3rd Annual Women in Sports Power Brunch & Awards an innovator at the intersection of lifestyle and athletic apparel, kicked off Super Bowl week in Los Angeles by celebrating the most powerful women in sports at the star-studded third annual event on Tuesday.
This year, four groundbreaking women were celebrated for their contributions to the industry including Vanessa Bryant, President of the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation, Be Your Own Champion Award Honoree presented by Champion; Natalie White, Senior Vice President, Los Angeles Sparks, Trailblazer Award Honoree presented by LPS Consulting PR; Denise White, CEO & Founder, EAG Sports Management, She-Mogul Award Honoree presented by National Football League; and Terri Hines, Executive Vice President, Communications, FOX Sports, Power of Spirit Award Honoree presented by CANTU.
Hosted by attorney and TV personality Eboni K. Williams, the event recognized and brought together leading women who have made an indelible mark in the sports industry. The power-packed room enjoyed a day filled with empowering speeches and panels, inspired conversations and networking with today’s sports, entertainment, and business industry leaders. Panels addressed topics such as deal making, diversity & inclusion and self care, while a reception sponsored by CANTU featured music by DJShai.
Attendees included actress Michole Briana White (Starz’s BMF), TV personality Sheree Zampino (RHOBH), actress Nicki Micheaux (NCIS: Los Angeles), TV personality Laura Govan (Basketball Wives LA), LA Sparks Head Coach and General Manager Derek Fisher, music artist Mali Music, Radio host and personality Jasmine Saunders (DL Hughley Show), young actresses Taylor Mosby (The Last OG), Daniele Lawson and Layla Crawford (King Richard), TV Sports host Taylor Rooks, NFL Running Back Coach Jennifer King, CBS Sports reporter Alicia Smith, Fox Sports TV & Radio Host Joy Taylor, and retired NFL player Ephraim Salaam.
Panelists included Maria Teza, Senior Vice President Champion North America, Hanesbrands; Josephine Martinez, Senior Director, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, NFL; Dr. China Jude, Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Denver Broncos; Tanesha Wade, Senior Vice President, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Chicago Bears; Jaia Thomas, Esq., Founder & CEO, Diverse Representation; Johnita P. Due, Senior Vice President, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, WarnerMedia News and Sports; Arielle Chambers, Founder, HighlightHER; Jacquelyn Dahl, CEO 1UP Sports Marketing; Kimberly Miale, General Counsel and NFL Agent, Roc Nation Sports; Dr. Angel Brutus, Associate Director of Mental Health, US Olympic & Paralympic Committee; Esé Ighedosa, Esq., Sports and Entertainment Attorney; and Jade-Li English, WNBA Agent & Marketer.
Created in 2019 by LaTonya Story, CEO of LPS Consulting PR, the event encourages and empowers women to thrive and excel in the sports industry and beyond. Growing in influence, the Sports Power Brunch has become a must-attend gathering, garnering national attention with coverage by Associated Press, The Hollywood Reporter and ABC News, among other key media outlets.
Story’s additional goal with the annual event is to support philanthropic organizations that help the community. This year, she donated $10,000 each to two nonprofits: the American Cancer Society, in loving memory of LaTonya’s son Sterling who succumbed to undiagnosed cancer at age 30, and A10tion Foundation, which helps develop student-athletes as leaders in the community through sports and education, headed by honoree Natalie White.
In addition to Champion, Sports Power Brunch sponsors include CANTU, National Football League, WarnerMedia, FOX Sports, NFLPA, Marcell Von Berlin, and Talley & Twine Watch Company.
Photos by: Earl Gibson
