2026 Multicultural Women’s Development Conference

MWDC 25:

Celebrating Resilience & Renewal

March 20 & 21, 2026

The 2026 Multicultural Women’s Development Conference will be held at the Lambuth Inn at beautiful Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center (91 N. Lakeshore Dr., Lake Junaluska, NC) on March 20 & 21, 2026.

MWDC 25 represents the 25th year of hosting this dynamic conference. We invite women from all over the region … and the world … to come and enjoy the 2026 event that will feature keynote speakers and breakout sessions on education, self-care, health, empowerment, and economic development and sustainability.

Conference Costs:

  • $175.00 Full MWDC Experience (Double Occupancy)
    • Two days / One night, plus 4 meals at the Lambuth Inn. Each occupant for this Double Occupancy registration is required to complete the registration with payment.
  • $275.00 Full MWDC Experience (Single Occupancy)
    • Two days / One night, plus 4 meals at the Lambuth Inn.
  • $160 Two Days – No Overnight Stay
    • Friday AND Saturday, includes 4 meals at the Lambuth Inn
  • $80.00 Single Day – No Overnight Stay
    • Friday OR Saturday, includes 2 meals at the Lambuth Inn.
  • Limited Scholarships available. Restrictions apply.

Alicia Jeffers, Vice President of One Dozen Who Care, discusses the BE WELL HEALTH INITIATIVE and makes a special request for women and girls with a unique need.

Resources for low income women in rural areas are often hard to come by. We are asking women who are planning to attend the MWDC 25 to please consider donating feminine hygiene products and girls’ underwear to be distributed to those in need.

2026 Agenda

 

  • FRIDAY March 20

  • 9:00 – 9:55 AM – Registration, Greet & Meet

  • 10:00 – 10:25 AM – OPENING SESSION, Michelle Lloyd, Chairperson

    • Welcome, Introductions, Conference Overview, Musical Selection
  • 10:25 – 11:30 AM – FOCUS SESSION, Pat Washington, Former ODWC Vice President

    • A salute to ODWC History and “Mirror, Mirror on the Wall”
  • KEYNOTE ADDRESS

  • 11:40 – 12:45 PM  – “Say Yes to You, Release, Renew, and Celebrate” | Marni April, intuitive quantum energy healer

  • 12:45 – 1:30 PM  – Lunch

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

  • 1:45 PM – 3:00 PM – Concurrent Breakout Sessions

    • “The Confidence Lab: Improv Tools for Trusting Yourself in the Moment” with Carlisha Bell, Instructor, Misfit Improv and Acting School
    • “The Keys to Creating a Winning Business” with Holly Rivers, Learning Program Manager, Mountain Bizworks
    • “Recharge Your Batteries with Self-Massage Techniques” with Te’Lor Allen, LMBT and owner, TSav Magical LLC

PLENARY SESSION

  • 3:10 – 4:30 PM  – Plenary Session: “My Sister Myself” | Kahlani Jackson, Entrepreneur and owner, The Miss Asheville franchise (in the Miss American Pageant System) and Program Manager “Sistas 4 Sistas” doula agency

  • 4:30 – 7:00 PM  – Personal Celebration Time: Visit Exhibitors, Explore Lake Junaluska, or Enjoy Quiet Time

    • Dinner is served between 5:30 pm and 7:00 pm

SILVER SPARKLE CELEBRATION

  • 7:10 PM – 8:15 PM “Fashion Strut” and “Open Mic” Talent Showcase. MWDC participants share the spotlight!

  • 8:15 PM – 9:30 PM Line Dancing for Everyone with Michelle Lloyd

SATURDAY, March 21

7:30 AM – 9:00 AM  Breakfast is served – Exhibits are open. Free Blood Pressure Screenings and Diabetes Screenings Available

  • 9:10 AM – 9:20 am Daily Kickoff

  • 9:20 AM – 9:50 AM Introduction of 2025-26 OWDC-Prescott Scholarship Awardees presented by Patricia Hall, ODWC President and Dr. Emory Prescott

  • 9:50 AM -10:15 AM   Raven Chiong tribute with poetry reading and presentation of Raven Chiong Community Service Awards

