News & Events

Receiving the 2024 Women’s Fund Grant from The Women’s Fund of Winston-Salem to conduct TSI at Parkland High School in Spring 2025 meant more than funding—it meant validation, relief, and hope. After seasons of carrying the work with little financial support, this grant affirmed that the emotional intelligence development of Black girls matters and is worthy of investment. It lifted a burden I had been carrying alone and allowed the work to continue with stability, intention, and care. Most importantly, it ensured that the girls at Parkland would receive consistent, culturally responsive emotional intelligence support—without interruption. This moment represented belief: belief in the girls, belief in the work, and belief that love-centered, evidence-informed emotional intelligence changes lives. When support finally met the work, it strengthened not just a program—but a promise to our girls and our community.

[Date shown is approximate — the source page only stated “November 2024” without a specific day.]

There was no funding for TSI in Fall 2024, which meant the full cost of delivering services would once again fall on the nonprofit—on me. It was a difficult and heavy decision, because both schools needed the program, and the girls at both sites deserved consistent, culturally responsive emotional intelligence support. Ultimately, I made the decision to continue delivering services at Parkland High School for two reasons. First, I was already providing emotional intelligence support to the Parkland Lady Mustangs Girls Basketball Team, which allowed for continuity and deeper impact with the girls. Second, the social worker who previously supported TSI at Carver High School transferred to another school. Launching the program again at Carver would have required onboarding and training a new point person—time and capacity I simply did not have while delivering services without funding. This decision was not about need—it was about sustainability. Still, I carry this choice with a heavy heart. I find myself wondering: Do the girls at Carver think I failed them—like so many systems before? Do they think I stopped caring? The truth is, I care deeply. So deeply that this decision hurt. People often ask why I don’t just train someone else. I am looking—every day. Much of what I do can be taught: curriculum, language, structure. But the intuitive piece—the knowing when to pause, when to press, when to sit with a girl’s pain—cannot be mass-produced. It is embodied. It is spiritual. It is love-informed. And still, I keep looking, because there are so many people who need this EI medicine.

[Date shown is approximate — the source page only stated “October 2024” without a specific day.]

Michelle Davis is truly The Feeling Friends Guru. We wrote the curriculum together, collaborated on elements of the music, and she brings the work to life every single day through her instruction with exceptional students. Michelle is my right hand—and one of the strongest champions of The Feeling Friends—because she deeply understands that in Pre-K, everything begins with emotions. Her classroom is a place where children are seen, valued, and supported through emotional language, routine, and care. She delivers instruction with patience, skill, and heart, meeting each child where they are and helping them grow through connection and consistency. Michelle’s work reflects the very essence of The Feeling Friends: love, understanding, and emotional safety as the foundation for learning. The impact she has on students daily is extraordinary. Her belief in the power of emotional intelligence—especially for exceptional learners, continues to shape lives, strengthen classrooms, and model what is possible when educators truly lead with love.

[Date shown is approximate — the source page only stated “October 2024” without a specific day.]

At Caleb Creek Elementary School in Kernersville, five dedicated kindergarten teachers and assistants implement The Feeling Friends daily in their classrooms. Led by Deanna Kidd, this team understands the value of emotional intelligence and invites me back each year for what has become a joyful tradition—a Feeling Friends concert and hallway celebration. When I arrived, nearly 100 kindergartners and staff were ready, having already chosen their favorite Feeling Friends songs. Together, we turned the halls into a Feeling Friends party—singing, moving, laughing, and feeling the joy that comes when children are fully connected to learning through emotion. This is truly one of my favorite events of the year because it is purposeful. The teachers have done the work—ensuring that within the first month of school, children know the characters, the language of feelings, and, most importantly, have fallen in love with The Feeling Friends. Kudos to Deanna Kidd and the kindergarten team for truly living and teaching the truth that Love is the most important feeling.

[Date shown is approximate — the source page only stated “October 2024” without a specific day.]

