We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Adwoa Rey a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Adwoa thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
Women of Praize was born out of a deeply personal experience. Nearly 20 years ago, I was having one of those days where nothing seemed to go right, and I felt completely alone in my struggles. As a woman of color working in politics, I faced challenges that many around me couldn’t fully understand. Seeking solace, I reached out to a few of my Capitol Hill colleagues—other women of color who knew the pressures we faced—for a word of prayer. That simple act of reaching out turned into something transformative. What began as a small prayer gathering quickly grew into a sanctuary, a sisterhood, and a source of strength for women of color navigating the demanding world of politics.
Today, Women of Praize is a nonprofit organization with hundreds of members across the country, but our mission remains the same: to provide spiritual support, encouragement, and empowerment for women of color in politics. The political world can be isolating, especially for women of color who are often underrepresented and overlooked. Our mission is to create a safe space where faith, personal growth, and professional success intersect. Through a holistic approach, we help our members stay connected to Christ, their inner selves, and their communities while fostering workplace success, strengthening family and social bonds, prioritizing well-being, and building lasting financial security.
Women of Praize is more than an organization; it is a calling. It stands as a testament to the power of faith, community, and resilience in a field that often tests one’s strength. This work is deeply personal to me because I have walked this path myself. I understand the weight of responsibility, the challenges of being one of the few, and the importance of having a support system that truly understands. Leading this sisterhood is both an honor and a responsibility, and I am committed to fostering deeper spiritual reflection, meaningful dialogue, and lifelong connections. Through Women of Praize, I hope to continue creating spaces where women of color in politics don’t just succeed—they thrive.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?
One of my favorite childhood scriptures is Micah 6:8: “To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” This powerful verse has guided me since a young age, instilling in me a commitment to fairness, justice, and humility in my leadership. My journey into public service began with volunteering at my church’s soup kitchen, where I encountered individuals facing poverty and homelessness, and expanded through my involvement with the NAACP and political activism in college, especially after experiencing racism firsthand.
These early experiences deepened my understanding of how public policy and systems impact marginalized communities, especially communities of color. My time in Congress, where I held leadership roles, further fueled my passion for service and sparked an interest in the intersection of politics and faith, leading me to pursue a master’s degree in religion, ethics, and public policy. Drawing from my experiences on Capitol Hill and a deep understanding of the power of faith, I founded Women of Praize—a nonprofit that serves as a sanctuary for women of color in politics. Through holistic support rooted in spirituality, we provide resources, networking opportunities, leadership, and professional development to help women thrive in their roles. Our work amplifies the voices of women of color, offering them the support needed to succeed and navigate the challenges of an often isolating and underrepresented field.
Our programs reflect our commitment to holistic empowerment, touching on diverse areas of faith, health, civic engagement, family support, social justice, and economic empowerment. Programs like the Matters of the Heart Reception and Unity Prayer for Peace and Civility explore the intersection of faith and politics, promoting peace, unity, and civility in a divided world. We also support the emotional and practical needs of families through initiatives such as the Mothering Through Crisis pilot program, which offers support to mothers in need. Our Fit for Life Minority Women’s Health Roundtable and Breaking the Silence: Black Women and Suicide highlight the mental and physical health challenges that disproportionately affect marginalized communities, especially women of color.
Our work in civic engagement is seen in programs like Voter Registration Initiatives and Your Voice & Your Vote Matter, which emphasize the importance of political participation and amplify the voices of women of color in the political process. Programs such as Caring for Our Loved Ones offer support for those balancing family life and caregiving, while Beyond Roe v. Wade: A Call to Action and The Moral Imperative for Reimagining Policing in Black and Brown Communities tackle the systemic issues of racial and social justice that continue to affect marginalized communities.
Economic empowerment is at the heart of our efforts with programs like Are You Ready for the Next Recession? and COVID-19 Emergency Relief Bill Teleconference, which provide financial guidance and resources to help communities prepare for economic challenges, ensuring women of color have the tools to thrive in times of uncertainty. Additionally, The New AI Revolution: No Community Left Behind, a conversation exploring the impact of artificial intelligence on marginalized communities and advocating for inclusivity in technology.
What sets me apart is my deep-rooted commitment to the intersection of faith and public service. My expertise in these areas stems from years of personal and professional experience, both as a public servant and a faith leader. Having faced firsthand the challenges that underrepresented groups encounter, I use my platform to advocate for those often overlooked or marginalized in our democracy. My life’s work spans several roles—non-profit executive, business owner, faith leader, congressional aide, first lady of a small military town, commissioner, and member of various government, community, and academic boards. Despite these varied roles, my core mission has always remained the same: to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with others, advocating for a more equitable and just society.
Micah 6:8 continues to be my guiding principle. I am most proud of the lasting impact I’ve had through my advocacy, from legislative change to creating spaces for women of color in politics. I want my followers to know that I am committed to using my platform and influence to continue fighting for justice in our society.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
One example of resilience in my career comes from founding an organization. I didn’t set out to create a full-fledged nonprofit; I was responding to a need I felt deeply connected to, having personally experienced the challenges the organization now addresses. Over time, the mission grew, and the organization expanded, ultimately becoming a 501(c)(3).
The growth was unexpected, bringing new challenges. I had to remain faithful to my calling while navigating the complexities of scaling a business—managing legal requirements, fundraising, and maintaining organizational stability as we expanded our impact.
The growing pains were real. While part of the natural expansion process, they were never part of my original vision. Yet, through resilience, I could balance the organization’s growth with its mission and continue scaling its impact and the business side, proving that persistence and adaptability can turn an unanticipated journey into a success.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
One lesson I had to unlearn is the belief that I needed all the answers or control over every situation to succeed. Early in my career, I thought that showing confidence meant having every detail figured out, which sometimes led me to hesitate in asking for help or collaborating effectively. Over time, I realized that success often comes from leveraging the collective strengths of a team and being open to learning from others. The COVID-19 pandemic reinforced this lesson in a business context. It highlighted the importance of community and collaboration, as businesses had to adapt quickly to new realities to survive. While we are no longer in a global pandemic, how businesses came together during that time, leaning on networks, collaborating with partners, and sharing resources, remains relevant today. This collaborative mindset fosters innovation, resilience, and long-term growth in any business environment.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.womenofpraize.com
- Instagram: @womenofpraize
- Facebook: @iamadwoarey
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adwoa-rey/
