First Session of Arkansas Delta Women’s Leadership Academy Held in Jonesboro
JONESBORO – The inaugural session of the Arkansas Delta Women’s Leadership Academy (ADWLA) convened this week in Jonesboro on the campus of Arkansas State University.Twenty-five women from across the Delta learned about the city of Jonesboro from a guest panel. They also were mentored by several guest speakers on the journey to further develop their roles as leaders in their communities.“The first session was powerful. We had dynamic speakers and guests who were very excited about being in the company of these women. The energy was powerful and the inaugural ADWLA cohort is already forming close ties and connections to each other,” said Dr. Cherisse Jones-Branch.
Andrea Allen, executive director of the Delta Center for Economic Development, said after the first meeting she is looking forward to what can be achieved by the collective of women.
“I was thrilled to watch the class make connections with each other so quickly. These will facilitate the sharing of information and opportunities to women all across the Arkansas Delta. The women in in our inaugural class are impressive and passionate about making a difference,” she added.
Women in various professional roles from 17 Delta counties spent the two-day session being inspired and empowered.
“We had a fantastic lineup of speakers and presenters, all of whom provided motivation as well tools to further the women’s leadership journeys. An item that stood out to the class was learning to spend more time leaning into individual strengths rather than weaknesses,” said Allen.
“Each of the speakers gave valuable life experience examples and reinforced the value of women and how to value their individuality,” added Cari White, program coordinator of ADWLA.
The class will develop and work on individual projects to better the communities in which they work and live.
“They will also take away the knowledge that they are not alone, and they have power,” said Jones-Branch.Jade Kennon, director of grants finance at ARcare, is one of the participants.
“I have learned women never quit learning from one another. Becoming a good leader is to acknowledge the power of listening and learning to evolve from your peers,” said Kennon.“I believe we need to empower women because we are better together. Also, I am a firm believer that there is power in the strength in numbers,” said Yulonda James, ADWLA participant and founder and evangelist, Great Expectations World Outreach.
Over the next year, this group of more than two dozen leaders in their communities will grow as individuals and as a group.Another participant, Amber Grady, dean of community outreach for ASU-Newport, said she already feels empowered after completing the first session.“This experience will ensure connection with a diverse group of female leaders focused on impacting our areas of influence. I am proud of this initiative and am proud to be a member of this inaugural class,” said Grady.
“We expect ADWLA participants to grow their knowledge of themselves as leaders. We expect them to cultivate skill sets, resources, ideas, and of course networks that they can then utilize as they work in their communities,” said Jones-Branch.
The group will meet five more times this year. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, March 12, in El Dorado.
Members of the Arkansas Delta Women's Leadership Academy
