General | 10/13/2026 2:41:53 PM

ATLANTA — Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Commissioner Sonja Stills was among seven accomplished women honored at the 2026 Bovanti Upscale Magazine Iconic Women Awards.

The awards recognized women representing beauty and entrepreneurship, law, public service, education, sports and aviation for their leadership, accomplishments and service to their professions and communities.

Stills was recognized for her historic leadership in collegiate athletics. After more than two decades with the MEAC, Stills made history on Jan. 1, 2022, when she became the conference’s first female commissioner and the first woman to lead a Division I HBCU conference.

In 2025, Stills was named Women Leaders in Sports’ Nike Executive of the Year, recognizing her impact on intercollegiate athletics.

The 2026 Bovanti Upscale Magazine Iconic Women Awards were produced by Bovanti CEO Michael J. Bohannon, whose message in the event program emphasized celebrating, uplifting and honoring the achievements of Black women. Inspired by the words of his mother, Margaret A. Bohannon, the awards centered on the idea of giving Black women their “roses” now.

The ceremony brought together business leaders, elected officials, media personalities, entrepreneurs, community leaders and supporters for an evening of recognition, networking, dinner and entertainment.

About the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) enters its 56th year of intercollegiate competition with the 2026–27 academic year. Headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, the MEAC is comprised of eight distinguished Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) along the Atlantic seaboard: Coppin State University, Delaware State University, Howard University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Morgan State University, Norfolk State University, North Carolina Central University, and South Carolina State University. Since its founding in 1970, the MEAC has been dedicated to promoting academic excellence, sportsmanship, and the personal growth of student athletes. For more information, visit www.MEACSports.com.