Springfield, MA – Massachusetts Women of Color Coalition (MAWOCC) Western Region will host an Intergenerational Leadership Empowerment Summit, “Taking the Cape Off for Your Next Act” on Friday, October 11, 2024, from 5 to 8 p.m. at The Melanie Kasparian Center, located at 1250 St. James Avenue.

This summit will provide a space for women of color to connect, engage, and explore leadership at various life stages. The event will feature interactive panels, discussions, and exercises that focus on balancing career, personal life, health, and wealth.

Featured guest speakers and panelists include Executive Director of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women Shaitia Spruell, Chief Executive Officer of the Women’s Fund of Massachusetts Vanessa Pabon-Hernandez, MassMutual Director of Strategic Giving Maddy Landrau, CEO of Hudson Financial Strategies Regina Hudson, and Baystate OB/GYN Dr. Tashanna Meyers. MAWOCC’s President/CEO and founding member, Celia Johnston Blue will bring opening remarks.

The event will be hosted by MAWOCC board and founding members Denise Jordan, executive director of the Springfield Housing Authority; and Waleska Lugo-DeJesus, CEO of Springfield-based Inclusive Strategies; along with MAWOCC board member Azell Cavaan, Chief Communication Officer for Springfield Public Schools. The event is sponsored by the Springfield Cultural Council and Mass Cultural Council, MAWOCC, and MassMutual.

The event is by invitation only, and not open to the public. Media is invited to attend.

About Massachusetts Women of Color Coalition (MAWOCC):
Our mission is to eradicate the racial inequities among women of color created by structural, institutional, interpersonal, and internalized racism, in the areas of political & civic leadership, education justice, economic power and sustainability, criminal justice and health and wellness. We are also dedicated to empowering, advocating and promoting leadership for women of color across Massachusetts.