Woman of Substance 2025

Woman of Substance, Strong and Beautiful

Finally Getting the Recognition They Deserve

Friday, April 25, 2025

6:00 pm

The Garden at Berean

The Story Behind the Space of Honor

Growing up, I was blessed to witness the quiet power and unwavering strength of my mother, Cliffornia Wimberley. She didn’t seek the spotlight, but her actions illuminated the lives of everyone she touched. Whether she was nurturing her family, guiding her community, or standing as a pillar of wisdom and grace, her impact was profound and lasting. She taught me that true greatness doesn’t require applause—it’s reflected in the lives we uplift and the legacies we leave behind.

This event, Woman of Substance, Strong and Beautiful, was born from a deep desire to honor not just my mother, but all the remarkable Black women like her. Women whose stories often go untold, whose sacrifices and achievements are woven into the fabric of our families and communities. By creating this space, I hope to shine a light on their contributions and inspire others to recognize the power of resilience, love, and service. It’s a celebration of the extraordinary in the everyday—a tribute to the women who have shaped our world with their hands, hearts, and hopes.

Woman of Substance,

Strong and Beautiful

WHY ATTEND?

Imagine an evening that transcends a mere gathering—a celebration of resilience, excellence, and legacy. The Woman of Substance, Strong and Beautiful event is not just a dinner; it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to honor the untold stories of 400+ extraordinary Black women who shaped their Raleigh community and industries, often without recognition. This evening promises to inspire, educate, and uplift through an immersive experience of tribute poetry, captivating audiovisual presentations, and a keynote by a distinguished speaker who embodies the values of perseverance and leadership.

By attending, you become part of a movement to acknowledge and celebrate the legacy of these trailblazing women while creating a bridge for future generations to learn from their strength. Whether you're seeking inspiration, connection, or simply a meaningful evening, this event offers a rich, cultural, and emotional experience that will leave a lasting impact.

WHY PURCHASE A TICKET?

Your ticket to Woman of Substance, Strong and Beautiful is more than admission—it’s a way to honor the past, engage with the present, and invest in the future. At an accessible price, you gain access to a curated four-course Southern-inspired dinner, powerful storytelling through multimedia tributes, and an atmosphere of elegance and camaraderie.

With every ticket purchased, you’re also supporting the effort to inspire youth and preserve the stories of Black women’s contributions. From young men serving as hosts to the unique keepsake book chronicling the honorees’ lives, your attendance helps turn this event into a platform for education and celebration.

WHY SPONSOR PART OF THE EVENT?

Click to Sponsor

Sponsorship of Woman of Substance, Strong and Beautiful is more than a philanthropic gesture—it’s a strategic investment in community, diversity, and legacy. Align your brand with a historic event that celebrates the achievements of Black women, fostering goodwill and visibility among an audience of engaged professionals, community leaders, and families.

As a sponsor, your business will benefit from premium exposure through event materials, social media, and on-site recognition, ensuring your name is associated with the values of equity, excellence, and cultural appreciation. Beyond the immediate marketing value, your support demonstrates a tangible commitment to uplifting underrepresented voices and preserving history.

In a world where consumers increasingly seek authenticity, sponsoring this event provides an unparalleled opportunity to connect with your audience while being a champion of progress and heritage.

SPONSORSHIPS

Read below and click on each picture to find out about the types of sponsorships offered.

TRAILBLAZERS

Honoring women who are pioneers who boldly step into uncharted territory, driving progress and innovation. Through fearless leadership and groundbreaking achievements, she opens doors for future generations. Her influence often reshapes industries, communities, and societal norms, leaving an enduring legacy of positive change.

EMPOWERERS

Celebrating women who are builders and motivators who nurture the success of those around her. She leads with intention, creating opportunities for growth and instilling a sense of possibility in individuals and communities alike. Her transformative work fosters environments where confidence and collaboration thrive.

INSPIRATORS

Recognizing women who captivate through their extraordinary ability to uplift others with their journey and achievements. Whether facing challenges or guiding others toward fulfillment, she ignites passion and encourages dreams with her perseverance, creative vision, and compassionate example.

RESILIENT

Highlighting women who exemplifY a profound ability to adapt and thrive despite life’s hardships. Her resolve is marked by strength tempered by wisdom, and her journey speaks to an inner resourcefulness that inspires others to persevere and rebuild when faced with difficulty.

STRONG

Acknowledging women who have stood as foundations of support, leadership, and unwavering determination. Whether advocating for others or guiding her community, her ability to weather challenges while maintaining a steady and reliable presence makes her a role model for fortitude and leadership.

