Embracing YOU Conference Brings Women in Business and Faith Together in Maryland Aug. 14-15th
For nearly a decade, the Embracing YOU Conference has created a meeting place for women navigating entrepreneurship, careers, faith and life.
The two-day event returns to Maryland Aug. 14th-15th,bringing entrepreneurs, professionals and leaders to Chillum. It is presented by the Minority Christian Women Entrepreneurs Network, or MCWEN.
Organizers describe this year’s edition as more intimate than previous years, with Friday evening centered on professional introductions and a business panel before Saturday shifts to brunch and featured speakers.
Friday begins at 6 p.m. with networking, a business showcase, vendors and refreshments. The evening continues with a panel featuring professionals from different industries and backgrounds.
The setting gives guests time to meet one another, learn about participating businesses and organizations, and hear directly from the panelists.
Saturday’s Embracing YOU Brunch Experience runs from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Andrena Sawyer, Calvin Mills Jr., Kevin Ruff, Ladi Keada, Michelle Wilson, Nels Cephas and Shani Godwin are among the speakers announced for this year’s lineup. Their backgrounds span entrepreneurship, education, coaching, leadership and community work.
Faith is also part of what distinguishes Embracing YOU from a conventional professional conference.
The organization behind the event works primarily with Christian women of color pursuing entrepreneurship and business ownership. Its approach draws from the biblical Proverbs 31 woman, looking at a woman’s work alongside her influence at home, in her career and within her community.
That perspective has remained part of Embracing YOU as it approaches a decade of programming.
Last year’s edition drew more than 300 business leaders, according to organizers. For 2026, the emphasis has shifted toward a more personal setting where guests have more time to meet, participate in discussions and hear from the people featured throughout the weekend.
The Embracing YOU Conference will be held Friday, Aug.14th, and Saturday, Aug.15th, at 1417 Chillum Road in Chillum, Maryland.
Registration and the full schedule are available through MCWEN.
