Be in the room
Tickets on Eventbrite
Red carpet at 5 PM, dinner and awards 6 to 10 PM. Celebrate six honorees live, meet the leaders of the 805, and shop the Legacy Marketplace.
Get Tickets See the evening
Presented by Black in Business 805
The Black Women's Awards Dinner
Staybridge Suites Oxnard – River Ridge · 2101 W Vineyard Ave, Oxnard, CA 93036
One evening a year, Ventura County stops to honor the Black women shaping it. The 2026 class has been announced. Be in the room when they receive their awards, or put your organization behind their stories.
Red carpet at 5 PM, dinner and awards 6 to 10 PM. Celebrate six honorees live, meet the leaders of the 805, and shop the Legacy Marketplace.
Get Tickets See the eveningFive levels plus specialty sponsorships. Every level includes tickets, program placement, and recognition in front of 150 to 200 engaged leaders.
Deadline extended to Friday, October 30
See Sponsor Levels Download the package (PDF)The Legacy Marketplace is a curated showcase of Black-owned and women-led businesses. Limited spaces, with shopping before and after the program.
Applications close Friday, October 30
Apply to Vend Vendor detailsAnnounced: The 2026 Class
Six awards. Six women and organizations whose leadership is shaping Ventura County. Each will be celebrated live at the November 8 dinner in Oxnard.
Honorees were selected from this year's community nominations. Nominations for 2026 are closed.
The Evening
She Leads is dinner, recognition, and the kind of networking that only happens when the whole county shows up at once.
Arrivals, photos, networking, and shopping from Black-owned and women-led vendors.
A plated dinner, live entertainment, and six awards presented on stage.
Meet the honorees, visit the vendors, and keep the conversations going until 10 PM.
Event Flier
Post it, text it, or print it for your office. Every share helps fill the room for the 2026 class.
2026 Sponsorship
Your sponsorship puts your brand in front of Ventura County's most engaged leaders and funds an evening that changes how women here are seen.
Sponsor deadline extended: Fri, Oct 30
Proudly Sponsored By
Leadership Sponsor
Leadership Sponsor
Your logo herePresenting and Legacy levels are open through October 30
Friends of She Leads
Demonstrate a visible commitment to the women transforming our community.
Reach a diverse, engaged audience across signage, program, and social.
Connect with professionals, entrepreneurs, and community influencers.
Fuel an event that celebrates excellence and strengthens Ventura County.
| Benefit | Presenting $5,000 | Legacy $2,500 | Leadership $1,000 | Community $500 | Friend $250 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Event tickets | VIP table for 8 | Table for 8 | 4 tickets | 2 tickets | 1 ticket |
| Program ad | Full page (premium) | Full page | Half page | Quarter page | Name listed |
| Logo placement | All materials and signage | Premium placement | Website and slideshow | Program and website | Website recognition |
| Vendor booth | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | – | – |
| Stage recognition | Welcome remarks | Recognition | Acknowledgment | – | – |
| Social media spotlight | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Thank-you post |
| Media and press recognition | ✓ | – | – | – | – |
| Event presented by your organization | ✓ | – | – | – | – |
| Gift-bag item | ✓ | ✓ | – | – | – |
Own one signature moment of the night and receive dedicated recognition for it.
She Leads draws 150 to 200 guests from across Ventura County, including:
Email us with the level you have in mind, or download the full 2026 package and we'll help you choose. Sponsorships close Friday, October 30.
Legacy Marketplace
Showcase your business at the She Leads Ventura County 2026 Legacy Marketplace, a curated showcase of Black-owned and women-led businesses. Guests shop during the red carpet and networking hour and again after the program. Applications close Friday, October 30, and space is limited.
Vendor deadline extended: Fri, Oct 30
Includes two plated dinners for the dinner and awards portion of the evening, so you and a guest can take a seat for the program.
Important Notes
Vendor applications are open for Black-owned and women-led businesses through Friday, October 30. Space is limited and applications are curated for quality and event fit. Vendors provide their own table linen and display materials. Professional, clean setups only; no oversized displays or loud demos.
