Women of Power Awards Luncheon

Time:
July 30, 2026 - 12:30 PM - 2:15 PM
Room:
Music City Center (Convention Center) // Grand Ballroom A&B

Day 4, Thursday, July 30

To view the Young Professionals Schedule Click Here

Today is packed with must-attend events and unforgettable experiences at the National Urban League Conference. We begin the day with the unveiling of the 2026 State of Black America® report during our powerful Opening Plenary.

At 10:30 AM, the Urban League Connect: Experience & Lounge opens — a dynamic hub for culture, innovation, networking, and engagement.

The day continues with the Women of Power Awards Luncheon, celebrating extraordinary women leaders and changemakers.

Then close out the evening Nashville-style at Urban League Live: Bowling, Boots & Southern Roots — an unforgettable night of music, networking, entertainment, and Southern-inspired fun.

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Sponsored By

 

Karl F. Dean Grand Ballroom A&B // 4th Floor

Preceding: Rhonda Spears Bell, Senior Vice President & Executive Producer, National Urban League Conference

Presiding: Michelle Miller, Emmy Award-Winning Journalist & New York Times Best Selling Author

Invocation: Minister Carolyn Coleman, Mt. Zion Baptist Church

Remarks: 
Marc H. Morial, President and Chief Executive Officer, National Urban League
Ricki Fairley, CEO, TOUCH, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance

Sponsor Remarks:
Ashley Black, Managing Director – Equity Strategies & Social Impact, Delta Air
Melissa Blount-Garner SVP, Head of Philanthropy Fifth Third Bank
Cathy Bender, SVP & Senior Financial Advisor, Merrill Lynch
Abigail D. James, Senior Vice President, Culture & Engagement, Macy’s, Inc.
Kiera Fernandez, Executive Vice President, Chief Community and Stakeholder Engagement Officer, and Target Foundation President
La’Kerri Jackson, Global Director of Social Impact, UPS HQ | Atlanta, Georgia (USA)

Awardees:
Kym Whitley, Actress, Comedian, and Producer
Racquel Oden, Head of Wealth, Asset Management and Private Banking for HSBC US
Nicole Hannah Jones, Pulitzer Prize-winning Journalist
Michelle Merriweather, President & CEO, Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle
Debbi Howard,  Director, Office of Alumni Relations, Tennessee State University
Nina Easton, Bestselling Author, Magazine Writer, and TV Commentator, Co-CEO, SellersEaston Media
&
Patti Sellers, Award-Winning Writer, Producer, and Multimedia Journalist, Co-CEO, SellersEaston Media

Speaker(s)