Top Executives, Entrepreneurs and Public Officials to Headline 4th Annual Women of Color Empowerment Conference

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (September 10, 2014) – National commentator and host Joy Reid of MSNBC television’s “The Reid Report” will moderate the signature panel, “When Women Succeed, America Succeeds,” at the 4th Annual Women of Color Empower Conference (WOCEC). The sold-out conference for women leaders takes place on Saturday, September 13, 2014 at Bahia Mar Resort & Spa in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Joining Reid will be U.S. Congressman Alcee Hastings of Florida, U.S. Congresswoman Donna Edwards of Maryland, along with top local business and community leaders discussing an economic agenda for women and families.

These leaders will join more than 20 other accomplished presenters from business, government, nonprofit and the professions at the daylong WOCEC, with informational sessions on running for public office, franchise businesses, the arts and entertainment industry and more. A signature panel entitled, “Women of Color Lean In: A Panel Inspired by the Book ‘Lean In’ written by Sheryl Sandberg, COO, Facebook, Inc.,” will feature top businesswomen from across the nation offering insights on power and ambition for women of color.

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“Each year we are committed to providing the dynamic women leaders who attend the conference with inspiring keynote speakers and top tier experts on our breakout panels,” said WOCEC Founder and Chair Burnadette Norris-Weeks, Esq. “Our goal is to educate and motivate accomplished, influential women decision makers to more effectively lead their organizations and to seek new leadership challenges, ultimately for the benefit of our entire nation,” Norris- Weeks added.

The WOCEC’s morning keynote speakers include Los Angeles corporate media legend Paula Williams Madison, owner of The Africa Channel, and Chicago’s Maggie Anderson, author of “The Empowerment Experiment.” The luncheon keynote will be given by Maryland’s first African-American Congresswoman, the Honorable Donna Edwards. Both Miami-Dade Superintendent of Schools, Alberto Carvalho, and Broward County Superintendent of Schools, Robert Runcie, will address the conference.