Women Leave Their Mark On Society: 2019 Women Of Influence
Mar 26, 2019 08:00AM ● By Ayana JonesHon. Jannie L. Blackwell
Councilwoman Jannie L. Blackwell is a seven-term representative of the 3rd District in the City Council of Philadelphia. She was elected to City Council in an historic election that saw her husband elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, the late Congressman Lucien E. Blackwell, on the same day that she was elected to City Council. Read More
Dr. Akosua Ali-Sabree, President and CEO of the Kumbaa Family Institute, Inc
Dr. Akosua Ali-Sabree is a multifaceted leader who has built a successful wholistic health and wellness business. Dr. Ali-Sabree is president and chief executive officer of the Kuumba Family Institute, Inc., an organization that seeks to uplift the community by providing resources, vocational training, cultural, education and holistic health and wellness programs. Ali-Sabree is also the CEO of the Amadi Wellness Connection and program director of the Annual International Locks Conference – billed as the nation’s first, authentic, and cultural natural hair show and one of the largest natural hair shows. In November 2014, she was installed as Naa Kwateokor Gua I of the Ga people of Ghana. In 2016, Ali-Sabree was appointed as the surgeon general of the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League (UNIA-ACL). She recently returned to radio to co-host a segment on New Worldview on WURD radio 900. Read More
Aminata Sy, Founder of African Community Learning Program
After returning to school later in life, Aminata Sy, went all in. She began by pursuing a career in journalism. That led to her writing for publications such as The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Philadelphia Tribune and The Daily Pennsylvanian. Her stories focused on the African-American and African immigrant experience. In 2016, Sy interned at Philadelphia City Hall and wrote talking points for the mayor. Read More
Andrea Lawful-Sanders, CEO of A Lawful Truth Enterprises, LLC
As the CEO of A Lawful Truth Enterprises, LLC, Andrea Lawful-Sanders focuses on helping to develop children and adults into the best versions of themselves. She is the chair of SE PA Cares, an arm of the national CARES mentoring movement spearheaded by Susan L. Taylor. She also acts as a consultant for police departments, helping them improve community relations. Read More
Dr. Archima Major, Principal of Eye Innovations, LLC of Philadelphia and Drexel Hill, PA
From a young age Archima Major knew she wanted to pursue a career in healthcare, she knew she wanted to find a way to help those who didn’t have access to services they needed. She found her path in ophthalmology, a male-dominated eye care field. She resiliently pushed through and achieved numerous degrees and completed multiple placements. She holds the distinction of being the youngest person to ever receive a fellowship with the World Council of Optometry in the history of the institution. In addition to her work in the United States., Major leads the eye care team for Liberia Medical Mission, they provide free ophthalmological, medical and mental healthcare to the people of Liberia. So far, they have provided care to over 20,000 Liberians. The team also supplies medical and educational trainings, medicines and medical equipment. Read More
Jovida Hill Executive Director of the Office of Engagement for Women
As the Executive Director of the Office of Engagement for Women, Jovida Hill focuses on addressing issues facing women in Philadelphia. She leads the Philadelphia Commission for Women, which promotes civic, educational and economic policies that enhance the lives of girls and women. Hill previously served as an administrator in Mayor Jim Kenney’s Office of Diversity & Inclusion. The Philadelphia native has an extensive background in journalism, having worked as the Art and Entertainment Editor for The Philadelphia Tribunes and WDAS AM/FM radio, a columnist for the Philadelphia Daily News and as an Associate Producer for the PBS public affairs television program Black Perspective on the News. Hill was an award-winning writer and producer of more than 200 films and videos for Kinocraft Media for 25 years. She has produced the civil rights series. Read More
Bobbi Booker, Multimedia Journalist & Radio Personality
Bobbi Booker has a hefty resume; she has worked across the journalism industry in both radio and print. This multimedia reporter found her niche reporting on culture, lifestyle and entertainment. Her experiences include serving as the host of “Spirit Soul Music on Ovations,” a specialty music show on WRTI-Fm 90.1, an NPR-affiliate as well as writing for news outlets throughout Philadelphia. During her time reporting, Booker has interviewed many of America’s biggest stars including Oprah Winfrey, Quincy Jones and Stevie Wonder. Booker recently accepted the position of President of the Pen & Pencil Club, the oldest press club in America. Read More
Faatimah Gamble, Co-founder of Universal Companies
From a young age, Faatimah Gamble knew she had talent in business development. Early in her career, she took a job as an administrator of a health and welfare plan for a local union; she helped to grow that plan from start-up to $1 million. In 1993, Gamble co-founded Universal Companies with her husband, Grammy-winning producer and songwriter, Kenneth Gamble. Their mission was to revitalize South Philadelphia by providing a holistic approach to community development in an area that had faced a great deal of crime and poverty. Read More
Christine Brown, Director of Beech Community Services
Christine Brown has dedicated more than 25 years of advocacy work with the Beech Companies, a community development corporation whose mission is to improve the quality of life for North Philadelphia residents. She serves as the director of Beech Community Services, a nonprofit within Beech Companies and program director of the Alston Beech Foundation. Brown began in 1992 as an administrative assistant and was promoted through the organization to her current role. The North Philadelphia native is heavily engaged in the Cecil B. Moore community, where she developed a passion for helping to improve the lives of people. Her multifaceted position entails spearheading events and programs for community residents such as neighborhood cleanups, food drives and overseeing the Beech Scholarship Fund for high school seniors and college students. Brown is the producer of the annual Beech “Jazz on the Ave” Music Fest, a free outdoor festival featuring live entertainment, children’s activities, health and wellness screenings, vendors and food. Read More
Haniyyah Sharpe-Brown, Director Of Advocacy And External Engagement At The School District Of Philadelphia
