Take The Lead Retreat

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United States
Chicago, IL
Take The Lead Retreat

BY US. FOR US. A space that centers the experience of women + femme of color to come together & lead change we want to see in the running industry.

12/05/2025

Abigail Hollie, Sr. Program Manager at Running Industry Diversity Coalition joined Take the Lead Co-Founders Martha Garcia and Jessica Murphy at The Running Event this week to share insights on "The Practice of Showing Up: Building Community in Our Industry". Our hearts are full after reconnecting with so many familiar faces from the Take the Lead community - and welcoming new ones into the family.

07/07/2023

LaCheryl Ameer-Bey, Program Manager at Camber Outdoors, will be leading our Mentorship + Sponsorship Activity at the retreat along with Tiffany Smith, CEO of Camber Outdoors.

LaCheryl has dedicated the last 15 years of her career to the field of education as a certified educator in the State of Texas. She received a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations & Advertising and a Master of Arts in Communication from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where she completed her Master level thesis study on non-traditional curriculum models that helped to increase student engagement among minority students in public school environments.

LaCheryl brings invaluable experience to Camber through her years of dedication in education, which has required skills such as Conflict Management, Curriculum Design, Differentiated Instruction and Mentorship. She also adds experience working with diverse populations and creating an inclusive environment for students and other stakeholders through academics and athletics.

During her career, LaCheryl served as an Athletic Coordinator and Coach, Testing Coordinator, After School Coordinator and Instructional Coach on multiple grade levels in several large urban school districts in Nebraska and Texas. During her tenure in education she helped design and develop programs and curriculum for students with diverse skill sets and backgrounds. Her passion has always been to use education to close gaps and create more opportunities for underrepresented populations. LaCheryl truly believes that education is a vehicle for change and creates the opportunity for growth and inclusive mindsets.

LaCheryl brings her unique skill set into the role of Program Manager for Camber where she will collaborate with the Director of Programs on Strategy Development, Program Management and Cross Program Collaboration.

We're immensely grateful to have LaCheryl leading this important portion of our retreat. Thank you, LaCheryl!

07/05/2023

Continuing this series where we introduce you to the folks taking part in this year's Retreat - the first-ever retreat for women and femme of color in the running industry.

Next is Tiffany Smith, CEO of Camber Outdoors. Tiffany is dedicated to empowering Outdoor Recreation Economy leaders to build workplaces in which people from all communities, backgrounds, identities, faiths, and worldviews can thrive.

She’s a highly accomplished and dynamic executive with a proven track record of 17 years in nonprofit development, strategic planning, marketing, and fundraising. Recognized for visionary leadership and a passion for creating positive social change, Tiffany has dedicated her career to empowering underrepresented groups and communities. Her strategic mindset, coupled with her empathetic and inclusive approach, has made her a trusted leader and advisor.

She is driven by a deep commitment to equity and social impact. Tiffany continues to be a catalyst for change, working tirelessly to build a more just and inclusive society.

We're thrilled to have Tiffany join us to lead our Mentorship + Sponsorship Activity at the retreat, along with LaCheryl Ameer-Bey, Program Manager at Camber Outdoors.

06/30/2023

Here's what one of last year's attendees said about Take The Lead:

"Take The Lead was something I didn't know I needed until I was there. The community, validation, support, warmth, and ease was exactly what I needed."
- Brand Designer

For more information and registration, head to woctakethelead.com.

06/28/2023

It's an honor to highlight the amazing speakers, coaches and healers taking part in this year's Retreat - the first-ever retreat for women and femme of color in the running industry.

Next up is Vanessa C. Peralta-Mitchell, who will be leading the breakout discussion: Building Your Coaching Practice.

Vanessa C. Peralta-Mitchell is owner of VCPM, Inc., a business dedicated to using the power of the pavement to empower women to live a life without limits. She’s taken her passion for running and turned it into her purpose with her Game Changers program, which provides resources and funds for Women of Color to become Certified Run Coaches thus redefining who is seen as the experts and leaders in the running industry. As a Run Coach, a Founder and an advocate for women in the running space, she is redefining the running industry and bringing in a wave of much needed change to run leadership.

We're so excited to have Vanessa join us and lead this important discussion at the retreat! Learn more + register at woctakethelead.com.

06/26/2023

Here's what one of last year's attendees said about Take The Lead:

"Take the Lead was a safe haven to share experiences and knowledge. It was a space to be uplifted and inspired, an instant sisterhood."
- Run and Strength Coach

For more information and registration, head to woctakethelead.com.

06/24/2023

Continuing to introduce the fantastic speakers, coaches and healers participating in - the first-ever retreat for women and femme of color in the running industry, taking place this August in Chicago!

