Men empowering women

Chrissy Vickers, CEO of the nonprofit Women and Men of Purpose & Destiny Inc., center, is shown with guest speakers, from left, the Rev. Jason Powell, Taurean Williams, Jordan Tucker and Jordyn Riley during the “Waiting to Exhale” event on March 21 in Ocala. [Submitted photo]

In 2010, Chrissy Vickers started the Women of Purpose and Destiny Inc., nonprofit to empower women and teen girls to reach their purpose and destiny. Ten years later, she said she saw a need in the community to help motivate and encourage men and young boys and girls. In 2020, she added a men’s division and, in 2021, a children’s division.

Vickers said the now named Women and Men of Purpose and Destiny Inc. helps connect people to resources in the community, offers mentoring to youth, self-defense classes, self-development workshops and seminars.

On March 21, the nonprofit hosted the “Waiting to Exhale Men Empowering Women” panel discussion at the Headquarters-Marion County Public Library on Silver Springs Boulevard in Ocala, with four guest speakers.

“It turned out to be an amazing event, with a twist that had distinguished men from the community between the ages 20 to 40 empowering women instead of women empowering women. Many women left the event feeling empowered, motivated and with higher self-esteem,” Vickers said.

She provided this information about the guest speakers:

•  Rev. Jason Powell, senior pastor of Transparency Church. He is the founder of the JPowell Collection, an upscale line of men’s jewelry and accessories and the author of “I Delayed Me.” He is co-founder of the Grace Upon Grace Consulting and the GUG Foundation, a nonprofit organization reaching the community while empowering and uplifting multiple generations. He is president of the When Millennials Gather Network.

•  Minister Jordyn Riley is a former Division 1 football athlete, holding a bachelor’s degree in arts and sciences. He studied business administration in graduate school at the University of Louisiana Monroe. He has an extensive leadership background in strategic marketing and communications. He’s an entrepreneur with a business called Symmetrical Minds LLC, through which his company provides digital marketing services to local small business and owners. He’s a mentor and consultant and recently was appointed chief operating officer for Women and Men of Purpose & Destiny Inc. 
• Taurean Williams is a music producer and artist, motivational speaker, mentor and CEO and founder of Win With Words LLC, a content/media company.
• Jordan Tucker is a performance coach, entrepreneur and founder of Elite Athletic Training, a results-driven fitness and development brand built on the principles of elevate, align and transform. With a background as a Division 1 football athlete and military service member, he has trained hundreds of individuals, from youth athletes to adults, helping them achieve peak performance through disciplined training, mindset development and structured accountability. His work focuses on pushing individuals beyond limitations to unlock physical and mental excellence. He is stepping into the media space as a content creator and storyteller, focused on highlighting impactful individuals, businesses and community narratives. 

“The women who attended have asked for a part two this year, so plans are underway for a session with the same panel of male speakers,” Vickers noted post-event.

“For the women who couldn’t attend in person but watched online, they gave great feedback. There were also men in attendance, and they said the event empowered them and helped them to understand women a little more. This the third all male panel I have used for a women’s empowerment event under my nonprofit organization,” she added.

To learn more, find the organization at fb.com/profile.php?id=100064347956010 or call 352-304-3908.