From Purpose to Power: Roads to Success Women's Empowerment Brunch 2026

On March 19, 2026, Roads to Success (RTS) welcomed over 60 inspiring women leaders, changemakers, and community advocates to our 3rd Annual Women's Empowerment Brunch, a morning grounded in intention, impact, and purpose.

Held during Women's History Month and in celebration of RTS's 25th anniversary, this year's brunch was more than a gathering. It was a space for reflection, connection, and powerful storytelling, bringing together women who are not only leading in their fields but actively shaping the future of their communities.

From the moment guests arrived, the room carried an undeniable energy, one rooted in shared purpose and collective strength. Conversations flowed naturally as women from across sectors found common ground in their commitment to equity, youth empowerment, and community transformation.

RTS CEO Sheila Duke opened the program with words that grounded everyone in the room. Reflecting on the organization's 25-year journey and the power of women-led leadership, she shared,

"Thank you for being here, for bringing your energy and your stories into this space. What we've created this morning, this warmth, this intention, this sense of community, this is what happens when women come together with purpose. Your presence here reminds us that the work we do is never done alone, and that our collective strength is what creates lasting change for the young people we serve."

Her words set a foundation for the intimate conversation that followed between April Hernandez Castillo and RTS Chief Administrative Officer Chrissy Andre.

Centered on April's memoir Embracing Me, their dialogue moved beyond surface-level inspiration into the deeper terrain of resilience, healing, and what it truly means to reclaim your voice. April spoke with honesty about her own journey, but perhaps her most powerful moment came when she turned the conversation toward the young people we all serve.

"Remember you were a teenager once, because we forget," she said, her voice carrying both tenderness and urgency. "As parents, as leaders, as counselors, we forget that they're living in a completely different world than the one we grew up in. We need to listen. We need to meet them where they are."

As the conversation concluded, the brunch shifted to honor three extraordinary women whose work embodies the leadership and impact the morning celebrated. Deputy Speaker Dr. Nantasha Williams received the Trailblazer Leadership Award for her unwavering commitment to advancing equity, transparency, and opportunity through public service.

Simone A. Jones, Deputy Chief of Staff and Chief Equity Officer at the New York City Council, was recognized with the Visionary Changemaker Award for her work embedding equity into systems and shaping institutional change from within.

Council Member Elsie Encarnación received the Civic Impact Award for her deep-rooted commitment to East Harlem and her continued advocacy for education, housing, and economic opportunity.

Each honoree brought forward a powerful reminder: leadership is not just about position. It is about impact, intention, and the communities we serve.

As the formal program drew to a close, guests remained, unwilling to let the momentum of the morning dissolve too quickly. Women stayed to deepen connections, exchange contact information, and continue conversations that had been sparked throughout the program. These organic moments of connection, happening in clusters around the room, reinforced what we know to be true: when women come together with intention, they create spaces that inspire action, deepen relationships, and expand what leadership can look like.

This year's brunch marked something special; A milestone moment in RTS's 25-year journey, a reminder that the work of empowering young people begins with empowering the leaders who guide them.

To all the incredible women who joined us, thank you for bringing your voice, your story, and your leadership into the room. Together, we continue to build pathways, uplift communities, and create the lasting change our young people deserve.