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You Already Have The Juice, Sis: 9 Powerful Lessons + Sessions From Summit21
Yes, yes, I know. I'm throwing it slightly back with this post. But when life throws you off course sometimes all you can do is show up in your best spirit with the timing that you're given. So despite the nature of the last 6+ weeks or so, I’m back now and ready to dish about the Summit21 conference hosted by Blavity’s black-women centric focused brand, 21Ninety.
In the beginning of June I joined hundreds of vibrant, ambitious, and exceptional Black women to convene in Atlanta for 21Ninety’s conference, Summit21. Over two days, we listened to celebrities, activists and digital influencers pour their knowledge into rooms full of eager women who want nothing less than to thrive and advance their bank accounts, impact, and society for the better. I left with a feeling of camaraderie as I met women from across the country in one place to simply learn from one another. And while pretty much every gem you can imagine was dropped, I came away with 9 powerful lessons and sessions that are permanently etched in my memory from a weekend full of copious amounts of #BlackGirlMagic.
Focus on networking and creating with the woman next to you, not getting noticed by the “big names” on the stage
At conferences, we’re all clamoring to meet the current big name in XYZ.
The Bozoma St. John's. Elaine Welteroth's. Ava DuVernay's. Lena Waithe's.
They’re all on our list of aspiring people who have the job, attention or opportunities that we want, and we’ll rush the mic when Q&A’s happen, hoping that they’ll notice us. But the reality is they all started off as (and still are) regular schmegular like the rest of us. Myleik Teele, Karen Civil and Sevyn Streeter delivered unique yet similar speeches at Summit21 with one message ringing loud and clear: The people that have created some of our favorite music, movies, and TV shows aren’t the ones we should be ruthlessly aiming to connect and collaborate with, but the woman sitting next to us in all of her creative capacity is. She is the next ____ and we’re too busy saying, “I don’t know her” because she’s not Yvonne Orji or Issa Rae. At one point too our faves were undiscovered and in order to prepare for the right moment when we’re supposed to meet (and work with) the big name(s), we have to connect with the smaller name(s) to understand the value and necessity of networking across instead of always reaching up.
Pretty Instagram grids, logos, and websites are great, but nothing beats making sure you really know what you’re talking about
I’ll be the first to admit that aesthetics are my thing. I’ve always been a person who loves a good presentation because it’s easy to forget something that was said, but when you see something distinct or memorable, it’s easier to compartmentalize it in your mind. A dope website is useful and a pretty Instagram feed will keep someone’s attention for a moment but, the reality is anyone can create a nice website, make their feed pop or get affordable graphics made. But at the end of the day doing the research and applying yourself in order to be highly skilled at what you do is truly invaluable. It takes a special process of discipline to spend time not only studying your craft but also relentlessly put it into practice. When people think of your respective industry, you should be aiming to be one of the first people that comes to mind.
It doesn’t help you to just start something, you have to also finish it
First of all, this session was PACKED. I actually didn’t know the speaker beforehand but I wanted to sit in on the topic at hand because with a title like – Maintaining Your Hunger: Cultivating A Career That Feeds Your Soul + Bank Account – I was sold. And GIRL was this worth it. As a creative by nature, it’s not hard to come up with ideas whether big or small that seem like they will conquer the world. But starting and finishing aren’t one in the same, and starting comes more naturally than finishing for most of us. According to Jaqueline Baker, author of Leader By Mistake, remembering that we’re all leaders in some way, shape or form means making a habit of following through with what we start. Constantly planting seeds but never watering them is a waste of your soil. You have to plant, water, apply sunlight, etc. to reap the full harvest.
Start envisioning the life you need by physically creating it
Have you ever thought about going to look at office spaces for where you would want to have the headquarters for your business? What about test-driving a Bentley or Mercedes? These things may seem unnecessary but they are exactly what Myleik Teele did to start getting used to the lifestyle she could have. And here’s the thing, you may think that a Bentley is an extravagance that you don’t need and you’re probably right. But it’s not about what you need, it’s about having access to the resources and creating the habits to earn so that you’re able to get it should you want to. Start looking at that dream high rise condo or the house you want to own one day and you’ll unknowingly instill the mindset and habits to obtain it.
