National philanthropist, best-selling author, award-winning filmmaker, acclaimed speaker, and global media executive, Dr. Cheryl Polote Williamson, honored 17 Black women business owners and community leaders as she hosts the Fourth Annual Women of Influence Awards Luncheon last Friday at The Statler Hotel in Dallas The event were the hottest ticket in town and was sold out long before the women converged on downtown Dallas. Adrienne Barrett, a community leader and senior manager at Intuit joined Williams onstage co-hosting and presenting the awards to the honorees.
Though a formal luncheon, the Women of Influence award is unlike any other. While you could expect the founder to be somewhere visible, Dr. Cheryl Polote Williamson is the most visible, spending most of her time onstage. She decided to forego the formality of reading a biography and instead opted to introduce each honoree by celebrating their work for the greater good and endearing personal anecdotes. Tears flowed throughout each presentation as the women celebrated each other, and acknowledged most importantly the feeling of being seen in a world that so often overlooks, downplays and forgets the work of women of substance and influence.
The highly anticipated event, held in recognition of Women’s History Month, is presented by Cheryl Magazine, an international publication highlighting powerful women leaders worldwide, and will benefit Soul Reborn, a 501 c (3) non-profit organization focused on transforming the lives of women. Now in its fourth year and recognized as one of Dallas’ most sought-after Women’s History Month events, the Women of Influence Awards Luncheon has sold out early each year.
This year’s luncheon sponsors include Agape Life Multicultural Services, American Airlines, BLM, Lowe’s, Mansfield Funeral Home & Cremations, Simmons Bank, T.D. Jakes Foundation, 3FIVE Wealth, She Empowerment Global, along with additional partners committed to advancing women and strengthening communities.
The Women of Influence Award recognizes women who demonstrate leadership, integrity and impact in their respective fields while supporting initiatives that advance women and strengthen communities. The 2026 luncheon is themed “Victory” and will include awards presentations, live music, performances, networking and a seated lunch.
The 2026 Honorees include:
● Sharan Allen – The Wellness Innovator, Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner and Co-Owner ALMS Community Health Center
● Dee Dee Bates – The Visionary Financial Executive, Corporate Vice President, New York Life Insurance Company
● Dr. Karri Bryant – The Faithful Innovator, First Lady and Executive Pastor, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church
● Valeisha Butterfield – The Cultural Architect, Founder, Global State of Women and SEED Media
● Kelley Cornish – The Influential Catalyst, President and CEO, T.D. Jakes Foundation
● Marnese Barksdale Elder – The Strategic HR Powerhouse, CEO, Mecca Management Solutions
● Sharyn Ellison – The Philanthropic Legacy Steward, Co-Founder and President, The Ellison Foundation
● Cicley Gay – The Philanthropy Powerhouse, Founder, The Amplifier
● Sheila Eldridge – The Media Sovereign, CEO, Miles Ahead Entertainment and Broadcasting
● Dr. Dretona Maddox – The Transformative Advocate, Founding Executive Director, Purposely Chosen, Inc.
● Velena McRae – The Heart-Centered Advocate, Founder and President, The JV McRae Foundation, Inc.
● Sara Madsen Miller – The Creative Visionary, COO and Executive Producer, 1820 Productions
● Alaina Pinkney – The Creative Legacy Builder, Founder and CEO, Pinkney Creative
● Janelle Quinn – The Wealth Empowerment Visionary, Founder, 3Five Wealth and Empowered Investor
● Kimberla Lawson Roby – The Storyteller of Sacred Truths, NYT and USA Today Best-Selling Author, Founder, Successful Women of Faith
● April Ryan – The Tenacious Truth-Teller, Chief, Washington D.C. Bureau, Senior White House Reporter, The Black Press, USA
● Karan Staggers – The Community Health Champion, President, ALMS Community Health Center
Several other dignitaries and special guests attended this year’s event, including previous Women of Influence Luncheon honoree and Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor-Tolbert, who delivered the invocation, The Rev. Dr. Jamal Harrison Bryant and many other Dallas area luminaries.
What is Soul Reborn?
Founded by Dr. Cheryl Polote Williamson, Soul Reborn is dedicated to transforming the lives of disadvantaged, disenfranchised and formerly incarcerated women. Over its six-year tenure, the organization has supported numerous women and women-owned businesses globally through education, mentorship, economic empowerment, and financial resources. Cheryl Magazine furthers this mission by amplifying the stories of powerful women nationwide, inspiring readers to embrace authenticity, purpose and unapologetic pursuit of their dreams.
“This luncheon was created to recognize women whose leadership and service create lasting impact,” said Dr. Cheryl Polote Williamson. “Each honoree represents excellence, resilience and a commitment to lifting others as they lead, and this event celebrates their leadership while investing directly in the continued success of women entrepreneurs through visibility, connection and resources.”
Black women are the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs in the U.S., owning nearly 15% of women-owned businesses and more than half of all Black-owned businesses. While these enterprises generate billions in revenue and employ hundreds of thousands, Black women entrepreneurs continue to face systemic barriers to capital, mentorship and professional networks, according to data from the National Women’s Business Council, Pew Research Center, and Brookings Institution. As recent rollbacks in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives further limit opportunities, Soul Reborn and Dr. Polote Williamson are equipping women with the education, resources and inspiration needed to succeed and scale as business leaders.
A portion of the proceeds from the Women of Influence Luncheon will fund grants for women-owned businesses and provide business resources and programming year-round to help further grow their businesses.
As the hours-long luncheon came to a close, Dr. Williamson saved her most important honoree for last. Her mother was the recipient of the final honor as Dr. Williamson thanked her mother for her decades of support, that began as a school-aged girl. No aspiration was too high for her and no dream was off limits. For this, Mrs. Gretta Polote was honored as a “Dream Pusher“, joined by her daughter and husband.
Dr. Williamson filled her hands and the day with honors, so one could only imagine her shock when Mrs. Sharyn Ellison presented her with a check to continue her groundbreaking work. As she tearfully accepted the gift, she began. a missive, admonishing all in attendance to do what the Lord put in their heart to do. Dr. Williamson told the room that the sum of the gift eliminated a financial hurdle and proved God to be faithful to not only fund but reward our obedience. What a close to an unforgettable afternoon celebrating inspiring women of influence and substance in Dallas.
