By Robert J. Hansen | OBSERVER Staff Writer

The Sacramento chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women on Nov. 10 held its 22nd annual Business and Community Awards, recognizing several community and business leaders.

The nonprofit Sacramento NCBW is one of 63 chapters in 25 states, including six in California. Through advocacy, it works as a change agent to influence policy that promotes gender equity in health, education, and economic empowerment.

Keynote speaker Michele Ghee told women that with Black history and affirmative action under attack, having a strong family goes beyond being a loving wife and mother but being the CEO of the family. 

“It’s really about making sure the next generation has an opportunity because they’re trying to steal our children’s future,” Ghee said as she walked into the crowd shaking hands and touching the shoulders of the attendees. “They’re trying to roll back the clock but they will not win.”

Ghee is the Founder and CEO of The Expectant Group, a Black female-owned boutique ad tech and content agency that connects clients to the audiences that fuel their growth while elevating other Black-owned media.

Ghee has decades of experience in the media industry and worked for some of the most powerful Black media companies in the world. 

Ghee is currently the President of Multicultural Advertising for Allen Media Group, one of the largest Black-owned media companies in the world. She is the former CEO of Ebony and Jet, and she has also worked for The Weather Channel, CNN, A&E, The History Channel and BET Networks. While at BET, Ghee created and ran the first and only network for Black women: BETHer.

The honorees included as follows:

Pastor Tamara Bennett, Female Entrepreneur Of The Year

Pastor Bennett is the founder and senior pastor of This Is Pentecost International Fellowship Ministries, colloquially known as “The TIP.”

Pastor Bennett has grown her ministries from a handful of attendees to its current global outreach of more than 2 million people annually through both in-person ministry and social media.

Despite being situated in an area riddled with gang violence and poverty, This Is Pentecost has become a beacon of hope in Sacramento.

“I think the greatest power of leadership is not that people follow you, but it’s because you’re able to humble yourself and do what’s better for somebody else,” Pastor Bennett said.

Pastor Bennett and her husband, Quentin Bennett, have established several successful outreach ministries, partnerships, and programs to address homelessness, provide aid for seniors, alleviate food insecurity, and fight gang violence. In recognition of Pastor Bennett’s efforts to improve the lives of those around her, in 2017, she was honored on the court of the Sacramento Kings with the Walmart Community Playmaker Award.

Larry Lee, Special Recognition

Lee, president and publisher of OBSERVER Media Group and The Sacramento OBSERVER, was recognized for the paper’s 60th anniversary. “The theme today, ‘The power of servitude,’ is so meaningful to me and my family,” Lee said. “Every week when we print our paper it says right there, ‘Serving Sacramento’s African American community with excellence since 1962.’”

The OBSERVER has received more than 700 awards for journalism excellence and community service. In June, The OBSERVER was awarded the John B. Russwurm Award, naming it the nation’s best Black newspaper, a distinction it has earned seven times.

Donja Harding, Education Honoree Of The Year

Harding is a devoted educator dedicated to effectuating positive change in education. With a focus on student development and a knack for creating engaging and innovative curricula, she consistently works to meet the needs of diverse student populations.

“When I decided to become a teacher, I chose to work in Meadowview because I wanted to teach students that look like me. I had no idea how important that was,” Harding said. “Research shows that having a Black teacher, in particular, does a lot of good for students, especially minority students.”

LaKenya Jordan, Government/Public Policy Honoree Of The Year

Jordan was appointed deputy secretary of state by Secretary of State Dr. Shirley N. Weber to lead the office’s policy and planning for, as well as implementation of, the Voters Choice Act, which in 2024 will encompass 29 counties and more 17 million voters.

Jordan also served as executive director for the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls.

Her work at the commission centered on leading the focus on equity, equality, pay equity and workplace rights, promoting positive images of women and girls in the media, and increasing the number of girls engaged in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM).

Jahmal Miller, Health Honoree Of The Year

Miller, as chief administrative officer, strategically leads Dignity Health Mercy Medical Group’s organizational development, health system relationships, talent management and business operations.

In addition to leadership roles at Kaiser Permanente and Sutter Health systems, Miller served as deputy director of the California Department of Public Health’s Office of Health Equity, serving as the state’s lead advisor on issues related to reducing health and mental health disparities and to achieving health equity for all Californians.

Kindra Montgomery-Block, Corporate Honoree

Montgomery-Block, now in her third season with the NBA as the Sacramento Kings’ vice president of diversity, inclusion, and social impact, has an unwavering commitment spanning two decades in community impact. Kindra is a driving force propelling diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Aniyah DuBose, Rising Star

DuBose recently graduated from the Rex and Margaret Fortune Early College High School. As an academic leader who produces high results, DuBose simultaneously earned her high school diploma and two associate degrees in June. She ranked first in her class with a 4.28 GPA and aspires to become a business litigation attorney and district attorney.

DuBose has garnered numerous academic achievements and serves as the media executive at Future Community Church.

She serves through entrepreneurship, authorship and community involvement, including the Hawk Institute, Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce Young Leadership Collaborative, and is a recent debutante of the 57th cohort under the Alpha Kappa Alpha Eta Gamma Omega Chapter.

PRIDE Industries, Nonprofit Organization Of The Year

PRIDE Industries delivers business excellence with a positive social impact. A social enterprise, PRIDE Industries provides facilities operations and maintenance services, custodial services, contract manufacturing, supply chain management, packaging and fulfillment services, and placement services to private and public organizations nationwide.