What Are People Saying
Meet our Expert Panelists
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Author | Entreprenuer | Speaker| Business Strategist
Dr Melissa Bedford
Dr. Melissa Bedford, known as The Purpose Profitess®, is a highly respected Success Coach, Business Strategist, and Motivational Speaker who is passionate about helping individuals discover, embrace, and walk boldly in their life's purpose. Her mission is to empower people to align with their authentic selves while cultivating a life of abundance, financial freedom, and generational legacy.
As the CEO and founder of a thriving behavioral health agency, a TEDx speaker, Amazon best-selling author, Broadway Executive Producer, and host of two dynamic television shows and podcasts, Dr. Melissa brings a powerful blend of purpose, strategy, and transformation to every audience she serves. Her soul- centered approach helps individuals clarify their values, strengthen confidence, overcome limiting beliefs, and create actionable plans for personal and professional growth.
Through her work, Dr. Melissa equips entrepreneurs, leaders, and purpose-driven individuals to become the CEO of their own lives. Her message inspires audiences to live with intention, build with strategy, and create a legacy rooted in purpose, joy, and abundance.
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Author Speaker| Ministry Leader | LIfe Coach Entreprenuer
Mrs Angelique Strothers
Angelique A. Strothers is an author, singer, actress,
worship leader, and creative entrepreneur whose work
is deeply rooted in faith, surrender, and service. She is
the author of In Pursuit of Surrender, an intimate
reflection on her intentional journey of surrender to
God, and the creator of the In Pursuit of Surrender
Journal, a companion resource designed to help
readers begin their own walk of surrender.
For more than fifteen years, Angelique has faithfully
served the Body of Christ as a worship leader, interim
worship pastor, worship consultant, trainer, and
workshop facilitator. She has also developed and
launched a Worship Leader Training Curriculum,
equipping others to grow as disciples and strengthen
worship ministries.
As the founder of Pursuing Surrender LLC, Angelique
leads a multifaceted creative platform that includes
ministry, music, publishing, coaching, and the arts.
Currently serving as a Teacher of Social Emotional
Learning through Film to K-5 scholars in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, Angelique continues to use books,
conferences, coaching, worship, music, and creative
initiatives to inspire hearts and ignite purpose.
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Co-Host of The Legacy Literary Tour 2026
Educator | Author | Veteran | International Speaker | Researcher
Dr. Marlyn Pierce
Dr. Marlyn J. Pierce is an educator, author, veteran,
consultant, international speaker, researcher, and
educational advocate whose work centers on social-
emotional learning, literacy, leadership, educational
justice, student support, and community
empowerment. With a background in Education
Administration and Supervision, Human Resource
Management, special education, student transition
support, and organizational leadership, Dr. Pierce is
committed to helping individuals, families, educators,
and communities build pathways toward purpose,
resilience, equity, and success.
She is the author of Building Bridges A Comprehensive
Guide to Social Emotional Learning for Educators ,
Counselors and Families (2025), a practical guide
focused on social-emotional learning, student
transitions, and evidence-based strategies for
educators, counselors, and families. Her copyrighted
research, School Counselors & Post-Pandemic Support
of Eighth-Grade Students with Social-Emotional
Learning Challenges (2024), examines SEL
interventions and transition supports to inform
program development and training practices.
Executive Director of Educational Justice
OrganizationDr. Pierce is affiliated with the
Educational Justice Institute (EJI) and the Educational
Justice Organization (EJO), supporting K-12 advocacy,
equitable learning opportunities, leadership
development, and global educational partnerships. Her
international work includes Empowering South Africa:
A Collaborative Partnership for Leadership and
Education, aligned with EJI's mission of Transforming
Lives Through Education, Leadership, and Global
Partnerships.
As the founder of Building Bridges Consulting Group,
Dr. Pierce provides support in social-emotional
learning, educational coaching, professional
development, family and community engagement,
leadership development, and strategic program
support. As a panel guest for the Legacy Literary Tour,
she brings scholarship, compassion, lived experience,
and a powerful voice to conversations centered on
writing, education, storytelling, and community impact.
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Transformational Writer- Speaker - Writer
Ifedayo Greenway
Ifedayo Greenway is a transformational writer,
speaker, and writing coach who helps people find the
courage to tell the stories that have the power to
transform lives. With a message rooted in faith,
purpose, healing, and legacy, she equips audiences to
move beyond fear, embrace change, and use their
experiences as catalysts for impact.
A five-time Amazon best-selling author and founder of
She Unveils, Ifedayo has guided aspiring authors,
leaders, and women in transition through the process
of uncovering their voice and sharing their stories with
confidence and authenticity. Her signature topics
include telling the hard story, overcoming myths that
keep aspiring authors stuck, and understanding the
inner work required to embrace change and step into
the next season of purpose.
Through her coaching, writing, and speaking, Ifedayo
creates spaces where people feel seen, encouraged, and
equipped to write, heal, and leave a lasting legacy.
Intellectual Property Expert
​Serial Entreprenuer
Mentor/Leader/Outreach Champion
Alford Kindred
Director & Supervisory Patent Examiner
United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
U.S. Department of Commerce
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Alford W. Kindred is a Technology Center Director with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), where he has served for more than 25 years in a variety of technical, management, and executive leadership roles. Throughout his distinguished career, he has helped advance innovation by leading patent examination teams, supporting agency operations, and expanding intellectual property education across the nation. His previous leadership assignments include serving as Acting Director of the Office of Information Management Services, Regional Manager of the Midwest Regional Office, and Outreach Regional Assistant Director for the Elijah J. McCoy Midwest Regional USPTO in Detroit, Michigan.
Mr. Kindred earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology from Norfolk State University and a Master of Arts in Computer Resources and Information Systems from Webster University. During his tenure, he has examined technologies involving graphics, document processing, computer architecture, and database systems while mentoring patent professionals and leading initiatives that strengthen innovation and intellectual property awareness.
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A proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Mr. Kindred is passionate about educating inventors, entrepreneurs, authors, educators, and small business owners on protecting their intellectual property. He is a sought-after speaker who regularly presents on patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, commercialization, and innovation strategy. He has also dedicated countless hours to mentoring youth through STEAM initiatives, helping inspire the next generation of innovators.
As an expert panelist for The Legacy Literary Tour 2026, Mr. Kindred will share practical guidance on intellectual property protection, helping authors, entrepreneurs, and creatives understand how to safeguard their books, brands, inventions, and other creative works through copyrights, trademarks, patents, and trade secrets.
Producer | Manager | Director | Consultant
CheLa McIntyre
ChéLa McIntyre is a producer, manager, director, and
consultant from Hampton Roads, Virginia, with
experience across television, entertainment, talent
production, creative management, and media-driven
storytelling. Her work reflects a strong understanding
of production, branding, relationship-building, and
helping creatives bring their vision to life.
Her production background includes work connected
to major media and entertainment platforms,
including BET-related projects and faith-based reality
programming. She has been credited as a talent
producer on Preachers of L.A. and has also been
associated with production work on Preachers of
Detroit, Preachers of Atlanta, Living with Funny,
Music Moguls, Love & Hip Hop, and other television
projects.
At the Legacy Literary Tour, ChéLa brings valuable
insight for authors, creatives, and entrepreneurs who
want to better understand branding, media presence,
production, networking, and the importance of
preparing their stories for larger platforms.