About
To bolster the PISAB program AICRE presents two phenomenally balanced individuals who are both fluent in the academic environment but also highly literate in the personal development and transformational spheres. These speakers are both authors, teachers, and practitioners in the arts and business sectors, will they separately host and shape an evening of contemplative, embodied reflections upon race. Scheduled for the 14th and 18th of February 2020.
Sakina Ibrahim, MFA
Sakina Ibrahim is an NAACP Image Award-nominated Author, Social Entrepreneur, and Educator. She has been featured in publications such as Aspire TV and Black Enterprise Magazine and been a featured author at Essence Fest, Leimert book fair and more. Sakina is a passionate woman whose brand focus is creativity, education, and inspiration. She has presented workshops centered in movement, mindfulness, and self-development at institutions such as Drexel University, George Washington University (Black Girl Health Expo), University of California Irvine, the Boston Women’s Conference, Michigan State University, the Trayvon Martin Foundation, and many more organizations and institutions. Sakina holds a Masters of Fine Arts from the University of California, Irvine and a Bachelors of Fine Arts from the University of the Arts. Her inspiring books include Big Words to Little Me: Advice to the younger self, A Hustler’s Planner, and Daily Moves: Affirmations for the Millennials. Her free online course “Becoming Your Best Self is now available as well as her podcast Quest for Truth- “a place for inspiring conversations about spirituality, art, and culture.
Valerie René Sheppard
On Friday 14th February Valerie René Sheppard will expertly facilitate Transforming the Inner Turmoil Around Race and Racism – 6:30pm-9pm, Mesa Office Building 122.
This session is an opportunity for individuals engaging in the discussions and activities of the race and racism conference OR those simply wanting to take conscious and concrete steps to deal with their emotions around the topics in general.
Valerie understands that, “All transformation begins with acknowledgement of what is real and present, and moves through additional stages of acceptance, forgiveness, and commitment.”
In this experiential, interactive session, attendees will be guided through a process that enables them to move through these four stages in a safe, compassionate heart-centered space. Whether feelings and thoughts are connected to things happening in the present or the past, this session gives the participants an opportunity to learn how to manage difficult situations when social triggers or memories resurface in the future. Central to this suppleness is developing the mindful capacity to respond rather than react.
Valerie describes herself as a “recovering corporate executive on radical sabbatical.” Her organizational leadership experience includes roles as VP of marketing leading a $900 million dollar portfolio of brands, a nine year multi-award-winning track record at Procter & Gamble, and consulting roles serving several Fortune 500 companies.
Through The Heartly Center for Mindfulness and Self-Mastery™, Valerie helps young people and adults, executives and entrepreneurs overcome limiting beliefs, manage stress and complexity, set strategic and tactical plans, and lead teams to high-performance. She’s a #1 international best-selling author of Living Happy to Be ME!©, winning six awards for excellence in 2018.
Valerie is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success (U.S.), and a 2016 recipient of its Excellence in Service Award for her contributions to the University of CA, Irvine chapter. Other prestigious recognition includes the 2019 More Award from The Evolutionary Business Council, as well as numerous appearances in podcasts, radio and web-TV as an expert on personal transformation, leadership and success.