“And in my own life, in my own small way, I’ve tried to give back to this country that has given me so much. That’s why I left a job at a law firm for a career in public service, working to empower young people to volunteer in their communities. Because I believe that each…

Thelma Scott, affectionately known as “Mama Scott,” is the Founder & CEO of Barbara Jordan Endeavors Corporation (BJEC), an organization discovering students with “Unique Abilities” throughout school districts in Houston and the Gulf Coast. She is a dedicated and passionate advocate for people with disabilities. Scott’s first appointment as an advocate for people with disabilities…

Sonya M. Sloan, MD, aka “#orthodoc,” is a woman on the rise in a male dominated field. Dr. Sloan prefers to be a traveling Orthopedic Surgeon and is certified to practice in over five states. She concentrates on helping her patients understand their problem and get the results they want. Her love is science, but…

“Don’t be afraid to let your soul shine.” – Sonia Guimbellot Sonia Guimbellot serves as an influential woman who leads by example. Her insatiable desire for our world to do better inspires change around her. As a constant student herself, she understands the importance of providing our children with a quality education. Her desire for…

Sonia Clayton is an American entrepreneur and philanthropist. She is also best known as the Founder, President and CEO of Virtual Intelligence Providers, LLC (VIP); a recipient of 25 awards of excellence since inception to date, including White House and state recognition. Sonia was born in Colombia and raised in Venezuela and Brazil. She studied…

Shern-Min Chow, whose first language was not English, today both co-anchors KHOU 11 News @ Noon and reports for KHOU 11 News during the week. She began her career in journalism as a stringer for Newsweek, has worked at KTRK-TV and anchored at KPRC-T V in Houston, as well as KENS-TV in San Antonio. Chow’s…

Sharon E. Murphy is a founding partner at McConnell Jones Lanier & Murphy LLP (MJLM). MJLM has grown into the third largest African American-owned consulting and accounting firm in the nation. MJLM’s CPA affiliate has established itself as one of Houston’s largest certified public accounting firms.  MJLM is proud to include notable Fortune 500 firms,…

Senator Sylvia R. Garcia is a native of the South Texas farming community, Palito Blanco. The eighth of 10 children, Sylvia learned at an early age the value of education and hard work. She saw her parents struggle to raise 10 children and because of their struggles, her parents wanted to make sure each of…

Ronda M. Prince has a very diverse and well-rounded professional background. A 1985 graduate of Kashmere High School in Houston, she continued her education at Lamar University where she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Psychology/Social Work in 1990. She furthered her education at Prairie View A&M University for graduate studies in Counseling. She taught…

Reva Witherspoon is the Vice President of Marketing for Amerigroup, a managed healthcare organization serving more than 192,000 underserved citizens of Harris, Jefferson and 18 surrounding counties. Amerigroup is a subsidiary of WellPoint, Inc., one of the largest health benefits companies in the United States. Witherspoon completed her education at Middle Tennessee State University and…

Pamela Ellis is President of Smahrt Solutions, Inc. Prior to starting Smahrt, Pamela held various management positions with corporations such as: JPMorgan Chase Bank, LG&E Energy Corp., Union Bank of California and Dynegy. Smahrt is a management consulting firm based in the greater Houston area. Smahrt provides strategic planning and program management in four primary…

Nikki Elizabeth Hart came from humble roots: she was born in a small town in Ohio with just one stoplight. She was quite the athlete – a competitive roller skater, cheerleader, track runner and FFA Queen who didn’t quite see herself as anything but a farm town girl. Hart spent some time studying at Clark…

Having established an impressive record of public service, Neeta Sane continues to dedicate herself to causes that make a difference in the growth of the community. In 2007, Neeta was elected to serve on the Board of Trustees of Houston Community College. In 2013, she was re-elected to serve her second six-year term on the…

Miranda Horn was born in Coushatta, La. October 4, 1972 and graduated from Pelican High School. She earned an associate’s degree in social work from Angelina College and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now known as the University of Louisiana at Lafayette). Miranda was…

Mia K. Wright is inspiring people around the globe to pursue their passion for living. She is a powerful speaker who encourages others with uplifting messages, relevant life stories and life skills that apply in both the faith-based and industry sectors. Her messages are inspiring as well as encouraging. With a call to action, she elevates…

