Meet Our Black Women Soar Nominiees!
Each year, Black Women Soar shines a spotlight on trailblazing Black women whose leadership, creativity, and service uplift our communities. These honorees represent the strength, brilliance, and powerful legacy of Black women who continue to shape our culture, our institutions, and our future.
We are proud to announce the 2026 Black Women Soar Honorees:
Angel Booker
Angel Booker: Through Angel Care LLC and AngelCareClub.com, Angel provides dependable, nurturing childcare, transportation services, and CPR training—giving parents peace of mind and creating joyful, safe spaces where children can grow and thrive.
Chanda Brigancei
Chanda Brigancei: Through the Brigance Brigade Foundation, Chanda transforms her personal caregiving journey into national advocacy—supporting ALS families while lovingly caring for her husband and offering hope, resources, and strength to countless others.
Jewel Taylor
Jewel Taylor: As a dedicated caregiver with Arc of PG, Jewell provides personal, emotional, and educational support, offering structured activities, healthy meals, companionship, and patient guidance that enrich the lives and spirits of those she serves.
Lenora Middleton
Lenora Middleton: Through her roles with Our Family Cares and B’Yound 4 Walls Outreach Ministry, Lenora supports seniors and individuals with dementia while nurturing her broader community with leadership training, outreach, and spiritual development.
Nini Antoine
Nini Antoine: Through her work with Veterans Growing America, the National Guard Bureau’s Family Programs Division, Spread the Word Ministries, and her own small business A.T.L. Perfumechick, Nini pours her heart into uplifting veterans, military families, young people, and underserved communities—offering mentorship, creative leadership, and unwavering compassion wherever she serves.
Paula Armstrong
Paula Armstrong: Through AdvocaSAY—the nonprofit she founded—Paula uses her voice, her platform, and her weekly broadcast to uplift families with special‑needs loved ones, creating a compassionate community where their stories are honored and their journeys celebrated.
Roberta Sonsaray White
Roberta Sonsaray White: Through her service with Vitas Healthcare, Chaplain Roberta brings dignity, comfort, and spiritual care to patients and families in homes, facilities, and even unhoused communities—meeting each person with compassion in their most tender moments.
TjaMeika Purnell
TjaMeika Purnell: As a devoted lifelong caregiver within her family home, TjaMeika has lovingly supported her daughter’s medical, developmental, and daily‑living needs for over 21 years, embodying steadfast advocacy and care even without the support of a formal organization.
We also extend special recognition to our honorable mentions — extraordinary women whose powerful work deeply moved our review panel.
Deborah McCrayer
Donna Smith
Lisa Shelton
Lucy Hawkins
Sandra Nnaji
Yolanda Lee
These outstanding women reflect the spirit of excellence and the values at the heart of Black Women Soar. From education to advocacy, from creative arts to community leadership, each honoree brings a unique story and an inspiring commitment to meaningful change.
Over the coming weeks, we will highlight each honoree’s work and share the stories behind their impact. We invite our community to join us in celebrating their achievements and recognizing the important role Black women play in building stronger, more vibrant communities.
Black Women Soar is more than an event — it is a tribute, a platform, and a reminder that when Black women rise, we all rise.