Profile: Soul Journeys, Inc.

When Maria Dowd started African American Women on Tour in 1991, she was one of the few making it their mission to empower – and make a living doing it. Black women across the country flocked to AAWOT to hear Maya Angelou, Gladys Knight, Alice Walker, Iyanla Vanzant and hundreds of empowerment trainers and healers. Held in over 40 U.S. cities, the Caribbean and France over the course of 13 years, AAWOT -- the foremost women’s empowerment conference series – took its final turn in Hilton Head, SC in 2003, on the heels of hurricane Isabel. This act of God was a sure sign that it was time for Maria to begin the new chapters of her life. By then, she’d touched the hearts and souls of over 30,000 women and teens worldwide. Maria is now a motivational speaker, trainer, inspirational author and top producer at Warm Spirit, representing a line of spa-quality skin care and wellness products, and entrepreneurial opportunities.

With the release of her latest book, Journey Into My Brother’s Soul (May 2007), Maria’s on an expanded mission -- to help women embrace new concepts of freedom, joy, peace and prosperity. Maria’s first two books, Journey to Empowerment and Journey To a Blissful Life (the later was featured in Essence magazine as one of the best books to read for personal renewal), have touched lives in many profound ways. Maria’s regularly invited to offer keynote addresses, seminars and book talks to audiences ranging from college students and small business owners to women’s and professional networking groups. She shares her trials and triumphs of running a business, balancing home life and touching audiences’ hearts in unprecedented ways.