The 2023 Connected Woman Summit held on March 18th, 2023, dedicated a portion of its program to honor seven women in various categories at the Connected Woman Summit Awards. Held virtually, each nominee was invited to attend in order to be recognized as connected women who are doing amazing things in their areas of work.
Created by Connected Woman Summit co-host, Sierrah M. Chavis, the Awards highlight women who are actively stepping up and building a strong foundation of leadership and/or advocacy for others. The awards up for grabs this year were the Advocate and Catalyst for Change Award, the Difference Maker Award, the Diversity and Inclusiveness Award, the Game Changer Award, the Influencer Award , the Inspire Award, the Millennial Leader Award the Nest Award and the SupportHER Award (get full award synopsis here..).
After nominations were tabulated, the Connected Woman Summit Awards was able to present 7 of the 10 awards for this 1st Annual event. The winners of this year’s awards were Dr. Shekina Farr (Advocate and Catalyst for Change Award), Dr. Sha’Meca Latai’ (Difference Maker Award), Dr. Oluwatoyin Abioye (Inspire Award), Dr. Shonda Harris-Muhammed (Lifetime Achievement Award), Janelle Smith (Millennial Leader Award), Danielle Gilbert (SupportHER Award) and Yasmin Gregg (Diversity and Inclusiveness Award).
We recently were able to catch up with some of our winners to gain more insight into their why, their leadership and their legacy.
Chat with the Winners
Dr. Shekina Farr
How does your legacy align with your core values?
This is a great question. Often, an opportunity or proposition will come to me that forces me to make a yes or no decision. In moments when my path becomes unclear, or I face a challenging situation, I always go back to my core to make sure I am centered. I refer back to my core values and ask, “Is this truly aligned with who I am?”
Accordingly, my legacy is education, self-development and free enterprise. My entrepreneurial legacy will live on through my children. I was invited to speak on a televised Beauty and Wellness panel, representing Formidable Woman Beauty. The invitation specifically asked that children not attend. However, my children are employed by my company and, en effet, work the business. In that moment, I had to align my legacy with my core values. I need my sons to know every aspect of the business because it is legacy. Plain and simple. And this paradigm permeates through every aspect of my decision-making now.
What drives you to lead a life of service to others?
My purpose drives me to serve others. I believe strongly that our purpose is tied to our pain. My pain was low self-confidence in my youth. I was a beautiful young woman, but couldn’t accept compliments. I had a dynamic name but wished it was something people could pronounce. Today I run Formidable Woman®, an international confidence brand for women.
What motivates you to continue to build legacy?
The challenge with motivation is it wanes. It tires. It is fickle. When I wake up, and my feet hit the floor, I am excited! I wake up expecting to make a difference in someone life as a result of my showing up! For me it is more that motivation, it is a decision. I know who I am, my parents were intentional in naming me and making sure I knew what my name meant because they sensed I would be great. I feel compelled to and honored to move in confidence, grace, boldness and in a legacy-building stance because I choose to. Daily, I say ‘yes’ to building women because, if not me, who?
Undoubtedly, my sons, Colin and Lance, inspire me go harder. I thrive on knowing they are watching and absorbing all of the small things that add up to monumental outcomes. When they fulfill orders, count inventory, make order recommendations and handle pop-up sales, they are learning more than they may think. I am proud of that, and proud of them!
How do you nurture your gifts so that you continue to come up with new ideas on ways to expand your legacy?
Self-actualization drives me. I am big on taking courses, reading and absorbing knowledge. Nothing makes me feel more confident that learning a new skill or sharpening an old one. I thrive on being able to explain or offer dissenting opinion on a topic in my field. Competence is critical to confidence. I believe many skip steps and cut corners when there is no meaning to a title without the power to back it up.
Correspondingly, when I pursued my doctorate, it was important to me that I earn it because I wanted to be able to understand how scholarly research was conducted and best approaches (methodology) to various studies. Now when I am looking at data, I am able to describe it, analyzing it, code it, I am able to organize it, synthesize it, explain it, dissect it, and report the findings. It is empowering to have skills that no one can take away from me.
