This year’s Induction Ceremony Honors Exemplary Black Women in the Chicagoland Community at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk on March 22, 2024.
Chicago, Illinois – Desirée Rogers, former White House Social Secretary to President Barack Obama and chief executive officer of Johnson Publishing Company, headlines an extraordinary list of Black women luminaries who will be honored at the 17th Annual Chicago Defender Women of Excellence Awards and Ceremony.
The Women of Excellence (WOE) event will be held Friday, March 22, at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk, starting at 5:30 p.m. The theme of this year’s event is “EmpowerHer: Celebrating Strength, Resilience, and Unstoppable Women.”
Rogers, one of the nation’s most powerful businesswomen, will be honored as the 2024 WOE “Woman of the Year.” She will join pioneering chef and restaurateur Josephine Wade (Lifetime Achievement Awardee), civic leader, executive, and educator Dr. Carol L. Adams (Vanguard Awardee), and longstanding State Senator Mattie Hunter (Vanguard Awardee) as special honorees.
And the honored class of women, along with Rogers, embodies this theme.
“Women’s History Month brings immense gratification to our team. It perpetuates our tradition of recognizing the remarkable women in our community for their invaluable contributions. As we mark our 17th year, we eagerly celebrate the achievements of 850 women and look forward to many more.” — Dyanna Knight Lewis, Publisher- The Chicago Defender
Moreover, 50 Black women will be inducted into the 2024 Women of Excellence class, joining 800 women already members of this prestigious sisterhood.
Since its inception in 2007, the Women of Excellence Awards and Ceremony has recognized Black women entrepreneurs, corporate executives, community leaders, educators, and media members who are at the forefront of their respective fields and blazing a trail for future generations.
The Chicago Defender Women of Excellence Award recognizes these exceptional individuals for their hard work, dedication, creativity, resilience, and commitment to excellence.
The Women of Excellence awards honor admirable women while forming a solid network of accomplished individuals. This year’s honorees include:
| Kimberleigh Bailey | CEO/Owner | Kimberleigh Bailey Exclusive Agency, Inc. |
| Jennifer M. Beckham | CEO | Restore Hope DNJ Therapy, PLLC |
| Dr. Pamela Blackman | President/CEO | Building Brighter Futures Center for
the Arts |
| Yumeka Brown | Commissioner | Metropolitan Water Reclamation District |
| Lori Carlton-Jordan | Human Resource Consultant | Property Care Management |
| April V. Lewis Carter | Payroll& Benefits Coordinator | Posen-Robbins SD143.5 |
| Colby Chapman | Alderwoman, 2nd Ward | City of Harvey |
| Erin Cloyd | Early Childhood Specialist | Chicago Public Schools – Network 12 |
| Dori J. Collins | President | District Outreach Initiatives |
| Justice
Joy v. Cunningham |
Supreme Court Justice | State of Illinois |
| Andrea L. Davenport | Director of Community
Relations |
Meridian |
| JaNet Defell | President & CEO | Community Desk Chicago |
| Tia Ewing-Walker | News Anchor/Reporter | Fox 32Chicago |
| Sabiena Foster | District Administrator | FedEx Express |
| Monica Fox | Senior Director of Outreach and Government Relations | National Kidney Foundation of Illinois |
| Lisa Gardner | Executive Director | Illinois Liquor Control Commission |
| Stacy Davis Gates | President | Chicago Teachers Union |
| Kimberley Goode | Chief Communications and Social Impact Officer | BMO Bank |
| DeAnna Grant | Director | Grant’s Financial Services-Tax & Accounting |
| Tene Gray | Training& Design Manager | Adler University |
| Darlene Hill | Executive VP of Communications | Rise Strategy Group |
| Dr. Marlyn D. Hirsch | Owner and Operator | Hirsch Advanced Practice Providers LTD. |
| Tenille Jackson | President/ CEO | Digital Vision Enterprises, LLC |
| Diannia Jemison | Educator | Keller Regional Gifted Center |
| Lola Jenkins | Vice President of Operations | Westside Association for Community Action |
| Arielle Johnson | Chief Executive Officer | Business Leadership Council |
| Mariann Jordan | CEO | J & P Consulting Group LLC |
| Yvonette Clarice Lawson | Manager- Customer Service Operations | CMBM/Elevance Health Inc. |