We officially launched registration for TSI at Parkland High School with a day designed to connect, inspire, and affirm our girls. We began at HUSTLE Winston-Salem, where the girls engaged in meaningful conversations about their hopes, dreams, and how emotional intelligence shapes their future pathways. The day continued with lunch at a local restaurant and ice cream at a new spot in Winston-Salem. For many of our girls, opportunities to spend time downtown are rare. This experience allowed them to feel welcomed and included in a part of the city where they are often unseen or excluded. The day reinforced belonging, possibility, and the message that their dreams—and their presence—matter.

[Date shown is approximate — the source page only stated “October 2024” without a specific day.]

I sent this unsolicited video to the Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation. It may have ended up in someone’s spam box—but the video itself tells the story clearly. It shows what The Feeling Friends can do when children are given language for their feelings, space to be seen, and tools to grow emotionally. It captures joy, connection, emotional vocabulary in action, and the power of culturally responsive emotional intelligence delivered with love. Whether it was seen or not, the video stands as evidence of impact. This work is real. It works. And it changes lives—one child, one classroom, one community at a time.

[Date shown is approximate — the source page only stated “October 2024” without a specific day.]

The children at Christ’s Community Ministries enjoyed a joyful and meaningful Sunday experiencing The Feeling Friends through puppets, books, and interactive storytelling. Laughter filled the room as the characters came to life, helping children recognize and name their feelings in ways that felt fun, safe, and familiar. Through shared reading, puppet play, and conversation, children connected emotions to real-life moments, learning that all feelings matter and can be talked about. The experience created a warm, engaging space where faith, learning, and emotional growth came together—leaving children smiling, curious, and excited to keep talking about their feelings.

[Date shown is approximate — the source page only stated “October 2024” without a specific day.]

This moment took place at the North Carolina Central University School of Education, where I facilitated a workshop for a STEM Conference, connecting Emotional Intelligence with STEM learning in meaningful and culturally responsive ways. From a facilitator’s point of view, the session was powerful, affirming, and impactful. The woman I am hugging is Kesha Marshall, and this encounter represented a profound full-circle moment. Kesha is connected to the legacy of Janyce Marshall, whose son, Chad Marshall, created the original Feeling Friends characters more than 30 years ago. Janyce also designed the very first Feeling Friends plush toys—bringing the characters to life long before this work had a name or platform. In that moment, I met my past, my present, and my purpose all at once. There is a circle of love, legacy, and divine alignment that has sustained me and surrounded The Feeling Friends work for over three decades. This journey has never been walked alone. To God, I give all the glory and all the praise.

[Date shown is approximate — the source page only stated “September 2024” without a specific day.]

I was invited by Marva L. Lewis to facilitate a two-day workshop for early childhood educators at the Tulane University School of Social Work. The experience began with a warm New Orleans welcome—a shared meal at Dr. Lewis’s home the evening before the workshop—where I met some of the most brilliant and dedicated early childhood educators in the field. The conversations were uplifting, affirming, and deeply inspiring. The next day, I did what I do best: I imparted The Feeling Friends framework to eager and open participants. The way the program is designed allows educators to see how they are today by intentionally visiting their past—helping them understand how they developed, how their experiences shaped them, and, most importantly, how they are okay. Participants learned about neuroplasticity and the powerful truth that the mind can change when we are willing to do the work. The heart of the work is… [page text truncated behind a “Show More” control; not fully retrievable via fetch]

[Date shown is approximate — the source page only stated “August 2024” without a specific day.]

What do you do when there is a shooting connected to a program where you mentor high school girls—and the student who was accidentally shot is one of your girls? I did what love required. I rushed to care for my student immediately. Then I called on the community. In the days that followed the shooting at Parkland High School in Winston-Salem, a group of us gathered to pray—marching and praying around Parkland 7 times for 7 weeks at 7:00 a.m. Our purpose was spiritual and intentional: to bring the walls of violence down, not only at the school, but across our city and school system. We prayed for change. We prayed for exposure of anything corrupt. We prayed for healing, protection, and transformation. And when we had done all we could do—we stood. We stood on the Word of God.

