Leading Women Defined 2014: Day 1 Highlights

We take you inside the powerful summit in Miami.

Leading Women Defined - BET.com takes you inside Leading Women Defined, a gathering more than 100 of the country’s leading African-American female influencers, in Miami, March 3-6, 2014. Focused on themes of renewal and wellness, business development, networking and community service, participants engage in meaningful dialogue aimed toward positively impacting the Black community. Take a look at what went down on Day 1. By Britt Middleton  (Photo: Sergi Alexander/Getty Images)

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Leading Women Defined - BET.com takes you inside Leading Women Defined, a gathering more than 100 of the country’s leading African-American female influencers, in Miami, March 3-6, 2014. Focused on themes of renewal and wellness, business development, networking and community service, participants engage in meaningful dialogue aimed toward positively impacting the Black community. Take a look at what went down on Day 1. By Britt Middleton (Photo: Sergi Alexander/Getty Images)

Bright Future Ahead - The conference opened on Monday at Miami’s Overtown Youth Center with the Honey Shine Mentoring Workshop Sponsored by Intel. The Mourning Family Foundation’s Honey Shine Mentoring Program aims to encourage the balance of mind, body and soul in girls and young women throughout South Florida.   (Photo: Sergi Alexander/Getty Images)

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Bright Future Ahead - The conference opened on Monday at Miami’s Overtown Youth Center with the Honey Shine Mentoring Workshop Sponsored by Intel. The Mourning Family Foundation’s Honey Shine Mentoring Program aims to encourage the balance of mind, body and soul in girls and young women throughout South Florida.  (Photo: Sergi Alexander/Getty Images)

Rap Session - Leading Women Defined mentor and lyricist MC Lyte chats up the girls during a breakout session. Later, mentors and mentees enjoyed roundtable dialogue on finding your passion to keep them motivated to reach their personal goals. (Photo: Sergi Alexander/Getty Images)

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Rap Session - Leading Women Defined mentor and lyricist MC Lyte chats up the girls during a breakout session. Later, mentors and mentees enjoyed roundtable dialogue on finding your passion to keep them motivated to reach their personal goals. (Photo: Sergi Alexander/Getty Images)

Breaking the Ice - Debra L. Lee, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BET Networks, engages in a “get to know you” icebreaker activity, the perfect way for mentors and mentees to connect on a more personal level.  (Photo: Sergi Alexander/Getty Images)

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Breaking the Ice - Debra L. Lee, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BET Networks, engages in a “get to know you” icebreaker activity, the perfect way for mentors and mentees to connect on a more personal level.  (Photo: Sergi Alexander/Getty Images)

Golden Voice - Looking oh-so-chic in her black ensemble and red scarf, singer Betty White treats the crowd to her soulful sounds.   (Photo: Sergi Alexander/Getty Images)

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Golden Voice - Looking oh-so-chic in her black ensemble and red scarf, singer Betty White treats the crowd to her soulful sounds.  (Photo: Sergi Alexander/Getty Images)

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To New Beginnings - Debra L. Lee, Rosalind Hudnell and Tracy Wilson Mourning, founder of Honey Shine Mentoring Program, present a $10,000 check, which will help support bi-monthly workshops, field trips and special day camps for the program’s participants.  (Photo: Sergi Alexander/Getty Images)

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To New Beginnings - Debra L. Lee, Rosalind Hudnell and Tracy Wilson Mourning, founder of Honey Shine Mentoring Program, present a $10,000 check, which will help support bi-monthly workshops, field trips and special day camps for the program’s participants. (Photo: Sergi Alexander/Getty Images)

All Smiles - The young ladies flash their megawatt smiles after a day of fun activities and lively discussion.  (Photo: Sergi Alexander/Getty Images)

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All Smiles - The young ladies flash their megawatt smiles after a day of fun activities and lively discussion. (Photo: Sergi Alexander/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Sergi Alexander/Getty Images

Getting Glam - On Monday evening, Leading Women Defined participants talked style at the Oscars Fashion Recap & Trend Reporting event with celebrity stylist June Ambrose and singer Deborah Cox.    (photo: Phelan Marc / BET)   

