Food For Thought: Domestic Violence & Religion

Given the continued presence of Covid-19 in our community and our desire to protect one another and our compassionate faith values, this will be a virtual event.

We're disappointed to let you know that Sa'idah Sudan has had to cancel her plans to speak at Food for Thought this Thursday, but we're delighted that Tambry Harris, author of Awakening the Light: A Survivors to Thrivers Going- Forward Story and Tenille Banner, Director of Corporate and Community Engagement for Safe Alliance have agreed to step in. Read more below about these  two dynamic women who will help us to examine domestic violence from a faith perspective. 

Tambry’s book, Awakening the Light: A Survivors to Thrivers Going-Forward Story, was named a 2020 American Book Fest Best Book Finalist. She believes as we make our wounds visible and available, they can be of service to the healing of others. Tambry will share some of her personal story of moving from surviving to thriving. Tenille will address how faith and faith communities can be supportive resources in preventing and addressing violence and will also share about safety planning and local resources. 

Tenille, Director of Corporate and Community Engagement for Safe Alliance, having seen the impact of domestic violence and sexual assault within her own circle of family and friends, truly understands the need for us to end this epidemic and has made this her life's work. 

We'll be blessed by these two who are amazing speakers and amazing women! 

About Tambry Harris 

Tambry is a spiritual director and leadership/life coach who helps others claim their best selves and lives. This involves clients looking at their innate character, personal obstacles, and deepest desires to intentionally embrace their whole selves. Her twenty years of coaching and seven years of spiritual direction translate into her work with survivors of sexual abuse and domestic violence through the Going Forward: Survivors to Thrivers (GFS2T) organization. 

Tambry believes her Masters in Applied Psychology and certifications in the areas of Leadership Coaching, Spiritual Direction, Change Management, and Diversity provide a grounded foundation to serve these beautiful souls. She guides survivors to examine limiting beliefs, find strength in their unique gifts and abilities, and claim a wholehearted, meaningful life. Through her organization, GFS2T, she provides individual guidance, small group retreats, and speaking engagements to bring awareness and light into the shame and silence of abuse and trauma. 

Tambry’s book, Awakening the Light: A Survivors to Thrivers Going-Forward Story, was named a 2020 American Book Fest Best Book Finalist. Tambry believes as we make our wounds visible and available, they can be of service to the healing of others. Her story of wounding, struggle, and healing encourages survivors to understand their limiting beliefs, examine unhealthy patterns and claim their going- forward stories. Tambry’s experiences, concepts, and heart shine light into the darkness that surrounds sexual abuse and domestic violence. Tambry was recently named Mecklenburg Times 50 Most Influential Women of 2021.  To learn more about her organization, please visit survivorstothrivers.com.

About Tenille Banner 

Tenille Banner is a native of Charlotte, NC. She has been working with Safe Alliance since 2012 starting as a volunteer, and joined the staff in 2013. Her past volunteer work and employment with other non-profits, mission work and passion to help those in need create a better life has led her to her current role as Director of Corporate and Community Engagement. Seeing the impact of domestic violence and sexual assault within her own circle of family and friends, Tenille truly understands the need for us to end this epidemic. She strives to spread the message of “eNOugh” to everyone she can with hopes of decreasing the negative impacts of domestic violence and sexual assault in our community.

MeckMIN promotes interfaith collaboration to foster understanding, compassion and justice. We envision a community that lives by the highest values and core virtues of its rich faith traditions and respects the dignity of every person. We live out these values by bringing together people from different faith perspectives and promoting congregational engagement through dialogue and fellowship.