Being Elected to the NAMI IL State Board of Directors, 30 Awards by 30 Years Old, 2025 EOY Success Summaries, Tons of Fun and more!

-

Hey guys,

Thanks for checking in! I know it's been FOREVER (almost a year), and I apologize for my absence. However, once you see what I've been up to, you'll understand why it's been hard for me to take a few hours to blog an update. As I write this, I am recovering from a painful oral surgery so my remarks are briefer than usual. I post as I go on social media @calynnmlawrence if you'd like to see me on the Living My Best Life Tour in real time. I hope you all are doing the same!

The Vote Is In: I Ran for Office & Succeeded! I've Been Elected to the 2025 NAMI IL State Board of Directors 

 






After an intensely passionate social media campaign that many of you so graciously supported, as well as a thorough application and interview process, I made it onto the 2025 ballot for the NAMI Illinois State Board of Directors. Eventually, I was elected to the board and designated as the Development & Fundraising Chair due to my extensive experience in marketing and media. Dr. Camilla Johnson (the Governance Chair) is my beautiful mentor who convinced me to run. I have been very excited to be on the team for an organization that does such monumental work that has saved so many lives, including my own. If it weren't for their free virtual support groups that allowed me to be in a curated space of others with similar life challenges that many misunderstand, I don't know that I would've made it through some of my lowest lows and depressive episodes where I so badly needed a community of peers who understood me in that way and didn't have the natural bias that comes with friends and family. I am proud to be on the board and will continue to give this role my all. Thank you to everyone who played a part, big or small, in this win.

Public Speaking and Attending Fruitful Professional Gatherings


































As you all know, I am someone who LIVES for advocacy and community service. I eat, sleep and bleed social justice. So, I look for any and every opportunity to support conferences, summits, and other gatherings that aim to enact change and foster progress through education and resource distribution. I've even had the incredible pleasure to, not only attend, but speak at numerous events directly alongside Illinois and US lawmakers who hold the levers to society that control our future. Topics such as accessible healthcare, legal system reform, education equity, trauma informed leadership, and youth investment have been some key themes in my recent talks. A full list of these events that I've supported recently include:

Entering a New Decade: Turning 30 + Birthday Trips to the Dominican Republic, Boston, MA, Dubuque, IA and ATL















I've entered a new decade of my life: my 30's. It feels so unreal to be writing that on a blog I started over half my life ago as a teenager! While this came with some mild crashing out because I never would've seen myself unmarried and without my own family (yes, dating is still the deepest pits of hell) at this point, those feelings quickly subsided when I realized how much I've accomplished and been blessed to experience at a pretty young age. For my birthday, I took a few trips. I did a mother-daughter getaway to Boston, MA, to experience the culture, food, and entertainment of another big city. I had a lovely peaceful getaway to the quaint town of DuBuque, IA, and saw the serene sights that was so generously sponsored by one of my BFFs @blackcatmikaela. Then, I had a tropical international vacation with one of my BFFs @nikhaulebereading where I got to swim in beautiful foreign waters (a favorite pastime) like the mermaid I am, do some cave exploration, drive an ATV through the jungle, visit the local shops and eat great food like the Action Jackson I am! What a time! I also got to spend some time with family visiting my boys (nephews) and my big sister down south with my mom and baby sister where we came together for both my 30th and her 36th birthday which are only 2 weeks apart. I am so happy to have experienced extended celebration for such a milestone alongside loved ones. There were many times I doubted I'd make it to my 30s, but I'm glad I'm here.

Being Honored for My Work: 30 Awards by 30 Years Old

By the grace of God, my work has now been honored with 30 national and international awards for my influence in media, marketing and philanthropy. This year alone, I cleared the 2025 Person of the Year Award (plus a category win for Healthcare Advocate of the Year), the Influential Women award, the Eudoxia Research Centre Lifetime Fellow Award, the National Honor Alliance Nonfiction Literary Award and Hall of Fame, and the Pen Master's Global Nonfiction Award Shortlist (the last ones were for the Holistic Healing Source's free online library of self help e-books that reached 6-digit readership in just a few months). Running a firm that houses so many various initiatives, publications, service offerings, etc. is very taxing while balancing a full-time 9-5 career and full-time grad school. Yet, somehow, I've been able to do it with the help of my support system and blessings from the universe. I do not take this recognition lightly, and use it as further motivation to continue and expand my humanitarian efforts.

Telling My Story in the Press

I wouldn't be the PR guru that I am if I hadn't been able to discuss these amazing accolades in the press. These are some of the major media outlets who so wonderfully covered my story for various wins throughout the last several months. 

