Building Leaders + Legacies (BLL) has announced its 2026 Executive & Professional Women Leaders (EPWL) cohort, bringing together 19 accomplished women from across Indianapolis for a year-long leadership development experience focused on community impact, board governance and generational legacy building.
For the first time, BLL has combined its Executive Women of Color and Professional Women Leaders programs into a single, dynamic cohort. The 2026 participants represent a cross-section of industries, including education, health care, government, nonprofit leadership, business and sports management.
“Building Leaders + Legacies was created to help talented leaders strengthen their leadership skills, align their purpose with their work, and gain access to the relationships and opportunities that allow them to make an even greater difference,” Founder and CEO of Building Leaders + Legacies, Carolene Mays, said. “These women are extraordinary leaders, and when they are supported, connected, and empowered, they create incredible impact not only in their careers but in their communities and for future generations.”
Mays, a former member of the Indiana House of Representatives and past president of the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, founded BLL in 2022. She also serves as creator and host of “Community Link” on WISH-TV. She brings decades of experience in government, business, media and nonprofit leadership to the organization.
The program provides participants with executive leadership development, board governance preparation, and exposure to high-level business, nonprofit, community and political leaders. Participants also receive mentorship and sponsorship as they build a lifelong network of support.
Since its founding, BLL has developed nearly 100 alumni who serve in influential leadership roles across the business, nonprofit and civic sectors. Nearly 80 percent of BLL alums now serve on nonprofit boards, and many have secured their first board positions through the program.
The 2026 cohort includes elected officials, nonprofit executives, educators, health care administrators, and business leaders from across Central Indiana. Among them are Lawrence City Clerk Leatrice Adkisson, City-County Councilor Rena Allen (District 15), S.E.A. Leaders Institute Founder Jennica Anderson and Deborah’s Place Executive Director Jessica Braidden.
The full cohort also includes LaToya Black, Sheila Bonds, Angela R. Douglas, Rev. Alexia J. Ellis, Bria Gibson, Ariel Harvey, Brandalyn Hayes, Krista D. Hollins, Roxy Lawrence, Rosalind C. Morris, Brandi Rice, Heather L. Savage, Cheryl Shannon, Gabrielle Ward and Meisha Wide.
In addition to the EPWL cohort, BLL launches a new Emerging Women Leaders program in the second quarter of 2026. Designed for women ages 21 to 28 who are early in their careers, the program will guide them in building strong career foundations, providing mentorship, supporting mental wellness, and fostering a lifelong commitment to leadership and community impact.
Together, the programs reflect BLL’s mission to build leaders and legacies that strengthen organizations and communities for generations to come.
Contact Multimedia Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846 or email at noralp@indyrecorder.com. Follow him on X @3Noral. For more news, visit indianapolisrecorder.com.
Noral Parham is the multi-media reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.
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