Vivid Academy

12/31/2025

“That’s not me.”

My mother-in-law’s reaction to the signs for Miss Dorothy’s Garden still makes me laugh.

When we surprised her with the idea of the book for her 99th birthday, I wasn’t sure she fully understood what I was trying to do. She met the illustrator, Robin Swaby, on Zoom. She saw the early drawings. And every time, her response was the same:

“That doesn’t look like me.”
And truthfully, she didn’t seem all that interested in the process.

But when the printed books were delivered—just after her 100th birthday party last year—everything changed.

I’ll never forget it.
She came down the stairs faster than I’ve ever seen her move, just to see the boxes.
She insisted on sitting with me as I carried each one into the house.
She picked up a copy, flipped slowly through every page.
And when she got to the end, she looked up and said:

“It’s about me.”

Yes, Mom. It is.
It’s dedicated to your century of service in San Francisco, in California, and across the nation.

But now—just one year later—we can say something even bigger:

It’s reaching the world.

What started as a book is now a global kindness movement.
Children are becoming BEE Buddies.
Ambassadors are helping them sow kindness.
And I’m inviting you to help it grow.

08/24/2025

and Gogos Give Smiles are teaming up to launch the Miss Dorothy's Garden Program as part of their Gogos Read Initiative in Alexandra Township, Johannesburg, South, Africa. Gogos will share the award-winning children's picture book, Miss Dorothy's Garden: 9 BEE Attitudes to Grow By.

I am 1 of the 100 Champions raising money to expand her legacy from San Francisco to Johannesburg. Will you join me?

Learn more: missdorothysgarden.com/100champions

🎁 Make a tax-deductible donation: givebutter.com/100champions/gwenwitherspoon to .

health

08/24/2025

Dorothy Witherspoon's century of service to San Francisco, the State of California, and our nation is celebrated in the award-winning children's picture book, Miss Dorothy's Garden: 9 BEE Attitudes to Grow By. 🌻📖

The 100 Champions campaign — raising $100,000 in 100 Days — is carrying her legacy into classrooms, living rooms, and communities around the world.

I've said "YES" to being 1 of the 100.
Will you? 🐝💛

✨ Learn more: missdorothysgarden.com/100champions

🎁 Make a tax-deductible donation: givebutter.com/100champions/gwenwitherspoon to .

08/21/2025

Dorothy Witherspoon spent nearly 40 years as a emergency room nurse at San Francisco General Hospital on the night shift.

Her century of service is celebrated in the award-winning children's picture book, "Miss Dorothy's Garden: 9 BEE Attitudes to Grow By."

And I am 1 of the 100 Champions raising money to expand her legacy from San Francisco to Johannesburg. Will you join me?

Learn more: https://missdorothysgarden.com/100champions
�🎁 Make a tax-deductible donation: https://givebutter.com/100champions/gwenwitherspoon to .

08/19/2025

Yesterday, I told you that James Holmes encouraged me to bring books to the Drake BSO Reunion. After an unforgettable time at The Winery at Sovereign Estate, I found myself in the Hospitality Suite at the hotel with no table, no plan, and—honestly—no appetite to push.

But something inside said: unpack the books. All of them. Poetry, devotionals, Make Your Life Vivid, and, of course, Miss Dorothy’s Garden.

The room was full, and so was my heart when I saw what happened next. Support was immediate, enthusiastic, overwhelming. They bought multiples. They insisted on autographs. And Miss Dorothy’s Garden was the hands-down favorite.

Here’s what struck me most: these weren’t strangers. These were my Drake family—the people who knew me at 18, who remembered things about me I’d long forgotten. They spoke life, filled gaps and holes in my soul, and reminded me why this work matters.

And then—they stepped in. Some became Ambassadors. Some pledged as Champions on the spot. Others invited me to bring Miss Dorothy’s Garden into their classrooms.

I’m in awe. And grateful.

This is what the 100 Champions Campaign is all about: carrying Dorothy Witherspoon’s legacy of kindness from San Francisco to Johannesburg, and from one generation to the next. And my Drake family confirmed that I don't have to attempt it alone.

Will you become 1 of the 100?
👉 missdorothysgarden.com/100champions

08/18/2025

I just spent the most glorious 4 days at the Drake University BSO Reunion 2025 in Meet Minneapolis. I had no intention of selling books—until our fearless Chair, James Holmes, Jr., called me right before I left and said, “Bring your books.” No plan. We'll figure it out.

Late Friday night, we finally carved out a corner in the Hospitality Suite for alumni authors… and then something wild happened.

I was SWARMED. Signing books. Telling the story. Taking photos. Laughing with classmates I hadn’t seen in decades. One of them was Angela Morehead—my Gospel Choir sister from over 40 years ago.

While I was caught in the whirlwind, Angie was quietly watching…and then, like only she can, she took the mic without a mic...and finished by "dropping" it!

She filmed a FULL-on infomercial. HSN meets Holy Spirit. Vanna White with a mission. 🎤😂
I had no clue until someone told me the next day. When I watched it? I laughed ‘til I couldn’t breathe. Then I cried. Then I said…THIS is Day 1. 💛

Today marks the official launch of the 100 Champions in 100 Days Campaign for the Miss Dorothy’s Garden Legacy Project—a movement to honor my 100-year-old mother-in-law’s legacy of kindness to enlist children around the world as BEE Buddies with Miss Dorothy and her BEE helpers.

And thanks to Angie, instead of disturbing my rest and reminiscing, hers will be the perfect video to kick off our first annual fundraising campaign.

Just press play.
• Then, visit https://missdorothysgarden.com/100champions to learn more
• Ready to give? Go directly to https://givebutter.com/100champions
• Will you become 1 of the 100 by donating or raising $1001?

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01/28/2024

01/12/2024

Let's raise our glasses to a future where everyone enjoys the physical and spiritual benefits of clean water.

09/01/2023

Less than 0.39% of the over $280 billion venture capital funding deployed in 2022 went to women of color. Private Equity and Venture Capital Funds are a $62 trillion industry.

So, what could possibly motivate someone to sue the Fearless Fund for simply focusing on underfunded founders?

The Fearless Fund is an Atlanta-based venture capital fund launched by A***n Simone, Ayana Parsons, and actress Keshia Knight Pulliam to award $20,000 in grants, digital tools, and mentorship opportunities to women of color in partnership with Mastercard.

"Entrepreneurship is the pathway to economic freedom...The stock market won't do it. Home ownership won't do it. Entrepreneurship is the way to wealth creation..." – Ayana Parsons

Sign the petition.

Take Action ! Sign the Letter Donate to the Cause Fearless Freedom Merch VC Summit Early Bird 2025 Tickets What Happened?The Fearless Fund, since 2019, has accelerated a goal to create a world where women of color have equal access to the resources and the support they need to succeed in business. T...

03/01/2019

What an honor to be at She Builds Conference among women of God ready to go global! https://bit.ly/vividclaim

We're cultivating the visionary lifestyle and helping entrepreneurs get a vision for every area of life.

03/01/2019

Melissa A. White at She Builds Conference is making us holler, “Don’t make a bad investment in the wrong identity. Who will have you seeing yourself bigger than you really are.”