ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — During Women’s History Month, leaders across the United States are recognized for their contributions to progress, equity and community empowerment. Among them, Florida National News (FNN) recognized Dr. Jessica Henlon, an educational psychologist, executive consultant, and systems builder known for blending strategy, creativity, and community impact in everything she does.

With more than 26 years of experience in student, youth, family and talent development, Dr. Henlon’s professional journey bridges higher education, civic leadership and the creative arts. Her work focuses on designing inclusive systems that foster belonging, equity and purpose — from the classroom to the stage, and from policy development to podcast conversations.

Founder and Principal: Dr. Jessica Henlon Consulting Co.

Dr. Henlon is the Founder and Principal of Dr. Jessica Henlon Consulting Co., a consulting firm dedicated to helping individuals and organizations build cultures of belonging through strategic leadership and storytelling.

Through her company, she has delivered keynote presentations and leadership workshops for organizations including Capella University, the Parikh Giving Alliance and American InterContinental University in Atlanta.

At American InterContinental University, Dr. Henlon presented research on campus belonging and student retention, while at Capella University she served as a panelist during the Virtual Professional Resource Conference discussing careers in applied psychology.

Her presentations, including “Mental Wealth: Wellness Without the Woo” and “Events with Purpose: Student Engagement That Sticks,” have reached audiences across education, business and the arts. She regularly facilitates sessions on student motivation, culturally relevant engagement, crisis leadership and inclusive program design.

Regional Director of Student Success, Valencia College

Dr. Henlon currently serves as Regional Director of Student Success for the West Region at Valencia College, where she leads student success initiatives across three campuses.

In this role, she oversees a cohort-based coaching model aligned with meta-majors, integrating academic advising, career development and institutional redesign strategies. Her leadership has contributed to record-breaking student engagement during early registration events, helping students access resources and remain on track toward their academic goals.

In January 2026, she co-presented at the NASPA Florida Drive-In Conference, representing Valencia College in a session titled “From Silos to Synergy: A Collegewide Approach to Student Success Coaching.” The presentation highlighted how centralized coaching structures and cross-functional partnerships strengthen student outcomes.

Dr. Henlon also contributes to campus well-being through her service on Valencia College’s Care and Concern Committee and Behavior Assessment Team (BAT), supporting proactive student support and campus safety initiatives.

24 Years of Leadership at Full Sail University

Prior to joining Valencia College, Dr. Henlon spent 24 years at Full Sail University, serving in leadership roles including Director of Student Development and Director of Academic Advising.

In 2018, she founded the Student Development Department, which included programs for:

• Care & Concern support services
• Community involvement and volunteerism
• Co-curricular student engagement
• Leadership development initiatives

She also launched the First-Generation College Student Program and helped establish more than 40 student organizations.

Under her leadership, participation in campus and virtual programming surpassed 60 percent of the student population.

Dr. Henlon also led student conduct and crisis intervention initiatives, facilitated Title IX-related hearings, and co-authored institutional policies focused on student wellness, inclusion and success.

As Chair of the President’s Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging and Social Impact Committee in 2024 and 2025, she spearheaded cross-campus initiatives connecting faculty, staff, students and alumni.

Among the committee’s notable community projects was a collaboration with the Wells’Built Museum of African American History and Culture, where Full Sail students restored historic images of the Tuskegee Airmen, helping preserve local Black history while expanding student learning opportunities.

Creative Leadership:
Fierce Entertainment and Orlando International Fashion Week

Dr. Henlon’s influence also extends into arts and culture through her involvement with Fierce Entertainment and Orlando International Fashion Week (OIFW).

OIFW is a nonprofit organization that hosts biannual fashion showcases and cultural events aimed at strengthening Florida’s creative economy while promoting international tourism and multicultural representation in fashion.

Through these initiatives, Dr. Henlon has helped support programs that highlight:

• Emerging designers
• Student creative talent
• Multicultural representation in fashion and media

She also co-hosts the “Fierce Entertainment Live” podcast alongside Rob Henlon and Starr Dalton, a platform dedicated to elevating diverse creators and civic voices.

Her community involvement includes judging the Miss Winter Park Scholarship Competition, a preliminary event to Miss America, and supporting community cultural events such as Orlando Carnival Downtown.

Fierce Entertainment’s work has also been recognized locally, with site visits and community engagement initiatives supported by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings.

Academic Credentials and Leadership Development

Dr. Henlon holds:

• PhD in Educational Psychology
• Master’s degree in Counseling with a specialization in School Counseling
• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology

Her doctoral dissertation examined virtual learning experiences of first-generation college students, focusing on how digital communities support motivation and persistence.

Her professional development credentials include:

• Harvard ManageMentor certification
• Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity (SEED) training
• Behavioral coaching certification through Behavioral Essentials

She is also a graduate of Leadership Winter Park, Class 34, and a member of the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce.

Dr. Henlon is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Impact on Women and Future Leaders

Raised in a military family and shaped by her Panamanian and Afro-Caribbean heritage, Dr. Henlon brings cultural awareness, compassion and mentorship into every leadership role she holds.

Through her work in education, consulting and the arts, she continues to mentor young professionals, support women in leadership and champion inclusive systems that help people feel seen, valued and empowered.

Her leadership philosophy centers on radical belonging and collective empowerment, ensuring that individuals — particularly those from historically marginalized communities — have opportunities to succeed.

A Legacy of Belonging

Dr. Henlon’s voice and perspective were featured in the exhibition “A Peace of My Mind” by photographer John Noltner, hosted at the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida, where she reflected on the meaning of belonging.

“Peace means knowing that your needs are met, you have value, and you belong… so much that you strive to share that feeling with others,” Henlon said.