You have to reshape your beauty narrative; stop holding onto false truths
Remember those hurtful comments you received back in High School/College that you still carry with you? It’s time to reshape those. What Sarah told you about your body and how you are either too big, not curvy enough or don’t have the right hair texture - she doesn’t speak truth over your life. Dove representative, Dre Brown, had us watch a video from the new #HourWithHer as part of their Dove Self-Esteem Project and partner up with someone in the room to share our most vulnerable moment that shifted our entire self-beauty narrative. After sharing our stories, we figured out how we could have responded to reshape the harsh criticism internally. The reality is that when we’re being hurt rarely can we respond with grace and confidence to our insulter, but we can do it for ourselves. What someone told you doesn’t define your beauty narrative. Beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, shades, and colors, and it’s being represented in all of its glory now more than ever.
Living abundantly doesn’t mean you have to live in lack in order to make it
Famous financial experts and millionaires preach habits of living in lack as a prerequisite to obtaining wealth. But just because certain people (Steve Harvey, Oprah, Tyler Perry) have HAD to live in lack it doesn’t mean that it’s a requirement to make it. And it certainly doesn’t mean if you’re thriving or even simply staying afloat financially, that you should feel guilty about it. Pushing the narrative that you have to use cash in envelopes, drive a cash only (barely functioning) car or house, or live on $1 a day isn’t the universal truth to obtaining the wealth you desire. Living on less to get more isn’t the same thing as being financially educated, responsible or conscious of where your coins go. Now if you want to apply financial principles by certain people, by all means do it, but one of the most important things you can do is consider the source of your information and advice; you don’t have to apply the Dave Ramsey habits in order to become wealthy.
Remove the shame from your journey: A Fireside Chat w/Ashley Blaine Featherson and Robin Thede
This one had me in tears. TEARS. One woman stood up during the Q&A and spoke directly to Ashley with a quivering voice to address how meaningful and frankly imperative, it has been to see a beautiful, dark-skinned, Black woman representing those of us who don’t get to see ourselves on TV. And in a role so unapologetically black nonetheless? That was it. All of our emotions were shredded. This is a 4 for 1 because Ashley and Robin dropped GEMS that can’t be contained:
Remove the shame from it – what you do often won’t make sense to those around you. You may have to take on 22 survival jobs before catching your break and you may have to miss certain events or meetups, But when you’re walking in your purpose one day you will understand the importance of your sacrifices.
Find the people who want to do what you want to do as badly as you want to do it – There is NO SHAME in collaborating with people who don’t “have” anything yet because chances are you don’t have anything either. Or if you do, your duty is to network across. Find the people who love the things you're doing, the space you're in and who are striving to make the difference you are and you'll without a doubt find your tribe.
Have reckless confidence – Robin Theade made herself starve until she did what she had to do to be able to eat. She wrote for some of the biggest names in comedy and believed so relentlessly about her vision that no one could tell her anything. No one will have the confidence you need to have but you. Believe in what you’re meant to do even if it seems completely unrealistic to everyone else.
Your community has to support your purpose and your grind – Everyone around you doesn’t need to be doing what you’re doing. They don’t even have to understand what you do. But they do need to offer you support, love and space to grow.
Always, always, always reinvent and reinvest in yourself
A constant renovation of who you are and what you’re doing is absolutely necessary. Nothing lasts forever and nothing can last for a lifetime without any upgrades even if it does work consistently for 15 years. Think about it: we never really make it once we achieve our goals because even if you get everything your heart has been pining after there’s always something else to do. This lifetime journey requires it. Always be willing to improve your process, your goals and yourself.
Know the power in your cultural richness → Capitalizing On Your Blackness As A Means To Defend Against Cultural Appropriation: A Convo w/Alex Wolf
Nielsen told y’all (excluding black women) because we already knew that we’ve had the magic, we’ve been the trendsetters, and we’ve been the move makers. But the tip now is to capitalize on our real tangible blackness and be unashamed about it before people who don’t have it try to make money off of it by proximity or adaptation. (Yes, Kylie Jenner was used as an example.)
