We See You. Do You See Us?

We See You. Do You See Us?

This past week, more than 27,000 African American women including professionals, entrepreneurs, graduate students, and undergraduate students gathered in Las Vegas as members Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, one of the nation’s oldest and largest Black women’s service organizations. United by an enduring commitment to service, they demonstrated what collective leadership looks like in action.

The timing of this gathering is striking. At a moment when many Black women are facing economic uncertainty and job displacement an estimated 400,000 having recently lost employment Black women assembled not merely to network, but to serve. Together, more than 2,282 volunteers packed more than 15,000 meals, setting a new Guinness World Record. Their service extended well beyond that achievement. They also donated more than a quarter of a million diapers to local families through Babies Bounty, investing directly in the well-being of the Las Vegas community.

In many ways, the gathering embodied the enduring spirit of Alpha Kappa Alpha’s spirit.These Black women are committed to  Scholarship, professional achievement, and cultural pride not displayed as individual accomplishments alone but as resources to be shared in service to humanity. The convention reminded us that true excellence is measured not only by what we achieve for ourselves but by what we contribute to the lives of others.

As I looked across the city, I also noticed something symbolic. Among the many hotels hosting convention attendees, the Trump Hotel was not one of the designated convention hotels, there were others but this one stood out.  Whether by organizational planning or individual choice, thousands of Black women spent their money elsewhere. That reality underscores an important economic truth: where people choose to spend their money matters, especially minority and Black women. 

These Black women also understand a profound truth expressed by the Rev. Howard John Wesley, Pastor of Alfred Street Baptist: “Proximity to privilege is not protection.” History has repeatedly shown that education, professional success, wealth, or access to positions of influence do not automatically shield Black communities from discrimination or policies that diminish opportunity. Rather than placing their hope in proximity to power, these women continue to invest in one another, build enduring institutions, strengthen their communities, and exercise the power they already possess through service, organization, and economic stewardship.

Black women are among the nation’s most influential consumers, business owners, professionals, and philanthropists. They invest in communities, support charitable organizations, build businesses, and create opportunities for others. This particular sisterhood even established the first Black woman-owned and operated credit union in the United States a powerful example of economic self-determination.

Our newest honorary members are yet another example of our collective excellence as Black women. This year’s honorees: LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Pauletta Pearson Washington, Robin Washington, Sally Richardson Whitfield, Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett-Helaire, and Merline Saintil represent the very best of who we are. Their accomplishments span the arts, science, technology, business, and philanthropy, demonstrating that Black women’s leadership cannot be confined to a single field or profession. They remind us that excellence is not an exception within our community; it is part of our collective inheritance. As we celebrate their achievements, we also celebrate the countless women whose names may never appear on a stage but whose daily acts of leadership, service, and sacrifice continue to strengthen our families, communities, and nation.

The broader lesson extends beyond a single convention. When any group is excluded, marginalized, or undervalued, the economic consequences ripple far beyond that community. Businesses lose customers. Communities lose investment. Opportunities diminish for everyone. An economy thrives through participation, not exclusion.

The events of this week also challenge a persistent narrative about Black women. Too often we are viewed through the lens of deficit rather than contribution. Yet this gathering demonstrated the opposite. Black women are builders. We are philanthropists. We are innovators. We are caregivers. We are scholars. We are entrepreneurs. We are investors in the future of our nation.

So the question remains: We see you. Do you see us?

Our service is visible. Our leadership is visible. Our economic power is visible.

We spend our money. We support our communities. We support our country. And we support one another. When institutions choose not to value Black women, they should not be surprised when Black women choose to invest elsewhere. Our purchasing power is not simply economic it is a reflection of our values.

Our dollars have a voice. Our presence has value. Our leadership changes lives. And when Black women flourish, communities flourish. When Black women are included, the economy grows stronger. When Black women are respected, America is at its best.

The evidence was on full display in Las Vegas.

As a Motherist leader, I view this gathering as more than a convention it is a living expression of purposeful leadership. The intentional cultivation of women and girls across every generation and every sphere of society is paramount to the health of our communities and to our global interconnectedness. Motherist leadership understands that when women and girls are educated, empowered, protected, and equipped to lead, families flourish, institutions become stronger, communities become more resilient, and the world is transformed.

The only remaining question is:

Do you see us now?

#motherist leadership

#alpha kappa alpha

#black women service