Chicago showed up and showed out to close Women’s History Month in a major way.
On Friday, March 27, The Metropolitan Chicago set the stage for the 4th annual WEMADE Honors Celebration—an elevated night dedicated to honoring women making real impact across industries while pouring back into the community. Powered by WEMADE Honors alongside Swank PR, WestSide Cultural Alliance and 1865 Fest Chicago, the event blended purpose, recognition and culture all under one roof.
Hosted by media personality and What’s The Word TV’s own Bree Specific, the night carried the energy of celebration while staying rooted in its mission—raising funds and awareness for nonprofit WestSide Cultural Alliance.
HONORING WOMEN MAKING REAL IMPACT
From media to politics, art to community leadership, this year’s honorees represented a powerful lineup of women shaping Chicago and beyond.
The honorees included Fox 32 Chicago News Emmy Award-winning anchor and journalist Tia Ewing-Walker, Illinois State Representative for the 8th District Shantel Franklin, Creative Cypher President Cindy Beasley, social impact artist Nikky Lynette, Chicago Police District Council (25th) member Angelica Green, The Triibe Editor-in-Chief Tiffany Walden and DJ of the night and 3C Agency co-founder Dayneeia “Love Day” Thrash, along with additional women recognized throughout the evening.
Each honoree brought a unique story, but the message across the board was the same—impact, leadership and legacy.
The celebration also spotlighted special recognitions including the Maven in the Making Award and two MADE Maven Awards, continuing WEMADE’s tradition of uplifting both emerging and established leaders.
CULTURE, PERFORMANCE & COMMUNITY
Beyond the awards, the night delivered on the full experience.
Guests were also treated to live performances that tapped into Chicago’s creative pulse, including singer Ifeanyi Elswith performing songs produced by Lord Haiti, spoken word artist EndyB and violinist Windy Indie.
From soulful vocals to powerful poetry and live instrumentation, the performances brought the room together and added another layer of storytelling to the evening.
A NIGHT WITH PURPOSE
At its core, the WEMADE Honors Celebration continues to be bigger than just an event—it’s a movement centered on recognizing women, funding community initiatives and creating space for connection.
With support from its partners and the community, the event closed out Women’s History Month with intention, impact and a reminder that Chicago’s women are not just participating in culture—they’re leading it.
Check out WEMADE Honors Celebration 2026 Event Recap Photos Here.
