Our History

ELI is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization incorporated June 23, 2008 committed to developing a diverse organization that fosters creativity, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit by enriching the lives of women through leadership opportunities, personal and professional learning, and cultural experiences. ELI empowers women to contribute to society as global leaders.

 

In the Fall of 2007, founding members Lynita Mitchell-Blackwell, Dashawn Mayweather, Deborah Williamson, and V. Ivana Foster recognized the need for a women's leadership and development organization that focused on the intangible qualities of successful leadership.  Six months of research, program development, and innovative collaboration with fellow members of the Stone Mountain-Lithonia Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women resulted in the formation of the Emerging Leaders Institute. The organization was named in honor of Jewell Jackson McCabe (business woman, presidential appointee, and founder of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc.).  The founding board of directors (Chair Jordan R. Murphy, Lynita Mitchell-Blackwell, LaTosha N. Keown, Travena Wilson-Evegan, Syrica Wilson, Deborah Williamson, and Wendy S. Miller) was established, the first sessions held in Fall 2008 and Spring 2009, and the first class of 15 emerging leaders graduated May 2, 2009.

 

Based on the enthusiasm and warm reception from the metro-Atlanta community, ELI launched again. In the Fall of 2009, the Leadership division, now led by Dorna Carrington Scott, incorporated distance learning that allowed participants from Nashville, TN and Miami, FL to participate. The Young 100 division was launched in the Spring of 2010 in partnership with the Bonner Office of Community Service at Spelman College. The graduating class nearly doubled to 26, with the celebration held April 24, 2010 at the Atrium on Spelman College campus where then Assistant District Attorney Sonja Natasha Brown was keynote speaker and our first honorary member of ELI.

 

After newsfeeds of ELIs success were picked up online by Yahoo! Finance, Business Week, and USA Today, ELI's growth expanded exponentially. The Leadership division included students from Birmingham, AL, Greenville, NC, and Yokusoka, Japan. The Young 100 division was once again launched with the Bonner Office at Spelman College, but incorporated a training and facilitation component that allowed participants to lead courses through the Joining Emerging Leaders Everywhere to Learn, Lead & Succeed (JEWELLS) middle school division. The JEWELLS division, led by ELI Alumnae Felicia Davis and Erica Jenkins, Esq., was launch with both Atlanta Preparatory and KIPP STRIVE Academies. The Apprentice division, led by Natasha Lyles and Nan Walker, was launched through both a community recruitment effort led by Founding Director Travena Wilson-Evegan, and a partnership with the Dorothy Height Leadership Academy at Benjamin Mays High School.  And through the outreach efforts of ELI co-founder and Continuing Education Director V. Ivana Foster and volunteer Sheryl Belizaire, ELI completed life skills training for the Center for Working Families Sisterhood Program. On April 16, 2011, ELI graduated 155 women and girls.  State Representative Alisha Thomas Morgan served as the keynote speaker and became our second honorary member.  

 

In recognition of its hard work, ELI was the 2011 recipient of the Community Empowerment Award, presented by the My Sisters Keeper Foundation for Women, spotlighted by Black Celebrity Giving in July 2011, co-founder and Chairperson Lynita Mitchell-Blackwell was recognized by Black Enterprise Magazine as one of its NEXT 35 Young and Bold Business Leaders, and founding chairperson Jordan Murphy was selected to represent the organization in the One Voice: Reproductive Health and Environment Summit in Washington, DC.

 

The program launched again August 1, 2011, and included participants in New Jersey and Canada. Once again, ELI worked with the Dorothy Height Leaderhsip Academy for Girls at Mays High School and Atlanta Prep Academy, and formed new relationships with My Sisters Keeper Foundation for Women, Westlake High School, East Carolina University (NC), and South Central High School (NC). In 2011, seven volunteers were recognized with the  President's Volunteer Service Awards, one of the highest volunteer awards to be earned in collaboration with the White House's initiative on service, and in 2012, six more were so honored.  And on-the ground programs were established in North Carolina with the appointment of 2009 Alumna Nasha Snipes as State Coordiantoor.   The graduation was held at the Fernbank Museum, and the keynote delivered by Judge Kimberly Esmond Adams who became our third honorary member.

 

In July 2012, V. Ivana Foster and Travena Evegan were elected to lead the organization as Chair and President, respectively.  Coordinated by Treasurer and 2010 graduate Jillian Smith, a cozy Get Connected Happy Hour & Networking event was held at Pour Wine Bar & Bistro to envigorate alums.  They also consolidated the high and middle school divisions to form the new Young Leaders program.

 

The program relaunched in August 2013, led by ELI co-founders Lynita Mitchell-Blackwell and Dashawn Mayweather.  The Leadership Division graduated 16 women from Florida, Alabama, Georgia and Texas; and included City Councilwoman Elect-Shayla Nealy.  The Young Leaders Division graduated 33 young ladies in collaboration with the Dorothy Height Leadership Academy at Benjamin Mays High School.  Business Coach and Motivational Speaker Attorney Benecia Ponder served as keynote speaker and became our fourth honorary member.  The ceremony was held at the Smyrna Community Center.

 

February 7-9, 2014, ELI was well represented at the Art of Living Foundation International Women's Conference.  Co-founder Lynita Mitchell-Blackwell served as a delegate for ELI; and Class of 2013 graduates really shined - Tanika Gray-Valburn was a keynote speaker and Mona Shah-Joshi delivered the greetings on Day 2.  On March 7, 2014, ELI was presented with a resolution at the State Capitol sponsored by long time ELI supporter State Representative Dee Dawkins-Haigler (D-93) honoring the organization for its work educating, developing, mentoring, and empowering women and girls in Georgia and beyond over the past five years.

 

Realizing the need for more focused training specifically for sole practitioners, entrepreneurs, and small business owners, ELI programs were totally rewritten to incorporate skills to aid those groups.  In partnership with Women in the Spotlight Goinglobal, the new Emboldened Entrepreneurs program graduated 22 women, and the Leadership Division graduated 4, for a total of 26 graduates in the class of 2014.  The graduation was held as part of The Leadership Trifecta celebration at the beautiful Wyndham Galleria Atlanta hotel, with the keynote address delivered by Motivational Speaker Alexis Lior who became our fifth honorary member.

 

Seven years, seven women - our precious jewels!  On Saturday, December 5, 2015, ELI will graduate 7 outstanding women representing Georgia, Florida, and California during A BLES'D Event 2015 Leadership Trifecta.  A collaborative event featuring women's advocate Sharon Ferson-Quick of Hawaii, a fabulous fashion show by the Lyngale Agency modeling the orginal designs of Norahs Khan, and the Zenith of Intentional Design awards presentations; this celebration of women's empowerment will be the best yet!

 

We are very grateful for the hard work and dedication of our incredible volunteer force and dedicated alumnae. ​​​​​​​​​​