Time For T.E.A. Foundation Raises $10,000 For Teen Girls
Over 100 influential women leaders and professionals in Central Florida gathered at Harry P. Leu Gardens in Orlando for the highly anticipated women's premier event of the year, Time for T.E.A., Talk, Empower, and Affirm where over $10,000 was raised toward teen girl programming. The guests enjoyed open and honest discussions over tea where diverse women spoke on the topics that make Orlando a beautiful city, the potential of its art scene, and how to promote diversity across women. Gentlemen greeted the lovely guests with roses and were escorted to a gorgeous red carpet for photo opportunities. During the pre-event, guests had a chance to network and learn more about the Time For T.E.A. Foundation. As a benefit to the Time For T.E.A. brunch, ladies received a complimentary headshot photographed by David Carbajal that will also be curated into an art piece to commemorate the notable occasion.
This year’s theme, Our City’s Beauty, highlighted amazing women of Orlando who positively impact their careers and communities. Arlene Blake Executive Director of Women on the Rise, Cyndi Shifrel C.E.O. of Orlando Wedding & Party Rentals, Rosene Johnson Director for PACE Center for Girls, Courtney Shaw 2014-15 Mrs. Florida America, La-Zondra Randolph Board Member of African American Chamber of Commerce, Carolyn Fennell Sr. Director of Public Relations & Community Relations for Greater Orlando Aviation Academy, Christi Ashby Editor & Publisher of Orange Appeal Magazine, Vi Ma President of the Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida, Karla Muniz Executive Director for Advent Health, and Carol Cox this year’s esteemed keynote speaker were among the group of V.I.P.s selected to advocate for this great cause.
The program opened up with hostess Courtney Shaw welcoming attendees and prayer and poem titled “Life’s Canvas” by Patricia A. Amburgey. Brunch and tea were served by CharDon catering and The Tea Room Experience.
The ladies enjoyed hearing from keynote speaker Carol Cox. Carol is the founder of Speaking Your Brand®, a coaching and training company that helps high-performing, purpose-driven women entrepreneurs and professionals create signature talks and thought leadership platforms. She spoke about confidence and finding purpose. Some of her key takeaways focused on creativity in your purpose and stretching yourself to push past barriers. She also empowered the guests to be disruptive in finding your purpose and getting rid of the old and bringing in the new.
During the annual women's tea event, sponsored teen participants had the opportunity to sit among the Foundation’s VIP guests and utilize skills they have learned through etiquette training and networking with the Foundation teen initiatives.
“My time at the Tea Party on Sept 18th was fun. We learned about table manners such as “no hands on the table, you can’t be on your phone, no chewing gum with your mouth open, etc. My favorite part about the tea party was when Ms. Tracey was singing, the food, the gifts, and when the people were raising money,” said one of the youth participants from the Crown & Cupcakes Organization.
To tie in the theme, ladies received semi-precious stones with a meaningful card inside that reflected the stone's energy and how it would impact each woman. Tracey Phipps, Founder of the Time For T.E.A. Foundation, closed the event by singing an inspirational song. Check out all of the beautiful participants from this year’s tea and brunch, here.
About Time For Tea
Time for T.E.A. Foundation is a one-of-a-kind non-profit organization that empowers young girls to be confident through etiquette training and creates a respectful environment for women to have open and honest conversations over a unique tea experience, applicable philosophies, and affirmations. Since 2019, Time for T.E.A.’s programs has impacted over 300 teens in Orange County in a unique and fun way with partnering organizations to include The Greatest Investment Girls Summer Camp, The U.S. Dream Academy at Memorial Middle School, Jones High School, and PACE Center for Girls. The Foundation’s mission each year is to teach 100 girls the fine art of tea.