Her Story
Shalita O’Neale is a Spiritual Herbalist, Community Organizer and Author that believes in holistically supporting BIPOC Leaders and Community Activists in strengthening and revitalizing their communities, while creating a healing space that encourages their self-care and overall well-being.
Over the past 20 years, Shalita has facilitated trainings, strategic planning and capacity building to local and national organizations such as the Baltimore City Health Department, Maryland Department of Human Services, DC Child and Family Services, New York City, Administration for Children Services (NYC ACS), Child Welfare Academy, Ruth H. Young Center for Families and Children, YMCA of San Diego, Family-Focused Treatment Association (FFTA), Foster America and Maryland Association for Families and Youth/Maryland Nonprofits (MARFY/MANO). Mrs. O’Neale has written curriculum and developed online courses designed to assist Nonprofit Founders and Executives with launching and growing their nonprofit organizations. Through her YouTube Channel, one-on-one coaching and #Nonprofitnofilter LIVE Show, she has supported thousands of grassroots nonprofit leaders internationally in growing their nonprofit vision from concept to reality.
As a Spiritual Herbalist, Mrs. O’Neale believes the healing medicine of plants and nature should be amongst the many tools Community Leaders use to heal themselves and build and revitalize the communities in which they live and serve. She enjoys developing trainings and leading workshops on gardening, Plant Medicines and how to grow, make and use medicines that fortify, nurture, and nourish the body’s systems.
Shalita’s desire to empower adults from foster care to secure resources to allow them to contribute to the economic development of their communities led her to found the Fostering Change Network LLC in 2012, now a Corporate Initiative of GroCharity Events, that provides technical assistance to organizations and agencies that work with young adults in and from the foster care system and The FCN Foundation (2017), a nonprofit organization that provides young adults with foster care histories access to human, financial and social capital that will support their personal and professional endeavors.
She launched GroCharity Events LLC in January of 2020 to use her knowledge of successfully launching and growing nonprofits to support Black, Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) led and serving organizations in revitalizing their communities through event planning services, Racial Equity and Inclusion and capacity building trainings and one-on-one nonprofit/business coaching.
Mrs. O’Neale also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland at College Park and a Masters of Social Work Degree with a primary concentration of Management and Community Organization and a specialization of Social Action and Community Development from the University of Maryland Baltimore and serves on the, Maryland Association for Families and Youth (MARFY) Shifting Powering Workgroup and on Baltimore Mayor-elect Brandon Scott’s Transition Team on the Fiscal Preparedness Committee. She is also a proud graduate of the Greater Baltimore Committee’s 2013 Leadership Program, 2018 Maryland Department of Human Services Leadership Development Initiative and 2018 Echoing Green Semi-Finalist and is Author of Choosing Peace: One Orphan’s Guide to Healing from Childhood Trauma.
SHALITA'S BOOK
When Shalita was two years old, she was thrust into a life of turmoil in foster care after the murder of her mother. In her debut book, she embraces that little girl, Muffin, to help others navigate through their healing journey; regardless of the trauma suffered. Through this story and guide, the reader will learn how to recover and celebrate their pure selves, develop healthy coping mechanisms and spiritual awareness to become the best version of themselves.
SHALITA'S COMPANY
GroCharity Events creates live and virtual events and trainings for corporate foundations, college/universities, and nonprofit organizations that are led by or benefit Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Our mission is to assist in the growth and/or impact of organizations by planning and branding conferences, seminars, fundraisers, board/company retreats and capacity building trainings/workshops that will build their community’s prosperity through funding, information, and wellness.
FUN FACTS
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN CRIMINOLOGY UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
MASTERS OF SOCIAL WORK FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE
GRADUATE OF THE GREATER BALTIMORE COMMITTEE’S 2013 LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
2018 ECHOING GREEN'S 2018 SOCIAL IMPACT TALENT REPORT
2015 PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY SOCIAL INNOVATION FUNDS' “FORTY UNDER 40”
2017 “MARYLAND MOM OF THE YEAR” BY THE AMERICAN MOTHERS’ ORGANIZATION
2015 BALTIMORE BUSINESS JOURNAL'S “40 UNDER 40”
2013 BALTIMORE MAGAZINE’S “40 UNDER 40”
2019 SECRETARY'S SERVANT LEADER AWARD, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE, MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
NONPROFIT DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS
customized workshops and training upon request
CREATING A FUNDRAISING TRIBE
If you do not have a strong Board of Directors, you’ll end up carrying all the weight of the organization on your shoulders and will find yourself bitter and resentful. It’s important that you engage and recruit the right people who will become a tribe working alongside of you to move the organization’s mission forward. This will allow you to focus on the mission of the organization instead of the governance. This workshop will guide you on how to turn your Board of directors into Giving and Active Worker Bees.
NETWORK MARKETING FOR NONPROFITS
Network marketing works. Companies such as Mary Kay, Traci Lynn Jewelry, ACN and Herbalife are extremely successful and are credible and legitimate Multi Level Marketing (MLM) structures. This workshop will show you how to use your networks and that of your Board Members to gain Ambassadors for your organization that will help you raise millions.
THE ART OF RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Raising funds and resources for your organization is an art; It is all about how you develop, maintain and grow relationships. This workshop explores ways to find donors, how to get them excited about funding your organization and how to turn them into lifelong contributors.
BECOMING THE LEADER PEOPLE WANT TO INVEST IN
Donors/Investors fund people, not organizations. This workshop will guide executive leaders on how to gain the confidence and financial support of donors by building and maintaining their competitiveness in the nonprofit world and in the community.
Harnessing Your Passion to Become a Social Entrepreneur
This workshop helps Participants explore different ways to start their own business/non-profit organizations. Participants will get an overview of what it takes to build a business/organization from the ground up. They will also have the opportunity to present their business ideas and get feedback on how to take their endeavor to the next level and Seed fund it!
CHILD WELFARE WORKSHOPS
Customized workshops available upon request.
EFFECTIVELY ENGAGING ALUMNI PERSPECTIVES
This workshop shares insights on foster youth engagement, alumni of foster care engagement and how to advance the mission of your organization by including the voices of those most impacted by your programs and services.
Herbalism Workshops
customized workshops available upon request
gardening 101
Attendees will learn the basics of gardening, how they can start their own garden regardless of space availability and herbs and vegetables that are easy to grow.
plant medicines and you
Attendees will learn about common plant medicines, the body systems that they support and how to make their own plant medicines that will heal and nourish themselves and their families.
SPEAKING & COACHING SERVICES
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
- Speech Time: 60 min. speech and Q&A customized content for audience.
- Panel Time or Brief Speeches: Up to 30 minutes.
WORKSHOPS
- Audience: Executive Directors, Board of Directors and Executive Team Members, budding Resource Development Directors, Child Welfare Professionals, Foster Youth, Foster Parents, Budding Herbalists and Light Workers wanting to learn more about Plants.
- Topics: As listed above or customized for audience
- Time: 2 hours - full day
COACHING
One-on-one Nonprofit Coaching provided on the following topics, including but not limited to:
- Non-profit Start Up Coaching
- Strategic Planning
- Board Development
- Resource Development
- Nonprofit Filing
FOR BOOKING AND PRICING PLEASE EMAIL: shalitaspeaks@shalitaoneale.com