The call for nominations has opened once again for one of Detroit’s most anticipated honors. The Michigan Chronicle has announced that its 2026 Women of Excellence nominations are now live, marking the 19th year of the program that has consistently uplifted and spotlighted the brilliance of Black women across Michigan. What began nearly two decades ago as a recognition effort has grown into a cultural institution, affirming that the leadership and impact of Black women are integral to the progress of Detroit and beyond.
Each year, the Chronicle honors women who lead not only in business and community service but also in shaping the cultural and civic life of the region. The nominations invite the public to put forward women who embody excellence, resilience, and service—those whose work ripples through neighborhoods, classrooms, churches, boardrooms, and organizing tables. These honorees are more than high achievers in their respective fields; they are women whose commitment to advancing equity and opportunity reflects a deep care for community.
The tradition of honoring Black women through the Women of Excellence program carries particular weight in a city like Detroit. For generations, Black women have been the backbone of civic life here, often carrying double burdens—leading in households and workplaces while advocating for broader social change. In many ways, the program doesn’t just highlight individual excellence; it calls attention to a collective legacy of survival, innovation, and leadership. Each class of honorees builds on that story, reminding the broader public that Detroit’s progress is tied directly to the vision and labor of Black women.
The Chronicle’s platform has long been dedicated to amplifying the stories that mainstream outlets overlook, and the Women of Excellence awards are a natural extension of that mission. Past honorees have included CEOs, educators, judges, nonprofit leaders, political trailblazers, and entrepreneurs. Together, they represent the breadth of what leadership looks like in the 21st century. Their inclusion underscores the idea that excellence is not confined to one lane; it exists wherever women stand tall for their communities.
Nominations are not simply about prestige but about ensuring that deserving women receive acknowledgment from their city. Recognition matters, particularly in times when systemic inequities continue to weigh on women of color. These awards validate sacrifices made, investments in neighborhoods that might otherwise go unseen, and the countless hours poured into building institutions and opportunities for others. The program continues to create a record of history—an archive of who carried the mantle of leadership during each era.
In its 19th year, the Women of Excellence awards remind us that nearly two decades of honorees have laid a foundation that inspires younger generations. For young women in Detroit, to see women who look like them, share their neighborhoods, and face similar challenges be publicly celebrated sends a powerful message about possibility. Representation here is not symbolic—it is instructive. It teaches that leadership is within reach, that the work of transformation belongs to everyone, and that community is strongest when its leaders are lifted up, not left invisible.
The Chronicle’s commitment to sustaining this tradition year after year reflects both responsibility and foresight. At a time when national conversations about gender equity, racial justice, and economic opportunity continue to evolve, Detroit’s Women of Excellence program insists that local leadership deserves just as much recognition. By anchoring these awards in the lived experiences of Detroit women, the program bridges the local with the global, showing that excellence nurtured in this city has ripple effects far beyond its borders.
The call for nominations invites community members to reflect deeply on who deserves recognition this year. The answers are rarely limited to those already in positions of influence. They often include the teacher who mentors after hours, the small business owner who reinvests in her neighborhood, the activist who organizes tirelessly without the spotlight, and the professional who breaks barriers for others to follow. That wide lens is part of what has made the Women of Excellence program so enduring.
As the 19th class prepares to take shape, the Chronicle is again placing Detroit’s women at the center of the story. This annual moment is a community ritual of acknowledgment, reflection, and hope. It affirms that Detroit does not move forward without the brilliance of its women, and that honoring them is both a celebration and a responsibility. The 2026 nominations open the door for the next chapter in that legacy—one where the stories of women who lead, nurture, and build are carried forward with the respect and recognition they have long deserved.
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