By Tamarra L. Brown
ABWA hosted its Fourth Annual Scholarship Luncheon on November 2, marking the largest attendance to date.
About 200 guests, including finance and accounting professionals, students, and sponsors, gathered at the Glendora Country Club for a high-energy day of inspiration, connecting, and networking. Singer Lisa Marais opened the program with the Black National Anthem. Prophetess/Pastor La Quetta Simmons provided the prayer.
This year, ABWA awarded scholarships to seven future leaders, including five general scholars ($2,500 each) and two Rosemarie Pamela Brown Scholars ($5,000 each) for $22,500. In addition to financial support, each scholarship recipient receives membership and the opportunity to sign up for ABWA’s Mentorship Program and other professional development programs.
This year’s cohort is a group of bright and determined young women focused on using their education and skills to give back to their communities. Congratulations to ABWA General scholars: Lia Cherinet, a sophomore at New Your University; Nyasha Davis, a junior at California State University Fullerton; DeNae Howard, a graduate student at the University of Missouri-St. Louis; Mireya Ramirez, a sophomore at California Baptist University; and Quinetta Stephen, a graduate student at California Baptist University. Congratulations to ABWA Rosemarie Pamela Brown Scholars: Modupe Asha, a sophomore at Old Dominion University, and Devan Cotton (Devan C.), a Junior at Santa Monica College.
Also featured at this year’s luncheon was a special panel of trailblazers, each one achieving a first in their particular area and an inspiration to professionals and students alike: ABWA Vice President Kathy A. Johnson, CPA, CFF, CGMA, ABV, MBA, Kimberly N. Ellison-Taylor and Okorie Ramsey, CPA, CGMA, PMP, NACD.DC. Paulette Brown-Hinds, PhD moderated the panel – a masterclass on excellence and perseverance. Though first, as Ellison-Taylor put it, each understood the assignment is not to be the last.
Continuing ABWA’s partnership with CalCPA, Denise LeDuc Froemming, CalCPA CEO, promoted the upcoming Elevate Women’s Leadership Forum (May 1-2). In conjunction with Cal CPA, ABWA will again offer scholarships to attend Elevate to students and emerging professionals.
Special highlights of the day included a presentation by Howard Brown and the Brown family, a presentation by the Webb Family, a Diamond Sponsor, and Rene Webb briefly reflecting on her journey as a woman of color in the accounting and finance profession.
Since its inception in 2016, ABWA has awarded $58,500 to 32 recipients. ABWA sponsors helped to make the day possible, taking time to give and attend: CalCPA and CalCPA Inland Empire Chapter, Soren McAdam LLP, Silver Creek Modular, Black Voice News, Miller Giangrande LLP, California Baptist University Dr. Robert K. Jabs School of Business, Miller Kaplan, Holthouse Carlin Van Tright, Alta Loma Enterprises LLC, California State University-San Bernardino, CSUSB Jack H. Brown College of Business & Public Administration, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Fifth Third Bank, Bank of America, University of California, Riverside, and PLAN-IT LIFE, INC.
