UNITED FOR BLACK WOMEN

A Community Discussion

Join us for UNITED FOR Black Women: A Community Discussion, an empowering and free community event dedicated to amplifying the voices and experiences of Black women in our community.

This event offers a safe and open space for honest discussion, allowing Black women to share their stories, ask questions, and connect with others who understand their experiences.

Whether you’re here to listen, learn, or lend your voice, this event promises to be an informative, impactful, and powerful experience.

Meet the Panel

Thursday, February 6, 2025, 11:00 am – 1:00pm

The Cunningham Center at Columbus State University: 3100 Gentian Blvd, Columbus, GA 31907

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As this event is offered free of charge, we kindly request your commitment to attend as it helps us accurately plan for catering and seating arrangements. If you are unable to attend, please inform us as soon as possible so that we can adjust our plans accordingly. Thank you!

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Meet the Panel

Chelsea Fitzpatrick

Student, Mother, Wife, and Advocate

Jordon J. Lewis

Chief Executive Officer, L&J Empowerment

Dr. Tiffany McBride

Assistant Professor of Public Relations and Strategic Communication, Columbus State University

Judy Purnell

Advocate, Educator, and Community Leader

Kimberly Wiggins

Regional Instructional Specialist, Alabama Reading Initiative, Alabama State Department of Education

Chelsea Fitzpatrick

Chelsea was born in Battle Creek, Michigan, and raised in the Great Lakes State. In early 2013, she moved from Michigan to Columbus, Georgia, and later that year, in September, she married her best friend, starting a new and exciting chapter in life.

Growing up, she dreamed of becoming a midwife, but after having four children, she often jokes that she became her own midwife. Chelsea’s first three babies inspired her to be the best mom and wife she could be, roles she cherish deeply. When her youngest daughter was born with spina bifida and congenital heart disease, it gave her an even deeper appreciation for life, love, and family. Her daughter underwent her first surgery at just one day old, another at six months (including open-heart surgery), and her most recent in June 2024 for a G-tube. She’s now learning to walk and eat, showing everyone every day what resilience, endless strength, and determination look like.

Today, Chelsea is preparing to begin a program in surgical technology. Though she initially pursued nursing, she recently discovered her passion truly lies in this field, and she is eager to see where it leads.

Jordon J. Lewis

Jordon J. Lewis is a visionary leader and the driving force behind L&J Empowerment, the umbrella organization for The Confess Project of America. As CEO, Jordon leverages her deep expertise in mental health advocacy and community empowerment to transform the way support is delivered across underserved populations.

With a rich background in health professional promotion and healthcare management, Jordon has cultivated a career marked by purpose and impact. Under her leadership, L&J Empowerment has championed innovative approaches to mental health training, integrating these practices within daily community interactions to foster resilience and promote wellness.

Jordon’s approach is holistic and inclusive, addressing the complex tapestry of factors that influence mental health. She has pioneered programs that equip frontline workers—from barbers to educators—with the tools to be mental health advocates within their communities, thereby bridging the gap between traditional mental health resources and the people who need them most.

Recognized for her strategic acumen, Jordon has expanded the reach of The Confess Project of America to encompass a broader demographic, ensuring that mental health advocacy is accessible, relevant, and empowering for all. Her leadership not only reflects a commitment to systemic change but also a passion for creating sustainable impact through partnership, innovation, and direct community involvement.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Jordon finds joy in creating and organizing extraordinary events, showcasing her talent for crafting unique experiences. She is also an avid traveler, finding inspiration and new perspectives from exploring different cultures. Above all, spending quality time with her family is a cherished aspect of her life, bringing the same level of enthusiasm and dedication to her personal pursuits as she does to her professional endeavors.

Dr. Tiffany McBride

Dr. Tiffany McBride, a proud Columbus, GA native, has deep roots in her community, where she was raised and educated in the Muscogee County School District. She holds a B.A. in Mass Communications from Columbus State University, an MBA from the University of Phoenix, an M.S. in Strategic Communications from Troy University, and a Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership from Mercer University. Currently, she serves as an Assistant Professor of Public Relations and Strategic Communication at Columbus State University and is the Primary Faculty Advisor for the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). With over 15 years of experience in higher education, Tiffany is committed to fostering student success while advocating for youth causes.

