Moments after the praise team of Nicole Mais, Ashley Brown, Asleigh Cummings, and Deandre Phillips led a spirited rendition of Cece Winans’ Holy Forever, and as the notes reverberated throughout the Jamaica Pegasus ballroom, an emotional Cortia Bingham-McKenzie, founder and CEO of We Inspire Women, invited a roomful of pink-clad women to stand and join her in giving God praise.

“I’m just grateful, my sisters. I’m not from Kingston, I have no roots in Kingston (but I have roots now). I’m from Granville, St James, I didn’t grow up with a mother or a father in a home. I wasn’t taught about integrity or honesty; that was not my beginning. It’s unbelievable that I am here. God is good. And even in the midst of your darkest hour, God is good,” she said.

Her inspirational words and the worship session have become a key part of Bingham-McKenzie’s women-centric inspirational brunch, now in its ninth year. The 2025 iteration, held on Sunday, August 31, was one for the books with approximately 200 women hearing life-changing stories from an impressive line-up of women including the youngest speaker the panel has ever had, 29-year-old JCF corporal and accomplished female pistol shooters Shayon Francis; attorney-at-law specialising in corporate, commercial, pensions, and intellectual property law Sanya Goffe; Supreme Ventures Services Limited CEO Krista-Gaye Fisher; AI and digital transformation coach & CEO of Crescent Advisory Group Nadeen Matthews Blair; founder of BFA Ministries Catherine Radlein; clinical psychologist Kerri-Anne Freckleton; St Lucian keynote speaker Dona Regis Prosper, secretary general and chief executive officer, Caribbean Tourism Organization; and recipient of the Most Inspiring Woman in Media award Debbie Bissoon.

Page 2 shares highlights.

From Mum, With Love Moments after a soul-stirring presentation, Supreme Ventures Services Limited CEO Krista-Gaye Fisher was doted on by her mum Maceia Fisher. (Photo: Leo Hudson)

And The Award Goes To… Jamaican media personality, award-winning presenter, producer, and cultural advocate Debbie Bissoon admired her plaque as she accepted the We Inspire Women award for Most Inspiring Woman in Media. (Photo: Leo Hudson)

Three’s Company Snapped together were (from left) presenter, attorney-at-law Sanya Goffe; Harbour Wines and Spirits Commercial Manager Dr Debbian Spence-Minott; and We Inspire Women founder & CEO Cortia Bingham-McKenzie. (Photo: LH Multimedia)

Stage Presence Rounding out the We Inspire Women VIp pre-show panel were (from left) Development Bank of Jamaica Managing Director Dr David Lowe; The WellFit Club founder Kamila McDonald; executive director of the Students’ Loan Bureau Nickeisha Walsh; and development practitioner and human rights advocate Jaevion Nelson. (Photo: LH Multimedia)

Holy Forever Team lead of administrative services Tamara Clennon-Brown was moved by the spirit during the worship and welcome session. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)