Mission Forward:
Amplifying Impact
YWCA Delaware’s 20th Celebration Breakfast
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
8 AM - 9 AM
(DOORS OPEN AT 7:15 AM)
IN PERSON & VIRTUAL
DuPont Country Club, 1001 Rockland Road, Wilmington, DE 19803
Join Us!
You’re Invited to celebrate the Change Agents who are turning complex challenges into incredible opportunities by eliminating racism and empowering women.
You are warmly invited to join us for an uplifting morning as we come together to celebrate and amplify YWCA Delaware's extraordinary impact across our state and explore how we can continue to move forward together. This year marks our 20th Celebration Breakfast, a significant milestone in our mission to improve the economic security, health, safety, and social equity for women and their families.
Date: Wednesday, October 9, 2024
Time: Doors open at 7:15 a.m. for networking, event begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 9 a.m.
Location: DuPont Country Club, 1001 Rockland Road, Wilmington, DE 19803
This year's theme, Mission Forward: Amplifying Impact, emphasizes the power of our collective perspectives and voices. It is a call to action for communities, public policies, and practices to drive meaningful change.
Begin your morning with a chance to connect with individuals who are passionate about making a difference. Hear from inspiring speakers and community leaders who will share their insights on how we can amplify our impact. Learn about YWCA Delaware’s ongoing initiatives and how your support can contribute to our mission.
Meet our Co-Chairs: Ayanna Khan, Founder and CEO of the Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce (DEBCC) and Lynne Kielhorn, Social Justice Advocate.
By attending YWCA Delaware’s 20th Celebration Breakfast, you are directly contributing to the betterment of our communities and the advancement of social equity for women and their families in our state.
We look forward to seeing you there! Use the hashtags #YWBreakfast and #MissionForward to spread the word and show us you’re watching!
Meet our Honorary
Co-Chairs
Meet our Honorary Co-Chairs, Ayanna Khan and Lynne Kielhorn, whose unwavering commitment to YWCA Delaware’s mission of eliminating racism and empowering women is exemplified through their leadership, advocacy, and dedication to creating a more inclusive and equitable community.
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Ayanna Khan is the Founder and CEO of the Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce (DEBCC), the state’s first Black Chamber of Commerce which has been nationally awarded and globally recognized. Launched in 2020 during the height of the pandemic, it is also the most diverse chamber in Delaware and has grown to over 700 members.
Driven by her commitment to fostering economic growth and creating opportunities for Black-owned businesses in Delaware, Ayanna founded the DEBCC in response to the urgent needs of small businesses struggling during the pandemic. Witnessing the heartbreaking closures of multi-generational businesses, she was determined to make a difference. Ayanna and her team successfully secured over $2 million in funding through the Delaware Relief Grant to support diverse Black businesses across the state, helping them stay operational during the pandemic.
As a second-generation business owner with a deep passion for entrepreneurship, Ayanna also serves as President of Khan Consulting LLC, where she helps organizations navigate strategic development and growth initiatives. She brings over a decade of experience in finance from her tenure with a major communication and technology Dow 30 company, combined with a long-standing commitment to community service, including over 12 years of volunteer work with the American Cancer Society.
Beyond her leadership roles in the business community, Ayanna is an Adjunct Professor at Delaware Technical Community College, where she enjoys mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs and professionals by sharing her expertise and insights.
Ayanna holds a MS in Human Services from Wilmington University and a BS in Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration from Park University.
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Lynne Kielhorn is a dedicated citizen advocate for social justice, having transitioned from a successful career in biotech to full-time activism.
Lynne is deeply passionate about criminal justice reform and urban gun violence prevention and has been instrumental in bringing successful reforms and programs to Delaware. Her advocacy includes reforming Delaware’s court fines and fees system, where she has co-led a Campaign to End Debtors’ Prison. A key victory in this effort was the passage of HB 244, a landmark legislation that prohibits courts from imposing fines, fees, costs, or assessments on juveniles, ends the suspension of driver’s licenses as a penalty for nonpayment, and eliminate certain fees that were added to punitive fines. Lynne is also actively engaged in advancing police reform in Delaware.
Lynne serves on the Board of Delaware Greenways and is a co-leader of the Peace & Justice Work Group at Westminster Presbyterian Church. She is also actively involved in the Coalition for Smart Justice.
Previously, Lynne ran a consulting business that supported local education reform initiatives and was a founding board member of the Wilmington Thomas Edison Charter School. She successfully led an effort to prevent the re-segregation of the Brandywine School District following the lifting of a court mandate.
Lynne holds an MBA from the Wharton School and a BS in Electrical Engineering from Bucknell University.
Thank You to Our Lead Breakfast and Fundraiser Sponsor:
Dorothy Height
“We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community... Our ambitions must be broad enough to include the aspirations and needs of others, for their sakes and for our own.”
Rosa Parks