Black Enterprise honored four amazing women at the Women of Power Summit’s 10th annual Legacy Awards gala. Honorees from this year’s gala included Susan L. Taylor, Pam Grier, Charlayne Hunter-Gault, and Dr. Beverly Tatum, who received the Barbara Graves Legacy Award.
Each award recipient had overcome tremendous odds to achieve success in their respective fields. Charlayne Hunter-Gault revealed how she survived racism to graduate from the University of Georgia and become one of the first Black female journalists; Pam Grier revealed how Hollywood often marginalizes Black voices; Susan L. Taylor discussed how she overcame being a single mother with only a high school diploma; and Dr. Tatum shared how racism and sexism affected her life at an early age.
Taylor encouraged the crowd to listen to their inner voice and to find ways to inspire the youth.
“We are in a culture that forces us to look outside of ourselves for affirmation,” Taylor said. “But all we have to do is be still. It’s so simple. But you can gain three Ph.D.s and never come to know who you are. I believe in strategic community. I’m here because you are here. The village is on fire and everyone will be needed. We can’t sit on the sideline. The biggest business of Black America is to prepare our young who are now in deep crisis.”
The Women of Power Summit is taking place at the Marriott Harbor in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, March 2-4.
View images below.
Photos: A.R. Shaw