Next is Onika Shabazz, Founder of Heat Athletic, who will be leading the breakout discussion for entrepreneurs, consultants and small businesses.

"Hi! I'm Onika - an entrepreneur and social worker. I have spent the last 20 years focused on the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of women. I use running to help women find the strength to take on life and all of its complexities.

I started running in the mid 90's as a way to feel connected to sports. I Love sports! In high school, I tried out for several teams, but was told I wasn't good enough. But you can't stop Love! I didn't need a team, or a coach to run, and I was fortunate enough to have sneakers and a safe space...so I ran. 30 years later and running is still a major part of my joy and my career.

As a Black female entrepreneur, social worker and runner, finding diversity and community, as I am oftentimes the only, or among very few women of color in these spaces. I am proud to be part of WOC Take The Lead for the 2nd year in a row. Last year, nearly 70 women and femme of color shared spaces where we didn't have to explain our souls. Didn't have to preface our statements with apologies. We were able, if just for a moment, to leave behind stereotypes of who people think we are or should be. It was the deep breath we all needed." - Onika

We're so grateful Onika will be joining us for this important discussion. Learn more and register at www.woctakethelead.com

06/22/2023

Here's what one of last year's attendees said about Take The Lead:

“For as long as I've worked in the Running Industry, I have often been "the only" in most spaces. Attending the Take The Lead retreat breathed new life into my outlook for the future of BIPOC women in our industry. While we may go back to our respective homes and back to momentarily being ""the only,"" we now know that we aren't alone. We have a support network and can advocate for each other and become a collective voice that can positively impact not only our industry, but the communities that we aim to serve."
- Sales Director

For more information and registration, head to woctakethelead.com.

06/20/2023

It's an honor to highlight the amazing speakers, coaches and healers taking part in this year's Retreat - the first-ever retreat for women and femme of color in the running industry.

Next up is Martha M. Garcia, who will be moderating the panel: Finding Your Alignment.

Martha is the Senior Director of Brand Marketing at Parks Project. Her passion for brand marketing derives from her belief that people deserve to be seen, heard, and valued. As someone who doesn’t shy away from discomfort, Martha believes in the power of holding tension in opposites to find a creative path forward. Martha lives in Los Angeles, CA, with her partner Juan, their brilliant, creative nine-year-old daughter, Luz, and their lovable labradoodle Benny. Martha is passionate about living in alignment with her values, sports, movement, mindfulness, and being a human above any title or identity.

We're grateful to have Martha join us and lead this important discussion at the retreat! Learn more + register at woctakethelead.com.

06/18/2023

Here's what one of last year's attendees said about Take The Lead:

“I went in hopeful and left with a full heart and more connected with women and in business than I ever have in my professional life. I am both hopeful and committed to this idea to keep going. It is a much-needed breakthrough to truly be able to shift the tide for women of color."
- Brand President

For more information and registration, head to woctakethelead.com.

06/14/2023

Continuing this series where we introduce you to the amazing speakers, coaches and healers taking part in this year's Retreat - the first-ever retreat for women and femme of color in the running industry.

Next up is Kayla Jeter, who will be leading movement class! Kayla is a digital fitness coach, speaker, and holistic wellness coach who specializes in foundational strength training, stress management, and healthy lifestyle habits. With more than 10 years in the wellness industry, empowering global communities through her annual virtual run challenge hosted on Strava and as a lululemon ambassador, Kayla leverages movement as a catalyst to liveable wellness.

We're thrilled to have Kayla join us and lead movement at the retreat! Learn more + register at woctakethelead.com!

06/12/2023

Kicking off this series where we introduce you to the amazing speakers, coaches and healers taking part in this year's Retreat - the first-ever retreat for women and femme of color in the running industry.

First up is T'Keyah, who will be leading sound meditation at this year's retreat in Chicago!

Upon the sudden loss of her mother in 2015, T'Keyah took to therapy, but found that no one who filled those spaces looked like her. She decided to lead her own path and embarked on the journey of affirming Black women and women of color in their pain - which in turn assisted her with her own healing.

Her passion for mental health awareness and healing within the Black community is a passion that simply cannot be taught. As the founder of refresHER. LLC, it is extremely important to T'Keyah to continue to nourish spaces for women of color to heal without judgment. In 2020, she graduated from the Mystic Living School based in LA, where she completed her certification as an Energy Healer Practitioner. She is also a meditation facilitator with the Ahimsa School of Sound Healing.

We're thrilled to have T'Keyah join us and lead sound meditation 😌
Learn more + register at www.woctakethelead.com.

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Chicago, IL

Website

http://woctakethelead.com/

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