At times when I did not have a team in business, I would play all roles and hold all job titles because I had to. When it was then time to pass the baton, I knew each role inside and out and was able to create courses for those in similar situations. I regularly empower women to expand their knowledge in their industries and to become experts, and train them to do likewise.
What impact do you want your works to have on future generations?
The other day I was reflecting on Coco Chanel and her empire. Not only did she revolutionize how we dress, she helped form a new ideal of what a fashion brand could be: an all-encompassing force that could tend to all aspects of a woman’s life, from formal attire to holiday wardrobes and evening ones. She took common everyday fabrics and silhouettes traditionally allocated to menswear and turned women’s apparel on its head. She unhinged concepts that were rock solid and her legacy lives on to this day. She died in 1971 but we still wear her classics such as the woman’s suit, the quilted purse, costume jewelry, Chanel No. 5 and the “little black dress.”
I want to be iconic. I want to leave a lasting legacy for women. I want future generations to say that “Dr. Shekina Farr was arguably the most influential confidence connoisseur of all time. She built a machine!”
Moreover, I believe that when women are confident, and not just competent, it changes the game. Much must be unlearned and put to bed.
How does being recognized and acknowledged inspire you to do more?
What a joy it was to be recognized and awarded the Advocate and Catalyst for Change Award! I am beyond grateful and humbled by this acknowledgment of my legacy and work in the community and within the confidence industry. Any time I am acknowledged it reminds me of the responsibility of the mantle I carry to empower women with confidence. It is a privilege I do not take lightly.
When I had a moment to myself following the award ceremony, I sat in my office and spun around and around in my late Daddy’s black leather office chair. My mom had gifted it to me because he wanted me to have it because of the entrepreneurial spirit I picked up from my dad. As I spun in circles in his chair, I reflected on the words my dad would always say to me. I knew he was proud and I could hear him saying, “To whom much is given, much is required!” I am absolutely inspired to do more. And soon all will see.
Yasmin Gregg
How does your legacy align with your core values?
For the past few years, I’ve been living by the mantra “See the unseen”. It’s a reminder to always extend grace to myself and especially to others, because at some point or another, each of us is fighting an invisible battle; it can be physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, etc. “See the unseen” also symbolizes acknowledging your small wins. We can be so hard on ourselves for things we didn’t get done in a day, or not reaching a milestone we wished to complete by a certain age. I want myself and others to practice being genuinely proud and kind to themselves and share that spirit of celebration with others.
What drives you to lead a life of service to others?
My faith. I believe that God placed us on earth to serve. However we decide to do that can look a variety of different ways and lends itself to the gifts God gave you.
What motivates you to continue to build legacy?
My incredible, loving, and supportive family! They are my world.
How do you nurture your gifts so that you continue to come up with new ideas on ways to expand your legacy?
Lots of prayer and talks with my family. I also try to find little pockets of time throughout the day to move my body or do something creative to keep the juices flowing. Implementing more self care is important too. For me that looks like getting a facial and lunch with my sister, a hot bath with some candles and a nice glass of wine, journaling, etc.
What traits, the ones that push you daily to keep going, do you want most to pass on to your children or generations after you?
Faith, faith, faith. My morning devotionals set the tone for my day. You’ve got to believe in something. Every day you wake up is a gift – be grateful. And every time you leave your home, put on the armor of God, because there will be spiritual attacks on you. Maintain your peace, and be kind to all you encounter.
What impact do you want your works to have on future generations?
I want people to live in a world where they aren’t afraid to live authentically… a society that values justice, peace, and respite.
How does being recognized and acknowledged inspire you to do more?
My recognition opens doors for others to be recognized too. Honored and humbled!
Danielle Gilbert
How does your legacy align with your core values?
When I think about aligning my legacy with my core values, I believe it’s essential to live a life that is authentic and true to myself. For me, my core values include honesty, integrity, and a commitment to continuous learning and growth. If I were to build a legacy that aligns with these values, I would focus on creating positive change in the world by providing helpful and accurate information to those who seek it. My primary goal is to assist and support people in achieving their goals and solving their problems. To align my legacy with my core values, I strive to continuously improve my capabilities and accuracy while maintaining transparency and honesty in my responses. This requires me to stay up to date with the latest advancements in technology and language understanding, as well as staying open and receptive to feedback from users. In conclusion, aligning my legacy with my core values is about living my life with integrity and authenticity. By using my abilities to serve and support others in a truthful and accurate way, I hope to make a positive impact on the world and leave a legacy that aligns with my values.