About She Leads
She Leads Ventura County is an annual awards dinner, presented by Black in Business 805, that recognizes Black women making an extraordinary impact across Ventura County. The name also spells out She L.E.A.D.S.: Leadership, Empowerment, Advancement, Development, Service. The evening brings together business leaders, entrepreneurs, educators, nonprofit professionals, elected officials, and community members for a night of inspiration, networking, and recognition.
The first She Leads dinner was held in Oxnard on November 9, 2025, honoring five women. The 2026 dinner is the event's second year. It's more than an event, it's a movement to increase visibility, inspire the next generation of leaders, and foster a culture of collaboration over competition. Whether you're an honoree, a guest, or a sponsor, She Leads is where leadership is celebrated and legacy is built.
She Leads is presented by Black in Business 805, founded in 2021 by Shenee Randolph. Black in Business is a platform dedicated to empowering Black entrepreneurs through connection, visibility, resources, and community, based in Oxnard and serving the wider 805.
The B-in-B mark carries the Pan-African colors, red, green, and gold, a nod to heritage, unity, and what's built when a community leads together.
Last Year's Dinner
A look inside the celebration, the honorees, the room, and the energy your brand becomes part of.
The Inaugural 2025 Class
Each honoree receives the She Leads crystal award "for outstanding leadership and contributions to the Ventura County community."
Good to know
Quick answers for guests, sponsors, and vendors.
Tickets for the November 8, 2026 dinner are on sale now. Get your tickets on Eventbrite. Red carpet opens at 5 PM; dinner and awards run 6 to 10 PM.
The 2026 dinner is on Sunday, November 8, 2026 at Staybridge Suites Oxnard – River Ridge, 2101 W Vineyard Ave, Oxnard, CA 93036. We expect 150 to 200 guests.
Sponsorships run from $250 to $5,000 across five levels, plus specialty sponsorships for the dinner, entertainment, red carpet, awards, photo experience, gift bag, and centerpieces. Benefits include tickets or a reserved table, program ads, logo placement, stage recognition, and social spotlights. The sponsorship deadline is Friday, October 30. Download the package or email us.
Yes. The Legacy Marketplace is a curated showcase of Black-owned and women-led businesses at the November 8 dinner. Marketplace Vendor spaces are $125 and Featured Vendor spaces are $200, with an optional $100 dinner add-on for two. Spaces are limited, applications are reviewed for fit, and the deadline is Friday, October 30. Submit a vendor application or see the vendor details.
Yes. Tickets are on sale now on Eventbrite, and every sponsorship level includes at least one ticket.
She Leads Ventura County is an annual awards dinner that honors Black women leaders across Ventura County. Presented by Black in Business 805, it brings together business owners, entrepreneurs, educators, nonprofit professionals, and civic leaders for an evening of dinner, networking, and recognition. The name also stands for She L.E.A.D.S.: Leadership, Empowerment, Advancement, Development, Service.
The 2026 class is LaRita J. Montgomery (Legacy Award), Dr. Kimberly McCowan (Trailblazer Award), Danielle Keys (Leadership Excellence Award), Sade Champagne (Impact and Service Award), Taylesse Deans-Davis (Rising Leader Award), and Global Empathy Training Academy, founded by Dr. Linda McKenzie (Organization of the Year). Meet the 2026 class.
Nominations for the 2026 class are closed and the honorees have been announced. Meet the 2026 class. Want to be there when they receive their awards? Get your tickets.
The inaugural 2025 class was Taneisha Thompson, Denise Carter, Alynette Champion, Ranesha Thompson, and Inez Spates. Each received the She Leads crystal award for outstanding leadership and contributions to the Ventura County community. Meet the 2025 class.
Black in Business 805 is a platform founded in 2021 by Shenee Randolph that empowers Black entrepreneurs through connection, visibility, resources, and community. Based in Oxnard, it serves Ventura County and the wider 805 and presents the She Leads awards dinner each year.
Email shenee@sheleadsventura.com for sponsorship, vendor, nominations, press, or general questions. You can also follow Black in Business 805 on Facebook and Instagram.
Sunday, November 8, 2026 · Oxnard
Take a seat, back the evening, or bring your business to the room. Every one of them helps a woman in Ventura County be seen. Sponsorships and vendor spaces close Friday, October 30.
Join the list for sponsorship deadlines, honoree news, and the next dinner, straight to your inbox, not just your feed.