A firm believer in the power of one person to make a difference in the lives of many, in 2007 Norka Blackman-Richards founded 4 Real Women International, Inc. (4RWI), a small 501 [c] 3, non-profit organization dedicated to empowering women to reach for and develop their highest potential. Through 4RWI, her ability to observe women’s lives broadened greatly and brought her to a glaring conclusion: the issues of women are universal. In spite of the many strides that women have made as a group, she realized that so much more is expected of women today - but in this sea of great expectations, where can the ordinary woman go who does not have the exposure, finances or the connections? Where can she find and develop the necessary skills to become the best of herself? In 2009, with limited personal funds and the unrelenting assistance and support from a diverse group of professional women [who willingly volunteer their time and skills pro-bono], Blackman-Richards initiated 4RWI’s first Leadership program for women called LEAD! (Leadership, Empowerment, And Determination) in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. LEAD! started with 45 women who, after graduating the first year, requested that Blackman-Richards create a second level so that they could come back for a second year. Thanks to the enthusiasm from the community, and eagerness of the women in the program to grow, it has evolved into The Leadership Academy 4 Women: LEAD! - and now offers three levels. • Level 1 is designed for women to build on team building skills • Level 2 focuses on building mentoring and coaching skills • Level 3 builds on organizational, workshop facilitating and public speaking skills. A eight- to ten-week program that meets for 5 hours each Sunday during the summer, LEAD! offers a full range of dynamic workshops on contemporary topics, provides multiple networking and one-on-one opportunities with professional women, gives exposure to the diversity of women’s experiences and opinions, and offers academic and career mentoring. The entire program is centered on self-growth and the claiming of leadership and responsibility for the direction of each woman’s life. The Leadership Academy’s number of participants has continued to grow each year, and accordingly, Blackman-Richards has made sure that the program’s offerings have also expanded. LEAD! also exposes the participants to a variety of guest speakers, who address the women in a special ‘General Assembly’, providing the LEAD! members with the opportunity to network and speak one-on-one with industry leaders and managers. For her ability to recognize that women today truly need to pursue their own individual quest for leadership, and taking the considerable time and effort to reach out to women - especially those who lack the resources and exposure – I nominate Norka Blackman-Richards for her vision and continued facilitation of LEAD!, helping each woman to become a leader in her own right. 4 Real Women International, Inc. website: www.4rwi.org