“If you educate a man, you educate an individual. But if you educate a woman, you educate a nation.”

The exact origins of this timeless quote are debatable. However what isn’t up for debate is the fact that Queens, New York Councilwoman Selvena Brooks-Powers not only understands the profound words of this quote, she also lives them.

The politician, wife and mom is a lifelong Queens resident. Long before the first-generation Jamaican began serving the 31st District of the borough as a Councilwoman, she lived, played and was educated in the Southeast area of Queens. A proud HBCU graduate (Wilberforce University) and member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Brooks-Powers genuinely values community.

That love for community encouraged the petite powerhouse to embark on an ambitious task to have a women’s conference in her hometown. On Saturday, September 19, 2026 at the Black Spectrum Theatre in Jamaica (Queens), NY, the inaugural The Outlook for Women in 2026 Women’s Conference took place. Under the direction of the New York City Council Member, hundreds of women gathered in the historic Southeast Queens venue to enjoy informative panel discussions, network with other like-minded women and even partake in a tasty (and nutritious) lunch.

“The vision for this conference was really about creating the kind of space I wanted women in my community to have — a place where we could come together, have honest conversations about what we’re navigating, learn from one another, and simply pour back into ourselves. What started as an idea for a few dozen women grew into hundreds, and seeing that room filled with so much energy, joy, and sisterhood was incredibly rewarding,” explains Brooks-Powers. “We were intentional about every detail of this conference, and seeing women embrace it the way they did affirmed why creating these opportunities close to home matters. Women in Southeast Queens should not have to leave their community to access powerful conversations, resources, and connections — we can and should create those spaces at home whenever possible.”

Media personality of Conversations on The Block – 94.7 THE BLOCK Patricia Robinson hosted the empowering conference. Featured panelists included a bevy of talented and accomplished women across the fields of wellness, medicine, politics, workforce development and more like Director of the New York University McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research Rose Pierre-Loius, Queens native and obstetrician and gynecologist Sergelyne Cadet-Valeus, MD and Nontraditional Employment of Women (NEW) President Leah Rambo.

Panel discussion topics included a timely conversation around career entitled, “Working Twice as Hard is Not a Strategy” and an enlightening dialogue centered around women’s health called, “Why is Half of the Population Still an Afterthought?” The conference closed with a trio of Black women political heavyweights. New York City Chief Equity Officer and Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Equity and Racial Justice, Afua Atta-Mensah and bestselling author and social justice activist, Tamika D. Mallory, joined Brooks-Powers in a robust conversation themed, “Elected. Now Deliver.”

LaToya Stone, certified life coach and CEO of REAL Wellness, served on the conference planning committee and treated attendees to an unexpected but welcoming body moving breakout session. Stone offered this feedback on the day, “I had the opportunity to help shape conversation around what women in our community need right now and then bring wellness into that conversation in a tangible way. Leading the wellness break was right up my alley! I had women moving, tapping and breathing; creating space to increase circulation, release those ‘happy hormones’ and be fully present for everything the conference had to offer. As a Queens girl, there was something incredibly special about doing this work in my own backyard.”

Tamika D. Mallory shares this sentiment. “I’ve been organizing for a long time, and one thing I know is that information is important, but information without action only gets us so far. What I appreciated about this conference was that women weren’t just being talked to — they were being challenged to think about where they have power and how they can use it. Whether you are an elected official, a mother, a business owner, or somebody who has never considered yourself an activist, you have a role to play. We need more opportunities that help women recognize that.”

Attendees were fed in multiple ways during the conference: mind, soul and yes body too! A delicious lunch was catered by the Black and woman owned Queens eatery, The Nourish Spot. After eating, they were able to shop as local vendors were on hand selling collectibles such as scented candles and novelty jewelry. Mallory was also in the room signing copies of her books and snapping pictures with supporters.

Black Spectrum Theatre Director and Queens native and conference committee advisor Vanessa Caesar adds, “The Outlook for Women in 2026: Women’s Conference was deeply rewarding, especially with the Black Spectrum Theatre providing an empowering space to host such critical conversations. Bringing our community together to tackle civic engagement, health equity and workplace justice left me inspired by the energy of our collective power to drive real change in Southeast Queens and beyond.”

Sponsors for the conference included BlaQue, Airbnb, A New JFK and Resorts World. When asked if she intends to make this conference an annual affair, Brooks-Powers responds like a true activist, leader and changemaker.

“Women were asking about next year before we had even wrapped up this year’s conference, which told me everything I needed to know about the impact of what we created. I hope to make this a regular gathering throughout my time in the City Council and continue building on it each year based on what women in our community tell us they need. Ultimately, I would love to see the spirit of this conference continue well beyond my time in office. Women deserve spaces close to home where they can be informed and empowered.”

Author: Bridgette Bartlett Royall

Read the original article on Essence.