Saturday, February 15, 2025

Black Leadership and Legacies inducts 18 women to leadership program 

Black Leadership and Legacies, Inc., DBA Building Leaders + Legacies (BLL), announced the induction of 18 women into the Professional Women Leaders Leadership Program. 

This follows the announcement by the Women’s Fund of Central Indiana of 19 new members in the Executive Women of Color Leadership Program, established in partnership with BLL. 

Both programs are designed and led by Carolene Mays, founder and CEO of Black Leadership and Legacies, Inc., with a mission to create a more equitable pipeline for leaders in Indianapolis. The programs prepare and empower minority professionals for expanded leadership roles to create meaningful impact within their communities. 

Participants spend a year growing, developing and focusing on leadership skills, board governance, legacy wealth-building and purpose. The programs address issues impacting disadvantages and underserved communities and emphasize a philanthropic vision. The BLL programs allow participants access to C-Suite executives, government leaders and entrepreneurs for networking, access to knowledge and inspiring words of advice. 

(Photo/Getty Images)

The 2025 cohorts represent a group of changemakers making significant contributions across the business, education, health care and social justice sectors of the city. Since the program began in 2022, 96% of participants have achieved major job promotions or entrepreneurial growth, and 87% have joined nonprofit boards.  

“We are thrilled to welcome these dynamic and talented women into our leadership programs,” Mays said. “These women emerge equipped to transform organizations, uplift communities, and create lasting change. They are a testament to the power of investing in leadership with purpose, and we are honored to support them in shaping a more equitable future for generations.” 

The Professional Women Leaders Leadership Program participants include:  

  • April Aldridge, paralegal, Krieg DeVault, LLP. 
  • Jamalia L. Brashears, principal and founder, JLB Advisors, LLC. 
  • Ashley Bridges, build fund portfolio manager, Intend Indiana. 
  • Tracy Clark, director of supportive services, Coburn Place Safe Haven. 
  • Yunika T. Jackson, child services engagement specialist, State of Indiana Department of Child Services. 
  • Brianna Jones, group service coordinator, Pacers Sports & Entertainment. 
  • Genevie Jones, executive director and chief of staff, Indiana University Health. 
  • Timeshia Keys, director of administration, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Indiana, Inc. 
  • Jennifer Killebrew, DEI manager, Capital Improvement Board. 
  • Susan Lawhead, executive director of talent pipelines, Indiana University Health. 
  • Brandi M. London, co-founder and chief education officer, Hardon Education, LLC. 
  • Shannon Kay Meriwether, HR and talent acquisition manager, Milliman MedInsight. 
  • Jan E. Mitchell, founder and CEO, She Moves Forward, Inc. 
  • Ashley Norman, senior internal communications manager, Genesys, founder and CEO, Mind Your Higher Ground. 
  • Arnetta Scruggs, founder and executive director, The Bloom Project, Inc. 
  • Jay Styles, senior vice president of partnerships and talent connections, EmployIndy. 
  • Jordan Teske-Harrison, director, Indiana Commission for Women. 
  • Shawnita Washington, client success manager, Four Tower, LLC, co-founder and CFO, Dodson Legacy. 

For more information, visit leadershipandlegacies.com

To read more featured stories, click here.

Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth. 

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