Shenita Connally: Life With Shenita — A Story of Resilience, Renewal, and Radiant Purpose

written by Game Changers Magazine

There are people who endure life’s storms, and there are people who rise from them with a glow so powerful it lights the way for others. Dr. Shenita Treniece Connally—known affectionately as Dr. C—is unmistakably the latter. Her journey from Pensacola, Florida to becoming one of Georgia’s most inspiring voices is a testament to what happens when faith and purpose collide.

Born to David and Bertha McCants and raised in a blended family of seven siblings, Shenita’s upbringing was a beautiful mix of Catholic schooling and Baptist faith. She laughs and calls herself a “BaptaCatho”—a combination that shaped her balanced perspective on life, structure, and spirituality. From a young age, she learned the value of resilience, love, and leadership, lessons that would anchor her through the highs and heartbreaking lows of adulthood.

Her life changed drastically on July 21, 2015, when she lost her beloved husband Winston after a sudden heart attack. Widowhood brought a grief she never expected, but also a calling she couldn’t ignore. Through her pain, God birthed a mission: to teach others how to rebuild, restore, and experience life again—no matter the storm.

Today, that mission lives through Life With Shenita, LLC, a purpose-driven platform dedicated to helping people experience “Life After the Rain.” Shenita’s programs reach individuals dealing with widowhood, family transitions, spiritual challenges, and the need for better financial preparation. Her first published book, Is Your House in Order?, awakened families to the importance of putting their affairs in place. Her second book, Abiding Love, became a powerful collaboration involving 16 widows and widowers who shared the beauty and fragility of marriage. Both works continue to help people navigate loss, love, and legacy.

Education has always been at the core of Shenita’s purpose. With a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, service with the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, and years of dedication to the Clayton County Public School System, she has shaped lives in classrooms, communities, and beyond. In 2022, she received an Honorary Doctorate in Christian Leadership—an honor well-earned through her tireless advocacy for families, widows, and those seeking emotional and spiritual healing.

Shenita’s voice carries far beyond the page. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, she launched her weekly talk show Life With Shenita on Facebook and YouTube, providing education, encouragement, entertainment, and inspiration during a time when people needed hope most. Each Thursday, viewers tune in to experience her authentic conversations, spiritual insight, and genuine compassion.

But this year, Shenita elevated her platform once again—this time through the arts.

A Recap of “An Elegant Evening of Jazz” — October 5, 2025

On Sunday, October 5, 2025, the community gathered at Spivey Hall at Clayton State University for one of the most unforgettable events of the year: Shenita Connelly’s Elegant Evening of Jazz. The night was a breathtaking blend of music, culture, elegance, and purpose. Guests poured in dressed in their finest attire, excited for an evening that was more than entertainment—it was an experience.

Host and media personality Morris Baxter guided the night with humor, energy, and smooth professionalism. The stage came alive as renowned performers delivered sets that captivated every guest in the room. Elvira Holmes played with passion and precision; the incomparable Antoine Knight elevated the evening with saxophone performances that had the audience swaying; and vocal powerhouse Robin Latimore lit up Spivey Hall with a voice that moved hearts and lifted spirits.

From the first note to the final applause, the event embodied Shenita’s brand perfectly: elegant, uplifting, purposeful, and rooted in community. Guests mingled, laughed, connected, and celebrated life. Many spoke about how refreshing it was to attend an event that fed both the soul and the senses—a night where jazz met joy, artistry met advocacy, and elegance met empowerment.

For Shenita, the event was more than a show—it was a ministry. It was a reminder that even after the rain, there can be music. There can be celebration. There can be beauty again.

A Legacy of Love, Leadership, and Light

Beyond her public platforms, Shenita is also a devoted mother to Raven, Alvin, and Brittnee, and a loving Nana to her grandchildren, who she says “give life a new meaning.” Through the union with her late husband, she also gained two bonus sons, Christopher and Jonathan, and three additional bonus grandchildren. Her family is her heartbeat, her motivation, and her continual reminder that love truly abides.

What makes Shenita a Game Changer is not just her accomplishments—it’s her sincerity. It’s her determination to turn personal pain into purpose for others. It’s her unwavering belief that life can still be vibrant, meaningful, and joy-filled after tragedy.

Through her books, her talk show, her advocacy, her events, and her daily walk, Dr. C continues to show the world that healing is possible. Growth is possible. Reinvention is possible.

And most importantly—Life After the Rain is possible.

Join Dr. Shenita Connelly on Life With Shenita Podcast

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