Start with where you are – The pressure to invest in fancy cameras and equipment can seem pervasive, but you have everything you need internally. You have the swag, the personality, and the influence, you just need to figure out how to use it wisely.
Don’t underestimate how your realness + blackness will resonate with people – Helloooo Issa Rae + Cardi B. We’ve been waiting for the moment when truly being who you are would resonate with everyone who's been hiding or who wants to be represented in all of our fragile, vulnerable, authenticity on TV or in music. And that moment, which will remain more than a moment, is finally here.
Focus on being relatable, not being better – Nobody is promoting mediocrity but what we are saying is be a human first and foremost. Tell your story in bits and pieces and understand how to create art with who you are and what you create your brand to be. People need to relate to your real story, not the one you create to keep up with the joneses.
Gatherings like Summit21 remind us to keep going. They give us an adrenaline boost that we desperately need in times when we feel hopeless, sluggish, and unfulfilled in our businesses or full-time jobs. They shine a light in what seems to be a perpetually-dark world and help us connect with those who are on a similar path as us. And most of all they remind us that the work will never end and that our power is in connecting, supporting, creating and continuing to grow. Keep flourishing, Queens.
Xoxo,
Sincerely, Ang.
More Than Avocado Toast & Unlimited Mimosas: Why Brunch Continues To Increase In Value
I have way too many friends who throw brunches. This is not a complaint, but rather a truth. I’ve met some of my best friends during these amazing combinations of breakfast + lunch, and here’s the thing about the abundance of these brunches: I never, and I mean NEVER get tired of attending them. If after a long week of work you don't crave the taste of early-morning mimosas, talking about life, and french toast sprinkled with valuable connections, then I don’t know if you’re a real person.
Okay . . . so maybe that was a stretch, but here are some real reasons why brunch is the best thing going right now.
It's The New "we're too old and washed to go out" Way Of Going Out
Once you hit about 25-years-old you’re pretty much over the let's go out and get wasted phase of your life. But this doesn’t mean you lack the ability to have fun, quite the contrary in fact. What it means is that the meaning of what is fun is changing to you. You’d rather go to Happy Hour after work, see a movie (Wakanda Forever, anyone?) spend your time and money trying some biscuits and sausage gravy or special flavored pancakes with your crew during brunch, or attend a game night. At this time in your life catching-up and connecting over grapefruit-flavored mimosas in the warm sun is appealing and feeling pressured to give attention to some dude at the bar who won't leave you alone is not. Investing in a carafe with the girls (or guys) catches your attention and your budget stays intact. After all, you likely won’t get an in-depth conversation in a bar at 1 am. Save your club money for when it matters most.
A Chance To Form Unexpected + Invaluable Relationships
There are a lot of places to discover and connect with people across the web but in-person meetups are still unmatched. In-person events are the phone calls to our text messages; conversations translate differently and there’s nothing quite like witnessing real-time emotions, reactions, and opinions when it comes to what’s going on in the world. It’s invaluable to think that you could go to an early-morning brunch and leave having met someone who could be the basis of the friendship you never knew you needed. Brunches give access to collaborative minds that you may not have otherwise had exposure to, and if you’re new to a city attending a brunch could make a way for you to establish incredible friendships and mentors that are life long.
It's a Reunion Away From a Family Reunion
We all know how our family reunions go. The big T-shirts, the food, the music and dancing, the games, and the feeling of love that surrounds it. Whether it's two people or 50, the right brunch can feel just like a real family reunion. And for some people who don't have family in the same place that they live, gathering at a Sunday brunch or turn up forms a bond in an environment where the good vibes are plentiful. When it comes to the smaller brunch events you get more intimacy and a chance to get to know people, and with bigger brunches you have the opportunity to dance, hear from panelists, buy from vendors, partake in a buffet, and so much more that feels family-centered. At brunch you feel included and at home, just like with your genetic family.