BEAUTIFUL

Paying tribute to women who embody a radiant spirit characterized by empathy, authenticity, and a genuine love for humanity. Her actions and demeanor create warmth and harmony, making the lives of those around her more meaningful. Her beauty lies in her dedication to nurturing peace, joy, and compassion wherever she goes.

A COMMUNITY OF MEN HONORING HER LEGACY

In a world where women's contributions have often been overlooked or undervalued, it is a powerful act of respect and recognition for men to take the lead in honoring them. When men step forward to celebrate the achievements, sacrifices, and legacies of women, it sends a profound message: that these contributions are vital not only to families but to the community and society at large.

By creating and presenting tributes, men have the opportunity to model respect, gratitude, and admiration, showing younger generations what it means to uplift and value the women who shape and have shaped our lives. It’s not only an act of acknowledgment but also a demonstration of unity—men standing as allies in the ongoing effort to highlight the importance of equity, dignity, and appreciation for women everywhere. Through their voices, actions, and presence, they help foster a culture where respect and celebration of women are woven into the fabric of our communities.

I'M CARMEN

I am Carmen Wimberley Cauthen, daughter of Cliffornia Grady, granddaughter of Laura Ruth Peele and Mamie Esther Winn.

A lifelong lover of family history, and a child who grew up knowing the history on the maternal side of my family and knowing little of the history on the paternal side of my family, I have begun a crusade for my community to know the TRUTH of all of our history.

In that vein, I research, write, and teach the history of the Black community. Since those who were enslaved were rarely taught to read and write, they were orally telling the stories of their history - and that was not often written down in the textbooks that so many of us learned from. I delight in taking oral histories from elders and making sure that the history is not only written down but also placed where it will be preserved.

My book, Historic Black Neighborhoods of Raleigh came out of the recognition that I didn't know how the Black neighborhoods in my city were created and with the demise of affordable housing and gentrification, the research that I found needed to be told.

My company, Research and Resource, is based on the premise that we will not only do the research but that we will also be a resource for those who want to know more about history, legacy and community.

And thus, it is our honor to offer this event to finally acknowledge the Black women that have touched the City of Raleigh since the 1800s, many of whom were never recognized for how they not only undergirded society but oftentimes carried it forward.

Thank you Woman of Substance. You are strong and beautiful in our sight.

"Record the legacy moments."

MRH

"Historical actions continue to have profound effects on future generations."

"An absolutely wonderful program! A well deserved tribute to our Black women!"

"Great mother daughter time. Great to be in a room full of black women celebrating other black women. We need this every year!."

"It was beautiful to see so many amazing and deserving women be recognized and acknowledged for being the amazing women they are. So many untold stories in the room. I am grateful to those who received the message, the offering of appreciation and the push to share your story!!"

Thank you for attending the Woman of Substance Dinner on April 25, 2025.

We laughed, cried, smiled, agreed with the speakers, and felt all the emotions as the men honored the women.

We spoke their names as we asked permission from the ancestors to be intentional as we honored and respected them. We invited them to grace our presence. Ase

We listened to Dasan Ahanu as he reminded us of the worth of women and what it is like to be in the presence of a strong Black woman. We remembered the strong women that we have been in the presence of both in the past and today and knew that we need to be preparing young women to be women of substance whose presence we will be in in the future.

We appreciated Matt Gil as he stood as proxy for the men who should have appreciated and thanked and recognized the value that is in us - not just our beauty but our willingness to work alongside, and yes - to lead. We felt his love and his heart as he poured a soothing balm over our way too often wounded souls, and recognized the healing that he was able to share with us through our spiritual being.

We were transformed by reading the names of 400 women, Black women, who have been part of Raleigh's story since the 1800s - too many of them unknown and all of them working to better the place that we call home.

We were inspired by Dr. Dudley Flood as he recounted the lessons that he learned from his mother and how they still hold true today and in that, we were able to remember the lessons that we have learned from mothers, sisters, daughters, aunts, cousins, co-workers, and other Black women that have kept us on the paths that we walk on today.

We were together. Powerful. Unified. Encouraged and encouraging from table to table.

We were and we are Women of Substance.

And, we were reminded that we must write and remember our history because if we don't do it, who will?

Below are some inspirational pictures of the evening.

The video will be forthcoming and I am working hard on the book. I hope to have it published late August. (I was very optimistic!). Below the pictures, please watch the video created just for the event. Enjoy.