LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 31: Gayle King attends the 68th GRAMMY Awards Pre-GRAMMY Gala & GRAMMY Salute to Industry Icons Honoring Avery Lipman & Monte Lipman on January 31, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for The Recording Academy) By Kimberly Wilson ·Updated March 2, 2026 Getting your Trinity Audio player ready…

Gyrl Wonder is stepping into a new chapter, and it is bringing some heavy hitters along to celebrate.

The national nonprofit, which has spent 11 years building pathways for young women of color between the ages of 17 and 23, will host its inaugural Women of Impact Gala on Monday, March 16th at the LVMH Magic Room in New York City. Les Alfred, founder and host of the podcast She’s So Lucky, will emcee the evening.

This year’s honorees are Gayle King, co-host of CBS Mornings and editor-at-large at Oprah Daily; beauty entrepreneur Danessa Myricks, founder and CEO of Danessa Myricks Beauty; and Asia Milia Ware, beauty editor at The Cut.

“The Women of Impact Gala represents the next chapter of Gyrl Wonder,” Lawal said. 

“As we celebrate 11 years, we are not only honoring women who have broken barriers — we are investing in ensuring the doors they’ve opened remain accessible for the next generation.”

The gala, sponsored by Legacy Partner belif Skincare, is Gyrl Wonder’s first major fundraising and recognition event. Founded by Tola Lawal, the organization has built its reputation through conferences, mentorship programs and leadership experiences that connect emerging young professionals with established industry figures.

King, whose journalism career has spanned decades, has long been one of the most recognizable Black women in broadcast news. Beyond her work at the anchor desk, she has been a visible presence in conversations about representation and mentorship in media, and has conducted some of the most talked-about interviews in recent memory.

Myricks built her brand from the ground up, going from self-taught makeup artist to founder of a globally recognized beauty company celebrated for its inclusivity and innovation. Her product development has consistently centered women of all skin tones, and her success has made her a reference point for what ownership in the beauty industry can look like for women of color.

Ware has used her platform at The Cut to center underrepresented voices and expand what beauty journalism covers and who it speaks to. Her editorial work sits at the intersection of beauty, identity and culture, and she has been deliberate about amplifying founders and creatives who might otherwise go overlooked.

The evening will gather leaders from across media, beauty, sports, culture and philanthropy. For the hundreds of young women who have come through Gyrl Wonder over the past 11 years, it has been a long time coming.

The Women of Impact Gala takes place March 16th in New York City.

The post Gyrl Wonder’s Inaugural Women Of Impact Gala Will Honor Gayle King, Danessa Myricks And Asia Milia Ware appeared first on Essence.

Author: Kimberly Wilson

Read the original article on Essence.