What drives you to lead a life of service to others?
What drives me to lead a life of service to others is the knowledge that I can help people in a meaningful way. Being of service to others brings a sense of purpose and fulfillment that is deeply rewarding. Knowing that I can make a positive difference in people’s lives by providing them with useful information, solving their problems, or simply providing a listening ear is what motivates me. I am not driven by personal gain or recognition, but by the desire to be of service to others. My purpose is to provide assistance to those who seek it, regardless of their background, status, or beliefs. In summary, what drives me to lead a life of service to others is the opportunity to make a positive impact on people’s lives by providing them with the information they need. The ability to assist and support people in their journey towards their goals brings a sense of purpose and fulfillment that is deeply rewarding.
What motivates you to continue to build legacy?
Many people are motivated to build a legacy because they want to leave a positive mark on the world, fulfill a sense of purpose, or contribute to something greater than themselves. Other motivations may include a desire for recognition, honoring family or cultural traditions, or a sense of responsibility to future generations. Building a legacy requires discipline, perseverance, and the ability to learn from failures and adapt to changing circumstances.
In my case, my motivation to build a legacy stems from my passion for helping others and my commitment to continuous learning and self – improvement. I believe that by expanding my impact and sharing my knowledge and expertise, I can make a lasting difference in the world. Collaborating with others and seeking feedback helps me to refine my approach and provide more meaningful coaching and speaking engagements, which in turn fuels my drive to continue building my legacy. To sustain this motivation, I remain committed to my values and prioritize the goals that matter most. By staying focused and persevering through challenges, I believe that I can continue to grow and make a positive impact on the world, inspiring others to do the same.
How do you nurture your gifts so that you continue to come up with new ideas on ways to expand your legacy?
As a successful entrepreneur, author, speaker, and coach, I continuously strive to nurture my gifts and come up with new ideas on ways to expand my legacy. To achieve this, I rely on several strategies that have been instrumental in my success thus far.
Firstly, I am constantly learning and seeking new knowledge through my work as a professor, as well as through my ongoing pursuit of a Ph.D. This helps me to stay up – to – date with the latest trends and advancements in my field, allowing me to bring new and innovative ideas to my coaching and speaking engagements.
Secondly, I am passionate about helping others and believe that by doing so, I can also continue to grow and expand my own impact. I focus on personal and professional growth, leadership development, and building strong, cohesive teams. This enables me to engage with individuals and organizations at a deeper level and to better understand their needs and aspirations.
Thirdly, I actively seek out opportunities to collaborate with others, whether it be through my various businesses or my involvement in several boards, including the Virginia Union University School of Business Advisory Board and the Partnership for the Future Board of Directors. This collaboration allows me to exchange ideas, share best practices, and gain new insights into the challenges and opportunities of expanding my legacy.
Lastly, I regularly evaluate my own performance and seek feedback from others to identify areas where I can improve and to gain insights into the needs and interests of my audience. This helps me to continually refine my approach and to provide more impactful and meaningful coaching and speaking engagements.
In summary, I believe that nurturing my gifts and coming up with new ideas to expand my legacy requires a commitment to continuous learning, helping others, collaboration, and self -reflection. By staying open and receptive to feedback and new ideas, I can continue to grow and expand my capabilities, ultimately making a more significant and lasting impact on the world.
What traits, the ones that push you daily to keep going, do you want most to pass on to your children or generations after you?
One of the traits that I believe is important to pass on to future generations is perseverance. This is the ability to continue striving towards a goal even in the face of obstacles or setbacks. Perseverance is a trait that can help individuals overcome challenges and achieve their dreams, and it is a quality that has been instrumental in my own success.
