Women, Wine,and the Room featuring Rhonda Sewell: She Has Spoken

Women. Wine. The Room. What happens when a woman stops negotiating with herself and simply speaks her truth? She has spoken. And that is the final word. Join us at Toledo's Share for the very first Women, Wine, in the Room brunch, a first-ever gathering built for women who are ready to claim the confidence, the audacity, and the trust in themselves to know that when they have spoken, it is done. No second-guessing. No apology. No walking it back. And we are going to have fun doing it. Brunch, wine, and a room full of women who get it. HATS ON, LADIES. Everyone is encouraged to wear a hat. Consider it a tip of the hat to the women in the room, and to the women who came before us, modeled the way, and gave us the courage to speak our truth. Wear your favorite, borrow one, or make a grand entrance in something fabulous. Bring your crown. Our featured guest is Rhonda Sewell, a woman whose career is proof of what happens when you trust your own voice. Rhonda is the Toledo Museum of Art's inaugural Director of Advocacy and External Affairs, and previously served as the museum's inaugural Director of Belonging & Community Engagement. Before that, she spent 15 years with the Toledo Lucas County Public Library, working with local, state, and federal legislators on funding, advocacy, and systems change. She is best known in Northwest Ohio for her 18-year career as an award-winning journalist at The Blade, with assignments in six countries. She is a proven community leader. In 2012 she conceptualized Real Men READ-y, a mentoring and early literacy program for African American boys, and was named a top 10 Jefferson Awards finalist as its catalyst. She has been honored as a Milestones for Women honoree by the YWCA of Northwest Ohio and a Woman of Distinction by the Girl Scouts of Western Ohio. In 2021 she received the Golden Touchstone award from the Press Club of Toledo for lifetime achievement in journalism, and in 2023 she received the Silver Medal for lifetime achievement from the American Advertising Federation (Toledo Chapter), becoming the chapter's first person of color to win it in more than 60 years. She serves on the board of CreativeOhio and is a Mayoral-appointed member of The Arts Commission of Greater Toledo, where she is the first person of color to serve as past board president in the Commission's 60-plus year history. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Michigan State University and completed graduate studies in International Journalism at City University of London. She has traveled to 21 countries, collects art, reads Black literature, loves spoken word, and is a self-described believer, servant leader, and bourbon connoisseur. Come hungry, come curious, wear a hat, and come ready to speak. Free to attend Brunch and wine available for purchase Hats encouraged Must be 21+ Password to enter will be sent via email prior to the event Seating is limited. Reserve your place in the room.