2026 Aurora Women in Business Tea Party

Description

Aurora Women in Business Tea Party

In honor of Women's History Month, the Aurora Regional Economic Alliance presents the 2026 Aurora Women in Business Tea Party: Stronger Together: Community, Networking, & Collective Power, a curated experience designed to elevate how Black women in business connect, collaborate, and build sustainable professional ecosystems. This session moves beyond surface-level networking to foster meaningful relationships that support business growth, leadership development, and personal well-being.

Through a thoughtfully structured format--including a keynote reflection, a fireside panel discussion, and guided small-group engagement--participants will gain insight from experienced Black women leaders while actively strengthening their own professional networks in an elegant and welcoming tea-party environment.

This event aims to:

• Highlight the critical role of community and collective power in the success of Black women in business.

• Share best practices for building authentic, trust-based professional networks.

• Encourage mentorship, collaboration, and resource sharing across industries.

• Create space for honest dialogue, shared wisdom, and mutual support.

• Opening Keynote: Michele Clark, Chief Human Resources Office, City of Aurora: A thought-provoking message on the value of collective impact, intentional networking, and community leadership
• Fireside Panel Discussion: A moderated conversation with Black women business leaders, founders, or community builders sharing lived experiences, challenges, and strategies for cultivating strong ecosystems
• Interactive Table Conversations (Guided Discussions): Guided small-group discussions designed to deepen connections and encourage peer-to-peer learning​
• Live Audience Q&A: An opportunity for attendees to engage directly with panelists and explore real-world applications
• Closing Reflection & Call to Action: A collective commitment to continued connection, mentorship, and collaboration beyond the event
   

Michele Clark, Chief Human Resources Office, City of Aurora
Keynote Speaker and Panelist Michele Clark currently serves as the Chief Human Resources Officer for the City of Aurora, where her primary focus is supporting and empowering City staff. Through strategic, people-centered HR practices, her work strengthens the employee experience and equips the workforce to better serve Aurora's residents. Previously, as Director of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, Michele led the City's Business Equity Initiative with a clear goal: to increase contracting opportunities for women- and minority-owned businesses by expanding access to education, resources, and meaningful pathways to participation.



 

Sandra Harrison, DVA Leadership & Development Training
Panelist Sandra Harrison is a senior leadership development consultant, executive coach, and organizational strategist with more than two decades of experience strengthening teams, leaders, and workplace culture across corporate, public-sector, nonprofit, and community-based organizations. As founder and principal owner of DVA Leadership & Development Training Consultants, she partners with executives, HR leaders, boards, and management teams to design and deliver high-impact leadership development, workforce readiness, and organizational effectiveness solutions. Her work focuses on building psychologically safe workplaces, improving communication and collaboration, strengthening accountability, and aligning people strategy with business outcomes.


Chef Ora, Cafe 322

Panelist Chef Ora is a culinary entrepreneur with nearly a decade of experience in catering, personal chef services, and culturally inspired cuisine. Chef Ora is the founder of Urban Excellence Enterprise LLC and A Taste of Black Excellence, celebrating and elevating Black chefs and small Black-owned food businesses. She is recognized for exceptional service, media appearances, and community-driven initiatives that bring "purpose to the plate." Chef Ora specializes in customized menus, dietary accommodations, and event execution for small and large gatherings. She is known for a warm and professional presence and has a philanthropic heart for giving back through food and advocacy, particularly for the unhoused community.


About the Event Host

Yolanda V. Dunn, Leave Me Bee Pest Control, Inc., is a business leader and community-centered entrepreneur. She is the co-owner of Leave Me Bee Pest Control, Inc., a full-service residential and commercial pest control company she and her husband, Tito Dunn, founded in 2006. Yolanda manages the daily operations of Leave Me Bee, helping ensure quality service, strong customer relationships, and dependable solutions for families and businesses throughout the western suburbs and surrounding communities. Together, Yolanda and Tito have built the company with a shared commitment to professionalism, integrity, and caring for the communities they serve.











 

Catered by RileyBell

Sponsorships Available (Through 3/19/26) - Now Closed
All sponsorships include company's logo featured as a sponsor on all event communications, webpage, and social media channels.

• Influence Sponsorship $1,000: Four (4) event tickets; exclusive spotlight opportunity (5 minutes to introduce your business) during the event; recognition as a key supporter of Aurora Women in Business initiatives; logo placement on event signage and in event booklet; opportunity to provide business cards or promotional materials for goodie bags at the event
• Inspire Sponsorship ($750): Three (3) event tickets; verbal recognition at the event; logo placement on event signage and in event booklet; opportunity to provide business cards or promotional materials for goodie bags at the event
• Empower Sponsorship ($500): Two (2) event tickets; verbal recognition at the event; logo in the event booklet; opportunity to provide business cards or promotional materials for goodie bags at the event
• Community Sponsorship ($250): One (1) event ticket; listing in the event booklet; opportunity to provide business cards or promotional materials for goodie bags at the event