Congratulations to these eight extraordinary women whose strength, vision, leadership, and generosity have made a lasting impact on the Fort Worth community. Their remarkable contributions exemplify the spirit, values, and mission of our organization.
Known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” Ms. Opal Lee was present on June 17, 2021, when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act bill that established June 19 or “Juneteenth” a federal holiday. Ms. Lee said on that day, “Now we can celebrate freedom from the 19th of June to the 4th of July!”
Opal Lee was born in Marshal, Texas, in 1926 and moved to Fort Worth, Texas, in 1937. At the age of 12, her family’s home was destroyed on June 19, 1939, but she nor her family allowed that to deter them from making an impact in the community. She has served on many boards and with many organizations, including Citizens Concerned with Human Dignity (CCHD), Habitat for Humanity, and the Tarrant County Black Historical & Genealogical Society dedicated to preserving the history of the Fort Worth Black populace. During her tenure as Chairman of the Community Food Bank, the organization received the 1.3-million-dollar 33,000 sq. ft. facility that now serves 500 families a day.
Ms. Lee is the oldest living board member of the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF) a national movement started by the late Dr. Ronald Myers to have Juneteenth declared a National Holiday. At 90 years of age, she started her walking campaign from Fort Worth, TX, to Washington, DC, to bring awareness to the need for celebrating Juneteenth nationally. She walked 2.5 miles in cities all across the country to represent the 2.5 years it took after Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation for enforcement to reach Texas to free the enslaved. In 2019, she launched an online petition campaign that garnered over 1.6 million signatures to continue the crusade for holiday observance.
Ms. Opal currently serves on the board of Unity Unlimited, Inc. and Transform 1012 N. Main Street and is the Honorary Chair of the National Juneteenth Museum. She has received seven honorary doctorates, has been named 2021 Texan of the Year by the Dallas Morning News editorial board, the 2021 Unsung Hero of the Pandemic, Fort Worth Inc.’s 2022 Person of the Year, is a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, and a Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient. She is the second African American to have her portrait hung in the Texas State Senate.
Jill Darden was a respected journalist, publisher, entrepreneur, and community advocate whose lifelong commitment to storytelling helped shape the voice of Fort Worth's African American community. As the founder and publisher of Fort Worth Black News, she spent nearly three decades ensuring that the achievements, challenges, and experiences of Black residents were accurately represented and celebrated. Her dedication to community journalism earned her widespread recognition as one of Fort Worth's most influential media leaders.
In 1997, at just 23 years old, Darden founded Fort Worth Black News alongside her mother, Chris Lott. Recognizing a lack of media coverage focused on the local Black community, she created a publication dedicated to informing, inspiring, and empowering readers. Under her leadership, the newspaper became a trusted source for community news, highlighting local businesses, schools, churches, civic organizations, and individuals whose stories were often overlooked by mainstream media.
A graduate of The University of Texas at Arlington, Darden earned a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism. While attending UTA, she became the first African American woman to be crowned Miss UTA. Her career expanded beyond print journalism to include television production, public speaking, marketing, and community engagement.
Throughout her career, Darden interviewed numerous national and local leaders, including Oprah Winfrey, while remaining committed to telling the stories of everyday people making extraordinary contributions to their communities. She believed that journalism should not only report challenges but also offer hope and inspire solutions.
Her many honors included the Quest for Success Award from the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce (2011), Outstanding Woman of the Year from the Tarrant County Minority Leaders & Citizens Council (2013), the Eagle Award for Outstanding Media from the Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce, recognition by Tarrant County Commissioner Roy Charles Brooks for 20 years of community service (2017), the Bigger and Better Business Award from Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity (2019), and numerous additional awards recognizing her leadership in journalism and entrepreneurship.
Beyond publishing, Darden was an active civic leader who believed journalism should strengthen communities by preserving history, celebrating achievement, and encouraging civic engagement. Through Fort Worth Black News, she provided a platform for voices that might otherwise have gone unheard while documenting the rich cultural and historical legacy of Fort Worth's Black community.
Jill Darden passed away in April 2026 at the age of 52, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of service, leadership, and community storytelling. She is survived by her son, Jiles, and by countless readers, colleagues, and community members inspired by her unwavering commitment to truthful journalism and community empowerment. Her vision continues through the publication she founded and the lives she touched across Fort Worth.
Sharon Douglas is the Owner and CEO of Potere Construction LLC, a Fort Worth, Texas-based construction company specializing in heavy highway, infrastructure, commercial concrete, and transportation projects. With more than 25 years of leadership and construction experience, she has successfully transformed Potere Construction from a small construction cleaning business into a respected self-performing contractor and general contractor serving public and private clients throughout Texas.
