You have to be twice as good to be half as successful…
This mantra from Shonda Rhimes’ hit series Scandal continues to ring true for many Black and Brown women who have to fight day in and day out to climb corporate ladders and shatter glass ceilings only to not be recognized for their accomplishments.
This was an issue that Gabrieline Reece was all too familiar with within the business world.
Hoping to make a difference and ensure every woman feels seen and appreciated, Reece created Women Who Influence, a non-profit organization that provides entrepreneurial women with the support and resources they need to elevate their businesses to the next level.
“I started Women Who Influence with one mission in mind: to create a community of Women Of Color who celebrate each other and give back to the community,” Reece tells BrownStyle Magazine about the organization that offers mentorship, financial literacy programs, leadership workshops, and business boot camps to not only build up the business but also the businesswoman.
The Pink Apple Gala & Awards
As an extension of the Women Who Influence movement, Reece launched the Pink Apple Gala & Awards— an awards ceremony designed to acknowledge those who are trailblazing in their industries and bringing positivity back into their communities.
On September 8th, I attended the 5th annual Pink Apple Awards and Gala with my beautiful mother. During the event held at the Roulette Iridium in Brooklyn, NY, we had the lovely opportunity to watch seven women rising in business receive honors for their dedication to their fields.
Below are the award recipients who were recognized for embodying excellence.
- Trailblazer Award: Alysha Campbell, Culture Shift HR
- Creative In Entrepreneurship: Regina Gwynn, Black Women Talk Tech
- Creative In Business Award: Ilka Jordan, Jordan Alliance Group & The Alliance Nexus
- Creative In Communication Award: Kim Marshall, Wilson Marshall PR+Events
- Leadership Award: Ayisha Mendez, Forbes BLK
- Community Impact Award: Therese Myers, Yes Girls Create
- What You Do Makes A Difference Award: Kaylani Vasquez, Boss Babe & Brunch
My Takeaways From The Pink Apple Gala & Awards
I truly admired how the Pink Apple Gala & Awards created space to celebrate WOC who are paving the way to be “change makers” in various industries. It is so inspiring to know how many women are dedicated to relationship-building and leading the way for the next generation of women who dream of walking in their shoes.
From conversations about entrepreneurship with Regina Gwynn of Black Women Talk Tech to talks about leadership with Ayisha Myers of Forbes BLK, a common theme of the night was the importance of fostering relationships within your community.
Keynote speaker Carol Maraj said it best, “The Pink Apple Gala is more than an event; it’s a movement that reminds us that when we unite, there’s nothing we can’t achieve.”
Many honorees attributed their motivation to their commitment to creating safe spaces and opportunities for women who look like them. This included CEO of Boss Babe & Brunch Kaylani Vasquez, who says she quit her reliable 9 to 5 job to venture into the world of event planning and community.
“I went out on faith to do something that was not only for myself but was for the betterment of women,” Vasquez said during her acceptance speech.
When it comes to being forward-thinking, Ilka Jordan of the Jordan Alliance Group & The Alliance Nexus explained it is important to never lose sight of your goals. “Creativity in business is not about thinking outside the box, it’s about reshaping the box and reimagining possibilities. It’s about adapting to new challenges and never losing sight of evolving,” Jordan shared in her speech.
As I sat in the audience, I was proud and inspired to see so many women who look like me breaking stereotypes and showing the world that unfair misjudgments will never define who we are.
We deserve the applause, the appreciation, and the respect. In my opinion, the Pink Apple Gala & Awards beautifully holds space for this reality.
To learn more about Women Who Influence and the Pink Apple Gala & Awards, visit womenwhoinfluence.co.
