Featured News Opinion Salute to Black Women
March 23, 2023
By Wendy Gladney
Each year, the Black Business Association honors women in our community in celebration of Women’s History Month. This year is extra special because for the first time in history, the Black Business Association here in Los Angeles has a woman president, Sarah Harris, and she is also my sister.
I am very proud of her accomplishments, but also for all of the women on the Board of Directors, volunteers, members, and supporters that are committed to keeping the mission and the vision of the organization alive and thriving. Women are often the backbone for so many things in our families and society. It is good when they are acknowledged for their hard work and accomplishments.
This year will be the relaunch of the Black Business Association’s “Salute to Black Women” in-person after the hiatus due to the pandemic. The day is guaranteed to be filled with lots of celebration, information, and participation from attendees and organizers. The day will consist of vendors sharing information and products that can help women become their best selves.
The morning will have two different symposiums with panelists speaking simultaneously to the grown women, as well as to the youth (12-18) years old. The afternoon will culminate with an awards luncheon with amazing honorees. The Hyatt Regency LAX Hotel will definitely be the place to be.
The first panel will be presented by Season of Greatness with the theme, “From Professional to Personal: Stepping into Your Season of Greatness.” I will serve as the moderator and the panelists include Cynthia Heard, vice president and COO, Los Angeles Urban League; Celeste Alleyne, director, Executive Engagements and External Talent, Microsoft; Denise Pines, CEO, author, speaker, filmmaker, and health advocate; Tammy Tumbling, executive vice president and COO, Orange County Community Foundation; and Regina Wilson, executive director, California Black Media. Each of these accomplished ladies will provide their pearls of wisdom and knowledge to help others step into their season of greatness.
The second panel is presented by Forgiving For Living, Inc. The theme for the young ladies is, “Role Models for Success.” The panelists will provide information for those aspiring to entrepreneurship as well as corporate positions. Sabra Marie, Forgiving For Living, Inc., board secretary, will serve as the moderator.
The inspirational panelists include Kim Anthony-Morrow, CEO, Urban Excellence Institute, and BBA vice chair; Mignon Blanc, Maternal Infant Care, sales specialist, GE HealthCare; Christina Dove, actress, content creator, author and motivational speaker; and Dawnchelle Holmes, multicultural publicity and faith marketing executive, Eden Digital Group. The young ladies will walk away with soft and hard skills that will help take them to the next level.
The conference will end with an array of amazing women being honored at the luncheon. The 2023 honorees are Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, the Honorable Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Award Winning Director/Writer/Producer Gina Prince-Bythewood, Cynthia E. Exum, author, founder and executive director of Leimert Park Village Book Fair, Inc.; Beverly White, retired reporter for NBC4 Los Angeles; Regina Wilson, executive director California Black Media; Devyn Bakewell, author and assistant managing editor, L.A. Sentinel and L.A. Watts Times; and Pat Prescott, retired radio personality on 94.7 The Wave. We salute each of you and for the paths you blaze and the women you lift.
Healing Without Hate: It's a choice. It's a lifestyle. Pass it on.
Visit www.WendyGladney.com and www.forgivingforliving.org to learn more. Wendy is a life strategist, coach, consultant, author, and speaker.