By Ashleigh Fields,
AFRO Assistant Editor,
afields@afro.com
The Women of Power National Summit, created by Melanie L. Campbell over a decade ago, is aimed at creating common ground for women from all walks of life to connect and grow. Guests of the 2024 summit events included Caroline Wagna, CEO of Essence magazine, Arian Simone, co-founder of the Fearless Fund and Dr. Barbara Williams Skinner, co-Chair of the National African American Clergy Network. Together they rallied around women’s rights while convening on Capitol Hill with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Laphonza Butler (D-CA). Campbell is passionate about this work and pours back into the community year round as a civil and community rights activist while being the president/CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation and convener for the Black Women’s Roundtable.
Melanie L. Campbell enters into the Capitol with Arian Foster, Fearless Fund co-founder and other Black women who are game changing leaders. (Photos courtesy of Bill Lee) 
Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) takes a moment with Women of Power National Summit founder Melanie l. Campbell and Arian Simone, co-founder and CEO of the Fearless Fund. (Photos courtesy of Bill Lee) 
Joy Chaney, Clayola Brown, Senator Laphonza Butler (D-CA), Melanie Campbell and Rachel Noerdlinger discuss policy initiatives for the betterment of Black women.(Photos courtesy of Bill Lee) 
Attendees at the Women of Power summit collaborate on ideas to secure more funding for Black women owned businesses.(Photos courtesy of Bill Lee) 
Joy Chaney, senior policy advisor, NCBCP/Black Women’s Roundtable; Clayola Brown, national president, A. Philip Randolph Institute; Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner, Co-Chair, National African American Clergy Network; Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY); Melanie L. Campbell, president and CEO, NCBCP, National Convener, Black Women’s Roundtable; Arian Simone, Co-Founder and CEO, Fearless Fund; Dee. C. Marshall, CEO, Diverse and Engaged; Rachel Noerdlinger, Partner, Actum talk about the political climate for Black women across the United States.(Photos courtesy of Bill Lee) 
Melanie L. Campbell (left) and Clayola Brown, national president of the A. Philip Randolph Institute, enjoy a ride on the Capitol subway system.(Photos courtesy of Bill Lee)