[Date shown is approximate — the source page only stated “May 2024” without a specific day.]

The youth of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., The Phi Omega Chapter spent a joyful and engaging afternoon with The Feeling Friends, exploring the connection between mental wellness and feelings. Guided by the theme ‘Feelings Are Everywhere,’ children built emotional vocabulary and literacy through hands-on learning, creative art activities, and collaborative play. Putting together The Feeling Friends puzzles became a highlight of the afternoon, reinforcing teamwork, problem-solving, and emotional awareness. The experience was filled with curiosity, laughter, and meaningful learning—leaving children empowered with new language and understanding about their feelings.

[Date shown is approximate — the source page only stated “April 2024” without a specific day.]

The TSI Jamboree – A Day of Collective Growth and Leadership. TSI participants from Carver High School and Parkland High School came together at Carver for a powerful Day of TSI – a true celebration of Emotional Intelligent Leadership in action. Superintendent Tricia McManus, sponsor of the program, joined the girls alongside Karen Cuthrell, founder, and Lana Boone, who guided yoga and meditation, and a host of supporters committed to the girls’ growth. Throughout the day, participants engaged in emotional vocabulary building, Feelings Check-Ins, courageous conversations, EI Power moments, and deep bonding. The experience reflected what Emotional Intelligence looks like when it is delivered in culturally responsive language that girls understand and can live out. These young leaders are learning real-life skills in high school—skills they carry home to their families and into the community—strengthening wellness, leadership, and connection beyond the classroom.

[Date shown is approximate — the source page only stated “April 2024” without a specific day.]

This is what socio-drama with The Feeling Friends looks like in real time. Ms. Miller skillfully engages children using The Feeling Friends books and songs, inviting them to explore emotions through movement, dialogue, and play. Her approach brings feelings to life in a way children can understand, express, and practice together. This work is taking place during after-school programming—a critical space where children are given time to focus on education, emotional intelligence, and play without the pressures of the school day. These moments matter. Taking time to talk about feelings during formative years is preventive medicine for the future, helping children build the emotional skills they need long before challenges escalate.

[Date is highly approximate — the source page only stated “2024” with no month or day given.]

Join the Women’s Gun Violence Prevention Coalition at Our Thanks Loving Love Rally on November 14, 2021 from 2pm-5pm at Cleveland Avenue Homes Basketball Court Winston Salem, NC 27105 as we encourage peace, nourish our souls, and spread love to our community with a little something for your Thanksgiving dinner.

Miss KK brings The Feeling Friends Experience to Ashley Academy for Cultural & Global Studies to take the students on an adventure to explore their feelings.

[Date shown is approximate — the source page only stated “October 8” with no year given; 2024 inferred from surrounding context on the site’s events page.]

The Our Opportunity to Love Rally was a time to remember the victims of gun violence. Our Call to Action is move forward to reducing gun violence in Forsyth County in LOVE!

[Date shown is approximate — the source page only stated “October 16” with no year given; 2024 inferred from surrounding context on the site’s events page.]

I was honored to serve as a panelist at the Black SEL Hub during the Black SEL Summit 2024. The summit was a powerful gathering of leaders, scholars, practitioners, and advocates who are shaping the future of Social and Emotional Learning through culturally grounded and affirming approaches. It was inspiring to connect with so many brilliant minds committed to Black SEL. At the same time, the moment was clarifying: I remain the only participant with an early learning SEL product developed by a Black creator. That distinction matters. It speaks to both the progress being made and the work that still lies ahead to ensure Black children see themselves reflected in the tools designed to support their emotional development from the very beginning. This space affirmed the importance of The Feeling Friends and reinforced my commitment to building, protecting, and expanding culturally responsive SEL for our youngest learners.