Sharon began her professional career in the United States Army after earning a degree in Business Administration and completing Military Science studies at The University of Texas at Austin. She was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and served on active duty before continuing her military career in the Army Reserve, ultimately achieving the rank of Captain. Her military service developed leadership, discipline, logistics, and operational management skills that later became the foundation of her business success.
Applying the values learned through military service, Sharon built Potere Construction into an award-winning firm recognized for quality, safety, integrity, and community impact. Under her leadership, the company has participated in major transportation, infrastructure, and commercial construction projects while creating opportunities for workforce development and small business growth. She has received numerous honors, including the Texas Legislative Black Caucus Outstanding Texas Award, Black Chamber Businesswoman of the Year and Legend Award, Luna Construction Firm of the Year Award, and the Texas Governor’s Award for her contributions to business and the construction industry.
Today, Sharon is recognized as a leader in the construction industry, an advocate for small and minority-owned businesses, and a mentor dedicated to building stronger communities through construction excellence and economic opportunity.
Shlonda Manigo serves as Vice President of Community Outreach at Encore Bank and brings 29 years of banking experience to her role. Her banking career began in customer service, providing a strong foundation for a profession dedicated to relationship building, financial education, and community impact. Over the course of her career, she has spent 18 years in bank management, with extensive experience in business development and community engagement.
A native of Shreveport, Louisiana, Shlonda developed a strong commitment to service through her active involvement in her church and local community. She has called the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex home for the past 29 years, where she has continued to invest in the growth and well-being of individuals, families, and businesses.
Community service is at the heart of Shlonda’s professional and personal mission. In addition to helping lead Encore Bank’s Community Outreach Team, she is passionate about supporting minority customers as they navigate the homebuying process and pursue small business financing opportunities. Her goal is to ensure that individuals and business owners have access to the knowledge, resources, and guidance needed to achieve financial success.
Shlonda is actively involved in the community through volunteer service, community events, and participation on committees supporting nonprofit organizations. She is committed to meeting people where they are and sharing her expertise to help bridge financial knowledge gaps. Through her work, she strives to expand financial literacy and increase access to banking resources for underserved communities.
Her dedication to service and community empowerment has earned her several awards and recognitions for her contributions and impact throughout the years.
Outside of her professional and community commitments, Shlonda values family above all. She has been married to her husband, Jeff, for 28 years. Together they have two children, Jaylon and Simone, and are proud grandparents to Kassidy and Jaxton.
Shlonda’s passion for community outreach, financial empowerment, and relationship building continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those she serves.
Dr. Gwendolyn Caldwell Morrison is a distinguished educator, civic leader, and higher education trustee whose decades of service have made her one of Fort Worth's most respected public servants. She has dedicated more than 50 years to advancing education, workforce development, and community engagement throughout North Texas.
Dr. Morrison was first elected to the Board of Trustees of the Tarrant County College (TCC) District in 1976 and represents District 6, which includes East and Southeast Fort Worth, Forest Hill, Everman, and portions of Southwest Fort Worth. Her tenure is among the longest of any elected community college trustee in Texas. During her leadership, TCC has grown into one of the nation's largest community college systems, serving nearly 100,000 students annually through multiple campuses and online programs. She has been a tireless advocate for affordable higher education, workforce training, and expanding educational opportunities for all residents.
A lifelong educator, Dr. Morrison began her career in the Palestine Independent School District before serving in both the Dallas Independent School District and the Fort Worth Independent School District. Throughout her educational career, she held numerous leadership positions, including directing teacher certification, personnel, and employee staffing programs. She has also provided educational consulting and leadership development to organizations committed to improving educational outcomes and diversity initiatives.
Educational accomplishments include: Bachelor’s Degree – Stephen F. Austin State University; Master’s Degree – Stephen F. Austin State University; Master of Business Administration (MBA) – Texas Woman’s University; Doctorate (Ph.D.) – Texas Woman’s University; Graduate studies in Aging/Gerontology – University of North Texas.
Beyond education, Dr. Morrison co-founded the Greater Fort Worth Area Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club in 1975 and served as its first president. She has served on numerous boards and commissions, including the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, the Governor’s Commission for Women, Community Hospice of Texas, the Community Food Bank of Fort Worth, and the Tarrant County Black Historical and Genealogical Society. She has also held leadership roles with the National Alliance of Black School Educators and the Texas Alliance of Black School Educators.
Among her many honors are recognition by the City of Fort Worth for 50 years of public service and educational leadership (2026), designation as an Outstanding Texan by the Texas Legislative Black Caucus for House District 95, recognition as a Great Woman of Texas by the Fort Worth Business Press, and numerous additional awards for educational and community leadership.
