Universal Cuts & Salon Grand Opening
Sep
26
4:00 PM16:00

Universal Cuts & Salon Grand Opening

There’s something powerful about creating space, not just to serve people, but to help people grow.

Universal Cuts & Salon is celebrating the opening of its fifth suite, continuing a vision built around entrepreneurship, mentorship, opportunity, and creating a safe, welcoming environment where everyone can feel their best. This newest chapter brings together the vision of Jabrell “JB” Greene and co-owner Joseph “Frenchi” Ovalle, expanding opportunities for professionals in cosmetology, grooming, tattoo artistry, and other creative industries to build something of their own.

Join us for the Grand Opening & Celebration on Saturday, September 26, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at 1005 Bullard Ct., Raleigh, NC 27615. Come tour the space, meet the professionals, network, celebrate, and see what can happen when untapped potential is given room to grow.

Hosted by J. Dwayne Garnett of Love Is A Parable.

#UniversalCutsAndSalon #RaleighNC #SupportLocalBusiness #Entrepreneurship #CommunityBuilding

View Event →
Trauma Is Your Power Luncheon & Bruncheon
Sep
27
2:30 PM14:30

Trauma Is Your Power Luncheon & Bruncheon

  • The Pavilion at Carriage Farm (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Your story is not the end of your journey, it can become the foundation of your strength.

Join BeSHE, Inc. for Trauma Is Your Power: Luncheon & Bruncheon, a powerful afternoon of healing, hope, and transformation. This inspiring fundraiser will raise awareness and critical funds to support domestic violence survivors while creating a space for restoration, connection, and empowerment.

We're honored to welcome an incredible lineup of presenters and guests, including
Keynote Speaker J. Dwayne Garnett,
Surprise Speaker Teresa Avent,
Entertainment by Alonzo Jaynes, and
musical guests Tara and Natasha Moore, whose voices and experiences will help make this an unforgettable event.

Enjoy delicious food, meaningful conversations, exciting prizes, and the opportunity to stand with a community committed to helping survivors reclaim their lives.

September 27, 2026
2:30 PM
The Pavilion at Carriage Farm
1913 Pagan Road
Raleigh, NC 27603

Scan the QR code on the flyer to reserve your seat today. Together, we can transform pain into purpose and trauma into power.

Heal. Grow. Reclaim Your Power.

Register Today!

#BeSHEInc #TraumaIsYourPower #DomesticViolenceAwareness #Fundraiser #JDwayneGarnett #TeresaAvent #AlonzoJaynes #NatashaMoore #CommunityHealing #HopeAndRestoration

View Event →
Joseph & Tamar: The Unseen Dreamer and Forgotten Believer Conference
Nov
14
8:30 AM08:30

Joseph & Tamar: The Unseen Dreamer and Forgotten Believer Conference

The Unseen Dreamer and Forgotten Believer Conference

Breaking Silence on Sexual Violence in Sacred Spaces

Admission is Free | Registration Required | Limited to 306 Attendees

There Are Stories We Quote...
And Stories We Avoid.

The account of Joseph resisting sexual coercion.

The account of Tamar surviving sexual violence at the hands of her own brother.

Both are in Scripture.

Both are real.

Both continue to reflect experiences many people silently carry today.

Yet within many faith communities, these stories remain among the least discussed despite the profound insight they offer into trauma, power, silence, justice, healing, and restoration.

Joseph & Tamar was created to change that.

This conference is more than a gathering. It is a courageous invitation to confront difficult conversations with compassion, education, and hope while creating pathways toward healing for individuals, families, leaders, and faith communities.

Conference Overview

Joseph & Tamar: The Unseen Dreamer and Forgotten Believer Conference is a faith-centered awareness and healing experience rooted in the principles of value-based education, reflective storytelling, personal acceptance, and togetherness.

Hosted through the heart and mission of Love Is A Parable in partnership with Daughters of Destiny, this conference explores the intersection of faith, trauma, healing, and reconciliation by addressing sexual violence and domestic violence within sacred spaces.

Through keynote presentations, workshops, panel discussions, reflective storytelling, and meaningful dialogue, participants will be invited into an environment where truth can be acknowledged without compromising dignity, faith, or hope.

This experience is not about comparison.

It is about acknowledgment.

It is about education.

It is about creating space for reconciliation with faith, self, community, and the Heavenly Father.

