Courtesy Photo: She didn’t just live… she nurtured, she guided, she held it all together. Mosetta Carter, a legacy of love that continues to grow. There are women who live quiet lives… and then there are women whose lives echo through generations. Sis. Mari Mosetta Nunley-Carter was not just a matriarch. She was a foundation. Born April 9, 1909, in Panola County, Mississippi, to the late Malachi Nunley and Nennie Hughes-Nunley, Sis. Carter entered this world as part of a line

Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr., a towering voice in the fight for civil rights and social justice, dedicated his life to uplifting communities and challenging systems of inequality. His message, “Keep Hope Alive,” remains a guiding call for generations continuing the work of justice and freedom. For more than half a century, the name Jesse Jackson has echoed through the halls of justice, church sanctuaries, college campuses, and city streets across America. His voice, steady

Courtesy Photo: Kiara Dumas, founder of Kingdom Mind Design, is honored in Women Making History 2026 for empowering women through photography, faith, and personal transformation. Sometimes purpose doesn’t arrive all at once. It unfolds. For Kiara Dumas, that journey has been one of growth, faith, and transformation. After nearly nine years as a dispute specialist in the tech industry, Kiara made the bold decision to step into a new chapter, one rooted in creativity, healing

Courtesy Photo:Dr. Joan Thomasina Jackson Johnson (In Loving Memory) A visionary leader, clinical psychologist, and former Director of Human Relations and Community Services for the City of Lansing, Dr. Johnson dedicated her life to uplifting communities through advocacy, healing, and service. Her legacy continues to shape the city she served with compassion, brilliance, and unwavering purpose. There are some people whose impact doesn’t end when they leave…it echoes. Dr. Joan

Not just a family. A formation. Not just success. ;A standard. Grace in their posture. Precision in their work. Power in their presence. They don’t just carry a name, they expand it. They don’t just enter rooms; they redefine excellence. The Lucas-Perry women refined. Respected. Revolutionary. There are families…and then there are institutions disguised as families. The Lucas-Perry legacy is one of those rare, powerful stories where love didn’t just endure, it multiplied… int

Courtesy Photo:Dr. Farha Abbasi, Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Michigan State University, is a leading voice in mental health advocacy, empowering women to break stigma, prioritize wellness, and reclaim their power. Visibility Is Viability. And She’s Making Sure Women Are Seen. There are women who work within systems…and then there are women who challenge them, reshape them, and refuse to let them stay broken. Dr. Farha Abbasi is the latter. An Associate Professor of P

Courtesy Photo:Meet Candace Phillips, owner of CandyShoppe Hair Studio and CEO of CandeCollective, a beauty industry leader empowering women through entrepreneurship and mentorship. She uses her platform to uplift communities and inspire the next generation of women leaders. For Candace Phillips, beauty has never been just about hair and style. It has always been about confidence, culture, and helping people step into the best version of themselves. A Lansing native, Candace

March 9, 2026, LANSING, Mich. — The Lansing/East Lansing Chapter of The Links, Incorporated will host the 2026 White Rose Gala, “A White Rose Legacy: Friendship, Service, and Impact,” on Thursday, March 19, 2026, from 5:30–9:00 p.m. at Eagle Eye Golf and Banquet Center, 15500 Chandler Road, Bath. One of Mid-Michigan’s premier celebrations of leadership and philanthropy, the evening will bring together leaders from business, nonprofit, education, legal, and civic sectors to re

In Lansing, some families quietly shape the future of their communities through generations of service. The Taylor family is one of them. From youth mentorship and literacy programs to cultural dance and community outreach, the work of Dr. Lee Taylor, AnJanette “Ms. Angel” Taylor, and Heather Taylor reflects a shared belief that when women invest in their communities, entire generations rise. Together, their work spans more than five decades of leadership rooted in education,

Courtesy Photo:Corean Canty, founder of Speak More Human and co-founder of Shift to Play, helps leaders and organizations strengthen communication, culture, and connection by empowering people to find and use their authentic voice. Some leaders build businesses. Others build movements in how people think, communicate, and show up in the world. For Corean Canty, leadership begins with one powerful idea: OUR VOICE MATTERS. A seasoned communications strategist, speaker, and peop