Known for her philosophy of engaging the community, Dr. Morrison has consistently worked to connect educational institutions with neighborhoods, businesses, churches, and civic organizations. Her vision has helped make Tarrant County College not only a place of learning but also a vital community partner serving students of all ages and backgrounds.
Dr. Morrison and her husband, Rev. Dr. Ben A. Morrison, are longtime members of Baker Chapel AME Church in Fort Worth. Together they have been active in ministry, education, and community service for many years.
Mia Moss, the owner of Black Coffee, grew up on the east side of Fort Worth, attended public schools in the Fort Worth district, and attended the University of Texas at Arlington. Her first job out of high school was with Seattle’s Best Coffee in the airport. She fell in love with coffee, but realized that grabbing coffee in her neighborhood wasn’t an option. She wanted to make that possible for her neighbors, for her community. Mia studied under Bellissimo Coffee Advisors in Portland, OR, and Black Coffee was created. Black Coffee is a coffee shop located on the east side of Fort Worth, TX. Black Coffee prepares traditional coffee beverages to the highest standards and serves those beverages in a community that has been overlooked when it comes to the growth and expansion of Fort Worth.
Black Coffee prides itself in being the first black-owned coffee shop in Fort Worth and having the privilege to serve the east side which historically has been a predominantly African American/Hispanic community. The goal is to enrich the community and provide a needed service to a neglected part of the city. Our products are sourced with that goal in mind. Our “made-to-order” coffee beverages, utilizing different brewing techniques, and focus on educating our customers on how to brew coffees. Our custom coffee blends are named after the community we love. The Eastsider Blend is our medium roast. It was affectionately named after the side of town where the coffee shop is located. The Poly Blend is our darker roast, and it is the direct neighborhood in which we serve, Polytechnic Heights.
A prominent civil rights leader, Estella L. Williams has more than 30 years of experience with businesses, professional organizations, tribal Indian nations including the creation of national leadership development of civil rights educational programs and developing community involvement strategies.
Her expertise in developing partnerships, policies and procedures was most essential and effective in locations such as the U.S. Territory of Guam, and throughout the United States to include Hawaii and Puerto Rico. A major assignment that is effective even today was co-authoring sections of policies and procedures contained in the famous “HIPPA” Law.
As a former Washington, DC, National Civil Rights Director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture for more than seven years, retiring after thirty-eight years, Estella’s work assignments required traveling extensively throughout the United States to provide guidance and leadership to government agency management to ensure that policy and program of nondiscrimination, affirmative action and program compliance was adhered to. She also analyzed and made major decisions regarding workforce strategic plans to determine the civil impacts with respect to the broad program effects and potential changes affecting employees.
Add Estella's educational background with Dale Carnegie, Texas Christian University, Toastmasters and extensive work experience and you have the formula for a person who believes that you are required to work diligently to make a difference in society because of those who worked hard for you. She spends her time as a public speaker, trainer, mentor and most of all using skills to help transform and empower the spirit of persons with low self-esteem and low self-determination. She is a certified and licensed Mediator and Investigator.
Estella has been a member of the NAACP since the age of nine years old and was elected in 2017 to serve as President of the Fort Worth/Tarrant County Branch. She is the first female President in its ninety-two-year-old history. She is a dedicated volunteer with the Jeremiah Food Pantry and is a committed volunteer for various other organizations.
Estella is the widow of James Williams, mother of one son, Loren Williams, one daughter, Dr. Monica Williams-Garrett (Michael) and one Grand Gift (granddaughter), twelve year old Morgan Elise Garrett.
Lonnetta Wilson is a social worker, public health leader, and HIV advocate dedicated to advancing health equity and strengthening systems of care for people impacted by HIV. With extensive experience leading regional HIV initiatives, developing community-centered strategies, and fostering cross-sector partnerships, she has built a career at the intersection of public health, policy, and community engagement.
As a collaborative leader, Lonnetta works alongside healthcare providers, community-based organizations, government agencies, and people with lived experience to improve access to care, strengthen retention and re-engagement efforts, and advance innovative approaches that reduce disparities across the HIV continuum. She is recognized for her ability to bridge relationships, translate community needs into actionable strategies, and bring diverse stakeholders together to create lasting impact.
A passionate advocate for inclusive, stigma-free care, Lonnetta believes every person deserves access to high-quality HIV services regardless of race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. Her work is deeply rooted in honoring her brother’s legacy and fueled by a commitment to ensuring that no one experiences shame or barriers when seeking care.
Outside of her professional work, Lonnetta is a proud mother of three who enjoys reading, road trips, meaningful conversations, and creating lifelong memories with her children.
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