2025 Fresh Faces Project Awards and Annual Giving Report


The 2025 Annual Giving Report is now live on our website. In 2025, we exceeded our annual 4 figure goal in cash donations to various organizations that are ran by or direct benefit marginalized populations. We chose 15 different nonprofits and small businesses to contribute to financially this year with causes including:

💥 Human Rights
💥 Healthcare 
💥 The Arts
💥 Youth Education 
💥 The War in Gaza and more

Read the full report and learn more about these organizations at https://www.freshfacesproject.org/2025/12/2025-cash-donations-organizations-and.html



The 2025 Fresh Faces Project Awards were virtual and still received a remarkable amount of praise and commendation! It was with resounding joy that we announced the winners👏💖🥳! These creatives, entrepreneurs and public figures are some of the best in business and we want to take the time to applaud and congratulate every single last one of them on their cherished contributions to the world through their work. Their submissions took our breath away, and deserve to be celebrated! Learn more about these stellar people here: https://www.freshfacesproject.org/2025/05/2025-fresh-faces-project-awards-winners.html

Holistic Healing Source's First Year Impact Report


2025 was a year of pleasantly surprising growth and outreach for the Holistic Healing Source for Marginalized Society. Driven by our mission to democratize access to spiritually informed mental health care, we significantly expanded our digital footprint and physical presence. We turned belief into action on a large scale. By providing free, internationally accredited resources, we equipped a growing community of over 115,000 online visitors with the tools they need to thrive! Whether through our online content or educational speaking engagements, our impact in 2025 proves that the demand for holistic, compassionate care is louder than ever. Thank you for all of your support!

Sponsoring the Phillips Sims Wellness Group Inaugural Fundraiser




It was an absolute pleasure to support the inaugural Fundraising Gala for @phillipssimswellness, a Black Woman owned wellness collective operating out of Chicago. @holistichealingsource was one of the event sponsors, and a good family friend Dr. Obari Cartman @ocartman1 was being honored for the incredible work that he does in social justice and Black mental health. 🌟🧠 My dad and I enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. The food, the drinks, the music, the program, the venue. They were all magical ✨️ Congrats to the Founder, Dr. Tenisha Ahmose 👏. I love being connected with my fellow marginalized leaders in the mental health space. 

Getting Invited to Mind Works Chicago Behavioral Science Lab




My family and I got invited to the super cool behavioral science lab MindWorks by University of Chicago Booth School of Business and we partook in several studies, contributing to the advancement of psychology. 🧠

American Youth Pop Up Charity Benefit at @iridiumclothingco by @lawlessskateco for @ocadchicago 



My mom and I attended the American Youth Pop Up Charity Benefit for Organized Communities Against Deportation Chicago and donated to the cause because ICE MUST GO IMMEDIATELY‼️We enjoyed the program and the fashion show.

The 2025 Illy Awards by Nino Corleone

As someone who is deeply rooted in the creative arts space in Chicago, it was such an awesome experience to support another cause that honors local talent on the rise! The 2025 Illy Awards by Nino Corleone, CEO of IlliNational Radio, was a fun experience that I'd certainly do again. 

"White With Fear" (2024) Advanced Screening and Director Q&A




I was invited to attend an advanced screening of the political documentary "White With Fear" (2024) and took my father with me. It was very informative and engaging. As a stark raving activist myself, I love to see content that exposes societal inequities and social injustices faced by marginalized people. I was particularly pleased at the director Q&A and his informative remarks, seeing as how he is a White Man himself.

"A Little Hope for Chicago" Screening and Panel Discussion

Part of a Blue Cross Blue Shield community health event, my dad and I attended the "A Little Hope for Chicago" advanced screening. As native Chicagoans, we enjoyed the inspiring film about the life of a Chicago hustler, narrowly avoiding the devastating consequences of death and incarceration, as he reflects on the systemic root causes of the violence and trauma that consume youth in urban centers like Chicago.

Chronic Concerting: Lil Wayne, Big Time Rush, Maroon 5, Cardi B, Papa Roach, GloRilla & Sexyy Red, Nelly + Ja Rule + Eve, Mudvayne









As a chronic concerter, music feeds my soul! I have an eclectic taste that spans almost every genre and have been blessed to see so many of my favorites perform live! From rock to pop to R&B to hip-hop to country, I like a bit of it all. And, being in a spaces where I can be fully immersed in the songs and the vibes gives me a sense of joy that I can't even verbalize. 

