Caribbean entrepreneur and global business leader Shelly-Ann Aqui Solomon has been nominated for the Black Business Association’s Salute to Black Women Awards 2026, becoming the only Caribbean nominee recognized this year in the Excellence in Business Award category.
The prestigious awards ceremony, hosted annually in Los Angeles, California, celebrates Black women whose leadership, innovation, and influence are shaping the future of business across industries. Solomon’s nomination places Caribbean excellence squarely on the global stage and marks a significant moment of representation for women from the region.
Founder of the Positioned to Propel Academy, Solomon is widely known for transforming lived experience into leadership. She has built a seven-figure enterprise—famously starting with just $40—while helping women across the Caribbean and diaspora create profitable, purpose-driven businesses without burnout or cultural compromise.
Her nomination, organizers say, reflects not only personal achievement but the growing global relevance and economic influence of Caribbean women in business.
“This moment is bigger than me,” Solomon said in response to the announcement. “It represents every Caribbean woman who has ever been overlooked, underestimated, or told she had to leave home to succeed. This nomination says: we belong here too.”
Industry observers note that the recognition challenges long-standing narratives about where world-class leadership originates, while creating visibility and access for future generations of Caribbean entrepreneurs. It also underscores that success rooted in culture can scale internationally.
In an era where representation carries increasing weight, Solomon’s nomination stands as further proof that Caribbean women are not simply emerging in global business spaces—they are leading.
Solomon has called on the Caribbean region and the global diaspora to rally in support by participating in the public voting process for the awards.
Voting is currently open at https://stbw.org/.
