Annual Event
Eighth Annual Designed With A Purpose Event ❀
Eighth Annual Designed With A Purpose Event ❀
JOIN US!
The Eighth Annual Designed With A Purpose Event is back! Join us for some inspiration and women empowerment! This year we’ll have a panel of phenomenal women as we “Flip the Script” and move to the next level of our lives! You don’t want to miss the uplifting conversations and networking! Keep scrolling and reading below to learn more from participant bios and entertainment to sponsors and vendors. Get your early bird tickets while they last!
Early bird ticket pricing starts March 19, 2025 and ends October 3, 2025.
General Admission ticket pricing starts October 4, 2025 and ends October 18, 2025.
DATE: OCTOBER 18, 2025
TIME: 11AM - 7PM
Venue: NC BIOTECHNOGOLGY CENTER
15 TW ALEXANDER DR., DURHAM, NC 27713
Vendor Spots and Sponsorships are Available. Keep scrolling and reading below for more details!
Local Hotel information coming soon.
Meet The Panel
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PanelistCandice Webb is a seasoned learning and development professional with over 20 years of experience in both educational and corporate settings. Proudly holding a Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master of Education from North Carolina State University, Candice is also a certified strengths coach through Gallup, Inc.
Currently, Candice serves as a Senior Learning & Development Specialist at SAS, where she designs and facilitates learning experiences that enhance skill development and boost productivity across the organizational spectrum. Her expertise spans from early career professionals to managers and senior leaders.
Before transitioning to the corporate world, Candice dedicated more than 15 years to higher education administration. Her roles included career planning, academic advising, new student programming, and strengths-based student success. She has also coached faculty, staff, and senior leaders in developing both academic and co-curricular curricula.
Candice's coaching experience extends to individuals, leaders, and teams in both non-profit and for-profit organizations. She has worked with ministry leaders and faith-based groups, and has led workshops on strengths in leadership, teamwork, and community service. Additionally, Candice guides young professionals in building their personal brands and has delivered presentations and keynotes to professionals at various organizational levels.
Throughout her career, Candice has coached thousands of students and professionals, helping them identify and leverage their unique talents to achieve their personal and professional goals. Outside of work, she enjoys serving in her local church and spending time with her large extended family. Her most rewarding journey, however, is the one she shares with her husband and two sons in Durham, NC.
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PanelistErica J. Vinson is a passionate entrepreneur, loving wife, and dedicated mother who thrives on helping others become the best version of themselves. Married to her best friend and first love, Erik L. Vinson, she’s the proud mother of two amazing children, Xander and Endia, as well as her bonus son EJ.
As the owner of Forever Adorn Lash & Beauty Bar in Raleigh, NC since 2016, Erica has built a reputation for excellence in beauty and customer care. She’s also the founder of Peace Over Everything, a mission-driven initiative she co-owns with her best friend and business partner, Shannon Walston.
A follower of Christ, Erica believes that transparency is a powerful tool for growth, and that it is our responsibility to use our knowledge, experience, and understanding to help others avoid pitfalls, break free from struggles, or simply understand their path better. It’s her mission to never settle for less than God’s best, and she strives to create a positive, empowering environment for everyone in her life.
With a heart for service and a commitment to excellence, Erica is dedicated to uplifting others—whether in her businesses or in life.
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Panelist
La Toya Mason is a Mother of one and grandmother of two! Published Author of three books! The CEO & founder of a nonprofit organization Crown Me Different that specializes in young female adolescents & women of all ages! Also La Toya Host an annual Women’s Conference currently on year 9 for women to come together and fellowship and network! A speaker to inspire, empower, encourage and uplift with the testimonies of God’s Glory, La Toya is nothing without God! The different experience is the goal to pull women back to Christ!
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PanelistMacea Whisettse is a sought-after Trauma Specialist, Certified Professional Life and Wellness Coach, and Public Speaker dedicated to equipping leaders and organizations with the tools to navigate change, build resilience, and lead with clarity. As President & CEO of Wake Your Voice, LLC, she has spent nearly a decade coaching high-impact individuals across corporate, faith-based, educational, and nonprofit sectors, empowering them to break cycles and thrive.
