Empower GENOW Network

07/23/2026

A Celebration for Our Entire Community. 🌟

We are thrilled to announce that our Founder & CEO, Renika J. Smiley, has been named a 2026 Cincinnati Business Courier Forty Under 40 Honoree!

This recognition reflects years of building opportunities for others through leadership development, workforce initiatives, behavioral health stabilization, recovery housing, entrepreneurship, and economic mobility.

While this honor bears one name, it belongs to every staff member, board member, volunteer, partner, funder, and participant who has believed in our mission and helped make this work possible.

Congratulations to all of the 2026 Forty Under 40 Honorees. We are honored to stand among so many leaders who are shaping the future of our region.

The work continues—and we’re just getting started.

07/15/2026

🤝 Building Stronger Communities Through Partnership

At Empower GENNOW Network, we believe lasting change happens when organizations come together around a shared mission.

We’re excited to celebrate a new partnership between Wanda Way Homes – Clear Path Recovery Program and Freestore Foodbank, Lift the Tri-State, and Cincinnati Cooks. Together, we’re expanding opportunities that help individuals move beyond crisis and toward long-term stability.

This collaboration will help connect participants with:
🍽️ Food security and nutrition support

👨‍🍳 Culinary arts and food service training

🎓 Workforce certifications and job skills training

💼 Employment pathways and career development

🤝 Comprehensive support that promotes self-sufficiency and economic mobility

At Empower GENNOW Network, we know that housing alone isn’t enough. Sustainable recovery and long-term success are built through education, workforce development, community partnerships, and access to meaningful opportunities.

We’re grateful to our partners for investing in people, strengthening our community, and helping us create pathways to healing, employment, and generational success.

This partnership reflects what Empower GENNOW Network is all about—bringing organizations together to remove barriers, build leaders, strengthen families, and create opportunities that transform lives.

Here’s to building stronger communities, together. 💙

03/19/2026

Meet the 60: Advance NOW Cohort 3 – A New Era of Black Women’s Leadership & Economic Power

The future of leadership is bold, brilliant, and unapologetically powerful.

Generation NOW proudly welcomes Advance NOW Cohort 3 — a dynamic class of 60 women stepping into a transformative journey of leadership, economic mobility, and personal empowerment.

This cohort is more than participation — it’s a movement.

These women represent diverse backgrounds and industries, united by one mission: to grow, lead, and elevate themselves and their communities.

Advance NOW continues to emerge as a leading pipeline for Black women’s leadership in the Midwest, creating space for women to be seen, supported, and positioned for success.

A Program Rooted in Purpose

Participants engage in:
• Leadership development
• Financial literacy & economic empowerment
• Career advancement & workforce resilience
• Entrepreneurship & wealth-building
• Mental health, healing, and self-care

This experience equips women with the tools, network, and confidence to lead in today’s evolving professional landscape.

More Than a Cohort — A Sisterhood

These 60 women are building a powerful sisterhood rooted in accountability, growth, and collective elevation — breaking barriers and redefining leadership for Black women across the region.

The Work Starts Now

This is not just a program — it’s a launchpad for career growth, business expansion, leadership influence, and generational impact.

The ripple effect will extend far beyond the classroom.

A Movement That Continues to Grow

Advance NOW is building a legacy of empowered women shaping the future of our workforce, communities, and economy.

And Cohort 3 is just getting started.

Follow the journey. Support the mission. Witness the impact.

Because when women rise — communities transform.

03/08/2026

Empower GENNOW Network is excited to introduce NOW Cohort 3! ✨

Join us this Thursday for the RESET: Welcome Event – A Night of Vision, Leadership & Sisterhood, featuring keynote speaker Vernita Hightower of NextGen Fuel.

Below are the flyers for 40 of the incredible women (out of 60) who will be part of this year’s cohort. We are still waiting on headshots from 20 more participants as we finalize the remaining flyers.

We are proud to welcome a class of 59 women who will be participating in one of Cincinnati’s most prestigious economic mobility and leadership development programs for women.

There is currently one final spot available in the program due to a recent scheduling change. If you are a woman between the ages of 21–45 and interested in joining the Advance NOW Cohort beginning March 19, we encourage you to reach out.

🎟 RESET Event Tickets (2-for-1 – $12.50):
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/reset-a-night-of-vision-leadership-sisterhood-tickets-1983230702418?aff=oddtdtcreator

Please join us in congratulating these incredible women as they begin their leadership and economic empowerment journey.

For inquiries about the final cohort spot, please send us a DM or message.

01/20/2026

Wanda Way Homes invites the community to join us this morning from 9:00–11:00 AM for a powerful Day of Healing at Reach One Recovery, in partnership with Wanda Way Homes .

📍 Reach One Recovery & Wanda Way Homes
3699 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45220

This healing session is open to individuals and families impacted by substance use, addiction, and mental health challenges. The morning will include prayer, reflection, and community healing, creating space for restoration, hope, and support.

