The energy at the 2026 Power Rising Summit is electric this week as hundreds of Black women leaders, organizers, and professionals gather in the heart of Chicago. The summit, which kicked off on April 15, features Former Vice President Kamala Harris, who joined the conversation to discuss the vital role Black women play in navigating today’s overlapping social and political challenges.

Harris’s presence underscores the summit’s mission: Ensuring that Black women remain at the forefront as the nation’s primary change agents.

A Convergence of Influence

A powerhouse lineup of speakers who are moving the needle across every sector have engaged in sessions and taken the main stage:

Political Trailblazers: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Illinois Lt. Governor and Senate candidate Juliana Stratton, and Congresswomen Lauren Underwood and Robin Kelly.

Advocacy Giants: Melanie Campbell, Glynda Carr, Tamika Mallory, and Alexis McGill Johnson are leading strategy sessions on civil rights and healthcare.

Cultural Architects: From the sharp political insights of Angela Rye and Donna Brazile to the legal and health advocacy of Star Jones, the collective wisdom in the room is unmatched.

Grammy Award-winning gospel artist Leandria Johnson‘s stirring performance serves as a reminder to attendees that spiritual wellness is a key component of the struggle.

Real-Time Strategy: Rooted and Rising

Under the 2026 theme, “Rooted and Rising: Whole Health, Whole Self,” the summit is currently tackling the “wholeness” of Black womanhood. Attendees are deep in workshops organized around five core pillars:

• Economic War Rooms: Entrepreneurs are currently discussing new research on overcoming DEI rollbacks and resisting economic displacement.
• The AI Frontier: A standing-room-only session is exploring the specific impact of artificial intelligence on Black communities—ensuring Black women are not just consumers of tech, but architects of it.
• Holistic Health: Panels are focusing on mental and emotional preservation as a radical act of political resistance.

The Power of the Convening

Founded out of the Congressional Black Caucus women’s retreat, Power Rising has transformed this week into a strategic hub for rebuilding. Led by Co-Convenors Rev. Leah Daughtry and Minyon Moore, the message echoing through the Chicago venue is clear: Black women are not just surviving; they are rooted, rising, and resolute.

As the summit continues through April 19, the focus remains on turning these high-level conversations into actionable power for families and communities nationwide.