The Inaugural Relationship Goals Conference Held Empowering Conversations to a Sold-Out Crowd
Photo courtesy of Leontyne Evans
“This is my way of helping the community to learn what it actually takes to have a healthy relationship, which is really becoming a better version of you.”
By Tiffany Brazda
We can all benefit from strong relationships and Licensed Therapist Leontyne Evans knows this well. That’s why she designed a conference solely focused on building and maintaining healthy relationships. The Relationship Goals Conference, hosted by The Relationship Center Omaha, took place on March 1 to a sold-out crowd.
The conference armed attendees with all the tools they need to develop healthy relationships, bridging the crucial gap between mental health and relationships. Ultimately, the goal was to have every attendee leave as the best version of themselves.
How did Evans pull it off?
During an I Be Black Girl meeting last year, she met with other Black CEOs and business owners who raised the question: Why aren’t Black business owners attending conferences? Evans determined that, in addition to cost, many conferences lacked a celebrity to draw in Black business owners.
As she went home that day, she thought to herself, "I can do this." It was then that Evans, the owner of The Relationship Corner, a safe space for marriage and family therapy, came up with the idea to build a conference around her expertise. So, who would be the ultimate celebrity to speak at a conference about relationships?
She immediately thought of Pastor Calvin Roberson, a TV personality known for his marriage counseling on the reality series “Married at First Sight.” And just like that, Pastor Cal, a highly sought-after speaker, marriage coach and author, agreed to her request and was booked for the conference.
With a prominent keynote speaker to headline, Evans got to work building a program designed to dive into difficult conversations about love, parenting and trauma.
“This is my way of helping the community to learn what it actually takes to have a healthy relationship, which is really becoming a better version of you,” she said.
A significant part of the conference centered around getting comfortable with being uncomfortable.
“With the amount of domestic violence that is increasing and suicide, we need to be having these conversations,” Evans said.
Through her local connections in therapy, Evans curated an agenda that addressed some of the toughest conversations. Thought leaders on mental health who spoke at the conference included Payton Hogan, Elisha Suttles, Alisha Gentry, Zabrina Holmes, and Evans herself.
The final piece in getting community support was securing sponsorships.
“Charles Drew jumped behind this with no hesitation. They are our largest sponsor and we're really really grateful for them,” Evans said.
Evans understands the first year will inevitably be a learning process, but she knows one thing for sure – The Relationship Goals Conference will be invaluable.
”I am planning to show everyone exactly what this is and why they need to support it,” Evans said.
CASA, Center for Holistic Development, Inc., Family Housing Advisory Services, and Innerwork Counseling and Consulting are also sponsors of the event.
Check out more at https://rgconfrence.info/
