The RAW Movement is the interactive, empowering concept of its Creative Director, Nevaina Rhodes. With more than two decades of experience in drama therapy, and using the arts as a platform for social and behavioral change, Nevaina has taken that wealth of knowledge to assemble an innovative entertainment concept that allows the participant to do self-inventory and become inspired from an emotional, analytical, and spiritual base. 

Nevaina, pronounced Nih-von-yah, has always been as unique and creative as her name.  As a talented actress, she is gaining visibility in many national ad campaigns, such as; Subway, Ford, Sears, Golden Corral, Direct General Insurance, SunTrust Bank, and Kool Smiles among others.  She portrayed the Lady in Green in the directorial debut of Jasmine Guy in “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf,” captivating audiences with what the AJC called an elegant performance with depth.  She was touted as being “seriously good” as the grieving widow Ida Jackson in the Amen Corner.  Kevin Costner said that Nevaina could “hold her own” when she performed along side him in the coming feature “The New Daughter”. Nevaina’s performance in the Lifetime movie “The Wronged Man” promises to be rich and provocative when it airs this November, and she has been seen in episodes of Tyler Perry’s House of Payne, Army Wives, and One Tree Hill. 

As a communication specialist for the Emory School of Law training program for more than four years consecutively, Nevaina is a master communicator and is able to compel and enhance the understanding of individuals and groups to think more positively, act more effectively, and live more intentionally. Because of her eloquence and insight, opportunities to speak before diverse audiences have taken her to places across the country including Chicago, North Carolina, Los Angeles, Georgia and many others as an evangelist, facilitator, and guest speaker. 

Recent speaking engagements include the She is Me panel geared towards inspiring and guiding young women and girls, a community action program held at the Association of Black Cardiologists, the annual health fair of the Urban League, social outreach programs and career enhancement programs for various schools and universities including Towers High School, Pebblebrook Middle School, Emory, Georgia Tech, host of the 2009 Gospel Choice awards and others.  

 Using her celebrity and capacity as a visionary, Nevaina has galvanized many well-known faces in the industry and those less recognized but remarkably talented individuals to create pro-active outlets to express their gift and stir up the gifts in others.  This much needed work is being made manifest in live events, inspirational speaking engagements, one-on-one coaching, workshops, seminars, panel discussions, television shows, film projects, and written inspirational materials. This organized effort to empower and inspire has become what is known as the RAW Movement.

Location: Marriott Hotel - Salon C