Superb Women

Michelle Obama

Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama served as the first lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017 and she is an award winning author and writer. An attorney, she is the most respected and admired woman in the world. She’s a wife and mother, a voice of reason in a world full of chaos. Born in Chicago, IL, she graduated from Whitney Young High School where she was an honor student and student council treasurer. She went on to major in sociology with a minor in African American studies at Princeton and then graduated from Harvard Law School. She is an advocate for poverty awareness, education, nutrition, physical activity, and healthy eating. She is grace at all times!

GILDA SMITH

A managing member at SFDF LLC, she is co-founder of the non-profit Bands of Hope, providing social and financial services to underprivileged single mothers and children. A managing member of SFDF LLC, she has worked as a realtor at Caldwell Banker Apex and a Pre-Needs Burial Insurance Agent. She also operates an Airbnb, Pinetree Crest in Avinger, TX. A native of Fort Worth, Tx, Gilda graduated from Polytechnic High School and attended Dallas College. She is committed to serving the community and sharing blessings. So many have benefited from her generous heart and spirit. A mother and a grandmother, this year she commemorates her 50th wedding anniversary. She is also a member of the Garland Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. (NANBPWC).

VICKIE GUNNELLS-HODGE

Vickie Gunnells-Hodge is the founder and CEO of Empower You/Empower Me, LLC and Founder of one in Abundance, Inc. She has also enjoyed stints at Lilly Grove Missionary Baptist Church Clothes Closet, United States Postal Service, Grocers Supply and Continental Airlines. A graduate of Forest Brook High School, this writer and author has degrees from Texas School of Business, North Harris College and Houston Christian University.

SHERRY BRONSON

Sherry Bronson is the founder of Sherry Bronson Television Network. A talk show host, producer, author, speaker and certified women empowerment coach. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Jackson State University. Sherry is a member of The Professional Woman, Women Speakers Association and Christian Media Association. Through television, speaking, and writing, Sherry aims to empower women to work towards realizing their dreams.

ANDREA DURHAM

Andrea Durham is a clinical research expert, and the founder and owner of Durham Research Collaborative, a firm that aims to diversify the clinical research industry at the sponsor, investigator and patient levels. Durham was named one of the Dallas Business Journal’s 2022 40 Under 40. She graduated from Rhodes College with a Bachelor’s in Urban Studies and a Master’s in Public Health from the University of North Texas. Durham is also a servant leader who volunteers for different causes in the DFW community.

DIONE SIMS

Dione Sims is the founding executive director of the National Juneteenth Museum in Fort Worth, Texas. She is also the founder of Unity Unlimited. She continues to work relentlessly to eliminate racial and gender disparities by promoting diversity opportunities in the community. Sims is a board member of the Fort Worth Association of Federated Women’s Clubs. Sims has been instrumental in helping to promote and spread awareness about Juneteenth, a holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the US. Sims attended Southwest High School and graduated from Texas Wesleyan University in 1989 with a BBA in Information Resource Management.

DIAMOND (STYLZ) COLLIER

Diamond (Stylz) Collier is the executive director of Black Transwomen Inc. Collier was the first openly trans woman to attend Jackson State University. She produces and cohosts a weekly podcast called Marsha’s Plate and works tirelessly to nil gender inequalities and to ensure the LGBTQ community is not left behind in the larger Movement of Black Lives. Collier is also a board member of the Transgender Law Center and the A Call to Men organization. She came in 34th in The Root’s 100 most influential African Americans in 2020. She is originally from Indianapolis. Collier is an avid traveler.

GIGI MCDOWELL

GiGi McDowell is the founder and CEO of Fêtefully, a virtual wedding and event planning platform. As an innovative thinker and a problem solver, McDowell found solutions

“From the grassroots level, we are going to embolden because of the indictment,” he said. “This case is going to mobilize people to support former President Trump even more. We already think he is innocent regarding this witch hunt.

“Everything that he has done has been under the microscope and been criticized. From the Russian Gate to you name it, then stealing the election. He will be redeemed from this in the eyes of people in the Republican party. However, you still have those who are not Trump supporters who are members

March 2023 to modern-day planning troubles for brides through her platform. She has had a passion for event planning ever since she first planned her 6th birthday party. She graduated with a Bachelor’s in Communications from Texas State University where she was a member of the Black Student Alliance and Texas State Chapter of the NAACP. McDowell is also part of the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

Marsha Jones

Marsha Jones is the co-founder and executive director of The Afiya Center, a community for Black womxn to seek refuge, education and resources. She is also adept in HIV/AIDS advocacy and not only has been raising awareness but also providing solutions. Jones has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and is a graduate of the Black AIDS Institute’s African American HIV University and Tyndale Theology School. She is a part of the board of directors for the Texas Equal Access Fund and is a member of the National Women AIDS Coalition.

JUDGE AMBER GIVENS

Judge Amber Givens is the presiding judge of the 282nd Judicial District Court in Dallas County. She received her BA in Political Science from Tuskegee University