Recently the Young Black Women’s Society celebrated the milestone of 10 years at Simmons College. The women have been empowering young ladies for the last 10 years with access, equity and empowerment through membership and programming.
The Purple Affair was a celebration of the past 10 years with inviting past members and founders to be recognized as well as longtime supporters were given awards for their support over the last 10 years.
The room was filled with feminine energy, support, love and many emotional tears. They introduced a scholarship fund that was created in the memory of a member who had passed away from lupus. Both of the young ladies will be using their scholarship funds to attend colleges where they will focus on law enforcement.
Natanja Craig gave a very compelling speech on behalf of The Boston Foundation, with the theme of going beyond the data to focus on community impact.
Founder’s Award recipient Colette Phillips, public relations guru and the founder of Get Konnected networking group, was so moved by the work of YBWS founder Alicia Canaday that she literally bowed to her in reverence.
The lone male award reciepient, NightLife Execs Kareem Lyder, humbly accepted the award for the promotional company on behalf of himself and his partner Jeff J. Francois
The always prolific speaker and founder award recipient, City Councillor Ayanna Pressley, made remarks that reflected her continued support for women and girls both through the YBWS Organization as well as for the entire city.
As an added surprise the co-presidents April Watson and Mikayla Thompson shared that the organization will now be known as the National Black Women’s Society and will be expanding nationally this year! This is very exciting news!
The evening ended with dancing and socializing to performances by Kay Kay, a 15 year-old out of Conneticut (check her out on Youtube she’s kind of amazing) and Fab Award Nominees Troy Durden and Elevation Theory.
The ladies of YBWS now NBWS have been supporting our young women for the last 10 years and I hope that their legacy will continue for the next 10 or 10 times 10 years. Mark your calendars for their next event, 4th Annual Next Generation of Women of Color Summit at Simmons College, September 19th. (See our thoughts on the event last year). This year will prove to be even more empowering as Awkward Black Girl creator, Issa Rae will be the featured speaker along with Dr. Jackie Jenkins-Scott, President of Wheelock College. Tickets will be available soon!
Photo Credit: Danita Joy