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Recap of the 5th NYBLACKMBA The Power of YOU! Women's Conference

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Recap of the 5th NYBLACKMBA The Power of YOU! Women's Conference

Unapologetically Powerful: Focus and Positioning in a New Era

The Metro New York Chapter of the National Black MBA Association proudly hosted the 5th Annual Power of YOU! Women’s Conference, bringing together hundreds of executives, professionals, entrepreneurs, business owners, students, and emerging leaders for two transformative days of leadership, learning, wellness, and connection.

This year’s conference was made possible through the generous support of our sponsors and partners. We extend our sincere appreciation to UBS, our Host Sponsor, along with The Estée Lauder Companies, Pernod Ricard USA, Morgan Stanley, Moody’s, BNP Paribas, Société Générale, and Chase for Business for your continued investment in advancing leadership, entrepreneurship, career development, and economic empowerment. Your partnership helped create an inspiring experience that empowered hundreds of professionals and future leaders.

Centered on this year’s theme, Unapologetically Powerful: Focus and Positioning in a New Era, the conference empowered women to elevate their careers, strengthen their leadership, prioritize their well-being, expand their professional networks, and position themselves for future opportunities.

Preparation began well before the doors opened as vendors, sponsors, J&K Planners, the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation Podcast Team, volunteers, photographers, videographers, and the conference committee worked behind the scenes to prepare every aspect of the attendee experience. Vendor installations, podcast production, food and beverage preparation, audiovisual testing, registration, and production rehearsals ensured a seamless launch.

Day One

The conference officially opened with a vibrant Welcome Reception featuring cocktails, light bites, the Empowerment Wall, Networking Bingo, and meaningful networking among professionals from across industries.

Attendees were welcomed with opening remarks before participating in the opening keynote, Reclaiming Your Power: Owning Your Voice in a New Era, followed by the Next Gen Spotlight and the powerful conversation, Unapologetically Powerful in Uncertain Times: Leading When Systems Are Shifting. The evening concluded with networking and final preparations for an exciting second day.

SEE FULL LIST OF SPEAKERS

Day Two

Throughout the day, attendees experienced wellness and lifestyle activations including dental consultations, physician consultations, breast cancer awareness, nutrition education, fitness resources, HIV education, mindfulness experiences, beauty makeovers, skincare demonstrations, health screenings, the Love Yourself Corner, the Power Strut, the Empowerment Wall, beverage stations, coffee stations, and sponsor activations.

Executive leaders gathered for Unapologetically Powerful: The Power We Carry, the Rooms We Lead, and the Legacy We Build, while young and mid-career professionals participated in Pressure Makes Diamonds, creating powerful conversations around resilience, leadership, and personal growth.

Main stage programming opened with sponsor acknowledgments followed by the keynote, Focused Vision: Positioning Yourself for Purpose, Leadership, and Opportunity.

Attendees engaged in recognition of conference honorees, Owning Your Narrative, three breakout learning blocks, fireside chats, and impactful general sessions focused on executive leadership, holistic wellness, access to capital, entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, finance, women’s health, and the evolving landscape facing Black women in America.

Breakout sessions included Permission to Evolve: Letting Go of Who You Were to Become Who You Are, Power of Your Executive Edge, Power of Capital, AI Power and Pay: Strategic Positioning in the AI Economy, No Tech Background Required, and Finance and AI: Who’s Really Making the Decisions.

Between sessions, attendees connected with sponsors, explored vendor activations, visited the marketplace, and expanded their professional networks.

The conference concluded with the closing keynote, The Legacy of Power: Leading, Building, and Thriving Without Permission, followed by the Power Mixer, celebrating new relationships, meaningful conversations, and the continued growth of the NYBLACKMBA community.

