Marie Claire made history by bringing its annual Power Play Summit to the South for the first time. The prestigious event chose Atlanta as its home base, gathering dynamic women from entertainment, sports, and business at The St. Regis Atlanta. Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles, entrepreneur Kandi Burruss, actress Marsai Martin, and other influential leaders shared powerful insights about freedom, purpose, and authentic success.
The summit, presented by Clinique, centered around the theme “Freedom and Your Future.” Featured speakers included DJ Miss Milan, Dr. Leyte Winfield from Spelman College, and numerous other trailblazing women. The day-long event focused on conversations about power, purpose, and what it truly means to be free in today’s world.
Atlanta Chosen as Strategic Location for Women’s Empowerment Event
Marie Claire Editor-in-Chief Nikki Ogunnaike made an intentional decision to expand beyond traditional markets like New York and Los Angeles. Atlanta’s reputation as a creative and business hub made it the perfect choice for this groundbreaking summit. The city’s influence spans music, arts, sports, and entrepreneurship, aligning perfectly with the event’s diverse focus areas.
“When we were thinking about where to take Power Play, it was really important for me to highlight that there are powerful women across the country,” Ogunnaike explained. She emphasized that Atlanta represents a hotspot for creativity and momentum that extends far beyond entertainment. The choice reflects Marie Claire’s commitment to recognizing women’s achievements nationwide rather than limiting focus to coastal cities.
The Atlanta debut attracted local creatives, tastemakers, entrepreneurs, and journalists alongside nationally recognized leaders. This mix created an authentic community atmosphere that celebrated both emerging and established voices. The event successfully demonstrated that powerful conversations about women’s advancement can happen anywhere dedicated communities gather.
Jordan Chiles Shares Olympic Journey and Mental Health Advocacy
Olympic bronze medalist Jordan Chiles delivered one of the summit’s most inspiring presentations about self-acceptance and mental health prioritization. She reflected on her journey to authenticity and how staying true to herself helped forge her unique path in gymnastics. Chiles emphasized that showing up authentically has been key to her success both on and off the competition floor.
The gymnast also addressed the controversy surrounding her bronze medal at the 2024 Olympics with remarkable grace and forward-thinking perspective. Rather than dwelling on past challenges, Chiles chose to focus on future opportunities and growth. “No matter what circumstance I’ve been put into, the next thing given to me is only going to be better,” she shared with the audience.
Her message resonated deeply with attendees who appreciated her vulnerability and strength. Chiles explained that her “why” is something she gets to establish daily, emphasizing personal agency in defining purpose. Her presentation highlighted the importance of mental health awareness in high-performance environments and beyond.
Marsai Martin and Family Transform Rejection into Creative Empire
Young Hollywood powerhouse Marsai Martin appeared alongside her mother Carol Martin to discuss how rejection fueled their entrepreneurial success. When asked about pivotal “no” moments, they reflected on how being told “no” actually redirected them toward creating Genius Productions. Instead of viewing rejection as defeat, they transformed it into motivation for building their own entertainment company.
The mother-daughter duo emphasized that rejection often serves as redirection toward better opportunities. Their approach to handling closed doors involves looking for windows and ultimately creating entirely new pathways. This perspective has enabled them to maintain creative control while building a successful production company.
Their story exemplifies the summit’s theme of freedom through entrepreneurship and self-determination. Martin’s success as both actress and producer demonstrates how young women can create their own opportunities rather than waiting for traditional gatekeepers. The family’s collaborative approach also highlighted the importance of strong support systems in achieving ambitious goals.
DJ Miss Milan Champions Self-Made Success and Table Building
DJ Miss Milan, who serves as Doechii’s official DJ, delivered one of the event’s most memorable quotes about creating opportunities. “I built my own table. Because when you build it, they can’t tell you whether or not you can sit at it,” she declared to enthusiastic applause. Her words perfectly captured the summit’s spirit of independence and self-determination.
Milan’s career trajectory illustrates the power of building rather than seeking permission to participate in male-dominated industries. Her success in the music industry required creating her own space rather than waiting for traditional opportunities. This approach has enabled her to work with rising stars while maintaining creative and professional autonomy.
Her presentation resonated particularly well with attendees in creative fields who face similar barriers to entry. Milan’s emphasis on ownership and self-creation provided practical inspiration for women looking to break into competitive industries. Her success story demonstrated that building your own platform often leads to more sustainable and fulfilling career outcomes.
Kandi Burruss Discusses Broadway Production and Opening Doors
Entertainment mogul Kandi Burruss sat down with Editor-in-Chief Ogunnaike for an extensive conversation about entrepreneurship and industry leadership. The multi-talented singer, songwriter, reality TV star, and business owner has built an impressive empire across multiple industries. Her diverse career includes successful ventures in music, television, restaurants, and Broadway production.
“My goal is to open the door for other women, minorities, people of color to take up space in places where it is not the norm for us to take up space,” Burruss explained. This mission has driven her expansion into Broadway production, where she has evolved from performer to powerful behind-the-scenes force. After starring in Chicago as Mama Morton in 2018, she began producing major productions.
Burruss has produced significant Broadway shows including Thoughts of a Colored Man, The Piano Lesson, The Wiz, and currently Othello starring Denzel Washington. “The face of Broadway is changing,” she noted, highlighting increased diversity in both productions and audiences. Her work demonstrates how successful entrepreneurs can use their platforms to create opportunities for underrepresented communities while building profitable ventures.
Marie Claire Builds Community Through Authentic Connection
The Power Play Summit represents more than just networking—it creates genuine community among ambitious women seeking connection and support. Ogunnaike emphasized that people are “starved for connection” and that Power Play provides space for meaningful relationships to develop. Whether participants find mentors, business partners, or simply new friends, the event prioritizes authentic human connection.
“Power Play is a real-life extension of the conversations that we’re having every single day on Marie Claire,” Ogunnaike told ESSENCE. The summit brings online discussions into physical spaces where women can interact face-to-face. This approach recognizes that digital communication, while valuable, cannot fully replace in-person community building and relationship development.
The event’s success in Atlanta proves that powerful conversations about women’s advancement can happen anywhere dedicated communities gather. As Ogunnaike concluded, “Power is recognizing that women are multifaceted and that we should be honored in all aspects of our life.” This philosophy guided every aspect of the summit, from speaker selection to panel topics, creating a comprehensive celebration of women’s diverse achievements and potential.