Macea’s expertise is trusted by Fortune 500 companies, federal agencies, and international leaders. Her client portfolio includes industry powerhouses like Google, Meta, the NBA, Marriott, Zillow, Workday, and American Express, alongside mission-driven organizations such as The New York Times and the Anti-Defamation League.
Her work spans advocacy, education, and leadership development. She has served as an advocate for domestic violence and sexual assault survivors, worked in youth development as an Assistant Principal at two charter schools, and led community initiatives through United Way and Family Service. With a trauma-informed and holistic approach, she integrates positive psychology, strategic leadership, and compassionate coaching to create trauma-sensitive environments. Her expertise helps faith-based, corporate, and community leaders foster emotional well-being, ethical leadership, and organizational stability while honoring each person’s unique journey.
An experienced ghostwriter, Macea has helped C-suite executives and thought leaders articulate their vision with authenticity and impact. Whether coaching executives, emerging leaders, or entire teams, she is committed to amplifying diverse voices, fostering resilience, and equipping leaders at every level to drive meaningful change.
Fueled by a passion for healing and empowerment, Macea is dedicated to creating lasting transformation, helping individuals and organizations build resilience, and inspiring sustainable success.
Meet the Emcee & DJ
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EmceeDesere Wright, a Salisbury NC native, is the youngest child among her siblings on both her mom and dad's sides. She's a proud mother of three adult children, Elijah, Jaqq, and Sade, and a loving grandmother to Isaiah, who brings immense joy to her life. Desere excels in her role as a patient concierge specialist at Atrium Health, where she prioritizes first call resolutions, de-escalation of upset callers, and top-notch customer service to meet healthcare needs. Beyond her healthcare role, Desere shines as an emcee/host for various events, earning the title of "the hostess with the most." With 18 months in recovery from alcohol, Desere is a Certified Peer Support Specialist, offering valuable support based on her own experiences to those in recovery.
Under the leadership of Apostle Bradley A. Taylor, Desere is a member of The Reach Church in Salisbury, NC, where she also serves as an Anchor for Reach TV.
In her education, she received an Associates Degree in Medical Office Administration, with a 3.8 GPA, from Rowan Cabarrus Community College in 2015. She's a member of SIGMA ALPHA PI, also known as the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS), and a member of PHI THETA KAPPA (HONOR SOCIETY).
In conclusion, Desere is proud to say that she is the author, the star, and with God having the leading role, of her own inspiring story.
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DJKristina Bowden is a mother, wife, and alumna of North Carolina Central University. As a member of Now Church NC, she serves as a greeter and prayer team member, as well as a law enforcement professional and advocate for true repentance. Kristina’s mission is to serve others, uphold justice, and share stories of redemption and faith. She is guided by compassion, integrity, and a dedication to making a positive impact in the lives of others.
The Dominique Experience
You don’t want to miss the Dominique Experience at the event this year! Guranteed mind blowing fashions and exquisite models bringing an atomosphere you’ve never experienced before! Get ready to experience some real entertainment brought to you by none other than Dominque Alphonse-Sainvil herself!
Get Ready for #Cindymae
If you enjoy comedy and the Word at the same time, well hold on because Apostle Miriam Keller and her comedic character, CindyMae will be in the building! Get ready to think and laugh at the same time! We ready!
Sponors & Vendors
Sponsors and vendors help us have sucessful events each year! If you are interested in being a sponor or a vendor, keep reading below for more details.
Sponsors, please click to read our 2025 sponsorship opportunities and please click the button below to purchase your sponsorship.
Vendors, please click the button below to request your vendor spot. A vendor agreement and payment is required for all vendors. Vendor spots are limited.
Designed With A Purpose Annual Event
Each year since 2018 we host a women’s empowerment event every 3rd Saturday in October. The goal of the event is to celebrate and encourage women from all walks of life. We bring a different topic each year with speakers and/or a panel, as well as games, prizes and vendors. We hope to see you at our next event!
If you are interested in sponsoring, being a speaker, panel member or vendor at our next event, please contact us below.
Watch Our 3rd Annual Designed With A Purpose Event
Covid-19 had different plans for us in 2020, but we were still able to have our 3rd annual event virtually. Although we missed your faces, it was so much fun to engage with everyone!
In case you missed it…press play to watch the Virtual 3rd Annual Designed With A Purpose Speaker Event Video.