LADIES OF LEGACY 2020

LADIES of LEGACY

April 22, 2023 • 11:00 AM • Hilton Garden Inn • Akron, Ohio

This Spring, Limitless Ambition held our 8th Annual Ladies of Legacy Gala on April 22, 2023 at the Akron Hilton Garden Inn from 11am – 2pm! This event served both to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit of women in our community who are achieving their dreams and to help us raise funds to fuel our mission! Thank you to everyone who joined us for an amazing brunch, and who shared their empowering stories!

Learn about Sponsorship Opportunities Here!

Ladies of Legacy 202

2023 Ladies of Legacy Honorees

Dr. Heather Burton

Heather E. Burton, PhD, a graduate of The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Black Studies with a minor in Theater, a Master of Social Work, University of Akron, a Master of Public Administration and a Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Studies and Public Affairs both from Cleveland State University.

Dr. Burton is associate vice president and senior director for faculty and institutional diversity with Case Western Reserve University, specializing in gender and racial equity. Dr. Burton works to create and encourage individual and systemic change through policy and practice.

Dr. Burton serves as adjunct faculty in the African and African American studies program, theater, and social work teaching on concepts of race,

racism, and social policy. She has been featured locally, nationally, and internationally as a speaker and workshop presenter. Some of her published works include: “My Eloquent Angry Black Rage” book chapter in Teaching Beautiful Brilliant Black Girls, Crimson Heights, I’m Single, So What? and upcoming releases Where are the Women: A Guide to Intergenerational Women’s Ministries.

Because of her diligence and dedication to reflect change within the community and Case Western Reserve University, she has received the Feminist Mentor Award, Staff Diversity Award, Qgrad Outstanding Faculty and Staff Mentor Award, Mather Spotlight & Women of Achievement Award, National Women’s Studies Association Mentor Award, YWCA Women of Achievement, RH Boyd Award for Excellence and Who’s Who of Black Cleveland.

She was Co-Chair for the Ellipsis Institute for Women of Color in the Academy, CWRU (2018, 2019, 2020) and now serves as a member of the Board of Directors. She also serves on the Boards of The Greater Cleveland Delta Life Development Center and SHINE, Inc. She is founder of Crimson Heights, Ministries, Inc. a 501 (c)(3) geared towards the holistic development of women. As an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Greater Cleveland Alumnae Chapter, she serves as Co-Chair of Arts & Letters, Sergeant of Arms.

Sherry Neubert

Sherry Neubert is the Chief Information Officer and the Vice President of Information Technology at The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in Akron, where she has been employed since 2002.

Sherry is passionate about data and analytics and especially interested in understanding the role trust-based ecosystems and artificial intelligence will have in the workplace of the future.

Sherry is an Akron native and holds degrees and certifications from The University of Akron, Case Western Reserve University, The Ohio State University, Project Management Institute, Gestalt Institute of Cleveland and the International Coaching Federation.

Sherry actively coaches and mentors inside and outside of Goodyear. Her community interests are mainly in the areas of the economic empowerment of women, STEM education, mental health and wellbeing, and diversity in tech and diversity in medicine.

She is a member of the Leadership Akron Board, the International Association for the Advancement of Gestalt Therapy board, serves on both the LeBron James Family Foundation Community Advisory Board and the City of Green Board of Zoning Appeals, and she is the chair of Major Gifts committee for the Women's Endowment Fund.

Sherry and her husband Chuck have two adult children and three grandchildren. Sherry’s favorite things are shoes and books.

Danita Harris

Danita Harris, WEWS News5 anchorwoman and an Emmy-Award winning journalist, uses her profession as a main anchor to reach many people. She feels blessed to work in the broadcasting industry because it partners well with her commitment to community service. Danita’s latest initiative “It’s Your Time to S.H.I.N.E.” is a women’s group designed to help hurting women find the light within themselves. They meet monthly with hundreds in attendance. It was birthed out of Danita’s desire to be a vessel of hope to those who feel forgotten, rejected, abused, and unloved. Her goal is to provide a safe space where women can deal with their issues and get the practical tools they need to overcome personal challenges.

In October 2018, she founded S.H.I.N.E. Girlz Mentoring Program, that is currently in schools in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. During

the first year, over 100 4th-8th grade girls successfully completed the S.H.I.N.E. Girlz Mentoring Program.

Danita challenges herself with ways she can help people in the community who are dealing with challenging issues. She organized a fundraiser to help homeless women and children, domestic violence victims and those who have experienced sexual violence. Danita was able to enlist the help of every local TV station and two major radio stations to increase the awareness of these issues. The event was a success and numerous monetary donations were made to organizations that are assisting women and children in their journey to find homes and overcome the trauma that has touched their lives.

Danita is active in WEWS’s shadow program that allows high school students to spend the day with broadcast professionals. Danita understands the power of the media and does all she can to wield that power to support young people and push them to success.

In her spare time, she loves listening to jazz and gospel music. One of Danita’s greatest blessings is her son Chase. He is an answered prayer and a testament of God’s faithfulness to her. She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority Inc. and the National Council of Negro Women.