Speakers and Moderators

The conference featured an extraordinary lineup of speakers, moderators, executives, entrepreneurs, and subject matter experts who generously shared their expertise and experiences. Our sincere appreciation goes to Allie Joy, Arianny Mercedes, Ashley Foote, Camille Frederic, Camille Hastick, Chika Anajemba, Cristina Costa, Darla Pires DeGrace, Darleen Gillespie, Delcora Campbell, Delores Druilhet, Dr. Angela Abernathy, Dr. Deanine Hilliman, Ph.D., Dr. Deneesha Potter McQuilkin, Dr. Dixie Lincoln, Dr. Maria Mease, Dr. Nicole Sample Harris, Elyse Sherman, Fatou B. Barry, Gina Ramsharan, Heather Dolland Tamam, Isa Watson, Jada Ivey, Jerlisa “JuJu” Fontaine, Kelly Charles Collins, Kelsey Harris, Khaliah Webster, Kimberly Hairston Hicks, Kristen Brown, Larissa Longchamp, Latoya Lacey, Lydia Barron, Mary Joseph, Molly Creese, Nadia Lovell, Nathifa Forde, Nogie Udevbulu, Renee Jones, Sabine Charles, Sadiera Crawford, Shaw Bernard, Sherkera Green, Suezette Yasmin Robotham, Tammeca Rochester, Tanisha Ritter, Tiffany Willis, Vina Morris, and Vonetta Hawkins for inspiring every attendee through your leadership, expertise, and authenticity.

Conference Committee

Our deepest appreciation goes to the dedicated Power of YOU! Women’s Conference Committee for their vision, leadership, and countless hours of planning that made this conference possible.

Thank you to Ashley Foote, Elizabeth Oputa, Elyse Sherman, Keisha Hickson, Larissa Longchamp, La-Toya Niles, Lydia Barron, Madison Bryant-Wagstaff, Melodye Harvey, Shaw Bernard, Sherene Clayton, Sherkera Green, and Vonetta Hawkins for your unwavering commitment to excellence.

FULL RECAP

Special Acknowledgements

A special thank you to our exceptional keynote speakers, Delores Druilhet, Fatou B. Barry, and Kimberly Hairston Hicks, for delivering inspiring messages that challenged every attendee to lead with purpose, embrace their authentic voice, and create lasting impact.

Congratulations to our distinguished honoree, Darla Pires DeGrace, whose extraordinary leadership, service, and professional accomplishments embody the spirit of the Power of YOU! Women’s Conference.

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the incredible team at UBS, our Host Sponsor, for your outstanding partnership, hospitality, leadership, and unwavering commitment to investing in women leaders and the mission of NYBLACKMBA.

Special recognition goes to Molly Creese, Conference Chair of the Power of YOU! Women’s Conference, for her exceptional leadership, dedication, and strategic guidance in bringing this conference to life. We also thank Vina Morris, President of the Metro New York Chapter of the National Black MBA Association, whose vision, passion, and leadership continue to elevate the Power of YOU! Women’s Conference as one of NYBLACKMBA’s signature leadership experiences.

Special thanks to our Conference Execution Team of Norville Barrington, Ashley Foote, Elizabeth Oputa, La-Toya Niles, Madison Bryant-Wagstaff, Melodye Harvey, and Kenneth Holley for their leadership in delivering an outstanding conference.

We also thank our Media Team of Jahmel Charles, Daryl Tillman, and Stacks Photography for capturing the unforgettable moments of the conference, DJ SoMoney for providing the soundtrack that energized the attendee experience, Angelic Linen for the beautiful décor and event design, and J&K Planners for their exceptional conference execution.

We extend our sincere appreciation to our dedicated volunteers, Sydney Holt, Sherily A., Ciara Moreau, Andrea Bell, and Elaina Adams, whose time, commitment, and support helped make the 5th Annual NYBLACKMBA Power of YOU! Women’s Conference a success.

Finally, we extend our deepest gratitude to J&K Planners, the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation Podcast Team, our volunteers, vendors, sponsors, partners, speakers, moderators, photographers, videographers, and every attendee whose dedication and support made the 5th Annual NYBLACKMBA Power of YOU! Women’s Conference an unforgettable celebration of leadership, excellence, and community.

Because of your support, the Power of YOU! Women’s Conference continues to be one of NYBLACKMBA’s premier leadership experiences, empowering women to lead boldly, build lasting connections, and create meaningful impact in their careers, businesses, and communities. For more information and to view the photo gallery, please visit www.thepowerofyouwc.com.

Thank you for believing in our mission and helping us create another remarkable chapter in the Power of YOU! Women’s Conference. We look forward to welcoming you back next year.

2026 NYBLACKMBA Power of YOU! Women’s Conference

The Metro New York Chapter of the National Black MBA Association