Foundation honored five leaders, awarded $10,000 in scholarships, announced an additional $5,000 scholarship opportunity and secured new funding to support women entrepreneurs

CINCINNATI, Sept. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Sister Accord® Foundation brought together leaders, changemakers, artists and community advocates for “A Weekend of Sisterhood & Love,” a two-day celebration leading into the 13th annual Sister Accord® Day on August 31.

Founded by corporate leader and philanthropist Sonia Jackson Myles, The Sister Accord® Foundation is dedicated to changing how girls and women treat, support and interact with one another. The weekend brought that mission to life through leadership, service, education, entrepreneurship, music and community.

The celebration began Saturday, August 29, with the Foundation’s 36th Leadership Development Tea Party at Maketewah Country Club, featuring conversations focused on leadership, empowerment, service and wellbeing.

Five leaders were honored: Jonathan Butler, Grammy®-nominated singer, songwriter and guitarist; Courtis Fuller, Hall of Fame and multi-Emmy® Award-winning journalist; Patrick Lafley, Managing Partner & Co-Founder, Constellation Wealth Advisors; Commissioner Alicia Reece, Hamilton County Commission Vice President; and Amy B. Spiller, State President, Duke Energy Ohio and Kentucky.

Taylor Evans, a Cleveland Heights, Ohio native studying Middle Childhood Education at The Ohio State University, and Isley Mitchell, an Ohio State senior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Pharmaceutical Sciences, were named recipients of the Nella D. Jackson Memorial Scholarship, each receiving $5,000. Myles also announced an additional $5,000 scholarship opportunity for attendees.

Jean Freeman, Principal and CEO of Zambezi, announced a $50,000 donation to support the third cohort of The Sister Accord® Accelerator Program, launching later this year. Freeman and Myles will select seven women-owned businesses whose founders will receive coaching, mentorship and $10,000 business grants. Marchoe Dill Northern and Myles contributed an additional $10,000 each to support the program.

The Tea Party also featured a Duke Energy panel exploring the energy industry and the company’s commitment to delivering power to the community, along with a conversation with Goodwill about service and its work supporting communities. Butler capped the event with a special performance.

The celebration continued Saturday evening with Butler performing at The Ludlow Garage. On Sunday, August 30, Stokley, the Grammy®-nominated singer, songwriter and producer known as the lead vocalist of R&B group Mint Condition and for his solo career, took the stage at The Ludlow Garage to close out the weekend.

The weekend led into The Sister Accord® Day on August 31, officially declared by the City of Cincinnati in 2013. The Foundation encouraged people to perform a random act of kindness for a girl or woman, extending its message of sisterhood beyond Cincinnati.

“This weekend was absolutely extraordinary! To see so many incredible people come together in the spirit of sisterhood, love, leadership and service was incredibly powerful,” said Myles, Founder of The Sister Accord® Foundation. “The Sister Accord® has always been about what happens when we choose to lift one another up, and this weekend was a beautiful expression of that mission. I am so grateful to our honorees, partners, supporters and everyone who continues to believe in this work. Thirteen years after The Sister Accord® Day was first declared in Cincinnati, I am more inspired than ever about what we can accomplish together.”

Myles thanked the event’s sponsors, including Duke Energy, The Christ Hospital Health Network, bi3, Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries, Waymo, Porsche of The Village, Western & Southern Financial Group, Blockboard and Interact for Health.

Through its leadership, education and empowerment programs, The Sister Accord® Foundation has provided nearly half a million dollars in scholarships and business grants. Its YouTube content has generated more than 114 million views and 513 million impressions, extending its message globally.

About The Sister Accord® Foundation

Founded by corporate leader and philanthropist Sonia Jackson Myles, The Sister Accord® Foundation is dedicated to changing how girls and women treat, support and interact with one another. Through leadership development, education, scholarships, entrepreneurship programs and initiatives centered on sisterhood and empowerment, the Foundation gives girls and women the tools, resources and support they need to thrive.

For more information, visit TheSisterAccordFoundation.org.

Media contact:
Evan Andrews
Evan@Kempnercommunications.com
508.404.4068

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-sister-accord-foundation-celebrates-13th-annual-sister-accord-day-with-a-weekend-of-sisterhood-leadership-music-and-giving-302866813.html

SOURCE The Sister Accord Foundation