Annual gathering honors trailblazers, celebrates emerging entrepreneurs and prepares business leaders for the future.

By Milton Kirby | Atlanta, GA | October 25, 2026

For more than four decades, the Atlanta Business League has brought women together to celebrate achievement, strengthen business relationships and create opportunities for the next generation of entrepreneurs.

That tradition continued October 20 with the 42nd Annual Super Tuesday Conference, bringing together entrepreneurs, corporate executives, elected officials and community leaders for a day focused on leadership, innovation and economic opportunity.

The conference, held under the theme “One Great Day: Power Requires Action,” combined recognition of accomplished women with workshops addressing artificial intelligence, business growth, financial sustainability and the challenges facing entrepreneurs.

Since its founding in 1984, Super Tuesday has become one of the Atlanta Business League’s signature programs. Its mission has remained consistent: increasing the visibility and success of African American women in business.

In their welcome message, Atlanta Business League Board Chair Andrelia Kenner and President and CEO Leona Barr-Davenport emphasized the importance of preparing entrepreneurs for new opportunities while recognizing women who have helped shape Atlanta’s business community.

Their message encouraged participants to build meaningful relationships, strengthen their businesses and embrace opportunities for professional and personal growth.

The conference reflected both the history of that mission and the changing demands of today’s business environment.

A Legacy Built on Opportunity

Super Tuesday was established in 1984 by the Atlanta Business League’s Women in Business Committee under the leadership of Dr. Alice White Bussey.

With early support from civic and business leaders, including Shirley Franklin and Michael Lomax, the conference developed into an annual gathering focused on entrepreneurship, professional development and economic advancement.

Over the years, it has provided a platform for women to connect with established business leaders, learn about emerging opportunities and receive recognition for their accomplishments.

The program’s continued growth reflects the importance of creating spaces where African American women can exchange ideas, build professional networks and strengthen their businesses.

Honoring a Business Legacy

Among this year’s major honorees was Donata Russell Ross, former chief executive officer of Concessions International, LLC, who was inducted into the Atlanta Business League Women’s Hall of Fame.

Ross is the daughter of the late Atlanta entrepreneur Herman J. Russell, whose business ventures helped expand opportunities for African American ownership and participation in major commercial enterprises.

During a career spanning more than four decades, Ross helped guide Concessions International into a nationally recognized airport food and beverage concessions company.

The family-owned business established operations in airports across the United States and the U.S. Virgin Islands, building relationships with major transportation facilities and hospitality partners.

Ross retired as CEO in October 2025 but has continued her involvement in business leadership and community service.

Her recognition highlights both her individual accomplishments and the importance of sustaining family-owned enterprises across generations.

The conference also recognized three women through its Lottie H. Watkins Female Firsts Awards, which honor women who have achieved historic milestones in their professions.

Celebrating Women Who Broke Barriers

DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer Lorraine Cochran-Johnson was recognized as the first African American woman elected to lead the county.

Before entering public office, Cochran-Johnson built a career in media, publishing and entrepreneurship. She later served as a DeKalb County commissioner before becoming the county’s chief executive officer.

According to the conference materials, her responsibilities include oversight of a county government with a multibillion-dollar budget and thousands of employees.

DeKalb County Sheriff Melody M. Maddox was also honored for becoming the first woman to lead the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office.

Maddox has more than three decades of law enforcement experience. Earlier in her career, she became the first female chief of police at Georgia Piedmont Technical College.

Her work has included public safety initiatives, community engagement and programs supporting young people and families.

Another Female Firsts honoree, Dionne Moore Peasant, is the chief executive officer of Meat Masters, Inc.

Peasant made history as the first woman and first African American in Georgia to own and operate a USDA federally inspected meat processing facility, according to the conference program.

Her business has expanded into food processing and distribution, serving government agencies, institutions, restaurants and other customers.

She has also been recognized for breaking barriers in military food distribution contracting, an industry where minority-owned businesses have historically faced significant challenges.

Together, the three honorees represent different professions but share an important distinction: each reached leadership positions where women, particularly African American women, previously had limited representation.

Recognizing the Next Generation

The conference also honored four entrepreneurs as its 2026 Businesswomen to Watch.

Subena Colligan, founder and CEO of EHS Transformation Consultants, provides environmental, health and safety management services. Her company helps organizations strengthen workplace safety, regulatory compliance and operational practices.

Priscella Grant, founder and CEO of Atlanta Pediatric Healthcare, leads a company providing skilled in-home nursing services for medically fragile children across Georgia.

