Valerie Jarrett to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at 2025 Women Of Excellence Event

Trailblazers Unite to Celebrate the Leadership and Impact of Exemplary Black Women

CHICAGO – Valerie Jarrett, the longest-serving senior advisor to a U.S. president and Chief Executive Officer for the Obama Foundation, will receive the 2025 Chicago Defender Women of Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award.

A trailblazer in politics, business, and civic leadership, Jarrett shaped history in the Obama White House. Now, she brings that same pioneering spirit to a night honoring the brilliance and resilience of Black women who are changing the game.

Illinois Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford and WLS TV news anchor Cheryl Burton, this year’s Vanguard honorees, will join her.

These luminaries and the distinguished class of 50 honorees embody the theme for this year’s Women of Excellence event: “Unstoppable Voices: Leading with Purpose, Inspiring Through Action.”

50 Women of Excellence Honorees

Dr. Joi C.	Basley	Director – Young Adult Programs	Mercy Home for Boys and Girls
Nicole	Brookens	Founding Executive Director	PLAN4SUCCESS
Latina	Brooks	Development Associate	UNCF
Micea	Brown	Assistant Vice President, Business Access Advisor	US Bank
Brielle	Bryson	Founder & Executive Director	Arose Foundation | Bryson PMC
Jacqueline	Burgess-Bishop	CEO	National Kidney Foundation of Illinois
Tonita	Cheatham	Executive Director, Communication & Community Relations	Blue Cross Blue Shield IL
Gina	Clegs	Senior Vice President	Catholic Charities of Archdiocese of Chicago
Calmetta	Coleman	Chief Operating Officer	Chicago Urban League
Honorable Adrienne E.	Davis	Judge	Illinois 2nd Subcircuit-Cook County
Gail	Davis	Director of Administrative Services	Chicago Teachers Pension Fund
Jessyca	Dudley	CEO	Bold Ventures
Ashlei	Eaton	Real Estate Consultant	at Properties/Christie’s International Real Estate
Christy	George	President & CEO	Intersect Illinois
Dr. Lawanda Rutledge	Gordon	AVP-Chief Alliance Officer	Eli Lilly and Company
Jehan	Gordon-Booth	Illinois State Representative	Illinois House of Representatives, District 92
Dr. Marilyn	Griffin	Behavioral Health Medical Director	Aetna Better Health of Illinois
Dr. Toinette	Gunn	President & CEO	LINK Unlimited Scholars
Whitney	Hampton	Chief Strategy Officer	Sip and Savor Hospitality Group Inc
Jamelia	Hand	CEO	Vantage Clinical Consulting LLC
Kimberly Tolbert	Henderson	Senior Manager-Equity, Inclusion & Diversity	Mars North America
Tonya	Howard	Park District Commissioner	Blue Island Park District
Lisa	Howard	Blue Cancer Advocate	UChicago Medicine
Talana	Hughes	Executive Director	Sickle Cell Disease Association of Illinois
Joyce Jackson	Hurley	Building Director	Village of Lynwood
Gloria M.	Jackson	Senior Director of Customer Service	Verizon
Jacqueline	Jackson	Owner	Kilwins
Katrina	Jackson	VP, Talent Management & Diversity, Equity and Inclusion	Adtalem Global Education
Morgan Elise	Johnson	Co-Founder/Publisher	The Triibe
Cherese	Ledet	President & CEO	YWCA of Evanston/North Shore
Angela	Martin	CEO	Angela Martin Ministries
Yani	Mason	CEO	Girls Inc. of Chicago
Dr. Kenya	McCalebb	Owner	Smile Theory
Karimiah	McKee	Global Telecoms Engineer	Mayer Brown LLP
Love	McPherson	Relationship Expert & Author	Love Infinity, Inc.
Angela	O’Banion	Chief Information Officer	Cook County Health
Jeanette	Outly	Owner	Dunkin’ Donuts/Rev Share Copy URL Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Previous article Aleks Alston sparkles as Kenwood beats Young and Curie defeats Hyde Park to set up a city title game rematch Next article Flower Delivery - Advertisement - More articles Purim Carnival March 16, 2025 3 shot in West Humboldt Park March 16, 2025 Boy Shot After Finding Gun in Kenwood Home March 16, 2025 LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply Comment: Please enter your comment! Name:* Please enter your name here Email:* You have entered an incorrect email address! Please enter your email address here Website: Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. - Advertisement - Latest article Sky star Angel Reese walking fine line in terms of perception of her October 3, 2025 Joliet man charged after allegedly hitting victim over the head with handgun: police October 3, 2025 Hundreds plan to run the ‘Taco Bell 50k,’ the ‘World’s Most Gastricly Demanding Ultramarathon’ – NBC Chicago October 3, 2025 Chicago weather: Summerlike heat continues with highs near 90 degrees October 3, 2025 Toys “R” Us, Babies “R” Us now open at Chicago Premium Outlets – NBC Chicago October 3, 2025 Welcome to City Stuff: Chicago, your trusted source for comprehensive coverage of the latest stories and events in Chicago. Our mission is to inform, inspire, and engage readers by delivering high-quality journalism across various key areas, including crime reports, shopping, weather, dining, education, health, real estate, and sports. Instagram Twitter Linkedin Explore Cities Chicago Los Angeles Miami New York Useful Links About Us Contact Us Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Popular Categories News1940 Crime Reports1233 Sports1226 Weather1132 Dining752 Health & Wellness672 Education659 Real Estate121 Events55 Shopping35 Our Newsletter Subscribe Us To Receive Our Latest News Directly In Your Inbox! Please leave this field empty We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info. Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.