Every day across major news outlets, in educational communities or at the dinner table, our country is shaped and shifted by forces becoming further and further out of our control. Media and entertainment have entered our world, we let it in, we love it, we crave it; but at what cost? Especially social media; the platform for the millions who hide behind a screen name and tear at the fabric of inclusion. The notion of “family values” has been embraced primarily by groups and communities seeking to protect ethics and values. Which is great; but is this what we are really seeing in America today? We have to do a reality check. We have to start thinking about the diversity of families, diversified communities, diversified experiences. the beauty of the foundation of strong values, ethics and morality. So the question then becomes how did we get this way and what do we do now? These dynamite mother-daughter relationships will tackle some of the most difficult challenges of our time: for women, for children, for families, work place environments, schools, in our political arena, and for humankind. What is the message we are leaving behind for our children? What is the point of teaching our children not to bully when "grown folks" do it on National television an get away with? Why is our prison system so overcrowded? Why are the “TV WIVES” ruining our family values and why are audiences so fascinated with them? How do we address the struggle to balance career and family? What is it about sisterhood that makes us stronger? What is it about competitive sports that make it so important in the development of our youth? Why is it that some people still don’t understand the value of multiculturalism?

 

Entertainment icon, Jayne Kennedy Overton has teamed up with her Diversity Consultant, Arts in Education Advocate, and Media Scholar daughter, Savannah Ré Overton, to revitalize the conversation around society, women, men and family. They have a unique bond and friendship that extends far beyond mother and daughter; one that is rooted in sister-ship and activism.

         

In the summer of 2015 Zaire Overton, the youngest of Jayne's daughters, returned from a USC Study Abroad program in Brazil, "Cultures of Brazil and Lusophone Africa." As an International Relations major committed to see and study the world, she was more than overwhelmed with the learning experience and the amazing cultural impressions... She returned with a new-found mission to increase African American Student participation in study abroad programs and international travel. In her presentation she addresses the statistics on minority participation as well as her amazing personal experiences in Rio de Janeiro, Salvador da Bahia, Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, London, Paris, and here at home.  She also shares her thoughts on resources and availability of opportunity for the college student and young adult.

             

In 2016 Savannah expands on her global agenda that began in the Bahamas and Budapest, and Hungary to include Barcelona, Spain, Lima, Peru, and Dakar, Senegal, West Africa as a Travel Ambassador to broaden opportunities for youth to experience study abroad through the Education First program and the D.C. public schools. Summer 2018 found her leading students on a study abroad/service project experience in Equador.

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In 2017, Kopper, Jayne's middle daughter, joined It's A Mother Daughter Thing. As a social media manager, she has studied the pros and cons of the world of social media, public relations, and advertising and focuses on sharing her thoughts to corporate and millennial populations. Through her blog Kopywrites, she reaches out to build strong sisterhoods of support for women struggling to find their place and stay strong in their self affirmation. 

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