Coochie Business

Dee Manuel Cloud is a two-time breast cancer survivor, bestselling author, international speaker, and transformational coach dedicated to helping women reclaim their voice, increase their emotional intelligence, and reduce their stress so they can decrease their risk of sickness and disease. First diagnosed with stage 2 ductal carcinoma at age 35 and again at 38, Dee transformed her experience into a mission to support other women in reducing stress, advocating for themselves, and using their voice to live more empowered lives. She has helped thousands of women step into greater confidence, leadership, and purpose. Dee also serves as President of the Greater Houston Chapter of Sisters Network Inc., where she works to educate, support, and advocate for women affected by breast cancer while increasing awareness in the community.

@iamdeemanuelcloud

Dr. Akeia Keith is a dynamic conflict resolution specialist, speaker, and founder dedicated to helping youth, parents, and communities communicate with clarity and confidence. Through her signature Pause, Breathe, Check-In approach, she equips individuals with practical tools to navigate tough conversations and build stronger relationships. Known for her bold, relatable, and transformative style, Dr. Keith brings real solutions to real-life challenges.

IG: @Akeia_Keith

Breeze Harper, PhD is an Afrofantasy writer, social scientist, and menopause coaching specialist whose work centers Black embodiment, food justice, and decolonial wellness. She is the author of the groundbreaking Sistah Vegan and several other books, including Seeds of Sankofa, Potato Chips and Wine, and The Dragon Comes at Night. A mother of four who birthed all of her children at home, she has been vegan for over 20 years and brings lived experience alongside evidence-informed practice to her work. Breeze holds a BA from Dartmouth College, an MA from Harvard University, and a PhD from UC Davis.

• Dr. Harper’s book: The Dragon Comes at Night — https://www.thedragoncomesatnight.com
• Dragon Fire Wellness — https://www.dragonfire.health
• Contact Dr. Harper — breeze@dragonfire.health

Dr. Derrick “Dr. No” Lanois is a Black Southern historian, storyteller, and media scholar born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee. Shaped by the storytelling traditions of his mother, Deborah A. Lanois, he considers himself a modern-day Southern griot. He earned a master’s degree in multimedia journalism from the University of Memphis, completed M.F.A. coursework in Documentary Expressions at the University of Mississippi, and received his Ph.D. in History from Georgia State University, specializing in African American history and culture. He developed the Black Southern Aesthetic and is the founder and Executive Director of The Southern Griot, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving Black Southern stories. Dr. Lanois is an Assistant Professor of African American History and Studies, documentary filmmaker, and podcaster.

Dr. Janet Little, affectionately known as Dr. Jan, is a Certified Transformational Facilitator and Coach, combining her background as a Family Medicine doctor and corporate Medical Director with trauma-informed, resilience-focused coaching. Founder of Optimal Vitality MD, LLC, she helps healthcare professionals break free from burnout and restore balance. As an international speaker and coach, Dr. Little integrates science, medicine, spiritual insight, and personal development to empower both individuals and teams. Known for her engaging, adaptable style, she provides transformative support that strengthens resilience, fosters well-being, and empowers healthier individuals.  

Dr. Sarah Jefferis is a visiting faculty member at the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business, where she teaches rhetorical writing, and has been teaching writing in higher education at multiple universities for 26 years. She holds a B.A./M.A. from Hollins, an M.F.A. in Poetry from Cornell, and a PhD in Creative Writing from Binghamton University. Poetry publications include Lucky to Have You (Finishing Line Press, 2026), Forgetting the Salt (Foothills Press, 2008), and What Enters the Mouth (Standing Stone Books, 2017), as well as poems/essays that have appeared in The North American Review, The Catamaran, The Cimarron Review, The American Literary Review, and others.  Her article, which explores the intersection of yoga and writing, entitled “Mat to Pen,” is forthcoming in an anthology called Business, Life and Universe. Her research includes Poetry and Yoga, Literacy, the Power of the Pause, DEI, and Justice.  

Natalie Demerson-Watkins is a transformational leader, speaker, and founder of Anchored Life Academy and the Anchored Life Foundation. After navigating recurring miscarriage and the loss of her infant daughter, she rebuilt her life anchored in resilience and purpose. Today, she guides high-achieving women through grief, guilt, and identity rebuilding so they can lead and live from wholeness. With over two decades in corporate technology and experience as a technical lead, she brings both structure and heart to every space she serves.

FB/IG/LinkedIn: Natalie Demerson-Watkins

FB/IG: Anchored Life Academy/ Anchored Life Foundation