HOUSTON — The Texas Women’s Empowerment Foundation hosted its 20th Annual International Women’s Leadership Summit at Hotel ZaZa in the Museum District, co-chaired by founder Deavra Daughtry and philanthropist Reggie Van Lee.
The sold-out event, featuring special guest Tyra Banks, raised over $300,000 for the TWEF Eagle Scholar Program, providing scholarships to deserving students.
Over 600 attendees experienced a day filled with inspiring workshops, networking opportunities and special events. The summit included a private VIP reception honoring “Men Who Empower Her,” a VIP Business Soiree hosted by Harvard University alumni, and interactive sessions with global entrepreneurs and business executives. Special guests included the CEO of a 150-year-old Japanese company, Orime Fujita, television producer Ron DeShay, and Managing Director of Live Nation Philippines, Rhiza Pascua.
Fox Houston’s Caroline Collins emceed the luncheon, which featured a fireside chat with Tyra Banks, moderated by Fox Houston’s Damali Keith. Banks shared her journey from supermodel to successful entrepreneur and Emmy award-winning television personality, inspiring the audience with her stories of resilience and reinvention.
TWEF says the success of the event was made possible by the generous support of its title sponsor, Enterprise Holdings LLC, and its supporting sponsors: Fujita Group, Charles Schwab Bank, Farouk Systems, Rice University, Comerica Bank, United Airlines, Radio One, LIPF, Signet World, L.L. Academy, BDO USA, Mattress Firm and FOX 26. Their commitment to uplifting the next generation of leaders was key to making the summit a success.
During the luncheon, Daughtry presented the 2024 International Leadership Award to Banks and the 2024 International Business Leadership Award to Pascua. Before concluding the event, Daughtry surprised TWEF Eagle Scholar Emarion Miller with a $10,000 scholarship, demonstrating the profound impact this Summit has on young leaders. Additional Eagle Scholars, Charles Wiltz and Alexandria Moffett, also shared their personal stories with the audience, highlighting the transformative influence of TWEF’s scholarship program.
With over $300,000 raised from this summit alone, every dollar will directly benefit the TWEF Eagle Scholar Program scholarships. Since its inception, the program has awarded more than $400,000 to college-bound students. For more than 20 years, the International Women’s Leadership Summit has been a powerful platform for empowering women, celebrating exceptional leaders, and fostering meaningful connections.
Luncheon and summit attendees included: Farouk Shami, Orime Fujita, Phil Dyson, D’Artganan Bebel, Pamela McKay, Cheryl Creuzot, Celebrity Clinical Psychologist Dr. Sherry Blake, Brett Jones, Dr. Laura Murillo, Masai Troutman, Angel Harris, Frank Espree, Kevin Storr, Amanda McMillian, Donald Bowers, Helon Hammond, Fatai Yusufu, Terry Williams, Misty Grant, Francis Page, Garrick Davis, Zariha Gonzalez, Lynne Black and Sineria Ordonez.