Plays and Shows: Paranormal Cirque, Paranormal Activity Live, "Hairspray" The Musical and The Carol King Musical at Oak Lawn Theatre, Black Bone by Tina Fakhrid-Deen, STOMPING GROUNDS Dance Show at the National Museum of Mexican Art, My God Niece's Recital, Chicago Sky Game











I am an emphatic consumer of the performing arts and that is one of my favorite ways to spend my time and money! A former singer-songwriter myself, I love supporting people who have a passion to perform, particularly those of marginalized identities who are up and coming. Whether its a local theatre, one of my niece's recitals, a sports game, circus, or museum exhibition, I wanna go! I've had a blast for sure.

Comedy Clubbing




















I've been to more comedy shows and supported more rising comedians in the past year than ever. It's far more than I can count. As you know, I love a good laugh as someone who battles Major Depressive Disorder daily. While I've since slowed down dramatically due to reflecting on the drama that I was continually getting wrapped up in behind the scenes with a few soured relationships and the subsequent stress that it brought me, I don't regret the time and money I've put into the local Chicago comedy scene. I took what was good (the humor, some solid friendships, and funny memories) and left the rest. It's nothing but love for the comedians and producers who I rock with, even if I'm more distant than I used to be ❤🤞!

Hosting the Holidays with Family


It's no secret how family oriented I am! This year was the first in several that I stayed in Chicago for both Christmas and Thanksgiving (due to financial priorities). Nonetheless, we had just as much fun as ever 🙌🎄💖. I co-hosted Thanksgiving at my house, and then co-hosted Christmas at my parents house (I did all the cooking and was EXHAUSTED). Both times were full of good food, good drinks, great conversations, and competitive game nights of course! You know how we do around these parts LOL.

That's it for now folks! I appreciate you for making it this far in my excessively lengthy and long overdue life update. Your support is never lost on me.

Love always,
Cay


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

International Travel Adventures, New Degrees, Business Accolades, Vision Board Parties, AFSP Annual Suicide Prevention Walk and more!

-
Image
 Hi guys! I hope you've been well :) Thanks for coming back to my blog to see my latest adventures in life. In true Calynn fashion, it's been a while since I've last posted. However, I certainly have no shortage of fun events to share with you all since my last diary entry/blog article. The Living My Best Life Tour continues. Let's get into it!  8 Day Caribbean Adventure on Celebrity Cruises View this post on Instagram A post shared by Calynn M. Lawrence, MSML (@calynnmlawrence) My mom, baby sister and I were blessed to go on a super fun, 8-day Caribbean cruise that was action packed with tons of fun excursions, great drinks, live entertainment and beautiful beaches. This was all of our first cruise and it was a phenomenal experience aside from being absolutely WIPED by the end of it. We got to visit Puerto Rico, the US virgin Islands, St. Kitts and Neives, St .Lucia, St. Johns, Barbados, St. Thomas and more! Below is my favorite photo from the vac...
Read more

Launching a Globally Accredited & World-Record Breaking Virtual Resource Center, Business Bossery, Being a Live Entertainment Fanatic, My Speed/Shuffle Dating Review and more!

-
Image
Hi guys! It's been a super packed last few months! When I say that I've been a busy bee, I mean it! Let's dive right into all of the things I've experienced since the last time we spoke. Launching the Holistic Healing Source for Marginalized Society  After nearly 8 years of schooling and countless blood, sweat and tears, I successfully launched the initiative that I've been dreaming of for so long:  the Holistic Healing Source for Marginalized Society  ! This completely free asset is packed with invaluable content for both the general public to raise awareness of and empowerment in oppressed populations and the unique struggles they face, and professionals who would like to take their activism, advocacy and spiritual care/mental health service offerings to the next level. My research earned the coveted global accreditation through the International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine Board , giving the elite gold stamp of approval to the various board certifications ...
Read more

About Me

-
Image
Hey there! Thanks for stopping by! I'm Dr.   Calynn M. Lawrence, 30x Award Winning businesswoman, media personality, humanitarian and former pageant queen (Miss United States Universe Tourism 2021, Miss World America Nation 2020). I started this blog when I was barely 15 years old in January 2011 as a supplement to my application to the retail business internship at the downtown Chicago Nordstrom mall! I stayed there for 3 years learning the fundamentals of everything fashion business from sales and marketing to media and modeling. This was a phenomenal foundation to my career as it gave me the rudimentary knowledge and competitive edge that I needed to be successful!  From there, I went on to college and obtained my first degree in Business and Humanities (the arts and social sciences). I wrote as a freelance journalist and editor for several large publications and hosted live cable television for two years. I walked countless red carpets being a VIP media guest at major i...
Read more