On February 17, 2024, I was honored to receive the Pow(HER)ful Nonprofit Leader Award, presented by Councilmember Heather Hutt and Los Angeles City Council District 10 in recognition of nonprofit leadership and community impact.

Recognition matters, but the most important work is often done by people impacting communities without acknowledgment.

The event brought together leaders, advocates, and changemakers committed to strengthening communities in different ways. Reflections shared by Tammi Mac, award-winning radio host, actress, and community advocate, on civil rights pioneer Claudette Colvin served as a reminder that courage often begins long before recognition follows.

Likewise, the event was filled with unsung heroes contributing every day in their homes, workplaces, and communities. As Tammi Mac shared:

“Heroes don’t have to shine bright, just a little.”

The Love Hutt event, hosted in the Baldwin Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles, was a celebration of self-love, empowerment, and community. Women from diverse backgrounds gathered for an afternoon centered on inspiration, wellness, and connection.

Leadership is rarely individual. Progress happens through communities that continue to show up for one another.

As Maya Angelou once said: “Try to be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud.”