At its core, Joseph & Tamar reminds every participant that they are still worthy of love, value, healing, visibility, and belonging.

Our Intent

Joseph & Tamar exist to challenge silence while equipping faith communities with practical tools to respond to trauma with wisdom, compassion, accountability, and love.

Together we will explore:

  • Sexual violence and domestic violence within sacred spaces

  • Biblical narratives often overlooked or minimized

  • The emotional, spiritual, and psychological impact of trauma

  • Faith after trauma

  • Survivor-centered healing

  • Healthy responses from churches and ministry leaders

  • Value-based reconciliation

  • Restoring trust, identity, and hope

Because what we refuse to talk about...

we unintentionally allow to continue.

Complete Form Below to Register

Saturday, November 14, 2026
8:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Progressive Missionary Baptist Church
2504 Creech Road • Raleigh, NC 27610

Sponsorship Opportunities

Your sponsorship is more than financial support.

It is an investment in creating safer sacred spaces and developing resources that will continue serving survivors long after the conference concludes.

Trauma & Recovery Partner — $5,000

Our highest level of partnership, supporting trauma-informed education, survivor-centered resources, and pathways toward healing and recovery within sacred spaces.

Reconciliation Partner — $2,500

Our premier sponsorship level for organizations committed to advancing survivor-centered education and awareness.

Restoration Partner — $1,250

Support education, awareness, and healing through conference programming and survivor resources.

Hope Partner — $500

Help make this conference accessible to every attendee.

Donor Opportunities

Not every supporter is a business.

Individuals, churches, families, and organizations can make a meaningful impact through tax-deductible donations.

Friend of Joseph & Tamar

$50–$249

Advocate

$250–$499

Champion

$500+

Every contribution directly supports the continued development of Love Is A Parable initiatives serving individuals impacted by sexual violence and domestic violence within sacred spaces.

Sponsorship & Donor Information

Vendor Opportunities Are Available

Joseph & Tamar welcomes organizations whose missions align with healing, education, advocacy, wellness, and community engagement.

Vendor opportunities are ideal for:

  • Nonprofit organizations

  • Community resource agencies

  • Mental health providers

  • Faith-based organizations

  • Colleges and universities

  • Healthcare organizations

  • Authors

  • Educational organizations

  • Wellness professionals

  • Survivor advocacy organizations

Vendor tables provide an opportunity to connect attendees with valuable resources, services, and programs that extend healing beyond the conference.

Vendor Information

Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Admission & Capacity

Admission is free thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, donors, and community partners.

Seating is limited to 306 attendees, and advance registration is required.

Our goal is to create an intimate, engaging environment where every participant has the opportunity to learn, connect, ask questions, and experience meaningful conversations that inspire healing, hope, education, and reconciliation.

Join the Movement

Some wounds are visible.

Others are carried silently in the spirit, mind, and body.

Joseph & Tamar exists to create space where truth is acknowledged, faith is strengthened, and healing becomes possible.

Whether you attend, sponsor, donate, volunteer, or partner with us, you become part of a movement committed to ensuring that sacred spaces are places of protection, compassion, accountability, and restoration.

Because faith should never require silence to survive.

About Love Is A Parable

Love Is A Parable is a charitable and educational 501(c)(3) organization committed to bringing people together through love by providing value-based education that strengthens character, leadership, relationships, communication, and psychological safety.

Through reflective thinking and the Sacred Box Theory, Love Is A Parable helps individuals and organizations better understand how values influence the way we see ourselves, others, and the world around us.

Joseph & Tamar extends this mission by creating educational resources, awareness initiatives, leadership development, and survivor-centered programming designed to help faith communities become safer, healthier, and more compassionate places for everyone.

About Daughters of Destiny

Founded in 2018 by Pastor Christina L. Mial, Daughters of Destiny is an annual women's conference and ministry dedicated to creating a safe, faith-centered space where women experience healing, restoration, and renewed purpose.

What began from personal brokenness has grown into a transformative movement, empowering hundreds of women to embrace their identity, walk confidently in God's promises, and move beyond pain toward purpose.

Through authentic teaching, worship, and community, Daughters of Destiny continues to inspire women to rise, heal, and faithfully steward the promises God has placed within them.