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Getting Glam - On Monday evening, Leading Women Defined participants talked style at the Oscars Fashion Recap & Trend Reporting event with celebrity stylist June Ambrose and singer Deborah Cox.   (photo: Phelan Marc / BET)   

Shine On - Journalist and TV host Star Jones makes a fashionable arrival in a beaded top, navy sequin skirt and old Hollywood waves.   (photo: Phelan Marc / BET) 

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Shine On - Journalist and TV host Star Jones makes a fashionable arrival in a beaded top, navy sequin skirt and old Hollywood waves.  (photo: Phelan Marc / BET) 

So Chic - Music pioneers MC Lyte and Sheila E are right at home in the fashion world with their coordinating black and white ensembles.  (photo: Phelan Marc / BET) 

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So Chic - Music pioneers MC Lyte and Sheila E are right at home in the fashion world with their coordinating black and white ensembles.  (photo: Phelan Marc / BET) 

Photo By photo: Phelan Marc / BET

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Pretty in Prints - Artist architect Eunique Jones, best known for the “Because of Them, We Can” movement, steps out in a belted silk dress, sharp blazer and pointed black pumps.  (photo: Phelan Marc / BET) 

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Pretty in Prints - Artist architect Eunique Jones, best known for the “Because of Them, We Can” movement, steps out in a belted silk dress, sharp blazer and pointed black pumps. (photo: Phelan Marc / BET) 

A Stylish Affair - Debra L. Lee warms up the crowd for a night of impeccable style.  (photo: Phelan Marc / BET) 

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A Stylish Affair - Debra L. Lee warms up the crowd for a night of impeccable style. (photo: Phelan Marc / BET) 

Photo By photo: Phelan Marc / BET

Work It - Looking good, ladies! How fly are these ensembles showcased during the evening’s fashion show?  (photo: Phelan Marc / BET) 

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Work It - Looking good, ladies! How fly are these ensembles showcased during the evening’s fashion show? (photo: Phelan Marc / BET) 

Green Goddess - Here’s a closer look at a gorgeous one-shouldered frock from the fashion show. Giving her trend forecast for spring at the event, Ambrose says that green, along with white, are the season’s hottest hues.   (photo: Phelan Marc / BET) 

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Green Goddess - Here’s a closer look at a gorgeous one-shouldered frock from the fashion show. Giving her trend forecast for spring at the event, Ambrose says that green, along with white, are the season’s hottest hues.  (photo: Phelan Marc / BET) 

Lovely in Lavender - And while nudes have ruled past seasons, Ambrose says lavender is the new neutral for women of color. Sign us up.  (photo: Phelan Marc / BET) 

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Lovely in Lavender - And while nudes have ruled past seasons, Ambrose says lavender is the new neutral for women of color. Sign us up. (photo: Phelan Marc / BET) 

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Beauty and Grace - Debra L. Lee shares a stylish moment with Leading Women Defined guests.   (photo: Phelan Marc / BET)

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Beauty and Grace - Debra L. Lee shares a stylish moment with Leading Women Defined guests.  (photo: Phelan Marc / BET)

Photo By photo: Phelan Marc / BET

Pitch Perfect - The magnificent Deborah Cox blesses the crowd with a song.  (photo: Phelan Marc / BET)

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Pitch Perfect - The magnificent Deborah Cox blesses the crowd with a song. (photo: Phelan Marc / BET)

Photo By photo: Phelan Marc / BET

Mane Attraction - The night celebrates what’s fresh in fashion and beauty, with guests like natural hair vlogger Taren Guy (center), Carol’s Daughter founder Lisa Price and author-activist Michaela Angela Davis serving up plenty of inspiration.  (photo: Phelan Marc / BET) 

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Mane Attraction - The night celebrates what’s fresh in fashion and beauty, with guests like natural hair vlogger Taren Guy (center), Carol’s Daughter founder Lisa Price and author-activist Michaela Angela Davis serving up plenty of inspiration. (photo: Phelan Marc / BET)