Saturday, November 1 • 1–4pm
Hardy Event Center | 1208 Carmia Way, North Chesterfield

Rest. Reclaim. Rise.
Finding Peace in the Pivot

Since 2019, the HERoes Bruncheon has been a love letter to Black women in Richmond, a space to gather, be celebrated, and hold each other close. Created by the HER Collective, this event honors those who uplift our communities through their presence, power, and purpose.

This year, our theme is “Rest, Reclaim, Rise: Finding Peace in the Pivot.” It reflects the season so many of us are navigating, one where we’re being called to shift, stretch, and show up in new ways, even when we’re still catching our breath. In these moments of change, finding peace becomes a radical act. Rest becomes resistance. Reclaiming our joy becomes a necessity.

Through five powerful award categories, we will honor the women who embody this theme — the ones who keep showing up with grace, vision, and quiet strength.

This gathering is both a reminder and a release. A space to rest. A moment to reclaim what centers you. And an invitation to rise with intention without burning out.

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Our 2025 Speakers

Kalilah Wright

Kalilah Wright is the founder and CEO of MESS in a Bottle, an expressive apparel brand created to spark conversation, drive change, and amplify powerful voices through bold design.

Kalilah Wright, the founder and CEO of expressive apparel brand, MESS in a Bottle, established the company as a form of communication, a way to evoke change, and to start important conversations. As a designer and trained architect, she used her Masters degree in Architecture from Morgan State University and Bachelors of Arts from Penn State University to give her community a voice.
MESS in a Bottle was birthed in a small row-house in Baltimore, Maryland, but quickly gained traction and became nationally recognized. Celebrities such as Viola Davis, Serena Williams, Luvvie Ajayi Jones, Bozoma Saint John, Lena Waithe, Yvonne Orji and more, are all proud supporters of the brand.
Featured on national television, with Shark Tank’s Mark Cuban, Kalilah has shown the world she is nothing to MESS with. Kalilah has fostered partnerships and brand collaborations with major corporations such as Warner Brothers Studios for their movie, The Kitchen, YouTube, Roc Nation artist, Rapsody, The TLC Network, BET, Google, and most recently Target, for their Black History Month collection.
Expanding her brand beyond t-shirts, Kalilah continues to use her expressive form of communication to give the world a much-needed MESSage.

Tamisha Williams

Tamisha Williams is the founder of Tamisha Williams Consulting, where she empowers BIPOC women and nonbinary leaders to thrive in their careers with authenticity and wellness at the center.

Tamisha Williams is the Founder of Tamisha Williams Consulting, where she supports BIPOC women and nonbinary leaders to thrive professionally without sacrificing their wellness. Drawing from over a decade of experience in education and equity work, Tamisha approaches leadership through a revolutionary lens: wellness isn't just a nice-to-have, it's the foundation for meaningful change and sustainable success.
Her signature Abuntu program blends self-reflection, community care, and sustainable leadership practices through five core principles: Assess your well-being, Align with your core values, Assemble your crew, Activate your plan, and Attune to your inner compass.
Tamisha's work sparkles with playfulness while challenging clients to engage in genuine discovery. Since founding her company in 2021, she has become a sought-after speaker and coach known for her honest approach that puts humanity back into achievement and proves that leadership excellence and personal wellness aren't competing priorities—they're perfect partners.

Lameh Cortes

Lameh Cortes is the founder of Ascend and a wellness advocate, guiding leaders through career and life transitions with a holistic approach that blends strategy, purpose, and wellbeing.

Lameh Cortes is a senior leader, certified coach, and wellness advocate with 15+ years of experience leading operations and talent development programs for Fortune 100 companies. She has spearheaded Diversity & Inclusion initiatives and workplace wellbeing programs that bring mindfulness, yoga, and holistic practices into corporate culture. Known for her ability to align strategy with people centric solutions, she equips leaders and teams to thrive in high-impact environments.
Building off her corporate experience, Lameh founded Ascend, a coaching and consulting practice that blends strategy with wellbeing. Through Ascend, she guides clients through career and life transitions, helping them uncover their true desires, align with purpose, and build resilience against burnout. Whether in the boardroom or a coaching circle, Lameh brings a holistic approach that gets to the root of her clients’ needs and empowers them to rise into their fullest potential!

Award Descriptions:

The Gamechanger Award celebrates the HERo who fearlessly navigates uncharted territories, recognizing that extraordinary achievements lie just beyond the boundaries of our comfort zones. Fueled by an unwavering commitment, she fearlessly embarks on unconventional paths, unveiling new approaches and charting a course towards greatness.
The Gamechanger Award honors those who revolutionize their fields, leaving an indelible mark on the world around them.
The Small Deeds, Big Impact Award honors the HERo who exemplifies the essence of sacrifice, empowerment, and love through their genuine acts of kindness. This award celebrates an individual whose compassionate endeavors, though seemingly modest in scale or scope, generate unexpected and significant transformations within their community.
Whether it's equipping a handful of neighborhood children with essential school supplies or providing transportation to routine appointments for a community member in need, these seemingly small ripples create profound waves of positive change.
The Life As You Climb Award is presented to the extraordinary woman who utilizes her privileges, resources, and wisdom to empower and equip the next generation of trailblazing women. In her selfless pursuit, she dismantles the notion of competition and rejects the idea of a race to the top. Instead, she creates an inclusive environment where there are ample seats at the table for all.
The Money Moves Award celebrates the HERo who not only speaks of change but actively invests in it. By leveraging her financial resources strategically, she creates opportunities, breaks barriers, and fosters sustainable progress. Her commitment to funding transformative initiatives solidifies her as a true trailblazer, leaving an enduring impact on the advancement and inclusion of the next generation of Black women leaders and business owners.
Driven by a genuine care for others, the Sister's KeepHer Award celebrate the HERo who embodies the essence of selfless service, support and sisterhood.
She consistently offers a comforting shoulder to lean on, a compassionate ear to listen, and an accountability partner who lovingly keeps everyone in check. Her unwavering commitment to uplifting and empowering others is an intrinsic part of her character, and her impact is immeasurable.

Nomination form

Vendor Market

The 2025 HERoes Bruncheon will feature a Vendor Market which is a microcosm of the event's spirit—authentic, powerful, and united. This unique experience isn't just about shopping—it's an opportunity to connect, engage, and uplift. Browse through a curated selection of offerings, each representing the passion and dedication of talented, Black-woman-owned businesses.

Stay tuned for more vendor additions!