View Event →
TARGET| Fuquay-Varina, NC - BACK TO SCHOOL SHOPPING SPREE!
Aug
12
6:00 PM18:00

TARGET| Fuquay-Varina, NC - BACK TO SCHOOL SHOPPING SPREE!

At this time, registration is full. If any openings become available, we will announce them on our social media platforms and website.

Love Is A Parable, in collaboration with ATHENA of the Triangle, is excited to partner with Target Fuquay-Varina to provide a Back to School Shopping Spree for 75 youth on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at 6:00 PM!

This is an incredible opportunity for eligible students to receive a $100 Target gift card to purchase back-to-school essentials.

Please note the following requirements:
• Registration is required. Every child must be signed up in advance.
• A parent or legal guardian must be present during the shopping spree.
• Only the registered child(ren) may receive a gift card.
• A completed Media Release Waiver (or Media Denial Form) must be on file before participation.

Media Notice: This will be a community celebration, and photography and video recording may occur throughout the event. Local media, Target representatives, Love Is A Parable, ATHENA of the Triangle, and other partners may capture photos and video for news coverage, promotional materials, websites, and social media. All participants must complete either a Media Consent & Release Waiver or a Media Denial prior to participating.

Public Event Notice

While Love Is A Parable and ATHENA of the Triangle will honor each participant's Media Consent & Release Waiver or Media Denial Form with respect to our own photography, videography, and communications, this event will take place during normal Target business hours. As such, the store will remain open to the public, and members of the community, customers, media outlets, and other individuals not affiliated with Love Is A Parable or ATHENA of the Triangle may be present.

By participating, you acknowledge and understand that Love Is A Parable and ATHENA of the Triangle cannot control or assume responsibility for photographs, videos, or other media captured, shared, or published by individuals or organizations not directly affiliated with our organizations. We will make every reasonable effort to respect your media preference within our control.

Acknowledgment and Electronic Signature

By selecting "Submit," I acknowledge that I have read and understand the information provided regarding participation in the Back to School Shopping Spree, including the media notice and public event disclaimer. I certify that the information I have provided is accurate and complete. I understand that selecting "Submit" constitutes my electronic acknowledgment and signature and has the same force and effect as my handwritten signature.

Spots are limited to 75 youth, so be sure to register early once registration opens. We look forward to helping students start the school year with confidence and everything they need for success!

 
REGISTRATION CLOSED
 
 

About ATHENA of the Triangle
ATHENA of the Triangle is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing women in leadership while inspiring and empowering the next generation. Through mentorship, education, advocacy, and community partnerships, ATHENA creates opportunities that strengthen individuals, families, and communities. Their commitment to service and leadership development makes them a valued partner in helping youth thrive.

 

Love Is A Parable- an initiative and movement that later became an organization within itself. Love is A Parable is a DBA and subsidiary of Altar and Dwelling Place, Inc. We are a charitable and educational 501c3 organization, that provides character, social, and leadership development to those who have an aspiration toward unity, love, and kindness through a reflective thinking approach and sacred-box theory that involves value-based education.

#LoveIsAParable #ATHENAofTheTriangle #Target #BackToSchool #FuquayVarina #CommunityImpact #YouthSuccess #SchoolReady

View Event →
2026 Black Writers Weekend
Jul
31
to Aug 2

2026 Black Writers Weekend

  • Google Calendar ICS

We’re excited to announce that J. Dwayne Garnett, Founder and CEO of Love Is A Parable and author of Can I Just Write, will be presenting at the 2026 Black Writers Weekend in Atlanta, Georgia.

From value-based education and reflective storytelling to healing through creative expression, this opportunity represents another meaningful step in expanding conversations around love, literacy, identity, and personal acceptance.

What started as words on paper has now become a bridge connecting communities, libraries, workshops, and readers across state lines. To now stand among so many gifted writers, creatives, and thought leaders at Black Writers Weekend is both humbling and exciting.

If you are able to attend, be sure to register and come experience a weekend centered around storytelling, culture, creativity, and connection. We would love to see you there.

July 31 – August 2, 2026
Atlanta, Georgia
Auburn Avenue Research Library & Loudermilk Conference Center

Thank you to everyone who continues to support the mission, share the work, purchase the book, invite us into spaces, and believe in the power of stories to bring people together.

