Meet Supreme Court Nominee: Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson

IBWPPI supports the appointment of Ketanji Brown Jackson to the US Supreme Court.

Born in Washington, DC, and raised in Florida, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson has had a distinguished career as an attorney and jurist. She was confirmed three times by the U.S. Senate with bipartisan support. She served for eight and a half years on the United States District Court for the District of Columbia and was confirmed to the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit in 2021. Her record as a judge demonstrates that she is a fair, impartial jurist with a clear commitment to protecting the constitutional rights of all people. Before her time as a federal judge, Judge Jackson’s experience included service on the U.S. Sentencing Commission and in the District of Columbia’s Office of the Federal Public Defender.

There is no better time than right now to unite our voices and uplift a Black woman with the potential of making HER-story for us all. We all are behind you Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson!

Meet the Chairperson of the Board

The International Black women’s Public Policy Institute is proud to welcome Katherine B. Smith, JP, as the third Chairperson of the Board since its beginning in 2009. Madam Chair served for two years as an advisor to the organization and is prepared to lead our distinguished Board of 19 women representing 8 countries and 11 major cities in the US. Her credentials are impeccable and her passion for the core issues that IBWPPI addresses gives us confidence that we will soar under her leadership of the Board. Together, she and President and CEO, Barbara A. Perkins will lead the organization in successfully achieving the goals to change lives globally.

Katherine Smith has worked in various capacities in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas for over three decades. She has served in the Senate of The Bahamas; represented The Bahamas as its first Consul General for the Southeastern United States; and is a former Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister. Katherine has also held senior management positions in the private sector, in the areas of Corporate Affairs; Public Relations and Marketing; Communications; and Business and Economic Development.

11th Annual Black Women’s Roundtable Summit in Washington, D.C.

by Taylor Newkirk, IBWPPI Policy Fellow

“Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher.” – Oprah Winfrey

This past week, I had the honor of attending the 11^th Annual Black Women’s Roundtable Women of Power Summit. These days were full of empowerment and collaboration among Black women from across the country. We were addressed by phenomenal leaders like US Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Marcia L. Fudge and US Assistant Attorney General, Kristen Clarke. Listening to the tolling experiences that many renowned Black women have gone through to make it to the positions they occupy encourages me to keep faith in my personal process but to never forget the importance of Sisterhood in it all.

The highlight of my experience was meeting Prince George’s County Executive, Angela Alsobrooks (pictured above). It was inspiring to see so many women touched by someone who is from where I am from and who understands the environment and conditions that primed me into who I am today. I also had the opportunity to meet the Director of Community Partnerships in PG County Public Schools, Barbara Holt Streeter, who spoke profound words over my life and encouraged me to become more engaged with our locality under her wing. Of course, I cannot forget to mention our congregation at the US Supreme Court on behalf of Katanji Brown Jackson.

I do not know where this experience will take me, but I now know that I am supported by Black women of all ages in the journey. This conference was only the beginning for me and, with God’s blessing, not even the peak of what I will be able to experience. I thank President Perkins for encouraging me to attend and for introducing me to such prestigious women. This experience will live in me for years to come.

Meeting with the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women

The International Black Women’s Public Policy Institute and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. teamed up for the third year to present a powerful session during the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women CSW66 Forum Parallel Event on Friday, March 18th, 2022. Women joined this event by zoom where presenters included our very on Chairwoman, Katherine Smith, Director Rhonda Glover Reese, and Director, Coralie Adderley. Opening the event were Presidents Liberty of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority and President Perkins of IBWPPI. The distinguished list of panelists did an excellent job. Stay tuned for part II.

Message to Membership

IBWPPI invites you to either join or renew your annual membership with us as we begin the New Year. Join as a new member or renew your membership online.

Even in the midst of a two-year Pandemic, IBWPPI has not faltered in our mission to connect and advocate for Black women globally through our programs and initiatives. We have continued our support of the Cordelia-Sutherland Birthing Center in Ghana, the Sunday Girls, the Reading Room Initiatives, and our Boots on the Ground projects. Your membership is vital to the success of all these programs and so much more.

I would like to personally invite you to renew your membership today.

Thanks from your Membership Director, Kathlyn Adams Seay

Why Join IBWPPI?

IBWPPI started in 2009 in the spirit of global unity and sisterhood. Our mission is to connect and advocate for Black women globally through acts of kindness and public policy. We thank our members and ask that you continue your support of IBWPPI and ask others to join us.

Join IBWPPI