FREE “date night” conference to feature award-winning inspirational speakers sharing relationship-building tools and valuable partnership insights
By Fran Folic
RIVIERA BEACH, FL.– Community-Based Connections, Inc. (CBCI), a nonprofit organization dedicated to delivering youth development, family strengthening, and community empowerment services to underserved populations, invites couples to reconnect, rekindle, and grow during its FREE Stronger Together Couples Conference on Saturday, September 19, from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Marriott West Palm Beach (1001 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach). Married, dating or co-parenting couples will get the tools they need to help strengthen relationships, improve communication, rebuild trust, and support healthier families from award-winning speakers and counselors.
“Being in a relationship is a blessing, but it takes work,” said Mikelange Olbel, CEO of Community-Based Connections, Inc. “Whether you are married, dating, co-parenting, rebuilding a strained relationship, or a single parent seeking a healthier relationship with the other parent, you’ll benefit from this insightful, heartfelt conference that seeks to create stronger dads, stronger moms and stronger families that will thrive, evolve, and build a better community. We are proud to offer our Stronger Together Couples Conference as part of our larger effort to provide meaningful, practical support to create a foundation for long-term parenting success.”
The thought-provoking event will include interactive panel discussions and a complimentary dinner.
Jason and Dr. Rhonda Turner, founders of 4 Knowledge Is Power, Inc., a nonprofit organization committed to educating, empowering, and strengthening youth and families, will lead the “Reconnect & Rekindle” interactive session designed to help participants reconnect, strengthen communication, renew affection, and identify a meaningful next step for their relationship or family.
Inspirational speakers and licensed marriage counselors Bishop Oscar Lewis Sr., senior pastor, Faith Deliverance Church of God, Riviera Beach & Dr. Diane Lewis, executive director of Feeding Hope Village, Michael & Rebecca Talton, co-leaders of the music ministry at Christ Evangelical Baptist Church, and Kirk Brown, CEO, Handy, Inc. & Chana Wyble Brown will lead the “Living United” panel. Attendees will learn from them sharing practical insights on remaining unified through conflict, cultural pressures, social media, parenting demands, and other challenges that can affect family stability. The session will be moderated by Gwynette Williams, associate vice president of mentoring at the United Way of Palm Beach County.
Angela T. Williams, author of “The Caregivers Playbook,” Mark & Sylvia Woods, ministry leaders and founders of ChichiMa Productions, and Christine Frederick, CEO of The Lord’s Place & Julian Frederick will address “The Resilient Couple Blueprint” – a discussion on navigating adversity and change while balancing marriage, careers, and entrepreneurship; supporting one another’s goals; managing competing responsibilities; celebrating shared success; and protecting their connection at home. The session will be moderated by Dr. Jamian Lovett, senior pastor at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church of West Palm Beach.
CBCI’s Stronger Together Couples Conference is part of H.E.A.R.T. (Helping Every Area of Relationships Thrive) Family Strengthening Program in Broward and Palm Beach counties. This five-year initiative, funded by a grant from the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance, helps adults and couples strengthen relationships, improve parenting, and build family stability through workshops, personalized support, and services including childcare, transportation, and counseling.
All families in Broward and Palm Beach counties are eligible, including single parents (fathers and mothers), co-parenting partners, married or unmarried couples, expectant parents, and adults seeking to strengthen relationships, communication, or family dynamics. There are no income restrictions, and participants may self-refer or be referred by partner agencies.
CBCI’s Stronger Together Couples Conference will also take place on Saturday, September 26, at New Mount Olive Baptist Church in Fort Lauderdale.
For more than 16 years, CBCI has developed proven models of care to strengthen families in Broward County. The nonprofit organization recently expanded to Riviera Beach in January, and successfully wrapped-up Fatherhood Week 2026, serving hundreds of fathers and families via a multi-day community program centered around the theme Fathers, Faith & Family. The impactful initiative provided fathers, father figures, and men throughout South Florida with opportunities to engage in conversations focused on mental health awareness, economic empowerment, family connection, domestic violence awareness, mentorship, and community support.
For more information about the CBCI’s Stronger Together Couples Conference or to register at no cost, call (954) 908-5249, or visit www.communitybasedconnections.com.
This program is supported by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of award number 90ZB0039-01-00, totaling $6,250,000, with 100 percent funded by ACF/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACF/HHS or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit https://www.acf.hhs.gov.
About Community-Based Connections, Inc.
Community-Based Connections, Inc. (CBCI) is a nonprofit human services organization with more than 16 years of expertise in delivering youth development advocacy and family resilience strengthening programs, plus health and community empowerment initiatives to underserved populations in Broward County. CBCI was founded upon the belief that service providers who have natural ties to the community are in the best position to help improve the odds of youth and family success. The CBCI mission is to expand the options available to children – from cradle to college – that promote their social and academic growth, equipping them with the skills they need to overcome challenges and thrive in adulthood. CBCI programs services that engage, encourage and motivate include the Young Believers Program, Family Strengthening Program, S.M.A.R.T. Team, New Day Diversion, and the Early Achievers Program. For more information, visit communitybasedconnections.com.