Women’s Leadership Network Receives $50,000 Grant to Expand Leadership and Economic Opportunities for Women Across Arkansas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dr. Shaneil Ealy

Executive Director, Women’s Leadership Network

501-339-3116, shaneil@wlnarkansas.org 

wlnarkansas.org 

CONWAY, Ark. (July 28, 2025) – The Women’s Leadership Network (WLN) has been awarded a $50,000 grant through the Arkansas Black Philanthropy Collaborative (ABPC), with funding provided by the Ms. Foundation for Women. The grant will support WLN’s mission to empower women across Arkansas by advancing initiatives focused on economic growth, leadership development, and health equity with a special focus on ensuring women of color are connected to statewide opportunities and resources.

The $50,000 grant will be distributed over two years, with $25,000 allocated each year. The funds will be used to:

• Support ABPC’s Women and Wealth Initiative, which brings together women throughout Arkansas to address three critical pillars for building generational wealth: economics, health and leadership.

• Grow WLN’s Signature Programs — including the Women’s Leadership Academy, Women’s Business Showcase, and International Women’s Day Brunch — and provide additional training and technical assistance to strengthen women-owned small businesses statewide.

• Expand the 2026 Level Up Conference to reach women entrepreneurs beyond central Arkansas and create an avenue for women to build their networks, access resources, and collaborate on initiatives that drive impact in their communities.

• 
  

“Thanks to this grant from the Ms. Foundation for Women, ABPC is investing in the Women’s Leadership Network’s proven model for building leadership pathways for women in Arkansas,” said Derek Lewis II, chair of ABPC. “Together, we are creating a future where women of color are equipped to achieve economic mobility and build lasting wealth.”

Dr. Shaneil Ealy, executive director of WLN, said the grant will enable the organization to further its goal for empowering women to become agents of influence. 

“This investment allows us to ensure all women across every race, background, and region of our state can access the tools, mentorship and networks they need to lead and thrive,” Ealy said. “Through this partnership with ABPC and the Ms. Foundation for Women, we’re advancing equity and opportunity for women everywhere in Arkansas.”

The Ms. Foundation for Women is a national leader in advancing equity and justice for women through grantmaking and advocacy. This collaboration highlights a shared commitment to expanding resources and opportunities for women statewide, while uplifting the voices of women of color as part of a broader strategy for impact.

The Arkansas Black Philanthropy Collaborative designs solutions for social change in Arkansas. Originating from a 2018 gathering of philanthropic leaders, ABPC envisions a future where people and philanthropic resources are organized for impactful change. To learn more about ABPC, visit theabpc.org. 

For more information about the Women’s Leadership Network and its upcoming programs, visit wlnarkansas.org or follow WLN on social media.

# # #