Register Now

#BlackWritersWeekend #CanIJustWrite #LoveIsAParable #StorytellingMatters #ValueBasedEducation #AuthorSpeaker #CreativeWriting #HealingForward #AtlantaEvents #ReflectiveStorytelling #WritersCommunity #BooksAndCulture #PoetryMatters #LiteraryCommunity #BlackAuthors #WritingForHealing #PurposeDriven #CommunityImpact #AtOurCoreWeAreLove #loveisaparable

View Event →
Creative Writing Workshop
May
23
11:00 AM11:00

Creative Writing Workshop

  • Augusta-Richmond County Library (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Healing Forward: Harnessing Creative Writing for Resilience and Wholeness while Uncompromising One’s Own Values    

 Overview:

This workshop demonstrates how creative writing and expression can be powerful tools for healing forward without compromising one’s values. Drawing from the themes in Can I Just Write, participants will explore how writing allows us to reflect on lived experiences while reclaiming voice, identity, and worth. Through value-based education and storytelling, this workshop invites participants into a safe space where vulnerability is not weakness but power. Participants will learn how to embrace themselves fully, honor their values, and use writing as a catalyst for resilience, cultural preservation, and personal wholeness.

Objectives

Participants will:
Understand how creative expression and values work together to shape self-awareness and life choices.
Practice writing as a tool for healing trauma, grief, and adversity while holding firm to personal values.
Explore storytelling as a means of cultural preservation, education, and togetherness.
Experience the freedom of a safe space for self-acceptance without losing the desire for growth.
Develop strategies to continue using writing as an ongoing practice for resilience, identity, and community connection.

REGISTER NOW
View Event →
Addressing Mental Health and Sexual Assault Against Boys and Men Summit
Apr
18
8:30 AM08:30

Addressing Mental Health and Sexual Assault Against Boys and Men Summit

Silence has never been safety. It has only been distance from healing.

Too often, the mental health struggles and experiences of sexual assault among boys and men are overlooked, minimized, or left unspoken. This summit creates space to acknowledge what is real, to listen without judgment, and to stand in truth together.

Join us for a powerful and necessary conversation:

Addressing Mental Health and Sexual Assault Against Boys and Men Summit
Saturday, April 18
8:30 AM to 1:30 PM
Junior League of Raleigh
711 Hillsborough St, Raleigh, NC

This is more than an event. It is an opportunity to shift awareness into action, to replace stigma with support, and to remind every voice in the room that it matters.

Come to learn.
Come to connect.
Come to be part of a conversation that too many have carried alone.

At our core, we are love. And love makes room for truth, healing, and restoration.

REGISTER NOW

#loveisaparable #MentalHealthMatters #BreakTheSilence #SupportMen #EndSexualViolence #CommunityHealing #MensHealthAwareness #SafeSpaces #HealingTogether #RaleighNC

View Event →
5th Annual ATHENA Leadership Conference & Awards
Mar
24
8:00 AM08:00

5th Annual ATHENA Leadership Conference & Awards

People. Purpose. Passion.
The Power of US.

Love Is A Parable is proud to share that J. Dwayne Garnett, Founder and CEO, will be returning as a presenter for the third time at the 5th Annual ATHENA Leadership Conference & Awards on March 24, 2026, hosted by ATHENA of the Triangle at the SAS Campus in Cary, North Carolina.

Each year, this powerful gathering brings together women leaders, entrepreneurs, and allies who believe leadership is most effective when it is rooted in authenticity, collaboration, advocacy, learning, and giving back. The ATHENA Leadership Conference is not just an event, it is a movement centered on the ATHENA Leadership Model and the belief that progress happens together.

During the conference, Garnett will lead a session titled Synergic Leadership: An Interconnected Touch, exploring how value-based leadership, intentional relationships, and collective responsibility strengthen individuals, organizations, and communities.

The day will feature inspiring keynote voices, dynamic breakout sessions, meaningful networking, the ATHENA Leadership Awards Ceremony, and a shared commitment to leadership with heart.

Love Is A Parable is honored to continue partnering with spaces that uplift purpose-driven leadership and amplify voices committed to collective impact.

