Twenty years ago, Black Enterprise planted a seed that would grow into one of the most transformative gatherings for Black women professionals in the country. As the Women of Power Summit celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2026, the woman now leading its programming is taking a moment to reflect on just how far the event has come — and how much further it still intends to go. Alisa Gumbs, Vice President and Deputy Chief Content Officer at Black Enterprise, has been part of the Summit’s journey since 2015, and she is stepping into this milestone year with both pride and purpose.
The 2026 Women of Power Summit is set to take place March 11–15 in Las Vegas, bringing together more than 2,000 trailblazing women at every stage of their careers. With a packed schedule of mainstage conversations, breakout sessions, wellness activities, and professional development workshops, this year’s Summit promises to be the most ambitious gathering yet.
The Women of Power Summit Turns 20: A Legacy Built on Community and Courage
When the Women of Power Summit held its very first gathering, Alisa Gumbs was simply a copy editor at Black Enterprise magazine. She attended as an audience member, eager and inspired like so many of the women who walked through those doors for the first time. What she did not know then was that she would one day be the person shaping the experience for thousands of attendees just like her younger self.
Now in her fifth year leading the Summit’s programming, Gumbs describes the event as something that goes far beyond a typical professional conference. “The summit is women who are all incredibly amazing in their own right and incredibly accomplished, and they’ve come together to work on themselves and to pour into each other in a way that is just so generous with their experience, wisdom, and their lessons,” she shared with Black Enterprise.
That spirit of generosity and mutual investment is, at its core, what has kept the Women of Power Summit alive and growing for two decades. Year after year, women return not just to learn from the speakers on stage, but to reconnect with a community that sees them, challenges them, and lifts them higher.
Angela Bassett, Carla Harris, and More to Be Honored at the 2026 Legacy Awards
Every year, the Summit’s honorees are chosen with great care, and this milestone year is no exception. The 2026 Legacy Award nominees include honorary Oscar Award winner Angela Bassett, Spelman College Interim President Rosalind Roz Brewer, and wealth management powerhouse Carla Harris. These women represent decades of barrier-breaking achievement across entertainment, academia, and finance — exactly the kind of leadership the Summit was built to celebrate.
Joining them as Luminary Award honorees are Angela Rye and Bozoma Saint John, two figures whose influence spans media, politics, and business. According to Gumbs, the Luminary honorees are selected because they are “lighting the path” for other women to follow. Their stories are not just inspiring — they are instructional, serving as proof that access, excellence, and authenticity can coexist.
“We are hoping that a new generation and a wider audience of people can see and appreciate them as honorees. They have, in many cases, grown up with Black Enterprise or been involved in the Black Enterprise universe in some way, shape, or form. And it’s meaningful for them to be recognized by their own right,” Gumbs explained.
Professional Development at the Heart of the Women of Power Summit Experience
One of the things that has always set the Women of Power Summit apart from other conferences is its unwavering commitment to practical, real-world professional development. Attendees do not simply sit in a room and listen to keynotes — they participate in workshops, coaching sessions, and hands-on labs that address the full spectrum of career challenges facing Black women today. From managing finances to navigating layoffs and understanding AI technologies in the workplace, the Summit meets women where they are.
Gumbs is clear that the programming has intentionally evolved with the times. The pandemic reshaped how people work. Layoff waves have rattled industries. Artificial intelligence is changing the rules of virtually every profession. Through it all, the Summit has kept its finger on the pulse of what Black women in corporate America actually need.
“Here we have women who are incredibly accomplished, who are well compensated, and we want to make sure that we’re speaking to the whole person — that we’re tending to their financial health, their physical health, as well as their mental and emotional health,” Gumbs said. That holistic approach is not a trend for the Women of Power Summit; it has always been part of its foundation.
A Multigenerational Movement: Welcoming First-Timers and Expanding the Network
One of the most exciting additions to this year’s 20th anniversary celebration is a special freshman class orientation designed exclusively for first-time attendees. For women stepping into the Summit’s world for the very first time, the orientation offers an early opportunity to meet fellow newcomers, begin building connections, and ease into the experience before the full program gets underway.
This focus on welcoming new faces is part of a broader effort to make the Summit a truly multigenerational space. Over the years, the event has attracted women ranging from emerging professionals just starting out to seasoned C-suite executives with decades of experience. Rather than treating that range as a challenge, the Summit’s organizers have leaned into it as one of the event’s greatest strengths.
“That multigenerational thing is one of the things that we’re leaning into for the 20th anniversary. Women who are coming for the first time can come together, can get a head start on making new connections, and expand their networks. That’s one of the amazing things about Women of Power: the networking,” Gumbs noted.
Looking Ahead: The Women of Power Summit’s Vision for the Next 20 Years
As meaningful as the past two decades have been, Gumbs and the Black Enterprise team are already thinking about what comes next. The Summit’s growing list of premier sponsors — including Morgan Stanley, Nationwide, and UnitedHealth Group — signals that the business world recognizes the power and importance of this gathering. Furthermore, the organization’s BE Global Initiative is beginning to extend the Summit’s reach beyond the United States, bringing the diaspora into the conversation in a more intentional way.
“As the Summit matures, we are looking at all the ways that make sense to expand it. Whether that’s bringing younger women, different industries, or international women into the fold, we want to talk about our BE Global Initiative, which really focuses on the diaspora and the fact that Black people are everywhere, doing great things,” Gumbs shared.
At its heart, however, the Women of Power Summit remains committed to the same mission it was built on — shining a light on Black women who are doing extraordinary things and ensuring they have the tools, community, and recognition they deserve. As Gumbs put it, “Wherever there are women doing great things, but are not getting the credit or the shine that they deserve, we’ve gotta shine a light on their success.” After 20 years, that light is burning brighter than ever.