Valerie Jarrett (Photo Credit: Obama Foundation).
Trailblazers Unite to Celebrate the Leadership and Impact of Exemplary Black Women at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk on March 21, 2025.
CHICAGO – Valerie Jarrett, the longest-serving senior advisor to a U.S. president and Chief Executive Officer for the Obama Foundation, will receive the 2025 Chicago Defender Women of Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award.
A trailblazer in politics, business, and civic leadership, Jarrett shaped history in the Obama White House. Now, she brings that same pioneering spirit to a night honoring the brilliance and resilience of Black women who are changing the game.
Illinois Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford and WLS TV news anchor Cheryl Burton, this year’s Vanguard honorees, will join her.
These luminaries and the distinguished class of 50 honorees embody the theme for this year’s Women of Excellence event: “Unstoppable Voices: Leading with Purpose, Inspiring Through Action.”
“For 18 years, the Women of Excellence event has shined a well-deserved spotlight on the brilliance, resilience, and leadership of African American women who continue to break barriers and uplift communities. Their journeys remind us that excellence is not just an achievement but a responsibility to pave the way for those who follow.”
–Dyanna Knight Lewis, Publisher- The Chicago Defender
The 50 Black women set to be inducted into the 2025 Women of Excellence class come from all walks of life. They make game-changing contributions in their respective fields, including business, government, law, the arts, media, and faith. They will join 800 women in becoming members of a prestigious sisterhood of achievers, the only one of its size and scope in the Chicagoland area.
The Chicago Defender Women of Excellence Award recognizes these outstanding individuals for their hard work, dedication, creativity, resilience, and commitment to excellence.
This year’s honorees include the following:
| Dr. Joi C. | Basley | Director – Young Adult Programs | Mercy Home for Boys and Girls |
| Nicole | Brookens | Founding Executive Director | PLAN4SUCCESS |
| Latina | Brooks | Development Associate | UNCF |
| Micea | Brown | Assistant Vice President, Business Access Advisor | US Bank |
| Brielle | Bryson | Founder & Executive Director | Arose Foundation | Bryson PMC |
| Jacqueline | Burgess-Bishop | CEO | National Kidney Foundation of Illinois |
| Tonita | Cheatham | Executive Director, Communication & Community Relations | Blue Cross Blue Shield IL |
| Gina | Cleggs | Senior Vice President | Catholic Charities of Archdiocese of Chicago |
| Calmetta | Coleman | Chief Operating Officer | Chicago Urban League |
| Honorable Adrienne E. | Davis | Judge | Illinois 2nd Subcircuit-Cook County |
| Gail | Davis | Director of Administrative Services | Chicago Teachers Pension Fund |
| Jessyca | Dudley | CEO | Bold Ventures |
| Ashlei | Eaton | Real Estate Consultant | at Properties/ Christie’s International Real Estate |
| Christy | George | President & CEO | Intersect Illinois |
| Dr. Lawanda Rutledge | Gordon | AVP-Chief Alliance Officer | Eli Lilly and Company |
| Jehan | Gordon-Booth | Illinois State Representative | Illinois House of Representatives, District 92 |
| Dr. Marilyn | Griffin | Behavioral Health Medical Director | Aetna Better Health of Illinois |
| Dr. Toinette | Gunn | President & CEO | LINK Unlimited Scholars |
| Whitney | Hampton | Chief Strategy Officer | Sip and Savor Hospitality Group Inc |
| Jamelia | Hand | CEO | Vantage Clinical Consulting LLC |
| Kimberly Tolbert | Henderson | Senior Manager-Equity, Inclusion & Diversity | Mars North America |
| Tonya | Howard | Park District Commissioner | Blue Island Park District |
| Lisa | Howard | Blue Cancer Advocate | UChicago Medicine |
| Talana | Hughes | Executive Director | Sickle Cell Disease Association of Illinois |
| Joyce Jackson | Hurley | Building Driector | Village of Lynwood |
| Gloria M. | Jackson | Senior Director of Customer Service | Verizon |
| Jacqueline | Jackson | Owner | Kilwins |
| Katrina | Jackson | VP, Talent Management & Diversity, Equity and Inclusion | Adtalem Global Education |
| Morgan Elise | Johnson | Co-Founder/Publisher | The Triibe |
| Cherese | Ledet | President & CEO | YWCA of Evanston/North Shore |
| Angela | Martin | CEO | Angela Martin Ministries |
| Yani | Mason | CEO | Girls Inc. of Chicago |
| Dr. Kenya | McCalebb | Owner | Smile Theory |
| Karimiah | McKee | Global Telecoms Engineer | Mayer Brown LLP |
| Love | McPherson | Relationship Expert & Author | Love Infinity, Inc. |
| Angela | O’Banion | Chief Information Officer | Cook County Health |
| Jeanette | Outly | Owner | Dunkin Donuts/Rev Willie Guest foundation |
| Pamela | Pearson | Director, Nurse-Midwifery/WHNP Program | University of Illinois Chicago- College of Nursing |
| Honorable Chantelle | Porter | Judge | 18th Judicial Circuit, Dupage County |
| Natasha L. | Robinson | Originating Manager | Guaranteed Rate Affinity |
| Donna J | Rogers | Author / Owner | R Legacy Realty & Academy |
| Latrece | Russell | CEO/ Owner | Joi Doll Inc |
| Vershawn | Sanders-Ward | Artistic Director/CEO | Red Clay Dance Company |
| Robiar | Smith | CEO | R.B. Pest Solutions |
| Felecia | Stevenson | Owner | Jackson Hewitt (8 locations) |
| LaToyia | Strickland-
Ledbetter |
Senior Director,
Marketing |
John G. Shedd
Aquarium |
| Andrea | Sutherlin-Taylor | Firefighter/EMT | Chicago Fire Department |
| Shavon | Taylor-Booker | Associate Vice Chancellor-Early College | City Colleges of Chicago |
| Tiffany | Vann-Cole | Founder & CEO | Fitness Boutique by Tiffany |
| Tracey | Walker-Hines | Educator | Chicago Public Schools |
“Each year, the Chicago Defender Women of Excellence event showcases the remarkable women whom, through their work, lead, create, innovate, inspire, and enhance our region. These accomplished and dedicated individuals excel in their professions and enrich our communities, setting a high standard for the generations that follow.”
–Tacuma R. Roeback, Managing Editor-The Chicago Defender
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 blaze trails for the younger generation.
More talented Black women join this growing community each year, connecting and sharing their stories of overcoming and accomplishment with others.
The Women of Excellence Red Carpet Awards Presentation Reception will occur on Friday, March 21, 2025, at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk, 301 E North Water St, Chicago, IL 60611, at 5:30 p.m.
ComEd is the presenting sponsor, and Samantha Chatman of ABC 7 Chicago and Marseil ‘Action’ Jackson of Inspiration 1390 will serve as emcees.
For ticket and table 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 multimedia news and information provider that offers marketing solutions, strategic partnerships, and custom events for 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 will celebrate its 120th Anniversary on May 5, 2025. Nielson and Essence Survey 2014 recognized it nationally as the second most widely read and best African American Newspaper. 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.
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