This June, The Leverage Network will proudly celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Executive Women of Color (EWOC) Summit — a decade of sisterhood, strategy, and shifting the narrative for Black and Brown women in leadership. And this year, we’re going deeper than ever with a theme that speaks to the soul: RESTORATION.
In a world that often demands more than it returns, restoration is both a radical act and a necessary one. It’s about reclaiming our time, our wellness, our joy, and our power — and at EWOC 2025, you’ll find space to do just that.
What to Expect from EWOC 2025
Restorative Programming
Expect intentional programming designed to nourish the whole woman — professionally, personally, emotionally, and spiritually. Through panel discussions, keynotes, wellness activations, and curated networking moments, you’ll leave filled, not just inspired.
Powerhouse Speakers
This year’s speaker lineup includes names that lead industries, break barriers, and boldly show up:
- The Honorable Valerie Jarrett
- Tech trailblazer Dr. Ayanna Howard
- Workplace advocate Minda Harts
- Spelman’s dynamic duo Rosalind Brewer and Lovette Russell
- And many more high-impact leaders and visionaries
Real Conversations, Radical Honesty
Sessions like “Bond Unbroken: Sisterhood In and Beyond the Boardroom” and “Bridging the Gap: Renewing the Commitment to Elevate Women of Color” will dive deep into relationships, power dynamics, and the courageous leadership required to sustain both legacy and wellness.
Connection That Transforms
More than a conference, EWOC is a community. Here, “networking” becomes netweaving — a place to build alliances that restore your confidence, affirm your purpose, and open new doors. The summit isn’t just an event — it’s a vibe, a movement, and a homecoming. From the moment you walk through the doors, you’ll feel the shift: a space curated by us, for us, where every detail — from the programming to the people — is designed to affirm, restore, and elevate. It’s where brilliance meets belonging, and where vulnerability and power are allowed to exist in the same breath.
Expect a room buzzing with purpose, filled with women who have walked through fire, shattered ceilings, and still make room for joy. You’ll hear unfiltered truth, bold storytelling, and wisdom you won’t find in boardroom binders. But most of all, you’ll feel seen. Whether you’re in a panel session, laughing over lunch, or simply sitting in stillness in the Restoration Lounge, the energy is one of collective elevation. This is sisterhood at the executive level — intimate, intentional, and unforgettable.
SESSION SPOTLIGHTS: What You’ll Experience at EWOC 2025
“Finding My Voice: Lessons on Leadership, Legacy, and Lasting Change”
Keynote Conversation with Valerie Jarrett
In this powerful keynote, Valerie Jarrett — former Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama and CEO of The Obama Foundation — will reflect on her journey to becoming one of the most influential women in American politics and public service. With insights drawn from her bestselling memoir Finding My Voice, she’ll explore what it means to lead with conviction, navigate adversity with grace, and create impact that extends far beyond the corner office. This session is a call to reclaim your voice and use it unapologetically in every room you enter.
“Bond Unbroken: Sisterhood In and Beyond the Boardroom”
A Conversation with Rosalind Brewer and Lovette Russell, Moderated by Caroline Clarke
More than a decade of friendship and leadership come to life in this candid and deeply personal conversation between Spelman College Interim President Roz Brewer and Board Chair Lovette Russell. Together, they’ll explore how sisterhood serves as both a support system and a strategic advantage — especially at the highest levels of influence. This session will illuminate how trust, loyalty, and shared purpose can be the foundation for legacy-making leadership and institutional transformation.
“Bridging the Gap: Renewing the Commitment to Elevate Women of Color”
Men’s Panel with Stanley Porter, Quentin Roach, Moderated by Anthony Flynn
This honest and necessary conversation will explore the evolving dynamics between Black men and women in executive leadership. As power and visibility increase, professional relationships can shift — and not always in ways that foster support. This session takes on the tough questions: Why do alliances sometimes dissolve at the top? How can Black men show up more intentionally as advocates for women of color? And what does true, accountable allyship look like now? This dialogue is about healing, bridging, and rebuilding a united front in leadership.
As we prepare to mark a decade of impact, the 10th Anniversary Executive Women of Color Summit invites you to not just attend — but to arrive fully. This is your time to pause, pour into yourself, and reconnect with the power of community, clarity, and purpose. Whether you’re seeking restoration, ready to rise, or simply need to be reminded that you are not alone — this summit is for you. Come as you are. Leave as more than you imagined. We’ll see you in Chicago.
