Emerald Award Hall of Fame

Past Honorees

Emerald Award 2026 Honorees

Dr. Oludamilola ‘Lola’ Olajide

Hematologist and Medical Oncologist

D'Walla Simmons-Burke

Director of Choral and Vocal Studies and Founder of Choral Ensembles

Gwendolyn Bookman, JD

Faculty Advisor at Bennett College

Michelle Lanier

Educator, Folklorist, Historian

Reverand Jennifer Jackson

Nonprofit Executive, Reentry Advocate, Ordained Interfaith Minister

Congratulations to all of our distinguished honorees. During our 16th Annual Emerald Award Program, we proudly recognized five exceptional women whose contributions are making a lasting impact on society.

Lisa Williams, PhD, Services to Youth
Carly P. Jones, The Arts
Kristi Jones, National Trends and Services
Morgan Ray, International Trends and Services
Portia Scott Hedgepeth, Health and Human Services