Registration is now open.
Join a community that believes in leadership, connection, and the power of US.

https://athenatriangle.org/athena-leadership-conference/

REGISTER NOW

#LoveIsAParable #ATHENALeadership #PowerOfUS #WomenWhoLead #ValueBasedLeadership #CollectiveImpact #LeadershipWithHeart

View Event →
Sunday on Saturday” Worship Service
Mar
7
10:30 AM10:30

Sunday on Saturday” Worship Service

Love Is A Parable was honored to join the family at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Apex, NC for their special “Sunday on Saturday” Worship Service as they celebrate 160 years of ministry, faith, and community impact.

Our founder, J. Dwayne Garnett, had the privilege of serving as the Guest Poet during this high energy contemporary worship experience under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Gary L. Brown. Moments like this remind us how storytelling, reflection, and faith can bring people together and strengthen the body beyond the individual member.

Thank you to the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church family for the warm welcome and the opportunity to share in such a meaningful celebration.

#LoveIsAParable #FaithInCommunity #StorytellingMatters #ApexNC #WorshipTogether

View Event →
25th Annual African American Cultural Celebration
Feb
28
10:00 AM10:00

25th Annual African American Cultural Celebration

Love Is A Parable was honored to participate in the 25th Annual African American Cultural Celebration in Raleigh, North Carolina, held at the North Carolina Museum of Art. This annual celebration serves as the statewide kickoff to Black History Month and brings together storytellers, artists, musicians, authors, and community voices to honor the richness of Black history and culture.

Our founder, J. Dwayne Garnett, had the privilege of serving as a storyteller, sharing reflections that connect history, values, and lived experiences. Storytelling is a core tenant of the Love Is A Parable mission. We believe stories are seeds. When planted with intention they grow into understanding, connection, and community.

With the 2026 theme recognizing a Century of Black History Commemorations, it was powerful to stand among so many voices committed to preserving history while shaping the future.

Grateful for the opportunity to contribute to such a meaningful gathering and to continue demonstrating how value based education, storytelling, and personal reflection can bring people together.

#LoveIsAParable #BlackStorytelling #BlackHistoryMonth #NCMuseumOfArt #StorytellingMatters

View Event →
Inspiration in Integration
Feb
22
2:00 PM14:00

Inspiration in Integration

Have you heard about Shawtown High?
What about Fuquay Consolidated?

Do you know the impact integration had on students and families right here in our own backyard?

Many of the students who lived through integration in the Fuquay-Varina area are still alive today. Their stories are not distant history. They are living testimony. They walked into uncertainty so that future generations could walk into opportunity.

Hear the story and more at

Inspiration in Integration
Sunday, February 22, 2026
2:00 PM
All seats $10

Sponsored by the Town of Fuquay-Varina, the Friends of the Fuquay-Varina Arts Center, The Fuquay-Varina Woman’s Club, Legacy Partners Realty, Mayor William Harris, Pinkie Strothers, Bryan Haynes, and Thrice Funeral Home.

This is not just a Black History Month event. It is a community reflection. A chance to sit in the room with living history. A moment to honor those whose steps made space for ours to be a dash more better.

Seats are only $10. Do not wait.

Register Now

Get your tickets here:
Come listen. Come learn. Come remember.

#fuquayvarinaartscenter #fvartscenter #blackhistorymonth #inspiring #leadership #inspirationinintegration #communityhistory #honoringourpast #courageousleadership #locallegacy #livinghistory

View Event →
Accelerating Men: Addressing Mental Health & Sexual Violence Against Young Boys & Men
Oct
30
7:00 PM19:00

Accelerating Men: Addressing Mental Health & Sexual Violence Against Young Boys & Men

It’s time to create a safe space for healing and open dialogue around the issues too often left unspoken.
Join Accelerating Men for a powerful panel discussion featuring:

J. Dwayne Garnett – Love Advocate
Jason Phillips – Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Facilitated by Marcel Anderson

Thursday, October 30th
7:00 PM EST
Register at www.acceleratingmen.com
(Zoom link will be emailed after registration)

Together, we’ll dismantle stigma, foster awareness, and build community-driven solutions that support the mental health and well-being of young boys and men.

SAFE Program for Men (Securing A Fresh Environment)

#AcceleratingMen #LoveIsAParable #MentalHealthAwareness #HealingTogether #CommunityCare #MenSupportingMen #BreakingStigma #Brotherhood #SafeSpaces #Empowerment #FaithAndHealing #PurposeDriven #TogetherWeRise

View Event →
Love Is A Parable takes on Augusta, Georgia
Oct
18
to Oct 19

Love Is A Parable takes on Augusta, Georgia

  • Google Calendar ICS

J. Dwayne Garnett is coming home.

A chance to give back to a community that gave him so much.