Casual as You Wanna Be: Comfort and Conversation Go Well Together
As full-time working adults we’re not always trying to go somewhere where heels or a nice suit are required, so when it comes to connecting with great people, being in an environment where you’re comfortable invites conversation more fluidly. Brunch is the place where chic fashion reigns supreme but the pressure to be red-carpet ready isn’t overwhelming. Welcome to the environment where your sneakers can be worn with a dress, flowy pajama pants can be dressed up to the nines with heels, and graphic T’s are widespread. Whether you do the most or do the least, brunch is the place where you are encouraged to bring your whole self to the table.
A Breeding Ground For Inspiration + Execution
Brunches not only provide an excuse for you to gather with friends and family, they also open up the door for you to talk to those who you might otherwise never have met. Because brunch is typically held early in the day the vibe tends to be different, and there’s bright, flavorful food and drinks that accompany free-flowing conversation. Perspectives and life experiences are exchanged over topics like relationships, career, mental health and overall life goals which prompts inspiration on all levels. Maybe you’re looking to plan a panel or Happy Hour and you need help from a graphic designer, videographer or professional event planner; you could meet the peanut butter to your jelly as far as a business-partner goes at brunch. Everyone has incredible connections, and if we team-up then the ability to develop and execute great ideas becomes limitless. Uber was brought to fruition at SXSW, and who knows, the newest conference could be pieced together at the next brunch you attend.
Unlimited Potential To Secure The Bag:
Whether you’re a part of a team that plans and hosts quarterly brunches that are formally catered with a decadent music selection, or you host beginning of the year goal-mapping brunches with a small group, the options for how to design a brunch event are absolutely limitless. You could turn a well-known Saturday/Sunday hobby into a sponsored event that’s built for much more than just a one-off, feel-good time. Think as small, intimate, and exclusive as you want, or as large-scale as a monumental movement that could partner with an event as highly-anticipated as Essence Fest, SXSW or Coachella. Remember, well-known events were always small on some level at first, and the potential to make money from it can happen when you least expect it.
What other impacts do you see brunch having in the near future? Let me know in the comments below and let’s clink our grapefruit-flavored mimosa glasses. Happy Brunching!
Xoxo
Sincerely Ang.
These 17 Podcasts Need To Be On Your Radar
If you've been following me on Instagram you KNOW how much I love podcasts. They've gotten me through tedious days of running budgets at positions in the past to my current 2-3 hour daily commute to my job now. Listen, we all need a way to absorb information from brilliant minds around the world, and I have a list of podcasts that do just that. From the educational to the tea sipping + shade throwing ones that give you the details on your favorite celebrities – here are a few podcasts that will help make your day.
Powerful Women Who Are Doing It on Their Own
Myleik Teele’s Podcast
CurlBox founder and former Hollywood Public Relations savant Myleik Teele talks about everything from relationships and best business rules and practices, to being excellent in your work ethic even if you hate your 9-5. Her words are anything but cookie-cutter and if you need an inspirational yet very real facelift in your life, Myleik’s podcast will do the trick.
On One with Angela Rye
Self-proclaimed sophistiratchet Angela Rye is a known Activist, CNN Commentator, and NPR Political Analyst who exposes you to intimate conversation with social justice advocates and entertainers. From actor/activist Jesse Williams and Senator Cory Booker to actress/activist Gabrielle Union and Congresswoman Maxine Waters – she brings the best of the best by to drop knowledge on current political issues. I promise you won’t leave an episode without feeling either enlightened or educated – but usually both.
Oprah’s Super Soul Conversations
The great Oprah Winfrey brings her talk show greatness into the digital space where she effortlessly breaks down the complexities of life through the likes of guests such as Cookie Johnson, President Jimmy Carter, Meagan Good and Devon Franklin, India Arie, Deepak Chopra + more. Oprah definitely doesn’t disappoint with this podcast.
Feeling like you’re stuck, undervalued or need a wake-up call when it comes to where you’re going in life? This podcast is for you. Ayana Angel brings guests on her show that make you want to reset and refresh your life and after every episode, you’ll leave wanting to do better and be better.
