Afra Smith: Building Black Women’s Wealth
byBased off of her experiences and a desire to help Black women avoid financial pitfalls, Afra Smith founded The Melanin Project, a business providing financial coaching and education about building wealth.
W2W
2023 Women to Watch
byOur 12 Women to Watch represent individuals who are community changemakers, leaders and creative thinkers with ideas that can shape entire industries.
Mercury Stardust: The Empowering DIYer
byMercury Stardust calls herself a virtual maintenance technician and something of a self-help guide. It may seem like an unusual combination, but it’s a space she thrives in.
Yimmuaj Yang: The Steward for BIPOC Farmers
bySince Yimmuaj Yang joined Groundswell Conservancy in 2020, she’s closed the gap between non-white farmers and available farmland.
Erica Halverson: The Actor-Artist Educator
byAs a self-professed “artist academic,” arts educator, author and podcast host Erica Halverson says two tenets guide her work.
Areli Estrada: The Smile-Maker
by“I have lived in Mexico, L.A. and Green Bay … Madison is so unique because of its ability to bring people together and work collaboratively. I have a lot of support, and there are large and influential Black and Latino communities here. That’s why we are able to get so many things done,” says Areli Estrada, executive director of Affordable Dental Care.
Alyson Schaefer: The Teacher-Turned-Changemaker
byAlyson Schaefer has big plans this year for her business, Mental Fitness 4 Teens, including launching an affiliate program to expand her programming to kids in younger grades as well as adults and booking more speaking engagements. “One of my mantras for life is to make a difference in people’s lives,” she says.
Karen Laing: The Caregiving Changemaker
byKaren Laing didn’t set out to become a midwife, lactation consultant or tech CEO when she enrolled in the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1989.
Michelle McGrath: The Youth Advocate
byAs project coordinator for the Waunakee Community Cares Coalition, an organization dedicated to the prevention of substance misuse and encouraging positive mental health for teens, Michelle McGrath is working to expand the organization’s influence and reach.
Marsha Mansfield: The Uplifting Lawyer
byAs director of LIFT Wisconsin, Marsha Mansfield wants to make legal services accessible to everyone, regardless of socioeconomic status.