One word: PHENOMENAL!!!! I laughed, I cried, I high fived, I loved it, loved it, loved it. It was a predominantly black female crowd, that rocked natural hair of different styles. From afros to dreadlocks, from two strand twist to bantu knots. Women who were very well educated that graduated from her Inner Visions Institution, and women like me who were in college trying to finish their degree. There were some brothers there as well who came to listen to her speak, and almost everyone had her book for her to sign. The vibe, aura, and energy in the room was so positive that a wonderful feeling that I just could not explain bloomed inside of me.
I sat beside a nice young woman by the name of Dr. Gayle Taylor, who had a wonderful down to earth personality and a contagious smile. I found myself laughing, joking, and checking out the brothers in the theatre with her. Come to find out, she was a student who graduated from Dr. Vanzant's very first class at her institute in the 90s. She is a educator who teaches a class at Old Dominion University to prepare future teachers for the classroom. She shared with me her experiences with being taught by Dr. Vanzant. Dr. Taylor stated that it was she, that pushed her to healing from her past. I was so in awe by this information, alone.
Spoken word poet and actor blessed us with his presence as he performed two powerful spoken word poems that dropped mad gems. Then Dr. Vanzant came in from the back and had us hold each person's hand that sat beside us as she led us into a deep powerful prayer. And she spoke knowledge...She dropped powerful knowledge that told all of us about ourselves, women and men alike. She went way back to the slavery days and told us how we as black men and women have become cowards. She was right. She broke it all the way down for us to the tiniest detail so that we couldn't even question what she was saying. I listened intently and I also learned a whole lot.
Forgiveness...I have been hearing that word a whole lot lately when it comes to family. She gave a testimony about how she was so angry with her sister that she didn't speak to her for three whole years. Then she got the phone call that her sister died and she had to not only forgive her sister...But also forgive herself. That spoke volumes to me and also taught me alot right there alone.
The question and answer session was so powerful as Dr. Vanzant as down to earth as she was, kept it so real with her answers to our questions, we had no other choice but to give her so mad respect. She gave us kisses, hugs, sound advice, and lots of love. She told us about her energy master body wash that makes at home herself. She comes from a generation of master herbalist and she uses nothing but fresh herbs grown in her own garden. Please go here http://www.masterbodywash.com/. Dr.Vanzant is also hosting a three day workshop on healing and faith lifting on April 20-22, 2012. I will never forget this experience as long as live, and I do plan to here and speak with her personally again.
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