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Week of October 2 - 8, 2002

One of the fundamental tenets of our culture lies in the continuous development of our communities and the ability to set goals and achieve success. The Professional Black Women’s Enterprise, Inc., and the Institute for Careers and Leadership Development is proud to announce the first Toombs-Brown Prestige Award recipients at its inaugural fundraiser honoring seven local businesswomen for their leadership and services provided to the Houston Metropolitan communities, and State Representative Sylvester Turner for his support of the organization’s mission, at the Metropolitan Ballroom and Conference Center, 1801 Main at Jefferson, Friday, September 27, 2002, 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Entertainment will be provided by the Texas Southern University Jazz Ensemble and vocalist Ms. Ashley Ta’mar Davis. A pre-gala reception is also planned.

The honorees are: Lenora “Doll” Carter - Houston Forward Times Newspaper; Norma Ferrell, Bennie Ferrell Catering; Glenda Jemison - Franklin Beauty School; Mildred Johnson - Professional Charm & Etiquette Consultant; Nathelyne Kennedy - Nathelyne A. Kennedy & Associates; Shirley Ann Malonson - Shirley Ann’s Black Art and Kollectibles Showroom and Georgia D. Provost - Provost & Associates.

The Honorary Chairpersons for this event are Rev. Kenny and Karen Washington and State Representative Helen Giddings. Gala Chairpersons are Ms. Anna James and Ms. Deloris Tyler Broussard.

Professional Black Women’s Enterprise, Inc. (PBWE) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 1994. It is a community outreach organization committed to developing and implementing results oriented programs that have benefited the community-at-large. The Toombs-Brown Prestige Awards Gala is dedicated to raising funds for the PBWE Programs: Sister-to-Sister Mentoring Program, Young Eagles Entrepreneur Program, Fresh Start Sisterhood Program, and the Lena Gibbs Greenwood Scholarship Fund.

In February 1994, a group of dedicated and committed ladies led by La Dale Toombs-Brown formed the Professional Black Women’s Enterprise (PBWE). Membership has grown, and so has the vision of women uniting for a common cause of working together to make a profound “economic” impact in the lives of families and communities through business, education and fellowship; thus bringing about economic growth and empowerment. As professional business women, their goal is to provide advice and training, to build a better generation of women and children who will be self-motivated, conscientious and highly successful producers in the business world.
To the average person this may seem like an insurmountable task, but for La Dale Toombs-Brown, a business administration graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and an active member of Brookhollow Baptist Church, it is just the beginning of a dream. She chairs several PBWE committees and is currently planning innovative business ventures and projects, and developing the organization into national chapters with Houston as it headquarters.

Business development, financial and economic growth, are the organization’s main focus, teaching others the importance of business and financial security. PBWE teaches generations how to become owners and not just consumers. The organization is reaching out to the community to make a profound economic impact in the lives of others.

Currently, the organization has implemented the following four programs: Young Eagles Entrepreneurship Program for youth and young adults, ages 6-21; Fresh Start Sisterhood, a welfare to work force transition program designed to help single women make the transition from governmental assistance to the work force with dignity and self-esteem; and Sister-to-Sister Mentoring Program which allows business owners, corporate professionals and educators the opportunity to extend their expertise and lend a helping hand to others in their same or similar profession, and the “Lena Gibbs Greenwood” scholarship fund.
PBWE’s members are from diverse educational, political and religious backgrounds. Membership includes entrepreneurs, educators, students, corporate professionals, and women seeking business opportunities to diversify their talents.

The governing board of PBWE includes: Vonceile Kirks-Tiller, vice president; Louis Ann Robinson, treasurer; Shirley James, public relations; Lillie Mae Veasley, chaplain; Donna Bond, financial secretary; and Arnetta Boson, member-at-large. These ladies are dedicated to the organization and its vision. Each brings a special talent and their rapport is unbeatable.  Call 713-297-8821 for more information.