Lifestyle

Trailblazers Who Had Laws Passed, Gave Away Millions, And Broke Barriers In Business Were Honored In Utah

New Years Eve, sixty people dressed to the nines to attend the Women of IMPACT Gala at the 5star Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah. Guests came from Los Angeles, Texas, and Georgia to celebrate the work of four phenomenal black women who have given away millions, had laws changed, broke barriers in business!

The honorees:

Carolyn Hayden-Garner is the Founder & CEO of Mother’s Shut-In and an Executive at Tesla. Carolyn’s organization embraces diverse group of women with a common goal to help empower, equip, and encourage children and future generations in a way that they are unable to do so within their means.

Honoree, Carolyn Hayden-Garner Mother’s Shut-In & Tesla Executive


Kimmy Paluch is the founder and Managing Partner of Beta Boom, an early-stage venture fund that invests in software companies that are building the future for women and multicultural consumers in the U.S.

Betty Sawyer has been at the forefront of many initiatives in Utah to address education, community and economic development, culture, and health. Through her nonprofit, Project Success Coalition, Betty has worked to eliminate tobacco-related and other health disparities among Black/African American Utahns for over 30 years.

Betty Sawyer, Founder of Project Success Coalition and Director of the Governor’s Office of Black Affairs

Jamie McGriff is an Alabama native who is the 4, 7 and 9 pm Anchor who handles reports from CBS KUTV 2News Live Breaking News Desk for the 5, 6, and 10 pm shows.

Jamie McGriff, CBS KUTV 2NEWS Anchor

These women are the upper echelon! They are the go-getters who do not wait around to see if a thing will happen; they are the ones to make it happen. You can tell by all of the people who showed up to celebrate each of the honorees. Throughout the evening, words of the women being a force, inspiring, authentic, and pragmatic were echoed.

Pastor Thomas Garner

Only the best was provided to the honorees and their guests! The aroma of fresh flowers filled the room while the crisp champagne with red and white wine were butler passed. Dinner began with filet mignon and salmon, and ended with white chocolate and raspberry cheesecake, with Grand Marnier and strawberries. The honorees received a customized semi-precious stone hematite necklace with Swarovski crystals from Omoyeni (IG: @omoyeni) and a personalized Vera Wang crystal vase.

The guests and honorees toasted the evening together when the clock struck midnight. Each offering well wishes to each other! This was an elegant affair to top off the end of the year, while beginning anew. The honorees deserved this evening and so much more!

Black women take care of their homes and community. Majority of the time, she puts the care in front of her own self-care. It was a privilege to honor these women who have stayed the course to make a greater life for others.

Salute to these phenomenal women! Be sure to comment here so they can read your well wishes.

To get to know the honorees, be sure to follow them on all social media platforms.

You may also like

Leave a Reply