Love Is A Parable takes on Augusta, Georgia

1️⃣ Meet the Author

October 18 | Augusta-Richmond Public Library

823 Telfair St., Augusta, GA 30901

Time TBD

2️⃣ Guest Speaker

October 19 | Spring Grove Missionary Baptist Church

5600 Clarks Hill Road, Appling, GA 30802

10:30 AM

As an Augusta native, George P. Butler graduate, and founding member of Creative Impressions, this return is more than an event, it is a homecoming of gratitude, love, and purpose.

Mark those calendars and join us for two powerful days.

#loveisaparable #AugustaGA #CommunityLove #BookSigning #MeetTheAuthor #PublicLibrary #SpringGrove #GuestSpeaker #CommunityImpact #Homecoming

View Event →
Purple Elegance, Purpose, and Power
Oct
10
6:30 PM18:30

Purple Elegance, Purpose, and Power

Love Is A Parable is honored to share J. Dwayne Garnett as part of the 2025 Domestic Violence Advocacy Awards Gala hosted by The Hidden Jewels Project Inc. This evening of “Purple Elegance” will uplift voices, honor advocates, and celebrate the resilience of survivors while reminding us of the critical need to continue raising awareness.

Date: Friday, October 10, 2025
Purple Carpet: 6:30 PM | Gala: 7:00 PM
Village Inn Hotel & Event Center, Clemmons, NC

The evening will feature powerful performances and voices:

  • Lauryn Benjamin – Liturgical Dancer

  • Tamra Bradshaw – Recording Artist

  • Tameka Bright – Emcee

  • Pastor Timothy Careathers – Man Stand

  • And J. Dwayne Garnett, Author/Poet and Founder of Love Is A Parable

We will also celebrate the 2025 honorees who continue to do life-saving advocacy work:

  • Alexandria Hicks (Next Step Ministries)

  • Kenya Thornton (Eliza’s Helping Hands)

  • Bishop Sir Walter Mack (Union Baptist Church)

  • Anita Dean Arnette (The Truth Network)

Tickets: $75 | VIP $95
Get your tickets at www.hiddenjewelsproject.org

REGISTER NOW

Together, we can continue impacting communities and saving lives. 💜

#DomesticViolenceAwareness #Advocacy #PurpleElegance #LoveIsAParable #TogetherWeRise #HiddenJewelsProject #Community #FaithInAction #EndDV #HopeInAction

View Event →
Compassion Day 2025
Sep
13
10:00 AM10:00

Compassion Day 2025

Are you ready for Compassion Day 2024? Have you marked your calendars?

Not sure what it is? Get ready for a day filled with compassion and community spirit! Join us for our annual Compassion Day, hosted by Holly Springs United Church of Christ, Lost Sheep Outreach Ministry, and Woodhaven Baptist Church. Together with local community members and organizations, we’re bringing you an incredible day of free services and fun for all ages!

Free medical screenings

Kid-friendly entertainment

Expungement services

Career prepping

Live performances

Delicious food

…and so much more!

Check out our entertainment lineup—more details to come.

Event Details:

Location: Holly Springs United Church of Christ, 116 3rd Street, Holly Springs, NC 27540

Date: Saturday, September 14, 2024

Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM EST

Mark your calendars and bring your family and friends—everyone is invited to experience the love and compassion that makes our community special!

#LoveIsAParable #CompassionDay2024 #CommunitySpirit #FreeServices #FamilyFun #HollySprings #GivingBack

View Event →
Meet The Author Event
Sep
6
11:00 AM11:00

Meet The Author Event

  • Northeast Regional Library (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS
Register

Meet the Author – J. Dwayne Garnett

Founder & CEO of Love Is A Parable
Join us for an inspiring conversation around his latest work, Can I Just Write, a deeply personal and spiritually grounded journey through grief, injustice, fatherhood, faith, identity, and resilience.
Date: September 6, 2025

Time: 11:00 AM

Location: Northeast Regional Library

14401 Green Elm Lane, Raleigh, NC 27614
Register Today: wake.gov/events/meet-author-j-dwayne-garnett
Thank you, Wake County Public Library, for hosting this special event.
#loveisaparable #CanIJustWrite #MeetTheAuthor #BookTalk #Poetry #Inspiration #AuthorEvent #RaleighEvents #WakeCounty #Community #Storytelling #BookLovers

View Event →
NAACP North Carolina State Conference Black Voices: Advocacy in Action Town Hall
Aug
18
7:30 PM19:30

NAACP North Carolina State Conference Black Voices: Advocacy in Action Town Hall

Tonight, J. Dwayne Garnett had the honor of joining the NAACP North Carolina State Conference Black Voices: Advocacy in Action Town Hall.

