Those Sandals A Memoir of Portia Shipman

Those Sandals is a deeply personal story about a woman and the loving, yet discouraging relationship shared between her mother, Gladys Shipman. Portia courageously explores the mother-daughter wound and her yearning for love and guidance from the woman she looked up to the most. Additionally, the memoir recounts Portia's personal disappointments and achievements and how she finally found her voice and strength to live life on her own terms.

Portia Shipman is recognized in Greensboro, North Carolina, as a community leader, activist, and entrepreneur. She is the former CEO of Reliable Home Care Services, LLC and is the current owner of Ms. Queen's Party Bus & Touring, both successful corporations in Greensboro. A large reason she became an entrepreneur is because it allows her the flexibility to work on causes that mean the most to her and her community. Because of this flexibility and desire to serve, Portia founded the Sherri Denese Jackson Foundation for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, Inc. (SDJF) in 2008 and has led as its executive director ever since. It was important to her to honor the life of Sherri Denese Jackson and her family while bringing awareness to domestic violence. The foundation is committed to helping survivors and victims of domestic violence heal and live trauma-free.  For thirteen years she's been answering the calls of the voiceless. Portia is known as the voice for the voiceless because Shipman, as you read in her book, survived domestic violence in three previous marriages. It's her sincere hope that she has inspired you, the reader, to do the same. In addition to helping the community, Shipman is also into holistic and alternative healing through her Ancient Spirit Emporium USA™ ancestral products and services. You must be healthy in mind, soul and body if you're going to serve your community and your family with the passion that she's shown. For information email, www.portiashipman.me@gmail.com. Odell Bizzell is a nationally known blogger, speaker, author, and entrepreneur. While in high school Odell started a small candy retail distribution center that earned him over $75,000 while earning an academic scholarship to college.

As a successful keynote speaker Odell has been featured in the USA Today, Yahoo Finance, CNBC.com, and over 200 media outlets. Odell has partnered with over 200 colleges, youth organizations, and the military to reach tens of thousands of students.

His engaging and interactive presentations help students learn about the intersection of leadership and diversity and how to become more effective leaders in a diverse world. Odell has presented on the same stages as Super Bowl winning coaches, national politicians, and celebrities like Stephen A. Smith, Dave Letterman, & Oprah Winfrey.