Tiffany’s dedication to community service is evident through her involvement in initiatives aimed at educational attainment, home ownership, and poverty reduction. She currently holds leadership roles as President of the Urban League of the River Valley Young Professionals, President-Elect of the Junior League of Columbus, and a board member for Girls Inc. of Columbus, GA. She has also served as Vice President for the BRIDGE GED program and the Liberty Theatre Youth Council. Tiffany is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Columbus Alumnae Chapter, and she actively integrates her passion for service into her professional and personal life.

Her unwavering commitment to her community has earned Tiffany numerous accolades, including the 2024 Nikki T. Haley Servant Leadership Award from the Georgia Women’s Legislative Caucus, 5 Under 40 and Rising Star awards from Columbus and the Valley Magazine, Mercer University’s African American Alumni 40 Under 40 Award, and the Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia’s Woman of Distinction Honor. She is also a graduate of Leadership Columbus and Youth Leadership Columbus. Tiffany’s achievements reflect her dedication to fostering positive change and empowering others.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Tiffany is a woman of faith, serving as an ordained minister and Youth Pastor at The Remnant Church of Columbus. Her research interests focus on strategic communication practices of women in higher education leadership and bridging the gap between communities and education through effective communication and public relations.

Tiffany enjoys DIY crafts, exploring local restaurants and coffee shops, decorating, shopping, and traveling with her husband, Mr. Demetrius McBride, a business and finance teacher at Shaw High School, and their family and friends. Her passion for education, service, and leadership continues to inspire those around her, making her a valued member of her community and profession.

Judy Purnell

Ms. Judy Purnell is an accomplished educator and community leader with a long history of service. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from Tuskegee University and a master’s in criminal justice administration from Troy State University. She has also pursued advanced studies in African and African American History at Clark Atlanta University.

In 2023, the Marshall Success Center Library was renamed the Judy Rutledge Purnell Multicultural Center in recognition of her contributions to education and culture. She was also honored with resolutions from the Columbus City Council and the Georgia State Government, and received the “Point of Light” award from the U.S. Congress.

Ms. Purnell has been a passionate advocate for education, history, and community development. She played a key role in the Muscogee County School District’s elevation of the Supervisor of Negro Schools to the Superintendent of Negro Schools in 2021. She has taught at several institutions, including Tuskegee University and Columbus State University, and curated an exhibit on Nelson Mandela and Apartheid at the Columbus Public Library in 2019.

She has received numerous accolades, including the Fannie Lou Hamer Award from Rainbow Push and being named an African American History Maker by Davis Broadcasting in 1997. Her research also includes international work on Afro/Asian connections and the Black Pygmies, with engagements in Taiwan and China.

Ms. Purnell’s dedication to education, historical preservation, and community service continues to inspire many.

Kimberly Rose Cummings-Wiggins

Kimberly Rose Cummings-Wiggins in the daughter of Eleanor Judith Cummings and the late Lee Roy Cummings. She is the oldest of three children. She was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan where she matriculated through Detroit Public School System.

Kimberly continued her education by attending Tuskegee University and then finishing her Bachelor’s degree from Wayne State University. She then went on to complete her Master’s degree from Troy University and is currently working on her Specialist degree. Her pivotal goal is to obtain her PhD. in Educational Leadership from Auburn University.

While attending Tuskegee University she met her college sweet heart Vincent Wiggins. They have been married for 23 years and the proud parents of three beautiful children, Kanise Noel Wiggins, Vincent Lee-Marion Wiggins and their angel in heaven Kelly Judith Wiggins.

Kimberly has been in education for over 17 years. She has taught in the Detroit Public School system and in both Russell County and Phenix City Schools. She is currently a Regional Instructional Specialist for ARI (Alabama Reading Initiative) in the Alabama State Department of Education. Kimberly is involved in helping 13 school districts better inform their teachers about best practices and strategies to improve assessments in the classroom and throughout their district. She is also involved with the professional development of Auburn University Interns and Tuskegee University Interns.

Kimberly is a proud member of Liberty Hill Baptist Church and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. where she developed a love for community service. After, the death of her youngest daughter Kelly Wiggins, Mrs. Wiggins wanted to continue her dedication to the youth of Phenix City and started a mentoring program for elementary school girls called G.I.F.T.S. (Girls Inspired for Talent and Service) with chapters in and around the Phenix City area.

Mrs. Wiggins’ ultimate goal is to start an all-girls school called G.I.F.T.S. Academy. Mrs. Wiggins inspires to change the world through prayer, purpose, planning and power.