Atlanta was the place to be on May 15, 2025, as Marie Claire’s highly respected Power Play Summit made its Southern debut. Held at The St. Regis Atlanta, the day-long event brought together bold, brilliant women from across industries for honest conversations about freedom, purpose, and future-building.
This year’s theme, Freedom and Your Future, gave a powerful focus to the summit’s panels and talks, covering everything from entrepreneurship and mental health to leadership and legacy.
A Star-Studded Summit Centered on Power and Purpose
The event, presented by Clinique, drew an impressive lineup of speakers. Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles, actress and producer Marsai Martin, entertainment mogul Kandi Burruss, DJ Miss Milan, and Dr. Leyte Winfield from Spelman College all took the stage.
Nikki Ogunnaike, Editor-in-Chief of Marie Claire US, made it clear why this gathering mattered. “Power and purpose are core to our DNA,” she told ESSENCE. “We wanted to create this community in person. People are craving connection.”
This summit wasn’t just about celebrity moments. It was a space where new business partners, mentors, and lifelong friends were made.
Why Atlanta Was the Perfect Home for Power Play
Marie Claire’s decision to host the summit in Atlanta was no accident. The city’s growing reputation as a hub for creativity, business, and cultural leadership made it the perfect setting.
“When we thought about where to take Power Play, we knew it couldn’t just be New York or LA,” said Ogunnaike. “Atlanta felt right. It’s a place where powerful women are building new futures every day.”
The spirit of community and authenticity was felt throughout every panel and conversation.
Real Stories of Resilience, Reinvention, and Taking Up Space
Speakers openly shared the struggles and wins that shaped their journeys. Jordan Chiles reflected on the pressure of the 2024 Olympics and choosing to focus on what lies ahead. “No matter what circumstance I’ve been put into, the next thing given to me is only going to be better,” she said.
Marsai Martin and her mother, Carol, shared how a “no” inspired them to create Genius Productions. “It wasn’t rejection — it was redirection,” they explained. DJ Miss Milan’s words hit home too: “I built my own table. Because when you build it, no one can tell you you don’t belong.”
Kandi Burruss Talks Entrepreneurship and Changing Broadway’s Face
Later in the day, Kandi Burruss joined Ogunnaike for a one-on-one talk about building businesses, breaking barriers, and claiming space. The singer, reality TV star, and Broadway producer spoke about how she’s made it her mission to open doors for other women and people of color.
“My goal is to make space where it’s not the norm for us to exist,” Burruss said. Her producing credits include major stage shows like Thoughts of a Colored Man, The Piano Lesson, The Wiz, and Othello starring Denzel Washington. “The face of Broadway is changing, and it matters,” she added.
An Unforgettable Day of Sisterhood and Vision
From deep conversations about mental health and reinvention to bold declarations about leadership and purpose, the summit was a powerful reminder of what women can achieve together.
Ogunnaike summed it up perfectly: “Power is recognizing that women are multifaceted and should be honored in every part of life.”
Marie Claire’s first Southern Power Play Summit proved that when unstoppable women gather, the conversations spark change, and the impact lasts long after the lights go down.