After serving as the Communications Manager for City Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown’s office, Haniyyah Sharpe-Brown joined the Philadelphia School District in 2018. In her role, she is responsible for directing the development and planning of strategies regarding government relations and the passage or defeat of legislation of interest to the Philadelphia School District. Sharpe-Brown juggles her day job with telling the stories of local nonprofits and small businesses through her passion projects as the founder and principal of On Point Communications, LLC, a public relations and communications firm. Read More
Oshunbumi Fernandez-West, CEO of ODUNDE
Oshunbumi Fernandez-West heads the ODUNDE Festival, the largest African-American festival in the U.S. After taking over the festival at a young age, Fernandez-West gracefully fulfilled her role, expanding the festival so that it now has a $30 million economic impact on the State of Pennsylvania. She also expanded the brand into ODUNDE365, allowing her to provide year-round African-American programming in schools, community centers and public venues. This includes cultural classes in African Dance, Afrobeat Hip Hop, Yoga, Karate, Modeling and a array of other programs.. Fernandez-West is often asked to speak on her work to increase cultural awareness and expression. Read More
Pamela J. Rich-Wheeler, Founder And Executive Director Of The Business Center For Entrepreneurship And Social Enterprise
Pamela J. Rich-Wheeler has served over 1,000 clients and currently serves on numerous business boards throughout Philadelphia. She is also a former president of the National Black MBA Association. Aside from her non-profit work, Rich-Wheeler previously owned and operated PJ Travel and Tours, a for-profit travel agency she sold after five years. Her latest venture is a youth entrepreneurship program that helps introduce young people to the world of business. She also founded an enterprise competition that provides women with coaching and seed capital to start-up their business. Read More
Sharon Booker, Member Of The Executive Committee Of The Pennsylvania State Party. Pennsylvania State Committee, Member Sharon Hill Borough Council Member
Sharon Booker uses her political platform to make democracy a reality in the lives of the underserved. Booker is concurrently serving a second term as a member of Sharon Hill Borough Council and the Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee and she is in her a first term on the executive committee of the Pennsylvania Democratic State Party. Booker is currently the Government Liaison for the Sharon Hill Art and Culture Commission, which she created during her sophomore year on council, and formerly for the Sharon Hill Library and Recreation Boards. Read More
Sherri Darden, Publisher & Editor Of Scoop USA Newspaper
Sherri Darden has worked incredibly hard to get to her current position. After graduating from high school in 1987, she went to work for the Philadelphia Council for Neighborhood Organizations as a secretary/bookkeeper. During her time there, she became a young mother and went to work at the Defender’s Association where she worked for 29 years working her way up from clerk/typist to human resources manager. While there, she worked to advance the mission of providing criminal defense services to people who cannot afford legal representation. She worked behind the scenes to enable those on the frontlines to complete their daily work. Read More
Dr. Mrs. Adina Ekwerike, Acting Director Of Maternal, Child And Family Health & Health Program Administrator
Adina Ekwerike has worked in maternal and child health for over 34 years. Within her medical studies, she has focused on nutrition science and the effect the length of stay in foster care has on a child’s health. Dr. Ekwerike wrote her doctorate on “Increasing Permanent Home Placements for Children with Disabilities in Foster Care.” She currently works as an administrator with the Philadelphia Department of Health, where she advocates for maternal, child and family health issues. Additionally, Dr. Ekwerike is exploring methods to mitigate racial disparities in the workforce. Read More
The achievements and contributions made by women to society will be celebrated throughout the month of March, observed as Women’s History Month.
This year’s observance comes as Black women are making significant strides across a variety of sectors, particularly in politics. In 2018, Georgia Democrat Stacey Abrams became the first African American woman to be a major party gubernatorial candidate. While she did not win the race, Abrams was the first Black woman to deliver the Democratic response to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union Address in February.
Ayanna Pressley made history when she became Massachusetts’ first Black congresswoman. She first broke barriers in 2009, when she was elected to the Boston City Council. A number of Democratic presidential candidates are seeking her endorsement.
Now many are eyeing Chicago as the city prepares to elect its first African American female mayor in April. Former federal prosecutor Lori Lightfoot and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle are vying for the office.
When U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris announced her 2020 presidential bid in January, she became the first African American female to formally enter the race. She portrayed herself as a fighter for justice, decency and equality in a video distributed by her campaign during her announcement.
Black women are continuing to blaze trails in the business world. In February, Amazon named Starbucks Corp. Chief Operating Officer Rosalind Brewer to its board, making her second black woman to have ever served as a director of the e-commerce giant.
Last year, Arlan Hamilton of Backstage Capital generated buzz when she announced her venture capital firm was raising $36 million to invest exclusively in Black female founders. This comes as a result of all venture deals done from 2012 to 2014, only 0.2 percent went to black female founders, according to a report by #ProjectDiane.
And Lauren Simmons, 24, made history as the youngest and only full-time female trader at the New York Stock Exchange. It was recently announced that a movie will be produced about Simmons’ life story.
While the accomplishments of these women are being recognized on the national stage, FunTimes magazine is marking Women’s History Month by featuring 15 local leaders who are leaving their mark on the Philadelphia region. These women are sharing the stories of their journeys and how they persevered in their respective professions.
