Fifty women stepped into the grand ballroom of Huntington Place, draped in regal hues of purple and gold, embodying the brilliance and resilience that defines Black excellence in Michigan. With 700 attendees standing in ovation, the 18th annual Michigan Chronicle Women of Excellence Awards was more than a ceremony; it was a testament to the power, leadership, and legacy of Black women shaping Southeast Michigan. As the soulful anthem “Calling All the Ladies, Sexy Sexy Ladies” filled the room, a procession of 75 alumni honorees formed a radiant Soul Train line, ushering in the newest inductees as they danced their way to the stage—an entrance befitting the caliber of women being celebrated.
The evening honored individual excellence and the collective impact of Black women shaping Michigan’s industries. Each honoree stood as proof of the doors they forced open, the barriers they dismantled, and the spaces they built for those following in their footsteps. This year’s milestone—900 Women of Excellence honored since the inception of the event—spoke volumes about the movement these women have sustained.
When Wendy Lewis Jackson, Managing Director of the Detroit Program at The Kresge Foundation, took the stage to receive the 2025 Woman of the Year Award, her words resonated through the room. “This honor is a reflection of the collective power we hold when we invest in our communities and our people. Every step forward builds a foundation for the generations who will stand on our shoulders.”
Her leadership at Kresge has been a driving force behind investments that uplift Detroit’s neighborhoods, fund Black businesses, and ensure community-centered philanthropy remains a priority. Her commitment to Detroit’s future is evident in the resources, policies, and programs that directly impact the city’s economic and social landscape.
Linda Forte, retired Senior Vice President of Business Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer at Comerica, was granted the Lifetime Achievement Award. Decades of advocacy in corporate diversity and economic empowerment for Black communities defined her career, and on this night, her legacy was sealed in the archives of Detroit’s most impactful leaders.
The energy in the room never wavered as Charity R. Dean, President and CEO of the Metro Detroit Black Business Alliance, and Renee Fluker, Founder and President of The Midnight Golf Program, received the Vanguard Award. Their work—one strengthening the foundation for Black-owned businesses and the other ensuring Black youth are equipped for college and career success—embodies what it means to pave the way forward.
“Every dollar we invest in Black businesses strengthens our future,” Dean declared, her voice unwavering. “Ownership is power. We will not stop until our businesses are thriving, our communities are whole, and our legacies are secured.”
Fluker, whose Midnight Golf Program has transformed the lives of thousands of young people, spoke with the passion of a woman who has seen the direct impact of her work. “Golf serves as a tool, but the mission is rooted in discipline, access, and opportunity. Every young person I mentor is reminded that they belong in every room they step into.”
Public service leadership was front and center with honorees like Justine Johnson, Chief Mobility Officer for the State of Michigan, and Tiffany J. Gunter, Deputy General Manager and COO at SMART. Their work ensures equity in transportation, proving that mobility is tied to opportunity and empowerment.
Education remains an anchor for change, and honorees like Leenet Campbell Williams, Chief Academic Officer for Detroit Public Schools Community District, and Denise Taliaferro Baszile, Dean of Wayne State University’s College of Education, have committed their careers to breaking systemic barriers in academia. Their presence on the stage was a reminder that education must be an environment where Black students thrive and lead.
As each special honoree stepped forward, their acceptance speeches became lessons in resilience, strategy, and commitment. These were moments of gratitude and declarations of intent—intent to continue the work, uplift the next generation, and cement Black excellence in every sector they touch.
Cathy Nedd, the woman who has long ensured that Black women receive their flowers while they can still smell them, stood at the heart of it all. Year after year, she has cultivated this space where Black women are not just celebrated but documented in history. Under her leadership, this event has become an institution of recognition and an archive of Black women’s power in Detroit.
As the evening drew to a close, the significance of the moment was undeniable. This was more than an awards ceremony—it was a movement, a declaration that Black women are the architects of Michigan’s future. The 900 Women of Excellence honorees are not anomalies; they are the standard, the foundation, and the blueprint.
For those who witnessed this historic night, the message was clear: Black women are the pulse of progress, and their excellence is undeniable. The Michigan Chronicle’s Women of Excellence Awards did more than honor 50 outstanding leaders—it reaffirmed that the power and legacy of Black leadership in Michigan is alive, thriving, and unstoppable.
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