Women Innovating Memphis
In celebration of Women’s History Month and the International Women’s Day theme Give to Gain, Epicenter Memphis invites you to a powerful gathering spotlighting women who are shaping communities locally and globally.
Join us on March 4 for an inspiring midday program featuring Her Royal Highness Lady Jiljuana J. Coleman, global business strategist and diplomatic liaison to the Asante and Dagbon Kingdoms, alongside local leaders Sophia Cole and Denise Silas. Together, they’ll share insights on leadership, entrepreneurship, and building impact that reaches far beyond Memphis.
Agenda Highlights:
10:45–11:15 AM: Catered lunch by Heirloom Catering
11:15–11:30 AM: Keynote remarks by Her Royal Highness Lady Jiljuana J. Coleman
11:30–11:45 AM: Small group discussions
11:45 AM–12:30 PM: Fireside chat with Coleman, Sophia Cole, and Denise Silas
12:30–1:00 PM: Q&A and networking
The first 30 guests to arrive will receive a curated gift bag featuring products from local women-owned businesses.
Come connect with innovators, entrepreneurs, and community leaders for an afternoon of conversation, connection, and celebration of women’s leadership—rooted in Memphis, reaching the world.
HRH Lady Jiluana Coleman
Her Royal Highness Lady Jiljuana J. Coleman is the beloved adopted daughter of His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, serving as his Diplomatic Liaison for the Asante Kingdom and as Diplomatic Liaison to Her Royal Highness Naa Ife Bell, Zosimli Naa of the Dagbon Kingdom. A visionary royal, Goldman Sachs Scholar, and global business strategist, she is Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Jamerson Strategic Consulting, through which she advises governments, royal households, and global corporations on international trade, economic transformation, and executive leadership across Africa and the diaspora. Multilingual and educated in international business and management in both the United States and France, including advanced entrepreneurship development with Goldman Sachs and the Nasdaq Entrepreneurship Center, she serves on the Board of Directors of the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Foundation, is a Special Envoy for the Her Tomorrow Movement under the Office of Zosimli Naa, in Ghana and the United States, and holds ambassadorial and mentorship roles with leading U.S. trade, business, and women‑in‑technology initiatives, through which she champions women’s economic empowerment and enduring partnerships between traditional kingdoms and the global economy.
Sophia Cole
Sophia Cole is a Professional EOS® Implementer and leadership coach who is passionate about helping business owners build strong, sustainable companies and lives they truly enjoy, doing so in a way that overflows into the lives of the people around them. She brings a deep commitment to developing leaders and entrepreneurs, helping them gain clarity, confidence, and traction as they grow both themselves and their businesses.
Sophia immigrated to the United States at 19 as a refugee from the former Soviet Union with $200, two suitcases, and limited English. She made Memphis her home and has spent more than 27 years building a career focused on understanding what makes organizations thrive and what it takes to lead well through growth and change. With experience spanning tech and medtech, she understands the real-world challenges faced by entrepreneurial leadership teams and is known for helping founders and executives create focus, alignment, and lasting impact.
Denise Silas
With a strong foundation in Accounting and successfully completing the Certified Public Accountant exam, Denise spent years excelling in corporate America. While navigating her corporate career, she launched her own skin care business—initially as a personal growth endeavor to overcome her fear of public speaking. What started as a confidence-building exercise grew into a successful entrepreneurial journey. Over the past three decades, Denise has empowered and coached countless women in the beauty and skin care industry, guiding them toward personal growth, business success, and strengthened self-esteem.
In January of 2024, Denise founded Empowered by DS to reach more women. Today, she is a dynamic speaker, coach, and advocate for women’s empowerment. She is dedicated to helping women embrace their full potential, discover their purpose, and thrive in every area of life. Through her D.E.C.I.D.E. Tribe community, engaging events and workshops, Denise creates transformative experiences designed to foster community, build confidence, and promote meaningful connections. Whether hosting group sessions or providing one-on-one coaching, she inspires women to step into their power, embrace confidence, and become the best versions of themselves in their current season.
About Epicenter
Epicenter exists to ensure that founders of innovative businesses have what they need to develop, launch and grow their ventures in the Greater Memphis region.