The Very Last Black Women’s Empowerment Weekend is coming soon. The Equity Alliance is set for the Summit on July 26 at the Cal Turner Family Center at Meharry Medical College, and will conclude this weekend of #BlackGirlMagic with their Signature Brunch and fundraiser at Marathon Music Works on July 27. This will be the perfect weekend for anyone who bets on Black women.
They are proud to announce this year’s honorees. These four amazing Black women have put in major work creating and cultivating a positive impact to uplift Tennessee communities. It’s time to give them their flowers while they can still smell them.
Pioneer in Politics: Joyce Searcy, born in Yazoo City, Mississippi, Joyce Espy Searcy moved to Nashville at 17 to attend Fisk University and Peabody College. After a career in higher education and consulting, she served as CEO of Bethlehem Centers of Nashville for 22 years and is now the Founding Director of Community Relations at Belmont University. Joyce has held numerous board positions, launched Belmont’s Supplier Diversity Program, and received accolades like the Nashville Athena Award.
Unsung Shero: Tekeila Rucker, “The Social Justice Butterfly,” is a dedicated educator, mother of three, and civil rights activist from Memphis with over a decade of experience. As the former President of the United Education Association of Shelby County and current Political Director at Memphis for All, she advocates for educational equity and social progress. Tikeila’s leadership inspires others to harness their power and work collectively for a brighter future.
Radical Flame: Odessa Kelly, a Nashville native, co-founded Stand Up Nashville to promote racial equity and economic justice. With degrees in Economics and Public Service & Administration, she previously worked in Nashville’s Parks and Recreation department, focusing on underserved Black communities. Her leadership at Stand Up Nashville brought significant community benefits, including affordable housing and wage increases for stadium workers, and she gained national recognition running for U.S. Congress in 2022.
Radical Flame: Cherisse Scott, has been an educator, advocate, and activist in Reproductive Justice for 19 years, founding SisterReach, Tennessee’s only Reproductive Justice organization, which expanded to Chicago in 2022. A sought-after national speaker, she has been featured in numerous publications and recognized by Essence Magazine and O Magazine. Cherisse is an ordained minister, independent artist, poet, and proud Black mother, guided by the belief that “we are not free until all of us are free.”
Along with celebrating these women, BWEW Summit will also feature guest speakers Ronne Brown for The Pink Table Talk and Dr. Raquel Martin for a Fireside Chat with Renaldo DaSilva. The signature Brunch will have an open bar, a VIP elevated experience, a silent auction, swag bags, and live performances from Cristina Rae and Nate Bean & 4Given. They are close to being sold out, so grab your tickets before they sell out – this will be a weekend you don’t want to miss.
