Becoming a Black Female Doctor, The Final Fresh Faces Project Awards, International Travel Adventures, Impactful Conferences and more fun!

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Hi everyone,

Thanks so much for taking the time to check in! I hope you are doing well. I have SO MUCH to share from the last several months with many accomplishments and blessings. Let's get right into it!

Introducing Dr. Lawrence 

After 7+ years of blood, sweat and tears balancing full time college, grad school and seminary while also working 9-5's and running my businesses, I FINALLY finished school! Your girl is officially Dr. Calynn Lawrence, triple board-certified Trauma Specialist and inducted member of The American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress. I've busted my tail for so many years to expand my education, earning 4 degrees since graduating high school in 2014, including my Associates in Business & Humanities, a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies & Social Science (summa cum laude, top 5 of my class), a Master of Science in Management & Leadership (honors society distinction) and a Doctorate in Pastoral/Faith-Based Counseling, all by age 28. I now plan to use this education to transition into a role where I can continue my work in human services, but in a programming or community engagement capacity. The long term goal 10 years from now is to go into county or state level government and have a direct hand in designing and improving resources for underresourced populations.

The Final Fresh Faces Project (In Person) Awards Ceremony



As tearful as the final Fresh Faces Project Awards Ceremony was, I am beyond grateful for the successes that we've had over the past 10 years! We've been able to directly or indirectly benefit almost 1,000 individuals, businesses, charities and organizations through our marketing & PR services, events and donations that have all been self funded through my media firm, the Calynn Communications & Creative corporation. That is huge! This year, we even raised funds to benefit the ECD Global Alliance in honor of my mom's 10 year survival with the extremely rare blood cancer. While we certainly aren't stopping our work, we're simply shifting to a completely virtual model so that I can focus on new ventures since I've completed school. More news on that to come! Learn more about this year's ceremony here.

International Travel Adventures (Bahamas & Mexico)


I had a BLAST in my international travel adventures this year! I had the pleasure of doing a cruise throughout the Bahamas with my mom and an amazing opportunity to explore Mexico with my BFF @Nikhaulebereading. As you know, I'm an Action Jackson and LOVE to see new sites and experience new things! In the Bahamas, I loved swimming in their beautiful ocean water, grubbing out on their Caribbean barbeque, touring their towns and visiting their museum to see the amazing carnival art and pieces. We booked through our usual Celebrity Cruises and felt we got a great bang for our buck as expected! In Mexico, we got to visit one of the 7 wonders of the world by seeing the Mayan pyramids and ruins at the historic cite, swimming in a 100+ feet deep cenote (underground cave water pit), visiting local villages and shopping, doing a tacos and tequila tasting tour in Cancun, vibing out at the Hilton Cancun All Inclusive. Staff were super friendly and the food & drinks were awesome. Some people that made great impressions on me include Paulo, Jorge, Carlos, Cecilia, Eva, Miguel and Angel (who was my favorite). Thanks to all of them for providing a positive experience ❤! We will return.

Concerts : Avril Lavigne + Simple Plan, P!nk + The Script, Missy Elliott + Ciara + Busta Rhymes, Tacos and Tequila Festival (TI, Lil Jon, Fat Joe, Twista, Ying Yang Twins and more), B5, Megadeth 2024


 

  

The number of concerts that I've attended this year is a little insane, but totally fitting for my personality! As you all know, I'm a big time fanatic of all things live entertainment. With an eclectic taste in music, finding gems in almost every genre, you'll see my line up is very diverse. I was vibing out, living my best life as I was rocking out to guitar solos, getting hype with the hip hip hop hits, and grooving to the dance songs. A time was had at each concert and I am very happy that I got to experience them alongside loved ones 💃!

