The Celebration

Hotel ZaZa - Museum District hosted Texas Women’s Empowerment Foundation’s (TWEF) sold-out 20th Annual International Women’s Leadership Summit on Monday, April 22, 2024. Founder and visionary leader, Deavra Daughtry, was joined by philanthropist and successful businessman Reggie Van Lee in welcoming the over 600 guests in attendance. Fox 26 Houston’s Caroline Collins emceed the event. Legendary supermodel and business leader Tyra Banks was the special guest and the recipient of the 2024 International Leadership Award. Rhiza Pascua, managing director of Live Nation Philippines was the recipient of the 2024 International Business Leadership Award.

​

The Story

Featured events at the Summit included leadership workshops and a VIP Business Soiree hosted by Pascua; Harvard University Alumni and Friends; Orime Fujita, the president and CEO of Fujita Group; Marko Kovacevic, a global entrepreneur and executive; and Ron DeShay, a television producer known for American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance. There was also a private VIP reception recognizing Men Who Empower Her. Guests enjoyed a tasty lunch featuring sliced grilled herb-marinated chicken breast, chive buttermilk whipped potatoes, and chocolate mousse.

 

The Moments

Collins welcomed guests, and TWEF Ambassador Bishop Lydia Solely led the invocation. During lunch, TWEF Eagle Scholars Charles Wiltz, Alexandria Moffett, and Emarion Miller shared their stories with the audience. After lunch, Collins and Lee announced the moment everyone had been waiting for: the fireside chat conducted by Fox 26 Houston’s Damali Keith with the one-and-only Tyra Banks. The entrepreneur, supermodel, and Emmy award-winning television producer and personality spoke about her firsts and shared stories of how she had to pivot on, as well as off, the runway going from supermodel to super mogul. After Daughtry presented Banks and Pascua with their awards, she thanked the Summit’s many generous donors and closed the event with a surprise check presentation of $10,000 to Miller.

​

Over $300,000 was raised at the successful event, 100 percent of which will go to TWEF Eagle Scholar Program scholarships. To date, TWEF has awarded more than $400,000 in scholarships to college-bound students. 

​

Sponsors of the event included Title Sponsors:  Enterprise Holdings LLC., 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 Houston. 

​

Guests: : Farouk Shami, Orime Fujita, Phil Dyson, D’Artagnan 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 Ordóñez.

​

About TWEF International Women’s Leadership Summit

For more than two decades, the TWEF International Women’s Leadership Summit has become an annual influential gathering of networking and inspiration by highlighting exceptional women and men global leaders, CEOs, and accomplished entrepreneurs.

 

About Texas Women’s Empowerment Foundation

Texas Women’s Empowerment Foundation (TWEF) is a nonprofit organization that mentor’s families from all walks of life, helping them reach their fullest potential in the areas of personal development, business, education, finances, and socio-economic development. TWEF also provides scholarships and empowerment programs for families.

​

For more information about TWEF, please visit www.TWEF.org.