Music & media
The media, the music, and the work behind the microphone.
A working portfolio for event planners, conference producers, schools, workforce leaders, nonprofits, and media bookers: professional appearances, encouragement clips, original music, and credentials.
Featured media
Selected professional appearances, facilitation & media highlights.
Where Sophia has been invited to lead, present, and host, with the event details a planner needs at a glance.
Facilitating a church program
Church program · Simply Sophia™
Sophia facilitating from the sanctuary during a church program, a short look at how she holds a faith-based room.
Reentry Redefined Conference 2026
Workshop presenter · Baltimore, Maryland · June 4, 2026
The published announcement of Sophia’s selection as a workshop presenter for the conference, themed “Make Some N.O.I.S.E.”
Still Worthy Live™, weekly broadcast
Wednesdays at 7:00 PM CST · TikTok, Facebook, Instagram
Promotion for Sophia’s weekly live show, opening on the topic “You Are Not Your Mistake.”
Motivational & encouragement clips
Short-form encouragement, straight to camera.
Brief motivational clips that reflect Sophia’s voice, message, and on-camera presence.
You are not alone: mental health and renewing your mind
Encouragement clip · Simply Sophia™ · 4 min
On anxiety, depression, loneliness, and pressure, and on God caring for the mind as well as the soul. Sophia works from Romans 12:2 toward one practical tool for protecting your thinking.
Forgiveness, and the freedom on the other side of it
Encouragement clip · Simply Sophia™ · 2 min
Forgiveness as release rather than excuse, including forgiving yourself for shrinking and overgiving. She references Matthew 25 and Philippians, and closes on living on purpose.
The difference between a worker and a leader
Encouragement clip · Simply Sophia™ · 3 min
A story from an oil-change counter about a young supervisor who did the work without complaint while others made excuses. Sophia uses it to define excellence, integrity, and quiet leadership.
The pit is a place, not your final word
Encouragement clip · Simply Sophia™ · 2 min
Joseph as the frame for loss that never cancels calling: the situation kept changing, the gift stayed consistent. Encouragement for anyone rebuilding after a setback.
Access: who gets to reach your mind, heart, and spirit
Extended encouragement clip · Simply Sophia™ · 12 min
A longer talk that starts with a dream and turns into a practical conversation about discernment and boundaries, and about who should hold unlimited access to your life.
Original music & songwriting
Songs from the same place as the books.
Sophia writes music the way she writes keynotes, out of real seasons. R&B, hip hop, soul, rap, and gospel.
Selected speaking, media & leadership appearances
Selected stages, conferences & community engagements.
Keynote, workshop, and facilitation work across workforce development, reentry, mental health, education, faith, and women's leadership audiences.
Euro Global She Leads: She Empowers Conclave Week
Keynote speaker · Paris, France · March 2026
International women's leadership convening.
NAMI Wisconsin 2026 Annual Conference
Workshop presenter · Appleton, Wisconsin · April 2026
Mental health, peer support, and recovery audiences.
The Boss Up Gathering
Guest speaker · The Hustle Club · July 2026
Founders and small-business audiences.
“Mini” Career Workshop in Hazelwood, Missouri
Community workshop · Brighter Horizons · April 7
Municipal and workforce-agency programming.
2025 commUNITY Conference, Unity Recovery
Guest speaker · San Antonio, Texas · October 2025
Recovery and reentry conference tracks.
The Principles of Community Development
Speaker · Better Family Life Communiversity · August 7
Nonprofit and community-development training.
3rd Annual Women's Conference, Unity Chapel Church
Guest facilitator, youth breakout · St. Louis, Missouri · June 2023
Faith-based and youth breakout sessions.
Empowering Women for Greatness Brunch
Hosted by Simply Sophia™ · Florissant, Missouri · August 2022
Women's empowerment events she both hosts and headlines.
Faith & encouragement visuals
A word for the season in between.
Faith-informed encouragement created for women in the waiting, shared through Simply Sophia™ channels and often requested for church, women's ministry, and recovery audiences.
Devotional writing
Delayed, Not Denied
A short piece written for women in a waiting season, and a frequent starting point for church and ministry invitations.
Faith roots, from the beginning
The calling started early.
Personal history, not a speaking reel. A family archive clip from Sophia's childhood in the church.
What people say
The room, the resume, the business.
Feedback from the people Sophia has mentored, coached, and hosted.
Business & Entrepreneurship
“From the very beginning, she has encouraged me to dream bigger, think strategically, and move forward with confidence as I continue building A Twist of Faith. Every conversation leaves me feeling motivated, equipped, and reminded that my vision has purpose. She doesn't just give business advice, she pours into the person behind the business.”
