Award Criteria

1. Must be an African-American Female
2. Must have 51% or greater share in business ownership
3. Must have a business with principal office in the Delaware Valley Area.
4. Must be in business or licensed for a minimum of five (5) years (must be able to show evidence of business formation)
5. Must have demonstrated community involvement

All finalists’ portfolios are submitted to a panel of impartial judges to select the winner of the Madam CJ Walker Award. The judges are asked to make their decision using the following criteria as guidelines. These criteria exemplify characteristics Madam CJ Walker demonstrated throughout her life. 

1. Perseverance and/determination to maintain a business. 
2. Awareness of her uniqueness or pride in being an African American female businesswoman. 
3. Willingness to support or sponsor projects in the African American community.
4. Recognition by others of her achievements as an African American businesswoman.
5. Establishment or maintenance of a business which directly benefits the African American community.