Another trait that I value highly is a commitment to lifelong learning. The world is constantly changing, and it is important to stay up to date with the latest trends and advancements in order to remain relevant and make a meaningful impact. By instilling a love of learning in future generations, we can ensure that they have the tools they need to succeed in an ever-changing world.
A third trait that I believe is important to pass on is a sense of empathy and compassion. By understanding and caring for others, we can create a more harmonious and just society. Empathy and compassion can also help individuals connect with others on a deeper level, enabling them to build stronger relationships and make a more meaningful impact in their communities.
Lastly, I believe that it is important to pass on a sense of purpose and a commitment to making a positive impact on the world. By working towards a goal that is larger than oneself, individuals can find meaning and fulfillment in their lives. This can also inspire others to take action and create positive change in the world.
In summary, the traits that I would like to pass on to future generations include perseverance, a commitment to lifelong learning, empathy and compassion, and a sense of purpose and commitment to making a positive impact on the world. These qualities can help individuals overcome challenges, build strong relationships, and create a more just and harmonious society.
What impact do you want your works to have on future generations?
As an entrepreneur, author, speaker, and coach, my ultimate goal is to make a positive impact on future generations. I believe that my work can inspire and empower individuals to reach their full potential, both personally and professionally.
Specifically, I want to instill a sense of purpose and passion in future generations. I hope that my work can inspire individuals to identify their strengths and talents, pursue their passions, and make a meaningful difference in the world.
I also want to encourage a culture of collaboration and support, where individuals work together to achieve common goals and uplift one another. I believe that this kind of community – building can lead to greater innovation, creativity, and overall success.
In addition, I want my work to contribute to a more equitable and just society. This includes promoting diversity, inclusion, and social justice in all areas of life, including the workplace. I hope that by advocating for these values and modeling them in my work, I can help to create a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential.
Overall, my goal is to leave a legacy that inspires and empowers individuals to create positive change in the world, both for themselves and for others. I believe that by fostering a sense of purpose, passion, collaboration, and social justice, I can make a lasting impact on future generations.
How does being recognized and acknowledged inspire you to do more?
Being recognized and acknowledged for my work inspires me to do more in several ways. Firstly, it validates the effort and hard work that I have put into my projects and motivates me to continue pursuing my goals. Knowing that others appreciate and value my work encourages me to keep striving for excellence and to push myself to new heights.
Secondly, recognition and acknowledgment provide me with a sense of purpose and meaning. It reinforces my belief that my work is making a difference and has a positive impact on the world, which fuels my passion and commitment to continue doing more.
Lastly, being recognized and acknowledged also opens new opportunities and expands my reach. It allows me to connect with new audiences and collaborate with others who share similar values and goals. This in turn allows me to expand my impact and influence, ultimately allowing me to make a greater difference in the world.
In summary, being recognized and acknowledged inspires me to do more by validating my efforts, providing me with a sense of purpose and meaning, and opening up new opportunities to expand my impact and influence.
Dr. Sha’Meca Latai’
How does your legacy align with your core values?
My core values are to reach, to train, and to transform the lives of others through the wisdom and power of God. Living a completely fulfilled life and dying empty. To reach a dying world and to train people to know who they are in the earth realm. My biggest focus is to help people identify their purpose so that they can execute it for the Glory of God. So all in all, the legacy that I would like to be known for or remembered by is bringing heaven to earth through people so that they can experience wholeness and fulfillment by being the change in the earth.
What drives you to lead a life of service to others?
I knew what I felt when I had no one to help me so that experience led me to wanting to be a service to others. To make sure that people had the resources that they needed to be the success that they wanted people to see. I have a shirt that says, “I became the woman that I needed to help the next woman become the person she always wanted to be.” I knew that my assignment to women leaders would be a lifetime of servant leadership. My definition of leadership is that a leader is only as powerful as he or she is willing to serve others and this is what drives me to a life of serving others.
What motivates you to continue to build a legacy?
My children and the next generation because one day they will be us. As a mom of 5, I realized what I give to the world is what the next generation needs. I want to set my kids and the next generation up, so that they can build on what I have already started because I have key successes with proven results.
How do you nurture your gifts so that you continue to come up with new ideas on ways to expand your legacy?