Key Achievements and Milestones

• More than 26 years of leadership in higher education and student development
• Founder of Dr. Jessica Henlon Consulting Co.
• Regional Director of Student Success at Valencia College
• Founded Full Sail University’s Student Development Department
• Established 40+ student organizations and a First-Generation Student Program
• Co-presented at NASPA Florida Drive-In Conference (2026)
• Community cultural leadership with Fierce Entertainment and OIFW
• National conference presenter and leadership consultant

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About the Florida National News Women’s History Month Series

Each March, Florida National News proudly celebrates Women’s History Month by highlighting the achievements, leadership, and impact of women across Florida and beyond. This special editorial series spotlights trailblazers in arts, culture, and fashion; business and entrepreneurship; education and academia; government and public service; media and communications; military and veterans; nonprofit and community leadership; philanthropy; and sports and athletics—women whose stories inspire progress and empower future generations.

NEW YORK (FNN) — The Metropolitan Museum of Art announced new details for the Met Gala and the Costume Institute’s spring 2026 exhibition, “Costume Art.” The gala will take place Monday, May 4, 2026, with the exhibition opening to the public May 10 at the museum’s Fifth Avenue location.

The exhibition will explore the relationship between clothing and the human body, pairing historic garments with works of art from across the museum’s vast collection to highlight fashion as an embodied art form. “Costume Art” will be on view through Jan. 10, 2027.

GALA CO-CHAIRS AND HOST COMMITTEE

The 2026 Met Gala will be co-chaired by Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour, with additional co-chairs Anthony Vaccarello and Zoë Kravitz.

Honorary chairs for the evening will be Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos.

The Gala Host Committee includes prominent figures across fashion, entertainment and sports such as Sabrina Carpenter, Doja Cat, Misty Copeland, Sam Smith, Teyana Taylor, A’ja Wilson, Angela Bassett, and others from the worlds of art, film and fashion.

EXHIBITION THEME: FASHION AS ART

Curated by Andrew Bolton, Curator in Charge of The Costume Institute, “Costume Art” will feature nearly 400 objects spanning centuries of artistic expression.

The exhibition will juxtapose fashion pieces with works of art from the museum’s collection, creating visual and conceptual connections that explore how the human body has been represented across cultures and time.

The exhibition will be organized into thematic categories such as the “Naked Body,” “Classical Body,” “Pregnant Body,” “Aging Body,” “Anatomical Body,” and “Mortal Body.” The goal is to highlight both universal and often overlooked representations of the human form in art and fashion.

NEW CONDÉ NAST GALLERIES

“Costume Art” will inaugurate the museum’s newly renovated 12,000-square-foot gallery space adjacent to the Great Hall. The galleries will house the Costume Institute’s annual exhibitions and other interdisciplinary shows exploring the intersection of fashion and art.

In recognition of a significant contribution from Condé Nast, the space will be named the Condé M. Nast Galleries, honoring the publishing company’s founder, Condé Montrose Nast.

Additional support for the project includes contributions from fashion brands such as Thom Browne, Michael Kors, and Tory Burch, along with several museum trustees and donors.

THE MET GALA AND FUNDRAISING

The Met Gala, held annually on the first Monday in May, serves as the primary fundraising event for the Costume Institute, supporting exhibitions, acquisitions, research and museum programming.

The 2026 dress code, “Fashion is Art,” invites guests to explore their own interpretation of fashion as a creative and embodied art form.

Museum officials say the exhibition and gala reflect the institution’s ongoing effort to present fashion within the broader context of global art history and contemporary culture.

LOS ANGELES (FNN) — The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) announced that the psychological thriller Strung, directed by Malcolm D. Lee, will serve as the Opening Night premiere for the festival’s milestone 30th annual edition.

The film stars Chloe Bailey as a talented violinist whose prestigious job tutoring a mysterious elite family quickly spirals into a psychological struggle for her safety and sanity. The ensemble cast also includes Lynn Whitfield, Lucien Laviscount, Anna Diop and Coco Jones.

The film will make its world premiere during ABFF before debuting on the streaming platform Peacock on June 26, 2026.

Opening Night Film for ABFF’s 30th Anniversary

The 30th edition of the American Black Film Festival will take place May 27–31, 2026, in Miami Beach, Florida under the celebratory theme “Homecoming.” The milestone event marks three decades of highlighting emerging Black filmmakers and elevating diverse storytelling in film and television.

Nicole Friday, president of NICE CROWD and producer of ABFF, said the festival’s anniversary makes Lee’s return particularly meaningful.

“As we celebrate 30 years of the American Black Film Festival, having Malcolm D. Lee return with his latest project, Strung, feels especially right for this moment,” Friday said. “Malcolm has been part of the ABFF journey, and his return under our ‘Homecoming’ theme feels truly full circle. It’s a special way to open the festival in Miami Beach as we mark this milestone.”

Film Production and Creative Team

Strung was written by Alan McElroy and produced by Tyler Perry, Jason Blum, Tim Palen, Malcolm D. Lee and Dominique Telson.

The project is produced by Peachtree & Vine and Blumhouse Productions in association with Blackmaled Productions. Executive producers include Philip Waley, Shaun S. Sutton, Alan McElroy and Giselle Johnson-Morris.

New Initiatives and Festival Expansion

Along with the Opening Night announcement, ABFF organizers also highlighted new initiatives tied to the anniversary celebration. The festival previously named Oscar-, Golden Globe- and Emmy-winning actress Regina King as the 2026 Festival Ambassador.

ABFF will also debut the ABFF 9:16 Microdrama Project, a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to identify and elevate vertical storytelling from creators of color. The program aims to spotlight emerging talent and adapt to evolving digital content formats.