By AFRO Staff
While life, for many, paused during the COVID-19 pandemic, issues challenging the Black community persisted or worsened. Addressing some of those concerns—inflation, health disparities, voting rights—was the focus of the Black Women’s Agenda Inc.’s 45th Annual Symposium Town Hall & Awards Luncheon, which was held Sept. 30 at the Waldorf Astoria Washington in Washington, D.C.
Reconvening in the nation’s capital for the first time in three years in person, the event welcomed more than 800 elected officials, corporate executives, educators, and journalists, who also shared in recognizing honorees for their contributions in different fields.
“Black women have moved the needle in historic ways the last few years,” said BWA President Gwainevere Catchings Hess. “We have a seat at the table in the White House and on the Supreme Court. These are huge gains, however, record levels of inflation pose serious financial problems for African Americans. Issues associated with health equity – being able to make our own decisions about our bodies, maternal mortality, and disparities in care – continue to plague our communities, and our access to the polls, in some states, is under attack. We’ve shown what we can do when we make our voices heard, and now is the time to be proud and loud.”
The event also focused on fostering economic empowerment and entrepreneurship among Black women. A town hall forum on the subject was moderated by Symone Sanders-Townsend, author, political strategist, and host of MSNBC’s weekend talk show “Symone;” and featured guest panelists: Gabrielle Anderson, founder of Graffiti By Gabby, a custom art company whose hand-painted sneakers are coveted by athletes, coaches, and celebrities; Natalie Cofield, an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and economic activist; CNBC senior finance correspondent Sharon Epperson; Sophia Nelson, an award-winning author, journalist and university scholar/adjunct professor, and Jenell R. Ross, president, Bob Ross Auto Group.
The panelists shared effective saving and investing strategies, encouraged entrepreneurship and otherwise shared how the attendees could constructively manage their money to be financially prepared at all stages of life.
“For those who think The Black Women’s Agenda has been dormant for the past three years, take note,” Catchings Hess told Symposium participants. “There’s a Black woman living in the Vice President’s mansion just a few miles from here and a Black woman sitting on the nation’s highest court. The theme of this year’s Symposium is Unapologetic Joy. We know who we are, we know what we want, and we are more than prepared to make our voices heard, our presence felt, and to press for policies and opportunities that empower our families and communities to live their best lives.”
Central to the event, however, was the conferring of awards. Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.), majority whip and the third-ranking Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives, was presented with BWA’s Keeper of the Dreams Award. Other honorees included:
-President’s Award: U.S. Rep. Valdez V. Demings, D-Fla., a candidate for the U.S. Senate
-Profiles in Courage Award: Congressman Bennie G. Thompson, representative e for Mississippi’s 2nd Congressional District and chair of the House Committee investigating the attack on the U.S. Capitol.
-Economic and Business Award: Adjoa B. Asamoah, Esi Eggleston Bracey, Orlena Nwokah Blanchard, and Kelli Richardson Lawson, creators of the CROWN (Creating A Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) Coalition, and the inspiration behind The Crown Act – legislation that has made hair discrimination illegal in 14 states and 32 municipalities.
-Education Award: Elsie L. Scott, Ph.D., founding director, Ronald W. Walters Leadership and Public Policy Center.
-Health Award: Dr. Vivian W. Pinn, founding director, (retired), Office of Research on Women’s Health & senior scientist emerita, National Institutes of Health.
-Lucinda Belin Scholarship Award: Gabrielle Anderson, entrepreneur and Harvard University freshman-Bright Futures Award: Re’me’sh Adams, attorney advisor, U.S. Department of Justice
Founded in 1977 in Washington, D.C., The Black Women’s Agenda Inc. is a nonprofit comprised of 24 sororities, faith-based, civil and philanthropic organizations that collaborate to generate awareness and support for issues that secure, protect and advance the rights of Black women and their families. For additional information, please visit www.bwa-inc.org.
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