Mattie is a successful style blogger who makes waves with her courses on how to monetize your social media presence and make an impact with your fashion + lifestyle blog. If being clued in on how to create appealing content and position yourself effectively to work with brands is your thing, then this podcast is exactly what you need.
Luvvie Ajayi: Rants & Randomness
If you’re a fan of Luvvie’s blog, you’ll be a fan of her podcast. And though she's fresh out the gate with this, with stars like Myleik Teele, Vanessa K. De Luca, and Eunique Jones Gibson it’s quickly become one of my favorites.
Girl Talk and Sisterhood
Sometimes you just need to feel like you’re listening to three girls you went to college with have girl chat and this podcast does just that. With dynamic personalities, each of these three women dig into conversations’ focused on some of your favorite shows – plus they provide inspirational talking points about life sprinkled with highlights of politics and pop-culture.
Chileee, episode one had me completely hooked. This podcast is centered on five dynamic Black women with careers in entrepreneurship and the media + entertainment industry. Their infectious support of each other is uplifting and they truly make you feel like you’re sitting around with your girls sipping wine during #TGIT. Tune in for raw, relatable, emotional + hilarious candor. Thank me later.
Aside from this podcast starring Jessica Williams of The Daily Show fame, and Phoebe Robinson author of You Can’t Touch My Hair, these delightfully honest and hilarious women invite talented comedians into each episode. This podcast effortlessly provides you with your laugh quota for the week. Pssst: They also have an HBO show.
Arts + Entertainment
Crissle + Kid Fury bring every oz of piping hot tea to you in every flavor, every single episode, guaranteed. There is no filter when it comes to these two and they’re constantly telling listeners who send in Q+A’s that they don’t know anything and to not listen to their advice, but that’s exactly why they are loved so much. Honesty sells, y’all. With podcast titles and descriptions like: “The First Whitewalker,” “Noprah Winfrey,” and “Make America Jennerless Again,” you need this in your life without question.
Reviews from this podcast convinced me to see Baby Driver and to skip out on Detroit. This panel full of well-versed movie/TV-goers break down pop-culture and explain the ins and outs of the latest movies and TV shows that you need to be watching – or not.
Their dynamic is carefree, fluid, and collaborative. Dustin, Asante, and Franchesca talk everything from life, world news to and mental health and wellness in order to help you live your most high-energy life. The topics flow so well that this is sure to be a pick-me-up in your long work week.
News and Politics
Deray Mckesson, Brittany Packnett, Clint Smith and Samuel Sinyagwe bring guests onto the show across the political sphere and discuss everything from mainstream news to behind-the-scenes actions being taken by politicians that most people are unaware of. If you want to be well-rounded politically and receive realistic and objective updates on current events – Pod Save the People should be your first resort.
This podcast is one of my newest and most admired discoveries. As part of the Crooked Media family with Pod Save the People, this show goes in-depth into news and policy from the perspective of four former aids of President Obama: John Favreau, Dan Pfeiffer, Jon Lovett, and Tommy Vietor, and it's really good.
Every morning I wake up this podcast is the first one that I turn to. If you’re like me and you can’t stomach the depressing reality that comes from the main news outlets, then this concise yet necessary podcast is for you. Each episode is delivered in bite-sized and easily-digestible portions of between 20-45 mins and give you updates each morning on world news from the previous day or weekend.
NPR - Advice + Entrepreneurship
Talk about entrepreneurship heaven. This is basically the podcast where all your faves like Starbucks, Chipotle, Instagram and Toms gather. Each business talks about how they discovered their brilliant initiatives, got their start financially, and developed the confidence to become the impactful companies they are today.
Terry Gross dives head-first into an intimate conversation with public figures spanning across all industries and touching on a number of unique topics. These interviews are free-flowing and interesting, and they just really work.
Whether you need weekly doses of inspiration, the latest Hollywood scoop, entrepreneurship tips, or political updates, you’re sure to find something you love in one of these podcasts.
What are your favorite podcasts to listen to? Let me know in the comments!
Xoxo
Sincerely, Ang