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Mayor Karen Bass, Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Gina Prince-Bythewood Among Honorees at the Black Business Association 2023 Salute To Black Women
Celebrating 20 Years of Saluting Phenomenal Black Women in recognition of Women’s History Month
The Black Business Association commemorated the enterprising achievements of eight area Black women by honoring those it deems exemplify excellence in “telling our stories” at its 20th annual Salute to Black Women Business Conference, Vendor Faire & Awards Luncheon in recognition of National Women’s History Month and its 2023 theme, “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories.”
Led by its first ever woman President and CEO Sarah R. Harris, the association commemorated the enterprising achievements of eight Los Angeles area Black women who exemplify excellence in “telling our stories” such as:
- The Honorable Karen Bass – Mayor, City of Los Angeles (President’s Award presented by the BBA’s first female president to the City of Los Angeles’ first female mayor)
- The Honorable Sydney Kamlager-Dove – Congresswoman, CA-37 (Chairman’s Award)
- Gina Prince-Bythewood – Award-Winning Director/Writer/Producer (Pinnacle of Excellence Award)
- Beverly White – Reporter (Retired), NBC4 Los Angeles (Legacy of Excellence Award)
- Pat Prescott – Radio Personality (Retired), 94.7 The Wave (Legacy of Excellence Award)
- Regina Brown Wilson – Executive Director, California Black Media (Leadership Impact Award)
- Cynthia E. Exum – Author & Founder/Executive Director, Leimert Park Village Book Fair, Inc. (Community Advocate Award)
- Devyn Bakewell – Author & Assistant Managing Editor, Los Angeles Sentinel & Los Angeles Watts Times (Rising Star Award)
In addition to the Awards Luncheon, highlights of the day included an inspiring and informative “Season of Greatness” Symposium facilitated and moderated by Life Coach Wendy Gladney Williams featuring five dynamic panelists:
- Celeste Alleyne, Director, Executive Engagements & External Talent, Microsoft
- Cynthia Heard, Vice President & COO, Los Angeles Urban League
- Denise Pines, CEO, Author, Speaker, Filmmaker & Health Advocate
- Tammy Tumbling, Exec. VP/COO, Orange County Community Foundation
- Regina Brown Wilson, Executive Director, California Black Media
The Conference also featured an empowering “Role Models for Success” Youth Forum, facilitated by the nonprofit, Forgiving For Living, which serves to empower young women and girls and is also founded and led by Wendy Gladney Williams. This forum also features a dynamic panel of young professional of speakers. The moderator and panelist are:
- Courtney Sabra Marie Gladney, Media & Marketing Specialist, Housing Authority City of Los Angeles (HACLA) and Photographer, Sabra Marie Photography (Moderator)
- Kim Anthony-Morrow, Chief Executive Officer, Urban Excellence Institute and BBA Vice Chair
- Mignon Blanc, Maternal Infant Care, Sales Specialist, GE HealthCare
- Christina Dove, Actress, Content Creator, Author, and Motivational Speaker
- Dawnchelle Holmes, Multicultural Publicity & Faith Marketing Executive, Eden Digital Group
Founded in 1970, the Black Business Association (BBA), headquartered in Los Angeles, is the oldest active ethnic business support organizations in the state of California. For more than five decades of service, the BBA has been instrumental in the development and growth of thousands of Black-owned businesses locally and nationally. The Black Business Association’s mission is to advocate and promote the development of Black-owned businesses with the goal of creating a firm economic base that supports the self-determination and prosperity of Black and urban communities locally and nationally. The BBA assists our Corporate Partners in developing a mutually beneficial relationship with Black entrepreneurs, business owners, the community, and its customers.