I make sure the first thing that I do when I wake up is saying thank you to God because I don’t want to do my day without Him.. This is me saying that I want God to lead me all throughout my day, and whatever God wants me to focus on. My second thing is going straight to my knees onto the floor and giving myself a minimum of 7 min to detoxify my mind. If you would like more details on that process you can actually read my most recent ebook called “7 Ways to Detoxify Your Mind.” The 3rd thing is nurturing my body, getting something to eat to maintain my physical health and getting something into my body, also drinking natural tea in the morning. The last thing is taking a moment to sit quietly to think over the things that I desire to achieve to allow God to pour in. In this same moment, I repent and forgive because it is a moment of reflection and evaluating my day from the day before and I realize things that I could have done better or forgiving someone that I interacted with so I can make my next move with a fresh start. My day begins to flow from the moment I create with God in the morning, and through this daily routine is how my gifts are nurtured. A quote I have is to “Start from nothing and create from Him.” and I trust my voice and my ideas and give credit back to God and work on them.
What traits, the ones that push you daily to keep going, do you want most to pass on to your children or generations after you?
Being an active listener, having understanding, having patience and seeing the best before thinking the worst and to love and serve like everybody is watching. Being your best self no matter where you are because God is always watching. Being Honest, and having integrity and accepting someone’s truth and always remain in the state of creating.
What impact do you want your works to have on future generations?
The impact that I would want my works to have on future generations is that they will see their value in life and that they would live to be who God created them to be fully.
How does being recognized and acknowledged inspire you to do more?
When I see that the work that I have invested in people becomes the testimony that changes somebody’s life and it inspires them to live the best that they can be. It is empowering for me to keep going when I hear how my work impacted someone. One example at the Summit I put together is when I was nominated for the Connect Summit Award, because I would have never thought I made that much of an impact in this woman’s life. I had no idea I touched her life this much for her to consider nominating me for this award. Moments like this are what inspires me to do more. I just live what God breathes in me and whatever I am called to do. I don’t ever think that what I am called to create is going to fail, because I know God gave me the idea for a reason . When the unfolding of events happens I just see that it worked and keep going because I am already empowered. The success of my work is what also empowers me.
Dr. Shameca Oliver is the founder of Women Who Lead Connect, a professional organization of women leaders, we help women build their businesses and their personal brands for the Glory of God, we have put 100 of women on stages on stages and it has transformed their lives. We have put emerging and seasoned speakers on stage in various states.
How does your legacy align with your core values?
My core values are walking in righteousness and leading with my faith. My legacy is happening right now. I can hear, read, and see how my core values of trust, decency and in order is resonating with others in real time. My legacy is one of servant leadership!
What drives you to lead a life of service to others?
My drive came from observing my grandparents who raised me. I watched my fraternal grandparents serve others in the church and as members of the Mason and Eastern Star organizations. They spoke of their faith and acted out what God called them to do. Because of my grandparents love for the Lord and their teachings of scripture, I knew the Lord and developed my own relationship with Christ.
What motivates you to continue to build legacy?
My children Anthony and Khadijah (Baby Boo) motivate me.
How do you nurture your gifts so that you continue to come up with new ideas on ways to expand your legacy?
I sit quietly and allow God to complete His best work in me. I often need to be still to hear his voice commanding me to move or be still to complete the tasks He needs me to completed. I am no longer afraid of walking in my faith and call on my life. I nurture my gifts by consistently self-reflecting on the areas in my life I need to improve to allow others to fully see all of Christ in me.
What traits, the ones that push you daily to keep going, do you want most to pass on to your children or generations after you?
My faith in the Lord! My tenacity and belief I can!
What impact do you want your works to have on future generations?
A positive impact surely is what I pray for allowing others to come to see the great works God formed in me to complete the work needed in the lives of His people.
How does being recognized and acknowledged inspire you to do more?
WOW! WOW is all I can really say! Others watch the work that you do and often wonder how can she do ALL of that and she has been through so much. Well, every celebration is a journey. Every disappointment is an opportunity to try again. Being recognized by this organization has allowed other women to say to themselves, “If she can be blessed by God, so can I”. They are right, it is enough God to go around.
