Recap: 2018 Women in Economic Development and Civic Leadership Awards

On Thursday, Sept. 13 Walker’s Legacy held the second annual Women in Economic Development and Civic leadership Awards. Over 150 elected officials, government employees and business leaders attended the event to celebrate this year’s honorees whose work have advanced economic development, entrepreneurship ecosystems and job opportunities within their respective communities. The program also included fireside chats with Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson of Gary, Indiana and Former Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake of Baltimore, MD moderated by Walker’s Legacy’s founder and CEO, Natalie Madeira Cofield, and Axios Reporter, Alexi McCammond.

This year’s honorees:

• Irma Diggs, Senior Executive and Director of Federal Advocacy, National League of Cities, (Washington, D.C.)
• Lidia Soto-Harmon, CEO, Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital, (Washington, D.C.)
• Jetheda Hernandez, Director of Strategic Alliances & Partnerships, U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency (Washington, D.C.)
• Dr. Unique Morris-Hughes, Director, District of Columbia Department of Employment Services (Washington, D.C)
• Constance Mitchell-Jefferson, Minority and Women Business Enterprise Officer, City of Rochester, NY (Rochester, NY)
• Tishaura O. Jones, Treasurer, City of St. Louis, MO (St. Louis, MO)
• Constance P. Logan, SBA Michigan District Director, U.S. Small Business Administration (Detroit, Michigan)
• Inez Long, President & CEO, BBIF Florida (Orlando, Florida)
• Jeannelle Branson-Wallace, City Administrator, City of Seat Pleasant, MD (Seat Pleasant, MD)
• Teresa Wilson, City Manager, City of Columbia, SC (Columbia, SC)

Walker's Legacy

Walker’s Legacy is a digital platform for the professional and entrepreneurial multicultural woman and exists to inspire, equip, and engage through thought-provoking content, educational programming, and a global community.