Meet Catherine Turyamureeba

We had the good fortune of connecting with Catherine Turyamureeba and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Catherine, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
Our mission is built on the belief that economic independence is the foundation of personal safety and social equity. Through our dedicated pilot project, Bernice Women, we transform the community in three primary ways:

1. Breaking the Cycle of Violence through Economic Power

We recognize that financial dependence is often a barrier that prevents women from escaping abusive situations. By focusing on economic sustainability, we provide women with the “financial exit ramp” needed to combat domestic and gender-based violence.

The Goal: To replace vulnerability with self-sufficiency.

2. Advocacy and Awareness

Our campaigns serve as a voice for the voiceless. We actively work to dismantle the stigma surrounding sexual and gender-based violence in homes and workplaces.

The Impact: By “breaking the silence,” we foster a community culture where survivors are supported rather than shamed, and where violence is no longer tolerated as a private matter.

3. Holistic Support via Strategic Partnerships

We don’t just provide information; we build ecosystems of support. By partnering with health, legal, and education professionals, we address the root causes of inequality.

Resources Provided: We bridge the gap in knowledge regarding personal development and health.

Collaborative Care: We work with experts to tackle the specific financial stressors that contribute to household instability and violence.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What Sets Me Apart

What distinguishes my career is the integration of lived experience with strategic leadership. I am not just an advocate; I am a survivor who has felt the same pain as the women I serve. Bernice Women, was born in 2015 not in a boardroom, but in a small circle of career women seeking healing.

I bridge the gap between corporate professionalism and grassroots advocacy. I understand that domestic violence isn’t just a “private matter”—it is an economic and public health crisis that follows women into the workplace, stifling their productivity and stealing their potential.

My Proudest Achievements & Recognition

I am most proud of the tangible evolution of Bernice Women. What began as a private support circle officially launched on International Women’s Day in 2017 which aligned our mission with the global theme “Empowering Women in the Changing World of Work.” We successfully turned personal healing into a strategic movement that treats economic security as a fundamental right for survivors.

Most recently, I was deeply moved and honored to be selected as the recipient of the Ruth M. Glenn Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2025 National Conference on Domestic Violence.

The Significance: This award recognizes a lifelong dedication to survivor advocacy and leadership.

The Legacy: Being honored in the name of Ruth M. Glenn—a leader defined by courage, care, and connection—is a humbling validation of my life’s work. It signals that the path I have walked, and the voices I have fought to amplify, have created a legacy that profoundly impacts our community and the broader movement to end domestic violence.

I am also immensely proud of our Domestic Violence Bernice Women Program. Seeing a woman transition from the isolation of abuse to the empowerment of mentorship is my greatest reward. We have built a replicable model that bridges the gap between survival and thriving through education, holistic healing, and career-driven economic empowerment.

The Journey: Was It Easy?

It was not easy. My professional path has been paved with the challenges of rebuilding a life while carrying the weight of trauma. Today, I stand as the face of Bernice Women, but behind that face is a single mother of three children who has balanced the growth of this organization while working three other jobs. I overcome these hurdles through the same “solidarity” I preach. I learned that when you transform pain into power, you find a level of endurance you never knew you possessed. I chose to be a “victor” rather than a “victim of circumstance.”

Lessons Learned Along the Way

Silence is a Cage; Solidarity is the Key: The faster we break the silence, the faster we can build a pathway to independence.

Economic Security is Safety: A woman with her own financial resources has a shield against abuse.

Empathy is a Leadership Skill: My ability to connect with survivors is rooted in my own story, making my advocacy authentic and my programs effective.

What I Want the World to Know

I want the world to know that my brand is built on Transformative Leadership. We are grooming women to be productive, self-reliant leaders in their homes and communities.

To the world, I am a leader and an advocate. To my children, I am a mother working tirelessly to break cycles. My story is proof that you can be under-resourced, overworked, and recovering from trauma—and still build a legacy that lights the path for women everywhere.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The “Star of LA” Week: An Insider’s Itinerary If my best friend were in town, I’d show them the Los Angeles that I love—a blend of high-energy Hollywood, the peace of the Pacific, and the heart of our community work.

The Heart of the Trip: Hollywood & Africana Star

We would start in the heart of Hollywood. My absolute favorite spot is our newest addition to the Minority Wealth Gap mission: Africana Star. I believe that when you look good, you feel powerful, and there is no better way to empower a woman than a total makeover. We’d spend an afternoon at the salon getting pampered—it’s where beauty meets business.

For the Family: Universal City

As a mother, my most-visited spot is Universal City. My kids and I adore the magic of the movies! We’d spend a full day at Universal Studios Hollywood, soaking in the energy of the park. Since it’s so close to our salon, it’s the perfect “Mom Mode” getaway after a morning of work.

For the Soul: Point Dume State Beach

When I need to reset my mind, I head to Point Dume in Malibu. Standing on those cliffs, looking out at the endless blue, it feels like you’ve reached the place where the world ends. It is incredibly fulfilling and the only place where I can truly find silence and peace. We’d bring a picnic and just watch the waves.

For the Dreamer: The Beverly Hills Drive

We definitely have to take the long way through Beverly Hills. Why? Because a girl can always dream! I love driving under the palm trees, looking at the architecture, and manifesting the future for the organization and what we could achieve, It’s a reminder of what we are working toward.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Our Network of Impact At Minority Wealth Gap, we believe that closing the economic divide requires a village. We achieve our mission through a powerful synergy of sponsors, members, and visionary NGOs. Our work is fueled by a diverse ecosystem of partners who are equally dedicated to uplifting marginalized and underrepresented communities.

We are proud to acknowledge the influential organizations and initiatives that stand with us:

1. Economic & Workforce Development

We collaborate with leaders in labor and economic growth to create direct pathways to high-quality careers.

California Jobs First & Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC)

New York State Department of Labor (NYS State of Opportunity)

CA Forward & AMPAC Business Capital

Hospitality Training Academy (HTA)

2. Tech Equity & Innovation

By partnering with tech-forward organizations, we bridge the digital divide for the next generation of leaders.

America on Tech & NPower

TechSoup & SEMI Foundation

Nashton Initiative

3. Financial Literacy & Philanthropy

These partners provide the capital and expertise necessary to build generational wealth.

Foundation for Financial Planning & Principal Foundation

Black Elite Foundation & FLTA

4. Health, Safety, and Social Advocacy

Our work with these groups ensures that economic empowerment is supported by mental health and personal safety.

Bernice Women (Our flagship initiative for economic sustainability)

Safe Shelter Collaborative & Mental Health America

Africana Star, Shemmex Joy, and Diaspora Groceries

Why Our Partnerships Matter

“We don’t just offer resources; we build infrastructure. By uniting government agencies, tech innovators, and grassroots advocates, Minority Wealth Gap creates a 360-degree support system that transforms ‘underrepresented’ into ‘unstoppable.'”

Website: https://www.minoritywealthgap.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mwgbernice

Twitter: https://x.com/MWGBernice

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MinorityWealthGap

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/africana-star-los-angeles

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbslgViDOcfGW8g2D7XLnTA

Other: https://bernicewomen.org

Image Credits
@nashkiwanukaphotography