This gathering is hosted on the Wanda Way Homes campus, an Empower GENNOW Network–operated program under Clear Path Recovery Housing, created in memory of Wanda Easterling, a former housing case manager at Talbert House who dedicated her life to supporting individuals battling addiction and mental health challenges. Wanda Way Homes exists to continue her legacy through recovery housing, healing, and community care.

Thank you to ALL IN Cincinnati for this opportunity.

You are welcome here. 💜

12/25/2025

🎉 What an Incredible Night! 🎉

Last Thursday was a beautiful and powerful evening with an incredible turnout celebrating Cincy Black Magazine featuring our work at Generation NOW, also known as Empower GENOW Network, and our signature leadership program Advance NOW.

To see our alumni stories highlighted in print—real women, real journeys, real leadership—was nothing short of special. Advance NOW is rooted in empowering African-American women in Cincinnati (and yes, it’s open to all women), and this moment reminded us exactly why this work matters.

A huge shoutout to Donny Young for welcoming us into the Art of Networking experience and partnering with us for the magazine launch. The energy in the room was unmatched!

And listen… the momentum is REAL 👀

📌 175 applications already submitted

📌 Application deadline: January 2nd

📌 Interviews begin in the New Year

📌 Advance NOW Cohort 3 launches March 2026

📖 Check out the magazine!

– Digital copy: FREE

– Print copies available for purchase at the link below:

https://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/3227498

Apply for Advance NOW at the Link 🔗 Below:

https://empowergennow.org/our-programs/advance/

Thank you to every woman, partner, alum, and supporter who continues to believe in this vision. This is only the beginning 💫

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to everyone! ❤️🎄

12/05/2025

See how the Empower GENOW Network professional development program empowered Dakari Jones (Cohort 2).

Dakari Jones is co-owner and administrator of Water Lily Learning Center in Avondale, where she provides high-quality early childhood education while mentoring women in the field.

Dakari is passionate about empowering women and strengthening the community through education. Her work supports children, families, and educators in growing and thriving together.

“Advance NOW transformed my leadership and my business,” she shares. “It expanded my network, introduced new collaborations, and gave me tools to create meaningful change in my community.”

Apply to join the next women's professional development cohort: vobc.co/ADVANCE

12/05/2025

🌟 Empower GENNOW Network Family — We Need Your Support! 🌟

If you haven’t already, make sure you follow our Wanda Way Homes 🏡 Facebook Business Page! This is where we’ll be sharing all updates about our sober living homes, resident stories, and the powerful work we’re building in Cincinnati to support housing stability and recovery.

Wanda Way Homes recently secured a $100,000 grant from the City of Cincinnati Human Services Fund — a major investment that helps us expand supportive housing and workforce pathways for the residents we serve. 🙌🏽💜

And listen… we’ve already done so much this year with Wanda Way Homes:

• Turned over and stabilized multiple sober living properties

• Improved safety, operations, and on-site support for residents

• Partnered with Monty’s Place Treatment Center for intake and services

• Added transportation, workforce, and community support systems

• Built stronger pathways for residents working toward healing & independence

• Laid the foundation for a long-term housing model rooted in dignity and recovery

Wanda Way Homes is becoming one of Cincinnati’s most impactful supportive housing initiatives — all inspired by Wanda’s legacy and driven by our commitment to rebuild lives.

✨ Follow the page today to stay connected:

👉 Wanda Way Homes — A Safe Place to Heal, Rise, and Rebuild

Thank you for growing with us. We’re excited. We’re grateful. And we’re just getting started.

— Empower GENNOW Network

12/04/2025

See how the Empower GENOW Network professional development program empowered Kyairah Jones (Cohort 2).

Kyairah Jones is a military veteran and co-owner of Monopoly Men Construction & Real Estate Firm. She also manages a portfolio of 17 rental properties, combining entrepreneurship with real estate investment.

Kyairah is passionate about building sustainable businesses that serve communities. Her military background shaped her leadership, discipline, and organizational skills.

“Generation NOW helped me gain insight into my strengths and refine my entrepreneurial leadership,” she shares. “It provided tools, connections, and confidence to grow my businesses and expand my impact.”

Apply to join the next women’s professional development cohort: vobc.co/ADVANCE

The ADVANCE workforce development training program provides resources to help African American women in Cincinnati find careers.

12/02/2025

See how the Empower GENOW Network professional development program empowered Camille Bryant (Cohort 2).

Camille Bryant is a finance professional and community advocate focused on advancing economic equity, career mobility, and leadership development for emerging Black leaders.

Camille is committed to building opportunities and mentoring the next generation of leaders. She leverages corporate expertise to create impact-driven outcomes and elevate visibility for Black talent.

“Generation NOW strengthened my leadership voice and expanded my network,” she shares. “It reminded me that Cincinnati has the space for young Black leaders to shape narrative, accelerate change, and create impact now.”

Apply to join the next women’s professional development cohort: vobc.co/ADVANCE

The ADVANCE workforce development training program provides resources to help African American women in Cincinnati find careers.