Too many Black women carry the weight of families, careers, communities, and expectations while ignoring the signals their bodies are sending. Fatigue, headaches, dizziness, burnout, these are not weaknesses. They are warnings. Rest is not a luxury. It is survival. National Day of Rest for Black Women March 10 is recognized as the National Day of Rest for Black Women, a day meant to remind us of something many of us have been conditioned to ignore. Rest. Black women have long

Courtesy Photo: Meet Ali Bennett, Founder and CEO of Grassroots Giving, launched the Lansing-based initiative in 2023 to help first-generation entrepreneurs connect with the resources, knowledge, and community support needed to build sustainable businesses. In every generation, there are people who recognize that the systems around them were never designed for everyone to thrive. Instead of waiting for change, they begin building something new. For Ali Bennett, that moment ca

Courtesy Photo: Stacy Leatherwood Cannon M.D. For more than 26 years, Dr. Leatherwood -Cannon has dedicated her career to caring for children and strengthening communities through medicine. Today she serves as a Senior Staff Attending Physician at Henry Ford Health and a champion for childhood wellness. Some people discover their calling over time. For Dr. Stacy Leatherwood Cannon, the calling came early. At just four years old, she already knew she wanted to become a pediatr

Courtesy photo:Dr. Tareva Watts, CEO, Founder, and Clinical Director of Inspired Faith Counseling and Consultation in Lansing, Michigan. A clinical therapist, author, and mental health advocate committed to building healed generations through faith-centered wellness and emotional healing. Some women build platforms. Some build brands. And some build people. Dr. Tareva Watts is doing the sacred work of building healed generations. As CEO, Founder, and Clinical Director of Insp

Courtesy Photo-The Honorable Judge Wanda M. Stokes, Ingham County Circuit Court Judge, brings decades of legal experience in both public and private sectors. Appointed in 2018 and re-elected in 2020, she is also a dedicated community leader and proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. There are women who study history. There are women who write history. And then there are women who stand inside it and move it forward. Judge Wanda M. Stokes is one of those women. Long

Courtesy Photo:Dr. Toni Glasscoe, Associate Vice President of External Affairs, Development, and K-12 Operations at Lansing Community College. That title is long. The impact is even longer. In partnership with the Executive Leadership Team, she leads community relations for the College, maintaining and strengthening relationships with business leaders, nonprofit organizations, and community stakeholders. Her work ensures that the mission of Lansing Community College is not ju

Courtesy Photo:Dr. Melody Angel, physician, entrepreneur, and founder of Full Well, whose second act reflects resilience, healing, and visionary leadership In 2012, Dr. Melody Angel lost her husband to suicide. She lost a 45-unit real estate portfolio. She faced bankruptcy in the aftermath of the housing collapse. Her daughter was seven years old. Many people survive seasons like that. Few decide to rise from them with intention. Dr. Melody Angel did not just rebuild. She too

Courtesy Photo: Sharon D. Rogers For more than four decades, Sharon D. Rogers has dedicated her life to strengthening children, families, and the very foundation of community. Her professional journey began in Kentucky, where she studied Home Economics with a specialization in Child Development at Murray State University . After graduating, she relocated to Lansing, Michigan, and began what would become a lifelong commitment to early childhood education and family engagement.

Courtesy Photo- Rae-Kel Moore, Owner and Funder of Sister Tah' Sister Some movements start with funding. Some movements start with a strategy. And then some movements start at a picnic table in the park, with tired mothers who simply needed space to breathe. In 2018, at Francis Park in Lansing, Rae-Kel Moore, known to many as “Lady Kellz,” did not set out to launch a movement. She was living her life as a single mother of four, balancing work, home, and the quiet weight that

Courtesy Photo: Founder of Thread of Hope Records, Mitchell, who initiated the platform in 1999, is depicted here. Her mission focuses on healing and empowerment through music and performing arts, expanding into a movement which supports youth, families, and educators. For more than two decades, Bonita McAfee Mitchell has been using music not just as entertainment, but as intervention. As the founder of Thread of Hope Records, Mitchell launched her platform in 1999 with a mis