Empowering Change: Over 100 Women of Color Gather for Ma Mukti Leadership Summit

Over a hundred women of color who lead nonprofit convened at the Ma Mukti Embodied Leadership Summit’s conference at the Edith Macy Conference Center on December 7th, 2024 in Briarcliff Manor. The three-day event was aimed to empower women by building community, enhancing their leadership abilities, and motivating them to continue driving meaningful change. 

The women came from varied backgrounds in social services: community organizers, housing advocates, and social workers. Some focused on advocacy for underserved populations, others worked on policy development, and still others provided direct support to those in need. Together, they aimed to gain insights from one another’s work. The keynote speaker Monifa Bandele’s keynote speech “Black Joy and Liberation” shared Asaata Shakur’s wisdom and knowledge for freedom fighters. Bandele told the crowd to “Use your culture, use your creativity.” 

“I’m truly excited about the summit, as it represents a remarkable achievement we accomplished together as a collective, ” said Wanda Salaman, director of Mothers on the Move and board leader of Ma Mukti (M2). 

The summit centered on the prospect of embodied leadership — the alignment between the mind, body, and purpose. It featured speakers including Rev. Angel Kyodo Williams, Roshi, and Staci Haines. During her talk, Haines encouraged women to embrace their vulnerability and power. She said, “To me, as soon as we objectify the Earth, we objectify our bodies, it is completely easy to objectify each other”.

A pink rose given to a participant on December 7th, 2024. Photo by Akilah Irvin.

In an unusual gesture for a professional conference, every woman was given a different colored rose. It was a symbolic reminder to honor and recognize the contribution of women leaders, who are often undervalued in workplaces and media.

The discussions and the bonds formed among women of color cultivated a unique and empowering environment.

“Reflecting on our journey, we first came together over a year ago, and during that time, we not only established the organization, but also began laying the groundwork for this summit,” Salaman said and emphasized what many felt. “As the inaugural event organized by a group of women, bringing together such a diverse array of individuals, I must say—we crushed it.”