The Power of HER Presence.
A second showing of the exhibit celebrating the extraordinary achievements of Black women across Florida — women who were born in, lived in, or shaped the communities of this state. Fifty-six honorees, spanning medicine, education, the arts, public service and activism.
Two cities, one story.
The Power of HER Presence debuted in Orlando in January 2026 and travels to Jacksonville this October for a second showing at one of Florida’s most historic cultural venues.
Jacksonville
October 2026
The Ritz Theater and Museum
Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole
Anthropologist, educator and museum director
56 women, on the record.
- Chandra Adams, MD, MBA
- Kattie Adams (posthumous honoree)
- Thomasenia Lott Adams, PhD
- Roslyn Clark Artis, JD, EdD
- Hon. Aramis Ayala
- Mona Humphries Bailey (posthumous honoree)
- Rosalyn Sia Baker-Barnes, Esq.
- Mary McLeod Bethune, LHD, LLD (posthumous honoree)
- Joi Olivia Chaney, JD
- Johnnetta B. Cole, PhD
- Hon. Alexcia Cox
- Beverly Crawford
- Barbara Darby, EdD
- Sheila Kay Davis
- Kay Williams Dawson, DMin
- Tananarive Due
- Dorothy Jenkins Fields, PhD
- Edda Fields-Black, PhD
- Michelle Finn-Burrell
- Nikki Frenney
- Sybrina Fulton
- Brianna Grant
- GloZell Green
- Freddie Groomes-McLendon, PhD
- Fredara Hadley, PhD
- Edna Hargrett-Thrower (posthumous honoree)
- Shakira Henderson, PhD
- Bea Hines
- Mamie Webb Hixon
- Vivian L. Hobbs, PhD
- Zora Neale Hurston (posthumous honoree)
- Brenda Jackson
- Hon. LaShawnda K. Jackson
- Yolanda Cash Jackson, Esq.
- Senator Arthenia Joyner
- Alma Littles, MD
- Valencia Matthews, PhD
- Portia Maultsby, PhD
- Leanetta McNealy, PhD
- Barbara McNeely-Bouie, DWS
- Vickie Oldham, MFA
- Hon. Rhonda Peoples-Waters
- Akilah Jamila Pope, MD
- Tekoa Pouerie
- Justice Peggy Quince
- Hon. Meshon Rawls
- Trudie Kibbe Reed, EdD
- Hon. Alicia Peyton Robinson
- Senator Dr. Barbara Sharief
- Senator Geraldine Thompson (posthumous honoree)
- Paulette C. Walker, PhD (posthumous honoree)
- Norma Solomon White, DHL
- Congresswoman Frederica Wilson
- Hon. Monique Worrell
- Marie K. Young
- Kideste Yusef, PhD
* Posthumous honoree
Stand with this work.
Commitments and logo files are due by September 15, 2026 so that everything is ready for the opening.
Est. 1998 · 56 Community Stars honored to date
A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE, 1-800-435-7352, OR AT www.FloridaConsumerHelp.com. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. REGISTRATION NO. CH52520.