Hundreds of South Florida leaders gathered for a powerful afternoon of culture, connection, and celebration ahead of the Jazz in the Gardens Music Festival.
International Women’s Month arrived with particular elegance in South Florida this year, as the City of Miami Gardens welcomed Grammy Award-winning R&B artist Ashanti as the featured guest at its annual Women’s Empowerment Luncheon. The gathering, held Friday, March 6, 2026, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Davie, brought together hundreds of influential women to celebrate leadership, creativity, and the cultural power of Black women.
As Miami-Dade County’s largest predominantly African-American city, Miami Gardens has long placed cultural celebration and community empowerment at the center of its civic identity. The Women’s Impact Luncheon, a signature event leading into the city’s beloved Jazz in the Gardens Music Festival, continues that tradition each year by honoring women whose work shapes business, culture, philanthropy, and public life.
This year’s gathering carried particular resonance as it unfolded during International Women’s Month, transforming the afternoon into both a celebration and a reflection on the enduring influence of women who lead with vision and purpose.
An Afternoon Where Leadership and Culture Converged
Hosted by CBS News Miami anchor Chelsea Jones, the luncheon created an intimate space where conversation, inspiration, and community intersected. The event drew a vibrant mix of entrepreneurs, artists, nonprofit leaders, fashion designers, media professionals, and civic changemakers from across South Florida.
City leadership was prominently represented, including Miami Gardens Mayor Rodney Harris, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Councilwoman Linda Julien, and other elected officials. Their presence underscored the city’s commitment to uplifting women whose work shapes the region’s cultural and economic landscape.
Councilwoman Julien, a longtime advocate for arts and cultural programming within the city, emphasized the significance of the gathering in bringing together women from many different walks of life.
“This year’s Women’s Empowerment Luncheon at the Hard Rock was an incredible moment for successful and passionate women of all kinds of backgrounds to come together and connect, celebrate and share our journeys,” Julien said during the event.
The atmosphere reflected exactly that spirit: stylish attendees in bold colors and elegant silhouettes filled the ballroom, greeting colleagues, reconnecting with friends, and celebrating the collective accomplishments of women who continue to shape South Florida’s civic and cultural life.
Ashanti Reflects on a Career Built With Faith and Determination
At the center of the afternoon was a candid conversation between Ashanti and moderator Chelsea Jones. The Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and actress spoke openly about her journey through the music industry, which began when she was just 14 years old.
Over the past two decades, Ashanti has built a career defined not only by chart-topping hits but by resilience, reinvention, and creative independence. During the conversation, she reflected on the determination that sustained her through the industry’s challenges and the personal values that continue to guide her life.
Family, motherhood, and faith emerged as central themes in her reflections. Ashanti shared how prayer and spirituality remain foundational to the way she approaches both her career and personal life — grounding forces that have helped her maintain balance amid the pressures of public visibility.
The conversation resonated deeply with attendees, many of whom nodded in recognition as she spoke about perseverance, discipline, and the importance of remaining anchored in purpose.
For a room filled with women leaders across industries, her message carried both familiarity and affirmation: success is rarely accidental, and sustaining it requires faith in both one’s work and oneself.
Celebrating the Power of the Arts
The luncheon also highlighted Miami Gardens’ longstanding commitment to the arts as a unifying force within the community. Councilwoman Julien, who has been instrumental in championing arts initiatives within the city, spoke about the transformative role music and creative expression play in shaping community life.
“As someone who loves the arts and grew up playing piano, I know how impactful music and art can be,” Julien said, noting that the city’s cultural programming continues to grow each year.
That philosophy is reflected in the scale and influence of Jazz in the Gardens, the city’s annual music festival that attracts thousands of visitors from across the country. The Women’s Empowerment Luncheon serves as the official opening moment for the three-day celebration, setting a tone of reflection and appreciation before the festival’s high-energy performances begin.
A Cultural Tradition in South Florida
Now in its nineteenth year, Jazz in the Gardens has evolved into one of the region’s most anticipated cultural events, showcasing a dynamic lineup of artists while celebrating the musical traditions that shape Black cultural expression.
The 2026 festival weekend featured performances from major headliners including Jhené Aiko, Ashanti, Nelly, and Ludacris, drawing crowds to Hard Rock Stadium for a celebration of rhythm, legacy, and community.
During the festival, Councilwoman Julien also connected backstage with performers including rapper Nelly, who surprised the audience by bringing fellow St. Lunatics member Murphy Lee onstage for a nostalgic moment that energized the crowd.
But even amid the festival’s high-profile performances, the Women’s Impact Luncheon remains one of the weekend’s most meaningful traditions — a quieter but equally powerful space where the women behind the region’s cultural vitality are recognized and celebrated.
Honoring Women Who Lead and Inspire
For many attendees, the luncheon represented more than a pre-festival event. It served as a reminder of the influence women continue to wield in shaping culture, business, and civic life across South Florida.
From emerging entrepreneurs to established philanthropists, the room reflected a collective commitment to leadership rooted in collaboration and community impact.
Miami Gardens officials say the annual gathering continues to strengthen the city’s reputation as a hub for arts, culture, and community engagement — a place where celebration and empowerment exist side by side.
And as the afternoon concluded, the message of the event lingered in the conversations that continued throughout the room: when women gather with purpose, creativity, and shared vision, the result is not simply an event — it is momentum.
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