[Date shown is approximate — the source page only stated “September 2024” without a specific day.]

Hasbro launched Women Innovators of Play in Fall 2023 to promote a more inclusive and equitable toys and games industry, encourage women’s participation, inspire the next generation of girls to unleash their creativity, and expand awareness of creative career pathways. I entered the 2024 competition with three original, purpose-driven products called The Feeling Friends Explorer Kit that contained The Feeling Friends Monopoly, STEM QUest, a STEM-based Emotional Intelligence game, and a Feeling Friends Twister movement-based board game. I conducted focus groups with elementary, middle, and high school students, and across age groups, the response was clear—the students loved the games. They were engaged, expressive, and excited to learn through play. While I was not selected as a Women Innovator of Play for 2024, the experience highlighted a deeper truth: Black women remain significantly underrepresented in the toy and game manufacturing industry, even though we are major consumers and cultural influencers… [page text truncated behind a “Show More” control; not fully retrievable via fetch]

[Date shown is approximate — the source page only stated “November 2024” without a specific day.]

For two years, a teacher had been asking for The Feeling Friends stickers. As a team of one, I hadn’t been able to design or manufacture them because of time constraints. Then, during a rare moment of downtime, I finally did it—I designed them, manufactured them, and personally delivered them to her. Her response was pure joy. She was overjoyed to receive a simple but powerful tool she could use to recognize and reward her students for their good work. In that moment, I was reminded that small tools can make a big difference in a classroom. As a creator and businesswoman, there are never enough hours in the day. But I know this much: I have to find the time to produce for my teachers—because when teachers have what they need, students thrive.

[Date shown is approximate — the source page only stated “November 2024” without a specific day.]

The Lady Mustangs enjoyed a restorative and joy-filled weekend at the lake retreat—an experience designed for rest, reflection, and connection. Away from the pace of the city, the girls played games, laughed freely, and strengthened their bonds with one another. They revisited the Emotional Intelligence (EI) domains together, grounding their learning in real moments of connection and self-awareness. Long walks around the lake invited calm, conversation, and appreciation of nature’s beauty. An art project gave the girls space to express themselves creatively and reflect on the weekend’s meaning. It was a wonderful time in a beautiful space—relaxing, bonding, and deeply renewing for the Lady Mustangs.

[Date shown is approximate — the source page only stated “March 2024” without a specific day.]

I’ve been asking myself a sacred question for some time now: Who is going to take over Miss KK? Who is going to be that person like me— the one who can bring joy to children, who can take this work to the screens and make it come alive, who can carry the heart, the light, and the love forward? [page content may continue behind a “Show More” control; not fully retrievable via fetch]

[Date shown is approximate — the source page only stated “December 2024” without a specific day.]

As we begin to Nourish Forsyth, we realize that we must look at Forsyth from a different lens. Join us at the a/perture cinema as we journey with Michael Moore to see how other countries thrive and live systemic change for the betterment of their citizens. It’s about real conversations and intentional change for Forsyth County.

It was a meaningful and honest day at Kimberley Park Elementary School as teachers received The Feeling Friends student workbooks to begin classroom implementation. For some educators, the workbooks were welcomed with excitement and openness—seen as a valuable tool to support children’s emotional growth. For others, the reaction reflected a familiar reality: it felt like one more thing added to an already full plate. This moment matters. Emotional intelligence is not an add-on—it is foundational. These skills equip students to recognize, name, and regulate their emotions, strengthening learning, relationships, and overall well-being. In the home, emotional intelligence starts with parents. In the school, it starts with teachers. When neither space is equipped—or willing—to do this work, children are left to carry unprocessed emotions, and patterns of generational trauma continue. The inability to regulate feelings does not stop at the classroom door. It flows from the home and school into the… [page text truncated behind a “Show More” control; not fully retrievable via fetch]

[Date is highly approximate — the source page only stated “2024” with no month or day given.]