He shared his new piece, Big Beautiful Lies, as part of a powerful conversation centered on urgent issues impacting Black communities such as healthcare, education, food access, environmental justice, and more.

To stand alongside leaders such as Dr. Eric Kelly, Rep. B. Ray Jeffers, Rep. Allison Dahle, Clarence Birkhead, Wendell Tabb, Michelle Burton, Christina Cole, and so many others was a reminder of the strength that rises when voices unite.

Our stories matter. Our voices matter. And together, our advocacy matters.

It is time to join tonight’s town hall or participate in others throughout the series: https://ncnaacp.org/2025-black-voices-town-hall-series/

#BlackVoices #NAACP #loveisaparable #BigBeautifulLies #CommunityImpact #EquityInAction #ValueBasedEducation

View Event →
SPEAK YOUR PEACE — A Night of Poetry, Spoken Word & Expression
Jul
12
7:00 PM19:00

SPEAK YOUR PEACE — A Night of Poetry, Spoken Word & Expression

SPEAK YOUR PEACE — A Night of Poetry, Spoken Word & Expression

Presented by The House of Creatives, in collaboration with The Rumman Room and Muslim Artists of NC.

Join us for an evening that celebrates the power of words and the beauty of self-expression. Speak Your Peace will feature live performances by local spoken word artists and poets, creating space for authentic voices and community connection.

This night will feature Amal Kassir and J. Dwayne Garnett, alongside 7 additional performers from the community (registration is now open).

Details:
☕ Vendors on-site
🎟️ $5 per person
✨ Family-friendly | All ages welcome
📍 The Portal HQ, Raleigh
🕖 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Register
View Event →
BOOK SIGNING & READING EVENT
Jul
12
11:00 AM11:00

BOOK SIGNING & READING EVENT

BOOK SIGNING & READING EVENT

Join us for a moving and memorable celebration of truth, healing, and poetic expression.

Date: Saturday, July 12, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Location: St. Matthews Rosenwald School
At St. Matthews Baptist Church
5410 Louisburg Rd, Raleigh, NC 27616

Featuring:
J. Dwayne Garnett, author of Can I Just Write
With a foreword by David K. Baker, Sr.

REGISTER NOW

About the Book:

Can I Just Write is not just a collection of poems; it’s a soul exposed, a breath exhaled, a mirror held up to the complexities of living, loving, hurting, and healing.

Written by J. Dwayne Garnett, this deeply personal and spiritually grounded journey gives language to the emotions we often silence. Through reflections shaped by grief, injustice, fatherhood, faith, identity, and resilience, Garnett invites readers into the sacred space where vulnerability meets power.

With raw honesty and rhythmic insight, each poem in this collection is both a release and a revelation, crafted not to impress, but to connect. It is for those who know what it means to wrestle in the dark while still searching for light.

Whether read in quiet solitude or aloud to reclaim your voice, Can I Just Write will stir your spirit, affirm your worth, and remind you that your story matters, even when it hurts to tell it.

This is not a performance.
This is permission.
To feel. To speak. To write.

Poetic Explorations Include:

  • Literacy as healing and self-expression

  • Misandry and its overlooked impact

  • Abuse and trauma both seen and hidden

  • Fatherhood and responsibility

  • Healing forward with grace and wholeness

About the Author:

J. Dwayne Garnett is a Truth Revealer, rhythm-based realist, and man who writes from lived experience. Born in Augusta, Georgia, he turns vulnerability into strength and pain into purpose. His work gives voice to emotions many feel but struggle to express.

He is the author of Random Thoughts, Ampersands and Commas: Love Is Communicating, Ephphatha: Love Is A Parable Reflection Manual, and Can I Just Write, a poetic exploration of misandry, abuse, divorce trauma, fatherhood, and healing.

