Message from the Chair

The Lola Mercedes Parker Foundation for Economic Empowerment of Business and Professional Women (affectionately called the LMPF) Board of Directors and Advisors are a dedicated team passionate about promoting sustainable economic futures within the Black community. Our mission is to provide effective education, professional development, and resources to the Black Community. We strive to empower individuals with this knowledge, tools, and opportunities by building partnerships that drive change and progress. The LMPF dedicates resources to programs and activities that are relentlessly action oriented. We are so proud of the impact LMPF has made within the community over the last 3 years. Through our signature I3 (Inform, Inspire, Ignite) programs held virtually because of the pandemic in 2020 and hybrid in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2022 we have reached people across the United States and the St. Thomas Virgin Islands. The 2021 Youth Summit and Elevator Pitch Competition, which was held virtually provided great information to the youth and their parents. We are very excited as we look to the future with the 2023 initiative: Empowering the Black Community.

In March 2021, the LMPF launched The Year of the Woman Influencer Campaign. The six-week campaign sought to promote and raise funds for the LMPF while engaging women currently in business vocations or those looking to create new business of their own. Each Nominee, with the support of their Mentor, participated in a series of weekly activities aimed at highlighting their business, highlighting the LMPF and raising funds. We could not have hoped for a better inaugural group of women and mentors to work with. The inaugural year we selected two winners (one from the community at large and one from Iota Phi Lambda Sorority specifically). We are delighted to announce Lonnie Kincaid - Gallaher as the 2021 Sorority Influencer and Dr. Betty Speaks as the 2021 community at large Influencer. The 2022 Year of the Woman Influencer Campaign was a phenomenal success as well. We moved to one overall winner. The participating women and mentors were great and the engagement on multiple social media sites was wonderful. We are pleased to announce Elverna Cain as the 2022 Year of the Woman Influencer.

Thank you to all our partners and supporters! We cannot succeed in isolation and need your help to continue our mission. Your continued support means empowerment, opportunity, and prosperity for Black communities. It means creating economic futures filled with promise and potential. To that end, we are launching the Better Together Campaign to mark the 10-year anniversary of the LMPF. This 2-year campaign is designed to support ongoing programmatic efforts of the Lola Mercedes Parker Foundation for Economic Empowerment of Business and Professional Women. Join us. Let's shape a brighter future together!

“We’re pleased to continue our support of the Lola Mercedes Parker Foundation (LMPF) and the work they’re doing to support the economic development of people and families in our communities.”

Teresa Gonzalez, Capitol Group

Vision:

Promote sustainable economic futures within the Black community.

Mission: Provide effective education, professional development, and resources to the Black community.

Impact:

Bringing economic prosperity across Black communities.

Core Values:

Our core values of empowerment, building partnerships and amplifying knowledge are shaped by our commitment to:

• Empower communities to achieve financial security,

• Create partnerships that advance our mission and

• Dedicate resources to activities and programs that are relentlessly focused on taking action.