Women of color find honor and self-empowerment at annual business awards

A distinguished group of women working in law firms, health care, philanthropy, finance, nonprofits, and small businesses were honored on May 19 at a business awards luncheon at the Minneapolis Depot.

Sheletta Brundidge, the owner of the podcasting platform and production company SHElettaMakesMeLaugh.com, was one of 55 inspiring female leaders recognized at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal’s 26th Annual Women in Business Awards. Brundidge’s humor and tenacity helped spark a tone for the afternoon.

When the mistress of ceremonies called Brundidge to the stage to present her with her award, she mispronounced her name, repeatedly calling her “She-LEE-ta.” So, Brundidge, a broadcaster, podcaster, and public speaker, seized the moment and plucked the microphone from the emcee’s hands, then proceeded to read her own introduction, including pronouncing her name correctly.

She began her acceptance speech not with words but by clapping. “I ain’t gonna let all these people celebrate me more than I celebrate me,” she said. “I didn’t just start clapping today when I got this award for being a Boss Lady. I was clapping for myself when I stepped out in faith and started my media company.”

Brudidge ignited the crowd with her speech that told the story of founding her podcasting platform and growing its success against long odds, interrupting herself with applause. The audience joined in. “I ain’t never gonna stop clapping,” she enthused. “Because it’s up to me to let you know how fabulous I am.”

She concluded by inviting “every lady here, whether you’re a CEO or a CEO’s assistant” to stand and join her in applauding themselves. “Because you’re a Boss Lady, too!”

Brundidge’s message of self-esteem resonated with other award winners. Honoree Shaunie Grigsby, owner, and founder of Flava Cafe, Frogtown’s first Black-owned coffee shop, used the first line of her speech to ad-lib her thanks to Brundidge for reminding her to congratulate herself.

This year, about one-third of the honorees selected by the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal were women of color. That’s a significant increase in representation over previous years.

This year’s Career Achievement honoree was Dr. Tonya Jackman Hampton, chief people and culture officer at Hennepin Healthcare. The granddaughter of Cecil E. Newman, the founder of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder newspaper, Jackman Hampton has had a long career in healthcare management.

Honoree Seena Hodges, who founded her company The Woke Coach, in 2018, was gratified to be in the presence of so many BIPOC female leaders. “This means the face of business is shifting and as the landscape changes, so will our ability to engage in work, [and] get loans for our businesses,” she said.

Hodges’ business helps corporate clients “move from being allies to accomplices” for equity and racial justice. “I would say the work I do is not rooted in recognition. Like Sheletta said, this work is bigger than me,” Hodges explained. “I consider myself to be on assignment if you will. It’s a thrill to be honored but any honor I receive provides visibility for the mission, which is creating equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist spaces, places, and circumstances.”

Honoree Chaz Sandifer also appreciated the public recognition for her work. The CEO and founder of health and wellness company theNEWmpls, Sandifer also hosts a weekly motivational podcast on the SHElettaMakesMeLaugh.com platform and is the only Black farmer’s market owner in the state of Minnesota.

“I’m beyond blessed but we’re not staying humble anymore. We belong here and it shows,” Sandifer said of the Business Journal award. “We are always grateful, but we need to celebrate ourselves and others.”

That’s a sentiment that Brundidge heartily endorses. “We can’t wait for someone to tell us ‘good job,’” she said. “My speech and my message were about saying, it’s up to us to tout our successes. Let’s not be shy.”