Philadelphia – Empowered Flower Girl

Rasheda Kamaria Williams, a Detroit-area social entrepreneur, has been selected as one of three national recipients of the PCMA Foundation’s 2026 Humanitarian Scholarship, in partnership with Louisville Tourism.

The PCMA Foundation and Louisville Tourism believe deeply in the power of compassion and humanitarianism to drive meaningful change across the business events industry. Inspired by Louisville’s designation as a “Compassionate City,” the Humanitarian Scholarship honors professionals who lead or develop initiatives centered on Inclusion, Empowerment, Social Innovation, and/or Cause Awareness.

As a recognized social impact leader, Rasheda will attend Convening Leaders 2026 in Philadelphia (Jan. 11-14), where she will engage with industry peers, expand her leadership capacity and continue advocating for purpose-driven work across sectors.

In honor of National Mentoring Month, Rasheda is paying it forward with a $1,000 donation to The L.I.V.E. Outreach, a Detroit-based nonprofit organization that provides essential resources and support to youth in foster care and their families. The donation is one of the many benefits of the Humanitarian Scholarship.

“This recognition is incredibly meaningful and personal,” Rasheda said. “I am honored to be recognized for my work and excited to be a part of such a powerhouse association.”

Rasheda is the CEO of Inspired Life Professionals, as well as a mentoring advocate and founder of Empowered Flower Girl, a social enterprise on a mission to transform the way young people relate to one another, others and themselves. Learn more about her work at www.inspiredlifepros.com.

Thirteen-year-old Aleemah Lanier is an anti-bullying advocate and author making waves with her message of kindness and resilience. She was recently featured on a CBS Philadelphia news segment and in Metro Kids magazine where she shared her inspiring journey which began after experiencing bullying at her new school.

Nationally, 1 in 5 students aged 12 to 18 face bullying each year, highlighting the need for strong support systems and resources for them.

Determined to make a difference, Aleemah co-wrote the book “Let’s Help the Bullying” with her mom, Edwena, offering valuable lessons on conflict resolution and positive thinking. The book, which also comes as an interactive coloring book, is designed to engage youth in understanding and combating bullying.

Aleemah’s advocacy doesn’t stop there. She, her mom and her sister all actively participate in and facilitate various impact initiatives, including a girls’ mentoring group. This dynamic trio is dedicated to uplifting youth in their community and spreading awareness about the importance of kindness and empathy.

As the school year begins, Aleemah’s message is more timely than ever. She wants to inspire other children and teens to be brave, stand up against bullying, and treat each other with compassion.

Aleemah’s aspirations extend beyond her advocacy work; she also dreams of becoming a doctor.

We are excited to watch her journey unfold and can’t wait to see the incredible impact she’ll continue to make. Aleemah truly embodies the spirit of being emPOWERed, and we’re honored to highlight her story.

Learn more about the Let’s Help the Bully movement via Instagram.