Influential People

As the Executive Director of the Office of Engagement for Women, Jovida Hill focuses on addressing issues facing women in Philadelphia. She leads the Philadelphia Commission for Women, which promotes civic, educational and economic policies that enhance the lives of girls and women. Hill previously served as an administrator in Mayor Jim Kenney’s Office of Diversity & Inclusion.

After returning to school later in life, Aminata Sy, went all in. She began by pursuing a career in journalism. That led to her writing for publications such as The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Philadelphia Tribune and The Daily Pennsylvanian. Her stories focused on the African-American and African immigrant experience. In 2016, Sy interned at Philadelphia City Hall and wrote talking points for the mayor.

Dr. Akosua Ali-Sabree is a multifaceted leader who has built a successful wholistic health and wellness business. Dr. Ali-Sabree is president and chief executive officer of the Kuumba Family Institute, Inc., an organization that seeks to uplift the community by providing resources, vocational training, cultural, education and holistic health and wellness programs.

Councilwoman Jannie L. Blackwell is a seven-term representative of the 3rd District in the City Council of Philadelphia. She was elected to City Council in an historic election that saw her husband elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, the late Congressman Lucien E. Blackwell, on the same day that she was elected to City Council

Celebrating Philadelphia Region’s Women Of Influence

Sherri Darden has worked incredibly hard to get to her current position. After graduating from high school in 1987, she went to work for the Philadelphia Council for Neighborhood Organizations as a secretary/bookkeeper. During her time there, she became a young mother and went to work at the Defender’s Association where she worked for 29 years working her way up from clerk/typist to human resources manager. While there, she worked to advance the mission of providing criminal defense services to people who cannot afford legal representation. She worked behind the scenes to enable those on the frontlines to complete their daily work.

Sharon Booker uses her political platform to make democracy a reality in the lives of the underserved. Booker is concurrently serving a second term as a member of Sharon Hill Borough Council and the Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee and she is in her a first term on the executive committee of the Pennsylvania Democratic State Party.

Pamela J. Rich-Wheeler has served over 1,000 clients and currently serves on numerous business boards throughout Philadelphia. She is also a former president of the National Black MBA Association. Aside from her non-profit work, Rich-Wheeler previously owned and operated PJ Travel and Tours, a for-profit travel agency she sold after five years. Her latest venture is a youth entrepreneurship program that helps introduce young people to the world of business. She also founded an enterprise competition that provides women with coaching and seed capital to start-up their business.