Sister Accord® Foundation Honors Leaders, Awards Scholarships During Annual Event
The Sister Accord® Foundation celebrated its 13th annual Sister Accord® Day with a vibrant "Weekend of Sisterhood & Love," honoring leaders, awarding scholarships, and securing funding to support women entrepreneurs.
The two-day event, which began on August 29, saw the Foundation bring together a diverse group of changemakers, artists, and community advocates at the 36th Leadership Development Tea Party held at Maketewah Country Club. The celebration focused on leadership, service, education, entrepreneurship, music, and community engagement.
Five notable individuals were honored during the weekend. Jonathan Butler, a Grammy®-nominated singer, songwriter, and guitarist; Courtis Fuller, a multi-Emmy® Award-winning journalist and Hall of Fame inductee; Patrick Lafley, Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Constellation Wealth Advisors; Commissioner Alicia Reece, Vice President of the Hamilton County Commission; and Amy B. Spiller, State President of Duke Energy Ohio and Kentucky, were recognized for their contributions.
The highlight of the weekend came with the announcement of two scholarships. Taylor Evans, a Cleveland Heights, Ohio native studying Middle Childhood Education at The Ohio State University, and Isley Mitchell, an Ohio State senior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Pharmaceutical Sciences, each received $5,000 scholarships from the Nella D. Jackson Memorial Scholarship. Additionally, Myles introduced an extra $5,000 scholarship opportunity for attendees.
A significant donation was also secured during the event. Jean Freeman, Principal and CEO of Zambezi, pledged $50,000 to support the third cohort of The Sister Accord® Accelerator Program, set to launch later in the year. The program, which will provide coaching, mentorship, and $10,000 business grants to seven women-owned businesses, was further bolstered by contributions from Marchoe Dill Northern and Myles, each contributing $10,000.
The event featured a Duke Energy panel discussion on the energy industry and its commitment to community service, alongside a conversation with Goodwill about its work supporting local communities. Butler concluded the day with a special performance.
The celebration continued on Saturday evening with Butler's performance at The Ludlow Garage, followed by Stokely, a Grammy®-nominated singer, songwriter, and producer, performing the same venue on Sunday to close out the weekend.
The weekend festivities culminated on August 31, with the 13th annual Sister Accord® Day, officially declared by the City of Cincinnati in 2013. The Foundation encouraged participants to perform random acts of kindness for girls and women, spreading the message of sisterhood and empowerment beyond the city limits.
Myles expressed her excitement and gratitude, stating, "To see so many incredible people come together in the spirit of sisterhood, love, leadership, and service was incredibly powerful. The Sister Accord® has always been about lifting one another up, and this weekend was a beautiful expression of that mission. I am so grateful to our honorees, partners, supporters, and everyone who continues to believe in this work. Thirteen years after The Sister Accord® Day was first declared in Cincinnati, I am more inspired than ever about what we can accomplish together."
Myles extended her thanks to the event's sponsors, including Duke Energy, The Christ Hospital Health Network, bi3, Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries, Waymo, Porsche of The Village, Western & Southern Financial Group, Blockboard, and Interact for Health.
Through its various initiatives, The Sister Accord® Foundation has provided nearly half a million dollars in scholarships and business grants. Its YouTube content has garnered over 114 million views and 513 million impressions, reaching a global audience and extending its message of sisterhood and empowerment.