Garnett is the Founder and CEO of Love Is A Parable, a nonprofit focused on value-based education and togetherness. With 20+ years in higher education and human services, he champions literacy, emotional awareness, and the power of truth.

His words do not seek applause. They seek truth. Even in silence, our stories still matter.

Why This Location Matters:

The event takes place at St. Matthews Rosenwald School, one of the historic schools built to educate African American children during the segregation era. Hosting this event here is a powerful tribute to resilience, legacy, and the enduring power of literacy and voice.

Light refreshments will be served.
Books will be available for purchase and signing.

REGISTER NOW
View Event →
HSIA National Day of Prayer Community Event
May
1
6:30 PM18:30

HSIA National Day of Prayer Community Event

Join Us for the National Day of Prayer Community Event

Prayer. Refreshments. Community

The Holly Springs Interfaith Alliance (HSIA) invites you to an evening of reflection, recognition, and connection as we celebrate the National Day of Prayer with a special awards celebration.

Date: Thursday, May 1, 2025
Venue: Studio 557, 300 S Main St Suite 324, Holly Springs, NC 27540
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
This is a free event, but space is limited! RSVP today.

Event Highlights:

✅ Opening Performance by Music Makers United (Interfaith Choir)
✅ Inspirational Reflections from diverse faith leaders
✅ Award Presentation
✅ Interfaith Resilience Scholarship Proposal – investing in future faith-driven leaders
✅ Corporate Prayer – lifting up youth, families, public servants, peace initiatives, and more
✅ Networking & Fellowship – build meaningful connections with faith and community leaders

This evening is more than a gathering; it is a call to unite in faith, celebrate those who bridge divides, and take meaningful steps toward reconciliation and peace.

📢 RSVP now to secure your spot! Space is limited. Don’t miss this powerful opportunity to stand together in faith and purpose.

Learn more
View Event →
Athena Leadership Conference: Psychological Safety and Workplace Empathy
Mar
18
11:30 AM11:30

Athena Leadership Conference: Psychological Safety and Workplace Empathy

  • SAS Executive Briefing Center (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

We’re excited to reconnect with ATHENA of the Triangle as J. Dwayne Garnett takes the stage as a featured speaker at the ATHENA Leadership Conference!!!

Psychological Safety & Workplace Empathy with J. Dwayne Garnett A workplace that values trust, inclusion, and empathy fosters stronger teams, greater innovation, and lasting success. Join Love Advocate & Value-Based Educator J. Dwayne Garnett as he explores the power of psychological safety and how it shapes workplace culture. This session will provide practical strategies to create environments where individuals feel respected, heard, and empowered to thrive.

Register Here
View Event →
Straight Talk with KWF: Dating Over 40
Feb
13
7:00 PM19:00

Straight Talk with KWF: Dating Over 40

Dating over 40? Let’s talk about it! Join J. Dwayne Garnett and an insightful panel of experts for Straight Talk with KWF, hosted by the Knightdale-Wake Forest Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

This Healthy Relationships Month event is designed for singles navigating the dating scene after 40. Expect: thought-provoking discussions, insights on cultivating genuine connections, professional tips & strategies, giveaways, and more!

Register
View Event →
Love Is A Parable Ribbon Cutting & Fundraiser Ceremon
Nov
7
6:00 PM18:00

Love Is A Parable Ribbon Cutting & Fundraiser Ceremon

  • Holly Springs Masonic Lodge 115 (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS
Register

You're Invited to the Love Is A Parable Ribbon Cutting & Fundraiser Ceremony!

Date and Time: Thursday, Nov 7, 2024 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM EST

Location: Holly Springs Masonic Lounge 224 Raleigh Street, Holly Springs, NC 27540

Join us for an evening of celebration, community, and giving back! We are delighted to partner with the Holly Springs Chamber of Commerce to bring you this special event.

Proudly Sponsored by: Thrive Skin + Wellness

Enjoy Performances by: Iconic Bond and Kim Person

Savor Delicious Catering from: Full Street Catering Services

Dance to the Beats of: World Class DJ Ty

Contact Information: Lindsay Tremelling Send Email

Come share in the joy, enjoy great entertainment, and support a wonderful cause. We can't wait to see you there!

#LoveIsAParable #RibbonCutting #Fundraiser #CommunityEvent #HollySpringsNC #JoinUs

View Event →