Written by Staff Writer-Now Moments TIMES
A hush falls over the crowd, and then, a moment of applause erupts—not for a performance, but for a lifetime of impact. Across the room, faces glow with recognition as names are called, honoring women who have shaped industries, preserved culture, and uplifted communities.
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On March 16, 2025, at Chez Yiamme in Laurel, Maryland, the Inaugural Caribbean & African Women of Impact Honors will celebrate the achievements of women whose work has influenced business, media, the arts, and advocacy. But this is more than an awards ceremony—it is a call to recognize the voices, stories, and contributions of Black women in the diaspora before history erases them.
Under the theme “Giving Flowers, Honoring Legacies,” the event seeks to acknowledge and document the work of women who have often gone unrecognized, ensuring their contributions are celebrated while they are here to receive them.
Event organizers SEA The Difference (Hopeless RHOmantic LLC) & Women in Soca have assembled a distinguished list of honorees whose influence spans continents, from Aisha N. Braveboy, Prince George’s County State’s Attorney, to Denise Belfon, an international Soca icon. The honorees include business leaders, media personalities, historians, and cultural advocates, each playing a pivotal role in preserving and advancing Caribbean and African heritage.
Unlike traditional award ceremonies, this event blends culture, advocacy, and philanthropy. The afternoon will feature a VIP meet-and-greet, a catered brunch buffet, and an awards ceremony infused with cultural performances and guest speakers.
The venue, Chez Yiamme, is a Haitian-owned catering business, reflecting the event’s commitment to supporting Black-owned businesses and uplifting the Caribbean and African presence in the DMV area.
Proceeds from ticket sales will directly benefit the Chemichemi Foundation Inc., a nonprofit that promotes the arts and enhances lives through creativity and wellness. By supporting this event, attendees are also funding community programs that nurture artistic expression in underrepresented communities.
For many Black women, recognition arrives too late. Their achievements often go unnoticed outside of niche cultural spaces, and history books rarely tell their stories. The Inaugural Caribbean & African Women of Impact Honors was created to change that.
“This event is about giving these incredible women their flowers while they can receive them,” said the event organizers. “We are honoring legacies that continue to inspire future generations.”
This isn’t just about individual achievements. It is about documenting the contributions of Caribbean and African women who have influenced industries, inspired cultural movements, and created opportunities for the next generation.
The event will recognize women who have shaped business, the arts, and media, leaving a lasting mark on their communities. Among the 2025 distinguished honorees are:
Aisha N. Braveboy – Prince George’s County State’s Attorney
Joy Thomas Moore – CEO of JWS Media Consulting & Philanthropist
Elizabeth Montano – Businesswoman, Author, and Mother of Soca Legend Machel Montano
Denise Belfon – International Soca Icon and Cultural Ambassador
Fiona Compton – Historian & Founder, Know Your Caribbean
Dunnie The Artist – Renowned Visual Artist
Maureen Umeh – Emmy Award-Winning FOX 5 Reporter
Natalee S. Snider – Director, MOCCA DC (Mayor’s Office of Caribbean Community Affairs)
Chanelle “Nelly” Graham – Comedian & Content Creator
These names represent a fraction of the honorees, each of whom has used their platform to elevate others.
With Black women consistently underrepresented in leadership roles, underfunded in business, and overlooked in historical narratives, this event is a direct response to the lack of mainstream recognition.
Media personality Maureen Umeh, one of the honorees, has spent decades shaping the news landscape, yet stories like hers often remain untold. Artists like Fiona Compton have dedicated their platforms to educating people on Caribbean history, yet mainstream media rarely acknowledges their contributions.
This event is not just about celebration—it is about visibility and accountability. Who tells our stories if we do not tell them ourselves?
For those unable to attend, the Inaugural Caribbean & African Women of Impact Honors is more than a one-time occasion. It is an ongoing movement to elevate Black women’s contributions. Follow the work of the honorees on their platforms and engage with their projects. Support the Chemichemi Foundation and its mission to promote arts and culture. Connect with event organizers to explore future partnerships, sponsorships, or media opportunities.
For businesses and organizations interested in future collaborations, sponsorships, or opportunities to uplift women of impact, contacting the organizers Sea the Difference directly is encouraged.
This article does more than recap an event. It serves as a bridge between past and present, between those being honored and those inspired to take action. It acknowledges why honoring Black women matters and how readers can engage beyond attendance.
