NASHVILLE, TN — The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Metropolitan Nashville Chapter, held its 25th annual Sister for Sister Leadership Conference, “Elevating Excellence: The Next Level Blueprint,” on June 22, 2024. The event brought together 240 women of color for a day of skill building, community and inspiration.
Hosted at Vanderbilt University Student Life Center, the conference aimed to empower and uplift women through leadership development workshops, panels, keynote speakers, and intentional networking.
The conference began with powerful words from Wisdom Wright, a spoken word artist and author known for her work with the Generational Healing Project. Wright’s message of strength, healing and sisterhood, along with opening speaker Dr. Contrecia Tharpe, chief storyteller and strategist for FayeVaughn Creativity, set the stage, with Tharpe’s “Unlock the Power of Storytelling” session positioning attendees to engage in transformative skill building and community throughout the event.
Breakout sessions led by talented and expert moderators and panelists delved deeply into timely topics. These included “Leading While Black: Resilience, Sisterhood and Narrative Control,” which supported navigating career advancement; “SisterNomic$: Building My Wealth Today for Tomorrow,” addressing financial wellness; healthcare advocacy in “Good Health is Wealth,” and achieving fulfillment in “Finding Balance When You Want it All.”
A highlight of the conference was the Women of Color Luncheon. Dr. Yolanda Pierce, Dean of Vanderbilt University Divinity School, set the spiritual tone for the luncheon, and emcee Erica Glover from Fox 17 News emphasized the significance of advocacy in the workplace. The luncheon honored the achievements of future leaders through the Susan Short Jones Emerging Leader Awards. Award recipients, selected from ten nominees, included LaShan Dixon in the category of Health; Ashley Garth, Economic Development; Creea Shannon, Education, and Tara Morgan, Community Development.
The luncheon’s crowning moment was the presentation of the chapter’s inaugural Legacy Award to Rosetta Miller-Perry The Tennessee Tribune publisher. In her remarks, NCBW President Janet Rachel honored Miller-Perry’s pioneering vision in creating the Sister for Sister Conference 25 years ago. Rachel stated that through her foresight, Miller-Perry “has contributed greatly to our chapter’s success and left an indelible mark on our community.”
For over two decades, the annual gathering has provided “a vital forum for inspirational speakers and meaningful dialogue that empowers attendees to excel.” Rachel paid tribute to Miller-Perry’s lifelong commitment “to empowering Black women,” saying her leadership “has not only enriched the fabric of our community but has also inspired generations of women to embrace their potential and lead with courage and compassion.” The Legacy Award celebrates Miller-Perry’s role in illuminating pathways for future leaders of color in Nashville.
The powerful keynote address, “Got To Be Real,” delivered by Dr. Felicia Phillips, founder of the One Million Dreams Foundation, was a lively and motivational call to action, emphasizing that everyone is needed to support the advocacy work for the future of Black women and girls.
Participants also enjoyed a marketplace of community vendors and resources, opportunities for networking and free professional headshots.
“The SFS Conference serves as a model of inspiration, education and connection which continues to strengthen and support women in our community,” said Janet Rachel, NCBW Metropolitan Nashville President. “We thank our generous sponsors, the Wond’ry, HCA Healthcare TriStar Health, U.S. Bank, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and The Tennessee Tribune, and look forward to continuing our legacy of leadership for many years to come.”