2025 Entrepreneurial Women of Impact Awards

The awards are a joint collaboration between the Women Presidents Organization (WPO) and Women Elevating Women (W.E.W.) to recognize the outstanding professional achievements and community service efforts of women of color entrepreneurs based in North America.

2025 Honorees

  • Faten Alshazly, WeUsThem (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
  • Susan Asiyanbi, The Olori Network (Chicago, IL)
  • Lalitha Priya Chandrashekhar, PFG MedComm, LLC (Somerset, NJ)
  • Rebecca Contreras, AvantGarde LLC (Austin, TX)*
  • Dannette Davis, Kay Davis Associates (Houston, TX)*
  • Lisa Duarte, Point of Difference Strategies (Chicago, IL)
  • Durana Elmi, Cymbiotika (San Diego, CA)
  • Kathryn Freeland, A-TEK, Inc. (McLean, VA)
  • Jeanna Hondel, Ascension Construction Solutions (Columbus, OH)
  • Binna Kim, Vested (Short Hills, NJ)
  • Melva LaJoy Legrand, LaJoy Creative (Washington, D.C.)
  • Katherine Lam, Bambuza Hospitality Group (Portland, OR)
  • Nasutsa Mabwa, ServiceMaster Restoration (Chicago, IL)*
  • Danielle McLane, Diamond Beauty Cosmetics & Academy (Philadelphia, PA)
  • Claudia Meneses, Avanti Green Eco Cleaning (Las Vegas, NV)
  • Caridad Murphy, Diaz-Murphy and Associates CES (Miami, FL)
  • Erica M. Plybeah, MedHaul (Memphis, TN)
  • Venus Quates, LaunchTech (Huntsville, AL)
  • Shaina Rainford, Bask and Lather Co (Valhalla, NY)
  • Markita Rogers, Kyma Labs (Bentonville, AR)
  • Frances Smith, Zan Wesley Holmes, Jr. Community Outreach Center (Dallas, TX)
  • Kristen C. Smith-Devine, Tre's Street Kitchen (Baton Rouge, LA)
  • Kameale Terry, ChargerHelp (Los Angeles, CA)
  • Darvincia Warren, CORE DMV (Washington D.C.)

* = WPO Member

The History of the Entrepreneurial Women of Impact Awards

Previously known as the Women of Color Achievement Awards, the Women Presidents Organization (WPO) had partnered with 100 Black Men of America for over a decade to salute successful local women entrepreneurs. All award recipients were identified by a local chapter of 100 Black Men, in conjunction with the corresponding local chapter of the WPO. The WPO and 100 Black Men of America partnership enabled both organizations to acknowledge a distinguished group of influential women business leaders.

 

Eligiblity Requirements

To be eligible, applicants must:

  • Be an entrepreneur with ownership in a privately-held, for-profit business (CEO/President)
  • Identify as a Woman of Color* based in North America
  • Have a business that generated at least $500,000 (USD) in revenue by the end of the prior year
  • Fit into one of the three application categories ($500k-$1M, $1M-$10M, $10M+)
    • 8 winners per category will be selected (24 winners total)

In-person attendance is strongly encouraged for all honorees selected. 

*Woman of Color is defined as any nonwhite woman whose ethnic identities intersect with one or more nonwhite ethnic group.