KEYNOTE ADDRESS

  • 10:15 AM – 11:15 AM “This is What Made Me” | Aisha Adams, entrepreneur, educator, social change advocate, and author

Western North Carolina HIGHLIGHT SESSION

  • 11:15 AM – 12:30 PM “Stand Up for the Fight:  Real Talk and Action” | Judith Alvarado, Executive Director, REACH (Clay County)

  • 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM      Lunch

PLENARY SESSION

  • 1:40 PM – 3:00 PM “We All are Wealth Creators” | LaTasha Best-Gaddy, owner, Infinity Bridges, and Small Business expert

3:10 PM – 4:15 PM   CLOSING SESSION

  • Ann Miller Woodford, ODWC Founder, “Closing Remarks”
  • Pat Hall,  ODWC President
  • Michelle Lloyd, MWDC Chairperson

*Please note that due to circumstances beyond the control of One Dozen Who Care, Inc., schedule and speakers are subject to change. 

2026 Presenters

 

Featured Speakers

MARNI APRIL

MARNI APRIL

FRIDAY KEYNOTE - Intuitive Healing for Our Time

 

You’re invited to an experiential journey. Our time together explores what weighs you down, what opens when it’s released, and what becomes possible as resilience and renewal naturally arise—inviting celebration and a deeper connection with yourself.

KAHLANI JACKSON

KAHLANI JACKSON

FRIDAY PLENARY - My Sister Myself

The Doula Difference means: Reducing stress and fear during pregnancy and birth. Supporting informed decision-making. Advocating for respectful, dignified care. Strengthening families and uplifting our community. When mothers feel supported, they thrive. When families are empowered, outcomes improve. When our community stands together, we create safer, healthier births for generations.

PATRICIA WASHINGTON

PATRICIA WASHINGTON

FRIDAY FOCUS SESSION - Mirror Mirror

 

What if one moment could change how you see yourself forever?

It’s an invitation to uncover something new about yourself that’s been waiting to be seen.

It’s YOUR chance to say yes before fear says no.

Are you brave enough to come find out who you are???

AISHA ADAMS

AISHA ADAMS

SATURDAY KEYNOTE - This is What Made Me

 

This interactive workshop invites women to explore the experiences that shaped their identity and purpose. Through guided reflection and shared conversation, participants will examine pivotal moments in their lives, honor their resilience, and envision who they are becoming. The session can be tailored for personal growth, healing, or leadership development.

LATASHA BEST-GADDY

LATASHA BEST-GADDY

SATURDAY PLENARY - We Are All Wealth Creators

This engaging session will guide women through a powerful conversation on how resilience becomes the spark for renewal. This uplifting session explores how resilience fuels renewal and empowers women to create new opportunities. The session will share practical strategies to strengthen confidence, access community and financial resources, and step boldly.

JUDITH ALVARADO

JUDITH ALVARADO

SATURDAY HIGHLIGHT SESSION - Stand Up for the Fight

Sad to say, in 2026, it’s still not so safe to be a female. Join in as we consider the current environment, explore self-defense techniques, and learn the Key Strategies to avoid or counter attacks. Armed with this knowledge, women from all walks of life can train to create a life we love by physically and mentally protecting ourselves and potentially assisting others.

 

Concurrent Breakout Session Speakers

Carlisha Bell

Carlisha Bell

Instructor, Misfit Improv and Acting School

The Confidence Lab: Improv Tools for Trusting Yourself in the Moment

This playful, low-pressure improv session uses short-form games to help participants stay present, trust their instincts, and speak with confidence. Through laughter and collaboration, participants practice saying “yes” to the moment – and to themselves.

Te'Lor Allen

Te'Lor Allen

Te’Lor Allen, LMBT and owner, TSav Magical LLC

Recharge Your Batteries with Self-Massage Techniques

An educational and interactive session to talk about buzz words in the health word that aim to get you to spend more than needed then working through self-massage, breath work, and other options for relaxing!

Holly Rivers

Learning Program Manager, Mountain Bizworks

 

The Keys to Creating a Winning Business

2026  Registration

 

Would you like to get involved? Would you like to get notified about conference updates?

Please fill out the form. We look forward to how we can work together to continue empowering, educating and encouraging women in our communities.

Contact Information

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