Dr. Carmen Bell-Ross has long been a force for change, and now, her impact has been recognized with one of the most distinguished honors in the state of Michigan. As a 2025 Michigan Chronicle Women of Excellence Honoree, she joins an elite group of more than 850 women who have shaped their communities through leadership, vision, and dedication. This achievement is more than just a personal milestone; it is a continuation of a legacy one her mother was honored with just a few years ago.
A Legacy of Excellence
The Michigan Chronicle Women of Excellence Awards have long recognized trailblazers who redefine leadership and community service. To be named among the 2025 Women of Excellence is not just an honor but a validation of Dr. Carmen’s work and her commitment to community development.
For Dr. Carmen, this is not about personal recognition; it’s about elevating those around her. Reflecting on this recognition, Dr. Carmen said,
"This is so exciting for me.I chose a career path where I am always in the background, supporting and encouraging and strategizing with others to help them win in their careers and professions. I love that because it excites me to see people reach their goals. And to have Women of Excellence honor me gave me an opportunity to peek from behind the curtain and know that I am seen too. It feels pretty amazing."
Her mom, a pillar of strength and inspiration, was also honored as a Woman of Excellence a few years ago. To now be in the same spotlight is a very meaningful moment. With this honor, she will continue to grow her reach and inspire the next generation of change-makers.
A Journey of Resilience and Purpose
Dr. Carmen’s story is one of resilience, vision, and never giving up. Growing up, she watched her mother devote herself to serving others, instilling in her a sense of purpose. However, her journey was not without challenges. She comes from a line of remarkable women who defied the odds of their time. Her grandmother, a sharecropper’s daughter worked hard to put herself through college – a rare achievement for African-American women of her generation.
“My grandmother’s determination to pursue education despite all obstacles has always been my inspiration,” Dr. Carmen shares. “She showed me that you can overcome any barrier with persistence and vision.” This legacy of educational excellence continued with her mother who received her doctorate and taught at the University of Michigan before building a successful business with significant financial success.
“Watching my mother balance academia with entrepreneurship taught me invaluable lessons about leadership and perseverance,” she reflects. “She demonstrated that you don’t have to choose between intellectual pursuit and business acumen – you can excel at both.” These early influences shaped Dr. Carmen’s approach to education and business, and she pursued multiple advanced degrees while building her consulting firm.
The impact of these strong women is evident in how Dr. Carmen approaches her work today. Her commitment to education and business acumen mirror the path blazed by the women who came before her. “When I face serious, even intimidating challenges, I think about my great-grandmother, my grandmother, and my mom. Their stories remind me I come from a line of women who turned obstacles into opportunities.”
Transforming Communities Through Leadership
With a deep understanding of leadership and professional development, Dr. Carmen founded SP Grace, a consultancy that aligns leadership practices with authentic values. Her vision for SP Grace was simple: People come first. “People are the heart of our work. We recognize when people feel valued, supported and empowered they are more willing to bring their A-game to everything they do,” says Dr. Carmen.
In partnership with the City of Detroit, Dr. Carmen led a city wide program that prepared 1,000 adult job seekers to pass mechanical reasoning and math tests, opening doors to stable employment. In another project, SP Grace managed an initiative for 1,500+ state employees across five counties with training tailored to improve their service to families across the state of Michian.
Never satisfied with the status quo, Dr. Carmen saw an opportunity to transform college admissions coaching. Her latest venture, ELEVATE by SP Grace: The College Smarter Method, helps students strategically navigate the application process to stand out in the crowded, competitive market. Her motivation for creating College Smarter came from personal experience – guiding her own daughter through the college application process. With a strong narrative and a structured approach, her daughter successfully gained admission to several prestigious institutions, including Harvard, Cornell, University of Michigan, and Spelman College.
Her impact goes beyond her immediate programs. She’s a sought-after speaker and advocate. Her influence has led organizations to make significant changes to improve the quality of their leaders and teams, creating healthy and more productive work environments. She has thoughtfully guided numerous young people toward successful paths for college and careers Her work has not only changed individual lives, but has also contributed to systemic changes that will benefit future generations.
Dr. Carmen stands as a reminder of what’s possible when passion meets purpose. The Women of Excellence award was not just a recognition of her accomplishments, but a promise of the impact she will make in the years to come. On March 13, 2025, at Huntington Place in Downtown Detroit, she took her place among the extraordinary women shaping the future, carrying forward a powerful legacy.
About Dr. Carmen Bell-Ross
Dr. Carmen Bell-Ross, founder of SP Grace, is a leadership consultant and workforce development specialist with 20 years of experience empowering people through professional development and executive coaching. With dual doctoral studies and a proven track record of success, she now offers an innovative program that helps students literally get “college smarter” faster and stand out in the busy, competitive application process for being themselves and showcasing it in a completely ELEVATED way. Transform your student's college journey at: spgrace.com/elevate.
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