Transformation to Triumph Women’s Summit Convenes Leaders, Scholars, and Community in a Collective Call to Reinvention

Transformation to Triumph Black Women's Summit
Evolving. Empowered. Enlightened.

From February 27 through March 1, 2026, the Transformation to Triumph Women’s Summit convened a cross-section of professionals, scholars, students, entrepreneurs, and community leaders in Washington, D.C., for a three-day hybrid gathering held virtually and in person at Howard University and The Gathering Spot DC.

Launched in response to widespread layoffs, furloughs, and career disruption affecting more than 600,000 Black women nationwide, the summit marked the beginning of a broader community initiative rooted in resilience, reinvention, and collective advancement. Situated at the intersection of Black History Month and Women’s History Month, the convening carried symbolic weight honoring legacy while confronting present-day economic realities.

Across the summit, presenters addressed the structural, professional, financial, and emotional dimensions of transition. Sessions included “Reshaping

 Our Realities Through Civic Engagement,” foregrounding the role of policy awareness and civic participation in shaping economic and social outcomes. “Positioned for What’s Next: Personal Branding with Purpose” examined strategic visibility and narrative ownership in a competitive labor market. “What’s Your Financial Identity?” brought forward conversations about money narratives, financial literacy, and long-term wealth positioning.

Leadership development was explored through “Resilient Leadership: Thriving Through Challenge and Change,” while entrepreneurship and economic pivoting were examined in “Pivoting Into Contracting Pathways: From Idea to Invoice: Smart Pivots for a Contract-Ready Business.” The global dimension of professional mobility was highlighted in “Building Global Networks,” expanding the conversation beyond local and national contexts. Together, these sessions reflected the breadth of issues shaping today’s workforce landscape and the multiplicity of pathways available in times of transition.

On the second day of the summit, Dean Sheara Jennings offered formal words of welcome that framed the gathering in affirming terms. She reminded attendees that “transformation is not proof that it didn’t hurt; it is proof that it did not break you.” She continued, noting that transformation is not the conclusion of the story, but the point “where faith, grit, and community are needed to do the work.” 

Drawing from the profession of social work, she delivered a defining reflection:

“In social work we talk about resilience as the capacity to adapt, reorganize, and grow in the face of disruption and harm. We talk about systems and how individuals are never the problem alone. And we talk about dignity and worth as nonnegotiable truths. At the summit, we are gathering to be fortified — your humanity matters here.”

The School of Social Work’s leadership was visible throughout the program. Alumna Kristi Love, LGSW, LMSW, facilitated “Community Conversation: Processing the Trauma,” centering the reality that job loss can be a traumatic experience shaped by employer communication, financial impact, emotional responses, and uncertainty about the future. Panelists shared experiences managing work-related trauma and discussed strategies and resources available to support individuals navigating employment loss.

“Beyond the Degree: From Scholar to Leader — Building What’s Next,” hosted by the Howard University Graduate Student Assembly, brought together student leaders Zibora Gilder and Carmen Ross alongside Board of Visitors member Jeanne Byrd Adams. The intergenerational panel addressed life after graduate school, career transitions, leadership development, and defining purpose beyond academia, reflecting the evolving pathways available to emerging scholars.

Mental health remained a central theme of the convening. In “Navigating Mental Well-Being for Black Women During Challenging Times,” Dr. Janeen Cross, DSW, LCSW, and Dr. Sandra Edmonds Crewe, PhD, MSW, ACSW provided an overview of the historical context shaping mental health challenges experienced by Black women, highlighted work-related stress including job loss, and outlined clinical interventions to cope with stress. The session articulated four objectives: understanding the historical context of mental health challenges; increasing awareness of stress impact and strategies for managing employment loss; demonstrating self-awareness of personal mental health challenges; and identifying resources to support well-being. The presentation underscored the importance of accessible support systems and sustained mental health care in times of transition.

The summit itself was the result of strategic collaboration and visionary leadership. Dr. Anita Plummer, Associate Professor of African Studies at Howard University and Executive Director of the Center for Women, Gender, and Global Leadership, partnered with Dr. Geneva Greene, Chief Growth and Strategy Officer of Sprouts Consulting, a published scholar, award-winning professional, and accomplished entrepreneur, to bring the initiative to life. Together, their combined expertise in academic leadership, community engagement, and strategic growth shaped the summit’s framework and positioned it as both an intellectual convening and a community-centered movement.

Current doctoral student Ms. Mewelau Hall and dual degree MSW/MBA student Ms. Carmen Ross served on the planning committee, contributing to the coordination and execution of the summit. Their involvement reflected the intergenerational collaboration that defined the event and underscored the role of emerging leaders in shaping institutional and community spaces.

The School of Social Work’s presence extended beyond featured sessions and planning leadership. The admissions team, including Director of Admissions Sandra Gammons and Administrative Assistant Sarah Jackson, engaged participants through the virtual expo booth and on-site presence during the in-person convening. In addition, the Office of Professional Development and Continuing Education supported the event by offering Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to participating licensed social workers, further reinforcing the summit’s commitment to professional growth and credentialed learning.

Over the course of three days, the Transformation to Triumph Women’s Summit stood as a visible testament to what can occur when scholars, practitioners, entrepreneurs, and visionaries gather with shared purpose. It highlighted the significance of community dialogue, interdisciplinary engagement, and collective leadership in moments of disruption. Most importantly, it reflected a community willing to add its voice, expertise, and lived experience to a larger conversation about navigating change with clarity, dignity, and resolve.

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