This Women’s History Month, a powerful celebration of leadership, legacy, and cultural excellence returns to the DMV.
On Sunday, March 22, 2026, SEA The Difference by Hopeless RHOmantic LLC will host the 2nd Annual Caribbean and African Women of Impact (CAWI) Honors in Silver Spring, Maryland. The celebration honors women of Caribbean and African descent whose leadership, creativity, and service continue to shape communities locally and globally.
Following a sold out inaugural celebration in 2025, CAWI Honors returns with continued momentum and expanded partnerships. The event was created to intentionally recognize women whose impact often spans generations, industries, and borders, bringing their work together in one shared moment of reflection, recognition, and collective appreciation. While many of the honorees are already celebrated within their respective fields, CAWI Honors offers something distinct: a space to honor not just professional achievement, but cultural contribution, community care, and legacy building.
This year’s theme, Bloom and Flourish, reinforces the event’s commitment to giving flowers in real time while honoring legacies that are actively being built. It speaks to growth, evolution, and the ways women across the diaspora continue to rise while nurturing others, building institutions, and shaping culture along the way.
Past CAWI honorees include Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy, Joy Thomas Moore, Elizabeth Montano, Maureen Umeh, and Fiona Compton, representing leadership across business, media, advocacy, and culture. The 2026 honoree class continues that tradition with a dynamic mix of global and local leaders, including CEOs and industry innovators, an NAACP Award winning actress, a former broadcast journalist, a Grammy nominated singer, a Trinidad and Tobago music legend, and an Olympic gold medalist, among other distinguished women.
The 2026 celebration will take place at the Civic Building in Silver Spring, Maryland, and will include a VIP Welcome Hour from 11:00 AM to 11:55 AM, followed by a brunch and awards ceremony from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Guests will enjoy a catered brunch buffet by Haitian American caterer Emmanuella’s Cuisine, known for its Caribbean and American offerings throughout the DMV. Major sponsors for the 2026 celebration include Narcisso Wine Cellar, BakanalTV, and Fetelist, with additional nonprofit and community organizations being highlighted throughout the event.
Tickets for the Caribbean and African Women of Impact Honors are available now on Eventbrite at https://cawihonors-2026.eventbrite.com/.
About SEA The Difference
SEA The Difference is a cultural lifestyle brand celebrating Caribbean and African pride through apparel, storytelling, and community centered experiences. The brand is dedicated to creating connection, visibility, and meaningful cultural moments across the diaspora.
