Join the United Nations Association of Atlanta and the International Women’s Think Tank for a virtual International Women’s Day Lunch-n-Learn on March 25 from 12:00–1:00 p.m. (ET).
Admission: Free
This engaging conversation will bring together dynamic women leaders to share insights, challenges, resources, and success stories across generations. The dialogue will explore how collaboration and mentorship can strengthen leadership and advance opportunities for women and girls.
Admission: Free
This engaging conversation will bring together dynamic women leaders to share insights, challenges, resources, and success stories across generations. The dialogue will explore how collaboration and mentorship can strengthen leadership and advance opportunities for women and girls.
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International Women's Day 2026 Speakers
Ayanna Whitebear is the President and CEO of Pretty With Purpose, Inc., a mentoring and
leadership organization dedicated to empowering young ladies to discover their purpose, build confidence, and develop into strong leaders within their communities. Under her leadership, the organization has created transformative programs focused on college and career readiness, leadership development, financial literacy, and personal growth for young women ages 12–19.
In addition to her nonprofit leadership, Ayanna is an experienced paralegal specializing in personal injury, wrongful death, business law, and estate planning. Through her legal work, she supports individuals and families during some of their most critical life transitions while also assisting entrepreneurs in building and protecting their businesses.
Ayanna is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, where she continues her commitment to service and sisterhood.
Her journey is one of resilience and purpose. Ayanna became a teen mother at the age of 16, an experience that shaped her passion for mentorship and advocacy. Today, she is the proud mother of a 16-year-old daughter and a 19-year-old bonus daughter. Her life story fuels her mission to ensure that young women have access to the resources, guidance, and opportunities she once had to navigate alone.
Ayanna believes that purpose is greater than circumstance and that leadership is built through discipline, vision, and service. Her work is rooted in creating generational impact, equipping young women not only to succeed, but to lead.
Favorite Quote:
Michelle Obama:
“Success isn’t about how much money you make. It’s about the difference you make in people’s
lives.”
leadership organization dedicated to empowering young ladies to discover their purpose, build confidence, and develop into strong leaders within their communities. Under her leadership, the organization has created transformative programs focused on college and career readiness, leadership development, financial literacy, and personal growth for young women ages 12–19.
In addition to her nonprofit leadership, Ayanna is an experienced paralegal specializing in personal injury, wrongful death, business law, and estate planning. Through her legal work, she supports individuals and families during some of their most critical life transitions while also assisting entrepreneurs in building and protecting their businesses.
Ayanna is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, where she continues her commitment to service and sisterhood.
Her journey is one of resilience and purpose. Ayanna became a teen mother at the age of 16, an experience that shaped her passion for mentorship and advocacy. Today, she is the proud mother of a 16-year-old daughter and a 19-year-old bonus daughter. Her life story fuels her mission to ensure that young women have access to the resources, guidance, and opportunities she once had to navigate alone.
Ayanna believes that purpose is greater than circumstance and that leadership is built through discipline, vision, and service. Her work is rooted in creating generational impact, equipping young women not only to succeed, but to lead.
Favorite Quote:
Michelle Obama:
“Success isn’t about how much money you make. It’s about the difference you make in people’s
lives.”
Ebony Brown is a dedicated nonprofit professional with over 15 years of experience strengthening organizations through community and corporate volunteerism. As Director of Volunteer Services and Outreach at Cool Girls, Inc., she mobilizes volunteer groups and individuals to support girls’ education through mentorship, life skills programming, and community service initiatives.
Previously, Ebony served as a Domestic Violence Specialist supporting women and children and worked with Atlanta Public Schools to develop partnerships aimed at improving student literacy and college readiness. She holds a Certificate in Nonprofit Volunteer Management and earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from Kent State University. Ebony enjoys traveling, mission work, film production, and spending time with her family.
Previously, Ebony served as a Domestic Violence Specialist supporting women and children and worked with Atlanta Public Schools to develop partnerships aimed at improving student literacy and college readiness. She holds a Certificate in Nonprofit Volunteer Management and earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from Kent State University. Ebony enjoys traveling, mission work, film production, and spending time with her family.
Mollie Marie Finch Belt is Publisher and CEO of The Dallas Examiner, one of the nation’s most respected African American newspapers, a role she has held since 1986. A Dallas native, she earned her B.A. in Sociology from the University of Denver after beginning her studies at Spelman College. Her career reflects decades of leadership in public service and journalism, including positions with the Texas Employment Commission, Harris County Manpower Program, the City of Dallas, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, where she served for 15 years as Branch Chief in the Office for Civil Rights. Through her leadership of The Dallas Examiner, she has continued the newspaper’s legacy of informing, empowering, and advocating for communities.
In addition to her work in journalism, Mollie has long been committed to civic engagement and community dialogue. She founded Monday Night Politics: Meet the Candidates, a widely respected series of political forums that connected voters and candidates for nearly two decades. A member of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, Texas Publishers Association, Texas Press Association, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and a life member of the NAACP, she has received numerous honors, including the NNPA Lifetime Achievement Award and Publisher of the Year Award. Her life history has also been recorded by The HistoryMakers and preserved in the Library of Congress, recognizing her enduring contributions to journalism, public service, and civic leadership.
In addition to her work in journalism, Mollie has long been committed to civic engagement and community dialogue. She founded Monday Night Politics: Meet the Candidates, a widely respected series of political forums that connected voters and candidates for nearly two decades. A member of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, Texas Publishers Association, Texas Press Association, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and a life member of the NAACP, she has received numerous honors, including the NNPA Lifetime Achievement Award and Publisher of the Year Award. Her life history has also been recorded by The HistoryMakers and preserved in the Library of Congress, recognizing her enduring contributions to journalism, public service, and civic leadership.
Aarti Sahgal is the Founder and CEO of Synergies Work, the largest startup hub in the United States dedicated to entrepreneurs with disabilities, and Synergies Seed Fund, a rising Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) working to close the capital gap for disabled founders.
As the parent of a son with Down syndrome, Aarti has spent more than two decades challenging the soft bigotry of low expectations and advancing inclusive entrepreneurship. Her work focuses on creating real pathways for people with disabilities to build businesses, access capital, and participate fully in the economy.
Prior to founding Synergies Work, Aarti spent 14 years in advertising and marketing and holds a master’s degree in business management from a leading business school in Mumbai.
Today, she works with corporations, policymakers, and entrepreneurs to unlock one of the country’s most overlooked sources of innovation—entrepreneurs with disabilities.
As the parent of a son with Down syndrome, Aarti has spent more than two decades challenging the soft bigotry of low expectations and advancing inclusive entrepreneurship. Her work focuses on creating real pathways for people with disabilities to build businesses, access capital, and participate fully in the economy.
Prior to founding Synergies Work, Aarti spent 14 years in advertising and marketing and holds a master’s degree in business management from a leading business school in Mumbai.
Today, she works with corporations, policymakers, and entrepreneurs to unlock one of the country’s most overlooked sources of innovation—entrepreneurs with disabilities.
