Black Enterprise Women of Power Summit Celebrates 20th Anniversary in Las Vegas

The annual conference for Black women leaders draws over 1,500 attendees despite setbacks in workforce equity.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 5:23am

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The Black Enterprise Women of Power Summit, a four-day conference for Black women leaders, celebrated its 20th anniversary in Las Vegas this year. The event drew over 1,500 attendees who participated in professional development workshops, networking, and keynote speeches, despite the backdrop of an estimated 300,000 Black women losing their jobs in 2025 and ongoing challenges to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

Why it matters

The Women of Power Summit serves as a critical platform for Black women to connect, strategize, and advance their careers at a time when leadership and career progression remain significant obstacles in corporate America. The summit's longevity and continued success highlight the importance of creating spaces for underrepresented groups to empower and support one another.

The details

The 20th annual Women of Power Summit took place at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas from March 11-15, 2026. The conference featured professional development workshops, networking opportunities, and keynote speakers, along with sessions addressing topics like leading with authority, securing corporate board seats, and addressing woman-to-woman bias in the workplace. Organizers said the summit's staying power stems from the sense of community and support that emerges when Black women come together.

  • The Women of Power Summit has been held annually for the past 20 years.
  • The 2026 summit took place from March 11-15.

The players

Black Enterprise

The media company that hosts the annual Women of Power Summit.

Earl 'Butch' Graves Jr.

CEO of Black Enterprise, who said the summit serves a critical function for Black women in corporate spaces.

Caroline Clarke

Former chief brand officer of Black Enterprise, who addressed the 2025 job losses for Black women and framed them as a broader setback.

Rebecca Nwankwo

An attendee who traveled all the way from London to attend the conference.

Shenita Muse

An executive director of a nonprofit from Chicago who said she waited years before finally registering for the summit.

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What they’re saying

“I came all the way from London. That's how important this was to me.”

— Rebecca Nwankwo

“I think they have over-delivered on everything that they promised relative to this conference, from the speakers, to the networking, to the expo, to just an opportunity to meet people.”

— Shenita Muse, Executive Director, Nonprofit

“This summit is more than a conference — it's an engine for empowerment. At a time when leadership and career advancement are top priorities in corporate spaces, the Women of Power Summit provides a critical platform for Black women to connect, strategize, and elevate their careers.”

— Earl 'Butch' Graves Jr., CEO, Black Enterprise

“That is talent, that is intelligence, that is innovation — that is progress, that is all being held back because these obstacles continue to exist.”

— Caroline Clarke, Former Chief Brand Officer

“It's a proud moment to know that, you know, when you work for a company and for however long you invest in them, they invest in you.”

— Ramonita Yeatts

What’s next

Organizers said the summit will continue to evolve and adapt to support Black women leaders, despite ongoing challenges to diversity and inclusion efforts.

The takeaway

The 20-year success of the Black Enterprise Women of Power Summit demonstrates the enduring need and demand for spaces that empower and uplift Black women in corporate America, even as they face persistent obstacles to advancement and equity.