Anyone who has laid eyes on the print March issue (currently on newsstands) is fully aware of the fact that EBONY is celebrating the beauty, intelligence, ambition and perseverance of Black women in all walks of life.

And with the support of Hilton Worldwide and Strength of Nature, our iconic outlet is taking the message to the streets with a series of celebratory #ebonywomenup brunches in major cities, with the first being held at the Conrad New York and this past weekend, in Chicago at the glamorous TheWit hotel.  The event originates from the Women Up ongoing feature series created by EBONY Editor-in-Chief Kierna Mayo and Senior Editor Jamilah Lemieux.

Guests at the Chicago affair included news anchor legend Robin Robinson; WGN-TV’s Courtney Gousman; Forbes-acclaimed Bringing Out Successful Sisters (B.O.S.S.) network founder Cameka Smith; and a newly triumphant Kim Foxx,  Democratic nominee for the Cook County state’s attorney race.

The keynote speaker for the celebration, Seaway Bank and Trust Co. Chairman Veranda Dickens, offered inspiration through her own personal story of taking over Chicago’s largest Black-owned bank.

Johnson Publishing Chairman Linda Johnson Rice; Chief Operating Officer and President of Digital Cheryl Mayberry-McKissack; Vice President, Head of Digital Editorial Kyra Kyles and Hilton’s Director of Multicultural and Diversity Marketing Andrea Richardson all made remarks to the approximately 200 attendees who sipped mimosas, hashbrowns, dined on delicious frittatas and waffles.

Swag bags with Fashion Fair items and must-have products from sponsor Strength of Nature were handed out and some lucky winners walked away with framed EBONY vintage covers that were placed on each table.

More images and video to come, but here are a few shots from the Women Up event.