SISTERS SAVING OURSELVES NOW IS IN THE NEWS!
By Genea L . Webb
For the fourth year, the glamorous Lemont Restaurant provided a beautiful backdrop for annual Black Women Community Leadership Award given by Sisters Saving Ourselves Now.
Some of the Steel City’s most influential tastemakers were in attendance to be honored for the leadership and legacy they have given and continue to unselfishly provide to their communities and beyond.
“Our honorees represent the very essence of courage, compassion and community impact. Through their dedication, they have broken barriers, built bridges and created pathways for others to follow. Their stories remind us that leadership is not just about position, but about purpose—and the willingness to serve others with integrity and love,” explained Rev. Dr, Judith Campbell Moore, founder and CEO of Sisters Saving Ourselves Now.
The 2026 honorees were:
Soleil Meade, Dr. Saloam Bey, Karen Rollins Fitch, Yvonne Wood Rainey, Denise Sinkler,Tanisha Crunkleton Hunt, Roxanne Norman Sewell, Rev. Dr. Lawana L. Butler, Vickie Coakley-Thornton, Dawndra Jones.
“Sisters Saving Ourselves Now is about community and the great things that Black women can do in the community,” explained Denise Sinkler, CEO /founder of McKeesport HBCU Vision ( an initiative that was started in 2023 that empowers Mckeesport students to pursue excellence at esteemed HBCU’s)and a Clark Atlanta University Alumna who is dedicated creating opportunities for HBCU students). “There is so much work that still needs to be done. We will continue only if we are the greater example.”
Fellow awardee Yvonne Wood Rainey concurred.
“This is about unity, sisterhood and passion. The passion is real and so is the dedication. In our journey in this life, we have to be a part of the change. When God gives you an assignment, you have to answer. Sisterhood is a strong prescription and we all need our prescriptions filled, it’s an honor to be among such beautiful sisters in the body of Christ,” explained Rainey who dedicated her career to education and advocacy. She served on the Board of Directors for Healthy Start, Inc, as Outreach Coordinator for the Family Health Council. “ Dr. Moore is awesome and dedicated. Her dedication is real. It comes from the heart. She’s my shero. You don’t meet many people like that.”
Sisters Saving Ourselves Now member, Pauline Callaway Long, was happy to see so many of Pittsburgh’s unsung heroes receiving their accolades at this year’s ceremony.
“It’s fantastic that she honors exemplary people that I didn’t know existed. There are a lot of places that honor people and she picks out the unknown people to get honored and that’s great. I like Sisters Saving Ourselves Now and the Black Women’s Roundtable and what they stand for.”
Community Worker and Activist Will Thompkins attended the event to support a friend who was being recognized and for his admiration of the Black female.
“”Black women have been a stalwart in the Black community for centuries. Thompkins said. “Especially with them being under attack by those who don’t look like them. I’ll stand by them in service for as long as our creator allows me to serve.”
Kathy and Russell Bynum, of Bynums Marketing & Communications, Inc.,who designed the programs for the this year’s event were glad to be a part of it.
“We love Sisters Saving Ourselves Now’s motto: Never too busy to help a sister and the idea of people building themselves up.,” Russell Bynum said, “If things are going to get better in society, we have to support and celebrate each other and have each others back.”
Kathy Bynum acquiesced.
“Ever since we’ve known Dr. Moore she’s been doing great things. She’s celebrating these honorees and I’m glad to be celebrating with her. I like the focus on women getting together to make change.”
Uplifting the lives of those around her is what Soleil Meade has made her life’s mission. As the CEO and Founder of the award-winning branding and design agency, Soleil Branding Essentials, she aims to revolutionize the vision, identity and legacy of every business, organization and community served through graphic design, web design, brand management, coaching and marketing. She was excited to be one of the 2026 Community Engagement Award winners.
“I feel seen by someone who’s doing the work. I feel honored, blessed and privileged to be honored,” Meade said. “I’m familiar with what Sisters Saving Ourselves Now has done so far. I’ve watched them be our voice against policy and poverty and their impact will continue to grow.”
Vickie Coakley-Thornton agreed with her fellow awardee.
“When I think about leadership, service, sacrifice and staying committed, I know we have to continue the journey no matter what happens. Even when it’s not easy. Use your creativity. Don’t let it sit. Don’t get stuck. Whatever you are supposed to be doing, get to doing it. Do not give up because God has a calling on your life. Don’t sit down on what God has for you,” said Coakley-Thornton, founder of Journey to Freedom. Through this ministry, she has led outreach efforts both locally and internationally, including years of ongoing service in Kenya where she and her team have supported communities through medical clinics, prison visits and providing critical supplies to hospitals in need. She holds a Master’s degree from Carlow University and is a graduate of Hartey Bible School.
Being given this year’s leadership award motivated Rev.Dr. Lawana L. Butler to continue working to help others. The McKeesport native holds a doctorate in philosophy and Community Engagement from Point Park University,Masters Degrees in Counseling Psychology and Business Administration.
“Every step and blessing has been guided by God’s hand. Leadership is about lifting others up and this recognition reflects our shared commitment. I’m inspired to continue working in dedication and purpose,” Butler said.
Sponsors for the 2026 Black Women Community Leadership Award included Highmark Wholecare, UPMC and , Black Women’s Roundtable and The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation.