Business & Entrepreneurship
“She is incredible in all she's accomplished and in how she's able to advise, encourage, and build off of literally anything. She empowers those around her with her words and helps everyone freely with her knowledge.”
Career & Workforce
“Great resume preparation, great job outcome. My resume was corrected to the proper standards and I most definitely got the job. I would most definitely recommend their services for any of my work needs.”
Career & Workforce
“Amazing company. They work effortlessly to help you find employment in the right field that fits for your skill set. Great experience. Thank you!”
Faith & Ministry
“You did an awesome job!”
Event host feedback
“Thank you so much for taking your time to come and support us, you are amazing as well.”
Event host feedback
“Thank you so much! You are so amazing.”
Selected conferences and events
Recent and upcoming.
Conferences, workshops, media appearances, and civic leadership.
- Scheduled
March 2–8, 2026 · Paris, France
Euro Global She Leads: She Empowers Conclave Week (IDIAS Global Conferences)
Keynote speaker at the international women's leadership conclave in Paris, France, themed “She Empowers: Catalyzing Change, Inspiring Innovation, and Redefining Global Leadership.”
- Scheduled
April 11, 2026
NAMI Wisconsin 2026 Annual Conference
Workshop presenter for “Still Worthy: Healing, Reentry & Reclaiming Identity Through Peer-Led Purpose,” Hilton Appleton Paper Valley, Appleton, Wisconsin.
- Media
Recorded July 14, 2026
Team X Podcast with Olivia Jones
Guest episode, “Still Worthy™: The Chapter That Didn't Break Me,” on faith, healing, purpose, and leadership.
- Scheduled
July 19, 2026
The Boss Up Gathering (The Hustle Club)
Guest speaker at the Hustle Club's entrepreneurship and networking gathering.
- Leadership role
Appointed May 20, 2026
City of Hazelwood, Missouri: Community Enrichment Commission
Appointed and commissioned as a member of the Community Enrichment Commission by the Mayor and City Clerk of Hazelwood, Missouri.
- Presented
February 7, 2026
Free 30-Minute Mini Career Workshop
Community workshop for students, returning citizens, job seekers, and career changers, covering next steps, job-search strategy, resumes, and interviews.
- Accepted
2026
DLAC Ignite
Accepted Ignite session on student engagement and warm handoffs in online learning.
- Presented
October 27–29, 2025 · San Antonio, Texas
Unity Recovery: 2025 commUNITY Conference
Guest speaker for “Still Worthy: Healing, Reentry & Reclaiming Identity Through Peer-Led Purpose.”
- Hosted
August 14, 2022
Empowering Women for Greatness Brunch
Hosted the Simply Sophia™ women's empowerment brunch and networking event in Florissant, Missouri, with a guest speaker, book signing, and community giveaways.
- Presented
August 7
Better Family Life Communiversity: The Principles of Community Development
Speaker on self care, relational skills, financial literacy, and conflict resolution for the online Communiversity session.
- Presented
June 24, 2023
Unity Chapel Church: 3rd Annual Women's Conference
Guest facilitator for the youth breakout session at the “Lose Weight!!!” women's conference hosted by Sisters United in St. Louis, Missouri.
- Presented
Saint Louis, Missouri
Saint Louis Job Corps 50th Anniversary Graduation
Keynote graduation speaker for the 50th anniversary ceremony, addressing graduates, families, and staff on career readiness and the step that comes after completion.
- Speaking history
Multiple years
Saint Louis Job Corps
Ongoing speaking history with students and staff on career readiness, confidence, and next steps, including the Job Corps and Better Family Life “Working to Stop the Violence” forum.
- Speaking history
Multiple years
Churches across Missouri and Louisiana
Guest speaking for congregations, women's ministries, and youth ministries, with faith-informed versions of her core messages.
Credentials & booking
What’s behind the microphone.
- Executive Director, North County Youth Development & Training Center
- CEO, Brighter Horizons Career & Development Services
- Certified Master Life Coach
- Certified Career Coach
- Missouri Rule 17 Mediator
- Author, speaker, and trainer
- Product creator and workforce innovator
- Ordained minister
- Evangelist
- Youth ministry leader since 2014
Certification documentation is available on request for organizations that require it for contracting or continuing-education purposes.
Short bio
Sophia Downs is an author, speaker, ordained minister, Evangelist, and workforce-development leader, the voice behind Still Worthy™ and founder of Simply Sophia™. A Certified Master Life Coach, Certified Career Coach, and Missouri Rule 17 Mediator, she has worked with youth in ministry since 2014 and helps women, youth, job seekers, and people rebuilding after difficult seasons find both healing and a practical next step.
Long-form bio, approved headshots, and a one-page speaker sheet are provided on request.
Media kit
For producers and planners.
Approved headshots, a one-page speaker sheet, and long- and short-form bios are provided on request.