BREED, a storytelling platform founded by Iniabasi Leye, held the second edition of The BREED Event for women on the 11th and 12th October 2024. A two-day experience which gathered women with the sole aim of delivering the worth and value of the female mind via inspirational and motivational storytelling, discussions around healing and women empowerment.

Iniabasi Leye is an Art Therapist, Sex Therapist, Mental Health Activator, and Founder of ROOMS, the Art Therapy Company.

The first day, 11th of October 2024, comprised The BREED Dinner on the International Day of the Girl Child. BREED hosted 35 female giants across various industries, as well as female mental health advocates, therapists, medical practitioners, government advisors and so on, to discuss strategic solutions, based on Art Therapy, to gender-based violence (GBV) in order to bring about a vision for change. Iniabasi shared with the women, her brainchild: The Art Therapy Recovery Program (ATRP), an offset initiative of her therapy company, ROOMS, developed to help women who have experienced Gender-Based Violence.

The goal for 2025 is to help 800 Women by December 2025 and in 2025, ATRP for men will kick off.

Iniabasi shares that the long-term vision is not just for Gender-Based Violence, but for so much more. ROOMS in itself, is a broad house for sensory seeking, neurodivergent individuals, and anyone dealing with mental health challenges.

The second day was an immersive therapeutic experience of storytelling and meditation with 120 women with an age range of 19 – 45 years.

This year’s theme, DOWN IN THE VALLEY, showcased stories of Failure, portraying women who have failed, and then found life, purpose and God at the lowest points of their lives. Stories which show how the valley is one of the best places to visit in order to appreciate the highest points of life, therein and afterwards. The stage saw Seyi Amao, Deseye Foh, Olufunmi Bamgbala, Esther Ideh and Sheila Ojei as captivating storytellers this year. 

There also enthralling performances from Sinmidele, Brenda Adigwe, Naomi Mac and Evelle.