Sandy L. Poag, founder and CEO of Unique Southern Foods, has developed a business centered on Southern food traditions, demonstrating how entrepreneurs can turn cultural products into commercial opportunities.

Nancy President, CEO of Commercial Quality and Food Safety Solutions, works with food and beverage manufacturers to improve food safety, regulatory compliance and operational performance.

The four women represent industries ranging from healthcare and environmental safety to food production and business consulting.

Their recognition reflects the Atlanta Business League’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurs at different stages of business development.

Preparing Businesses for a Changing Economy

While the awards celebrated achievement, the conference workshops focused on preparing entrepreneurs for future challenges.

One session, “AI, Innovation & the Future of Business,” examined the growing role of artificial intelligence in business operations.

The workshop addressed opportunities to improve productivity, support decision-making and strengthen customer engagement, while also recognizing concerns about data privacy, information security and responsible technology use.

Another session, “Scale Smart: Building Capacity for Growth,” focused on the challenges business owners face when expanding their companies.

The program emphasized the importance of developing operational systems, strengthening leadership teams and building the capacity needed to support larger contracts and additional customers.

“Protect Your Brand: Trademarks, Intellectual Property & Your Business” addressed the importance of protecting business names, creative products and intellectual property.

A separate session, “The Next Generation of Entrepreneurs: Are You Really Ready?” examined how experienced business owners can prepare future leaders and create opportunities for younger entrepreneurs.

The conference concluded with “Succeed on Purpose: Building Businesses That Last,” a session focused on building sustainable enterprises.

The program identified Ryan Wilson of The Gathering Spot as moderator, with business leaders including Jesseca Harris-Dupart of Kaleidoscope Hair Products, Dave Moody of C.D. Moody Construction and Dr. Joy Rohadfox of Rohadfox Construction Control Services among the participants.

The session brought together leaders from different industries to address business sustainability, leadership development and the importance of building organizations capable of continuing beyond their founders.

Collectively, the workshops reflected a central message: starting a business is only the beginning. Long-term success also requires planning, financial discipline, adaptability and leadership development.

Recognizing Women of Influence

Beyond the individual award recipients, the conference also recognized Atlanta’s 100 Women of Influence and its Women of Influence Tenured honorees.

The recognition highlights women whose work has shaped business, government, education, media, nonprofit organizations and civic institutions throughout metropolitan Atlanta.

The tenured recognition acknowledges women whose leadership and contributions have continued over time.

Together, these honors reflect the range of professional and community leadership represented within the Atlanta Business League’s network.

They also reinforce the organization’s longstanding emphasis on visibility, mentorship and opportunities for African American women.

Leadership Measured Through Service

Among the conference’s honorees was Yvonne Bryant Johnson, recipient of the Dr. Alice White Bussey Engagement Award. The recognition came as a complete surprise.

“It is a tremendous honor especially because of who it is named for,” Johnson told The Truth Seekers Journal during the conference.

Johnson reflected on the time leaders devote to encouraging others, opening doors, building relationships and helping organizations succeed. She also expressed appreciation to Atlanta Business League leadership, including Leona Barr-Davenport and Eric Pinckney, along with family members and colleagues who have supported her work.

Her recognition underscored a central message of the conference: leadership is measured not only by personal achievement but also by the opportunities created for others.

Continuing the Mission

The 2026 Super Tuesday Conference was supported by a planning committee co-chaired by Brigitte Broyard McGhee, vice president of Business and Workforce Opportunity at Centennial Yards; Davonne Reaves, president of Vesterr; and Carol Waddy, director of Global Impact at Chick-fil-A.

In their welcome message, the co-chairs emphasized the importance of resilience, opportunity and building relationships that help women succeed.

Their message encouraged participants to use the conference as a place to exchange ideas, develop connections and prepare for new challenges.

Forty-two years after its founding, Super Tuesday continues to connect established leaders with emerging entrepreneurs.

The industries have changed. Technology has transformed business operations. New challenges have emerged around access to capital, competition, workforce development and business expansion.

Yet the conference’s underlying purpose remains much the same.

By recognizing women who broke barriers, celebrating entrepreneurs building successful companies and providing tools for the next generation, the Atlanta Business League continues a tradition that extends beyond a single annual event.

The achievements celebrated at Super Tuesday tell the story of progress already made. The workshops, mentorship and business relationships point toward the work that remains.

And after 42 years, the message remains clear: opening doors matters, but helping the next generation walk through them is what makes that progress last.

Truth Seekers Journal thrives because of readers like you. Join us in sustaining independent voices.