths and continue to make waves in their community, while also being rockstar parents. This year’s honorees deserve to have their passion, dedication, and commitment recognized. They are such an inspiration, and we are so honored to celebrate these individuals.”
Saturday was jam-packed with even more activities specifically with moms in mind. The day began with yoga, where attendees were gifted with yoga mats to take home. Breakfast was provided, followed by a morning devotion and prayer. A series of sponsored general sessions took place, including a maternal health panel and discussions on wealth building, mental health, wellness and self-care. During the luncheon on Day 2, attendees participated in a fireside chat featuring DJ Spinderella, best known as a member of the famed hip-hop group Salt-N-Pepa, and Rose Rock. The fireside chat with Spinderella focused on walking in purpose and was conducted by event creator and host, LaToyia Dennis. That afternoon, there was also a beauty and wellness lounge that consisted of make-up by celebrity make-up artist Riska Crowder, as well as chair massages and reflexology. The night ended with a pajama karaoke party for all attendees.
Sunday brought the weekend to a close with the MOMories closing brunch. MOMories were certainly made as there was a surprise baby shower for three expectant mothers. Two moms are part of Ada’s Place, which provides resources, training and support to single mothers who are going through challenging transitional seasons, while one was part of the Motivated Mom program. All three mothers received items like diapers, car seats, tummy time play sets and more! It was a pleasant surprise to see and a wonderful end to a supportive weekend for moms at all stages.
“Putting together that kind of surprise brings rewards that can’t be put into words,” said Dennis. “The retreat is a supportive environment for every stage of motherhood, and seeing the smiles on the faces of three expectant moms actually made everyone in the room smile and shed tears of joy. It was a wonderful way to close out the experience.”
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, please visit https://motivatedmom.org/events/.
Photography By: Ari Talton
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.”
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