| Caprice Lindsey | AVP, Business Development
Officer |
Wintrust-Hyde Park Bank |
| Lorell E. Lynch | Director of Public Affairs, Community Outreach & Events | Allvvyn North America |
| MaToya S. Marsh | Counselor | Simpson Academy for Young Women |
| Lisa Merchant-Harrell | Chief Human Resources Officer | Cleveland Avenue, LLC |
| Kelli Merrick | Alderwoman, Ward 7 | City of Chicago Heights |
| Dr. Aginah M. Muhammad | Assistant Vice Provost | University of Illinois Chicago |
| Shenita Muse | Executive Director | Hope Center Foundation |
| Sainab Taiwo Ninalowo | Senior Manager, Smart Grid&
Innovation |
ComEd |
| Letina Brady Pettis | Board Member | League of Women Voters of
Chicago |
| Cherie Price | President | Illinois Diversity Council |
| Alisha Roberts-Novak | CEO/Director of Operations | Administrative Resolutions Network,
LLC |
| Dr. Kisha Roberts-Tabb | Special Population Program Manager | Cook County Juvenile Probation & Court Services |
| Tina Sanders | Chief Executive Officer | Phalanx Family Service |
| Aris Singleton | Chief Executive Officer | tgin (Thank God It’s Natural) |
| Jessica Sivels | Senior Director, Public Engagement | Chicago Housing Authority |
| Dr. Erica E.Taylor | Obstetrician-Gynecologist | Kindbody |
| Kimberly M. Thomas | President | Kimco International, Inc. |
| Michelle D. Turner | Release Train Engineer | CNA Financial |
| Angela K. Waller | Vice President | Catering Out The Box |
| Morgan Waller | External Affairs Manager | Crown Castle |
| Tiffany N. Williams | Senior Director, Corporate Relations | American Cancer Society |
| Kenyatta Young | Human Resources Executive | Meta |
“I can’t imagine a more impressive list of accomplished Black women who have made our community stronger and more resilient by their very deeds and presence. I remain in awe and find comfort in knowing these changemakers are present in our community. They deserve their flowers.” — Tacuma R. Roeback, Managing Editor-The Chicago Defender
The Women of Excellence Red Carpet Awards Presentation Reception will occur on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk, 301 E North Water St, Chicago, IL 60611, at 5:30 p.m. ComEd is the presenting sponsor. The emcees are Samantha Chatman, ABC 7 Chicago, and Marseil “Action” Jackson, Inspiration 1390 AM WGRB.
This event is SOLD OUT. For more information, please visit www.chicagodefender.com.
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About the Chicago Defender Women of Excellence:
Each year, the Chicago Defender takes great pride in recognizing African American women in our community who inspire others through their excellence, vision, leadership, achievements, and commitment to empowerment. We are proud of the accomplishments of these men who are doing amazing things across broad spectrums of society.
About the Chicago Defender
The Chicago Defender is a multi-media content provider of news and information. The Chicago Defender offers marketing solutions, strategic partnerships, and custom events covering the African American market. Our platform equips us to leverage audience influence to reach, connect, and impact the Black Community with culturally relevant content not often serviced by mainstream media.
Founded in 1905, The Chicago Defender celebrated its 118th Anniversary in 2023 and was recognized nationally as the second most widely read and best African American Newspaper by Nielson and Essence Survey 2014. In July 2019, the Chicago Defender transitioned from a printed newspaper into a digitally focused, high-traffic content platform dedicated to online editorials, premiere events, sponsored advertising, custom publishing, and archival merchandising. We distribute relevant and engaging news and information via multiple platforms daily.
Leaders and readers nationwide look to the Chicago Defender to stay informed about issues that impact their lives. As the community’s voice for more than eleven decades, we take great pride in having access to grassroots community connections and established relationships with influencers and opinion leaders. As a result, we stay abreast of the pulse of the neighborhoods. Our readers trust us. They trust The Chicago Defender will portray the news authentically.
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