Marian Cabanillas serves as the Vice President of Marketing and Network Management for UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Texas. Marian has lived in Texas most of her life and earned both her BA in Psychology and her MBA in Healthcare Administration in Texas. In 2008, she also completed the UnitedHealthcare executive program at the University of…

Maria Rios is the proud President and CEO of Nation Waste, Inc., one of the first female Hispanic-owned waste removal companies in the United States. Her dedication to providing the highest caliber of customer service has allowed Nation Waste, Inc. to become one of Houston’s largest minority-owned waste removal companies. Maria received a B.A. from…

Judge Maria T. Jackson has been the presiding Judge of the 339th State District Court in Houston, Harris County, Texas since 2008. Judge Jackson presides over the trials of felony offenses which run the gamut from low-level drug offenses to capital murder. She has presided over 100 jury trials and several have been featured on…

Laurie Vignaud has the overall responsibility for the development, monitoring, management and promotion of community development programs and Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) initiatives for Capital One Bank in Louisiana and Texas. She has been instrumental in bringing millions of dollars in grant financing to the bank that were used to support affordable housing programs. In…

Latoya Bullard-Franklin’s destiny has brought her from humble beginnings in New Orleans, LA to a successful entrepreneur in Houston. She is an experienced Master Black Belt Facilitator of Lean Six Sigma, Change Management and Organizational Strategy Development. As an Agent of Change, she believes the best way to achieve business success is to “remove barriers…

Karen Eubanks Jackson, Founder/CEO of Sisters Network® Inc. (SNI) is recognized nationally as a true visionary and leader in the African American breast cancer movement and a 21-year breast cancer survivor. Sisters Network is the nation’s only African American breast cancer survivorship organization. Jackson continues to lead Sisters Network’s nationwide effort to focus the spotlight…

Justina Mann is Assistant Director of Procurement and Supply Chain Management for the Houston Airport System. She directs alignment with procurement and supply chain management by understanding and communicating customer (business unit) needs and requirements throughout the organization. Her primary role is to develop, interpret and execute procurement policies and processes, as well as identify…

Dr. Lacey Brooks is the Houston Regional Manager of Hearing Aid Express, Inc., one of the largest privately owned hearing aid providers in the State of Texas. Dr. Brooks has been with the company for more than five years and is responsible for managing six clinics in the Houston area while seeing a full patient…

Dr. Joanie Y. Hare is a physician at Houston Perinatal Associates in Houston, Texas. After receiving her medical degree from the University of Alabama School of Medicine, Dr. Hare completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and her fellowship in Maternal Fetal Medicine at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia….

Dr. Docia L. Rudley, an attorney and educator, currently serves as Executive Director for Academic Assessment at Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Texas Southern University. Dr. Rudley graduated with high honors from Michigan State University and attended law school at the University of Washington in Seattle, Wash. She was previously a member of the faculty…

As host and producer of the new Houston-based television show, “Thryv360,” CleRenda McGrady is excited to share her voice and platform on what matters most to her: Faith, Family and Community! CleRenda brings her fun, hip and trendy style fused with inspirational, informational and educational topics that will captivate, excite and motivate viewers! “Thryv360” prides…

Carrie Poole was born in Greenville, Miss. She attended Mississippi Valley State University and was a member of Alpha Chi, Alpha Kappa Mu and Sigma Tau Delta National College Honor societies. She graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1981 with a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in Journalism. Upon graduation, she became the first…

Carlecia D. Wright is the Director for the City of Houston Office of Business Opportunity. In this role, she has led the city’s supplier diversity and small business programs; helping facilitate historical accomplishments, including the award of over $1 billion to small, minority and women-owned businesses under the administration of Mayor Annise D. Parker. She…

Betty Young has dedicated her life to service of others through her career in higher education.  She most recently served as President of Houston Community College Coleman College for Health Sciences. A priority from her first day in 2009, she began planning for the expansion of the college, which has grown from 1,400 students to…

Dr. Alison Scott Cuillier is a native Houstonian who knew at the age of 12 that her career calling would be dentistry. Since 2002, both she and her team of dental professionals have served many patients at her practice, which is located in Houston’s Third Ward/Midtown/ Museum District. A graduate of the University of Texas…