Close to 500 women gather for WISS 2026 “Elevate” Summit
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Igniting the Moment: Terri-Karelle Johnson commands the stage with clarity, confidence, and conviction, setting the tone, guiding the flow, and igniting the atmosphere with purpose. With every word, she holds space for elevation, ensuring that each moment of the Woman Ignite Success Summit unfolds with intention, excellence, and impact.
Close to 500 women from Jamaica, across the wider Caribbean, Canada, and the United States convened at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on Saturday, January 31, for the Woman Ignite Success Summit (WISS) 2026, marking the fifth staging of one of Jamaica’s leading faith-centred platforms for women in leadership, wellness, and personal development.
Hosted by the Woman Ignite Foundation under the theme “Elevate,” the full-day summit delivered a purpose-driven experience grounded in spiritual alignment, practical leadership, and holistic growth.
Power Speakers: Women Who Carry the Flame. From left: Brittainy Noel, Shani McGraham, Keneshia Nooks-Blake (Founder & Convenor), and Kemesha Swaby—the power speakers of WISS 2026, united by faith, purpose, and the call to elevate women into clarity, wholeness, and leadership. This moment captures the strength of alignment and the impact of women who lead with conviction and vision.
The Summit brought together entrepreneurs, executives, professionals, creatives, faith leaders, and emerging changemakers for a carefully curated programme that addressed the realities of women leading in high-responsibility environments. Through worship, keynote addresses, panel discussions, and interactive workshops, WISS 2026 reinforced its commitment to developing women spiritually, emotionally, and professionally.
Founder and Convenor Keneshia Nooks Blake opened the Summit by grounding the gathering in its spiritual foundation and purpose.
Pop the Fear. Rise in Faith. A room filled with colour, courage, and collective release as participants raise their balloons during the Pop the Balloon segment, symbolising the letting go of fear, limiting beliefs, and the “what ifs” that hold us back. In this shared act, women chose faith over doubt, unity over hesitation, and elevation over stagnation.
“I never begin anything without acknowledging my reason. I must begin where everything in my life begins, with my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,” Blake said. “Without Him, there would be no vision, no Woman Ignite, and no movement. Elevation requires obedience, and we cannot elevate while holding on to what God is asking us to release.”
Throughout the day, speakers expanded on the Elevate theme from multiple perspectives. Prophetess Sarah Smith delivered the opening keynote, challenging women to confront cycles of stagnation and step boldly into clarity, healing, and renewed spiritual authority.
Girls’ Talk: Real Conversations. Honest, unfiltered, and deeply affirming our Girls’ Talk panel with Kemesha Swaby, P. Falasha Harrison, Pastor Charlene Reid and Zhara Mohansingh. The panel opened the space for meaningful dialogue on marriage, family, relationships, identity, and wholeness.
A candid panel discussion on Marriage, Family, and Relationships featured Pastor Charlene Reid, P. Falasha Harrison, Kemesha Kelly Swaby, and Zhara-Marie Mohansingh (virtual), offering honest dialogue on identity, wholeness, faith, and navigating relationships across different life stages.
Wellness practitioner Shani McGraham-Shirley led a physical wellness workshop focused on sustaining energy, preventing burnout, and stewarding the body while pursuing purpose, while Pastor Sara Cowan guided participants through a business and career session that encouraged women to move from survival-driven hustle to intentional, purpose-led impact.
Releasing the Armour: With insight, vulnerability, and authority, Brittainy Noel challenged women to lay down the survival armour that once protected them but now limits their elevation. Her message on emotional intelligence, mental resilience, and inner healing called the room to a softer strength, one rooted in clarity, self-trust, and the courage to rise without fear.
Mental health and therapeutic empowerment took centre stage during the afternoon keynote delivered by Brittainy Noel, who urged women to examine internal coping mechanisms developed in past seasons.
Daughter, It’s Time to Elevate: With prophetic fire and unmistakable authority, Prophetess Sarah Smith called women out of stagnation and into movement. Her charge ignited faith, broke limiting cycles, and reminded every woman in the room that elevation begins with clarity, obedience, and the courage to rise into God-given purpose.
Apostle Stephanie Okafor: Called to Prepare, Positioned to Elevate: Apostle Stephanie Okafor delivered a powerful charge on purpose, preparation, and divine timing. Her message reminded women that elevation is not accidental; it is forged through obedience, alignment, and faithfulness in every season of the climb. As she spoke, hearts were stirred, faith was strengthened, and women were called to rise with intention into all that God has prepared.
A Room in Alignment: A sacred moment of surrender and unity as hearts and hands were lifted in worship. In this space, faith deepened, burdens were released, and women collectively aligned themselves with God’s presence, embracing renewal, strength, and the call to elevate.
From Calling to Impact Pastor Sara Cowan challenged women to move beyond survival-driven hustle and into purpose-led creation. Her message reminded the room that what God has placed in our hands, our skills, ideas, and influence, is meant to be stewarded with intention, faith, and confidence as we build lives and work that truly elevate.
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