Professional Conferences : Socialism 2024, NAMI IL Stronger Together, Empowering Girls for Life, AMA Chicago Marketing Immersive 2024, SHSMD24

 

 

I've been big on investing into my personal and professional development this year! As a result, I've attended various concerts that have given me some valued insights into numerous subjects such as leftist politics, psychology & psychiatry, youth development, marcom strategies and healthcare policy, leadership and advocacy. These were all very impactful experiences for me with information that I know is beneficial to me personally and the work that I do. As someone who wears so many hats and has so many interests, I am very appreciative that I was able to enjoy these educational events. I would return to each conference in the future!

My 10 Year High School Reunion 


It's hard to believe that I graduated high school over a decade ago! I started this blog when I was a 15 year old freshman and here I am about to be 29 in a few weeks. While many of us have changed for the better and matured into successful, productive citizens as adults, the warm energy was like we never left. That shouldn't surprise me since we were a high performing selective enrollment that was ranked #3 in Chicago, #4 in Illinois, and Top 100 nationally. This was an amazing 2 day Reunion that brought many laughs, hugs, smiles and drinks lol. I am looking forward to next time for sure. So proud of JCP Class of 2014 👏👏!

Exploring Chicago Museums (The WNDR Museum and Museum of Ice Cream)


 

The curious and creative side of me loves exploring museums and seeing their exhibits. I finally had the chance to visit 2 in Chicago that I've heard consistent praise about: The WNDR Museum and the Museum of Ice Cream. The WNDR Museum was an Immersive experience that twisted your perception of time, space and dimension. Very much a mind-bender! The Museum of Ice Cream was a fun activity to do with the kids (my nephews and baby cousins) while they were in town, and allowed us to have numerous tasty treats while seeing the kids run, play and tour the dynamic displays!

The Black Alphabet Film Festival 

As a black artist myself, I prioritizes supporting other creatives of color. I had the chance to attend the Black Alphabet Film Festival in Hyde Park and was impressed with the staff friendliness and quality of the movies they presented! They even had some of the directors, producers and cast there to do Q&A's. Their pieces were very thought provoking and emotive in a way that touched my spirit, covering complex topics that disproportionately affect queer and trans minorities. I'll definitely return next year and will leave room in my budget to make a larger donation next time!

Beauty & The Beast: The Musical


A local suburban gem that I shockingly am just now finding out about is the Oak Lawn Park District Community Theatre. I adore going to plays, especially musicals, and supporting the arts, particularly when the organizations are nonprofit. Upon stumbling on this place, my mom, sister and I all got to see their Broadway production of Beauty & the Beast for a fraction of what we usually pay for plays in downtown Chicago that have a much harsher commute. What an awesome, affordable activity for us as a family! The show was great, and we will definitely be back.

5th Annual Gastroparesis Awareness Walk

In honor of my late god sister and cousin, Mekia, her mother (my aunt), Miriam, organizes an annual awareness walk at a local park to promote finding a cure as well as raise money for the foundation that leads a lot of their research and patient engagement. I am elated to say I've never missed a single one of these walks over the past 5 years and feel Mekia would be proud. I am very happy that her mother has taken the initiative to invest into this event and make a difference.

2024 Chicago Kid's Multicultural Fashion Show

 

With a mission of "Uniting a Diverse Nation," they certainly did not disappoint this year in 2024! I had the pleasure of attending as a media guest and thoroughly enjoyed the show. There was a plethora of children from varying ethnic backgrounds who all were fun, fashionable and fierce! There was a good mix of both boys and girls who performed, some of which included Dr. Krystal's daughter, Kleopatra, and the glam daughters of Fresh Faces Project Lifetime honoree, LaSonya Alexander. The costumes and designs were fabulous! As a former pageant queen representing its sister charity, the Ms. & Mrs. America Nation organization, I wore my Miss World America Nation 2020 gear with pride! I even won a prize and got a special shout-out on the mic. To support the Kid's Multicultural World Foundation, visit their website.

Thanks for listening guys and see you next time! 

XOXO,

Cay


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