A heartfelt and insightful discussion on building a strong foundation for a lifelong partnership. Explore the challenges of modern dating, the significance of marriage in personal and family growth, and the keys to fostering a lasting, fulfilling relationship. Gain valuable perspectives on creating a legacy of love, commitment, and stability for future generations. Sponsored by A Ray of Hope on Earth.

Date Night Attire.

Encouraging healthy relationships and promoting healthy marriages presented by AIM.

Meet Our Panelists:

Michelle McElroy (Host)

Michelle A. McElroy (MSinEd, LCS) is a trained counselor and marriage coach who provides private coaching for couples, wives, and leaders, particularly professional athletes, corporate executives, and entertainers. She offers conference keynote speaking, on-demand and in-person workshops, and train-the-trainer seminars for large church staffs, businesses, and organizational teams.

As the founder and lead coach of AIM: Activating Intentional Marriages, Inc., Michelle is also the host and executive producer of the “Wife for Life” podcast—a platform created by wives, for wives. She curates and facilitates upscale events such as “Girls Night Out,” the Galentine’s Charcuterie gathering, and the Mahogany Women’s Spring Tea.

Married for over 25 years to former NFL player Ray McElroy, Michelle is also a mother of four. She serves as the Parliamentarian for the National Football Wives Association, where she plays a key role in fostering a spiritually enriching environment, providing essential resources for athlete wives, and ensuring the organization remains a safe, supportive space for growth, development, and transparency.

Leon Rogers

Leon began his career as a stand-up comedian in the mid-1990s. Also known as "The Destined Legend," Leon is a comedian who has toured the country and abroad. He has been featured on several popular comedy shows, including: Showtime at the Apollo (4 week winner), BET's Comic View, BET's One Mic Stand, P. Diddy's Bad Boys of Comedy, Jamie Foxx's Laffapalooza, Cedric the Entertainer's Starting Lineup, and Bill Bellamy's Who's Got Jokes.

In 2008, Leon was selected as a spokesperson for the EA Sports video game, Madden NFL 2009. His sports fervor was also heard on the airwaves back in 2005 during his two-year stint as co-host of the sports talk radio show, "Sports Unplugged," with ESPN writer Scoop Jackson and college basketball analyst Steve Bardo. Leon is a steadfast mentor in the city of Chicago speaking to numerous students, adults, and organizations and is firmly entrenched in his community.

Sheena Baker

Sheena Baker is a powerhouse, top producing real estate professional and investor who
purchased her first home at just 19 and became a licensed agent in 2006. As the leader of The Sheena Baker Group at Keller Williams Innovate, she is passionate about helping the community become homeowners. Her excellence in the industry has earned her numerous prestigious awards, including Top Producing Team Awards from the Chicago Association of Realtors and Mainstreet Organization of Realtors. She has also been recognized as a Crain’s Notable Residential Real Estate Broker and inducted into the Compass Legends Society. Her leadership and expertise have also been showcased in Chicago Agent Magazine’s Who’s Who and most recently on HGTV’s House Hunters!

Sheena is a consultant for the City of Aurora, serves on the Mainstreet Board of Directors, and is an active member of the Quad County African American Chamber of Commerce. When she’s not making homeownership dreams a reality or at a community event, she loves unwinding at home with her dog, Stori.

D'Wayne Bates

Born and raised in the small town of Jackson, SC (population 1,400), I grew up in a single-parent household led by my mother, Diane Bates, whose strength and resilience continue to inspire me (rest in peace, 2016). At the age of 12, I embraced the Southern Baptist faith through baptism, a foundation that has remained integral to my life.  

From a young age, I was actively involved in multiple sports, including baseball, basketball, football, and track and field. My dedication to academics and athletics enabled me to excel as a student-athlete, ultimately earning recruitment opportunities from prestigious colleges. I chose to continue my academic and athletic journey at Northwestern University (Evanston, IL), where I contributed to a cultural transformation within the football program. My time at Northwestern included earning two Big Ten titles and participating in the 1996 Rose Bowl and 1997 Citrus Bowl. In 1998, I proudly became the first in my family to graduate from college, earning a Bachelor of Science degree.  

In April 1999, I was blessed to join the elite 1.6% of athletes drafted into the National Football League (NFL), where I enjoyed a six-year career playing for the Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, and briefly with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason. Following my retirement from professional football, I transitioned to the next chapter of my life by earning two master's degrees in education from the University of Phoenix and North Park University.  

Today, I am deeply committed to educational leadership and athletic administration, striving to make a positive impact on the lives of young people through first-class sports experiences. My mission is to inspire, guide, and uplift one soul at a time, fostering character development and lifelong success.  

Crystal Sims-Banks

Crystal Banks is a dedicated attorney, education advocate, and proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. With a Juris Doctor from The John Marshall Law School and a background in Criminal Justice and Political Science, she is passionate about using law and education to uplift communities. She serves on the University of Wisconsin-Parkside’s Advisory Board and is an active member of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, Illinois State Bar Association, and Cook County Bar Association. Recognized as a Top 40 Under 40 Civil Plaintiff Lawyer and a 2024 and 2025 Rising Star by Super Lawyers, Crystal is committed to mentorship, legal excellence, and expanding educational access. Through her work with Chicago’s Restorative Justice Program, the Chicago Lawyers Collective, and the Lockhart Resource Institute, she continues to champion opportunities for the next generation of leaders.

Sponsored by:

AIM

A Ray of Hope on Earth