Women Leaders in Communications panel
Last Monday, I had the opportunity to participate in a panel at DePaul University with other women leaders in the field of communications.I love speaking on panels and having discussions, not just about topics in my industry, but topics that deal with defining traits of who I am now. I’m a leader in this field. An African American female leader. Baby, it has been a journey! From self-doubt to unapologetically bold leadership defined by my culture and personal experiences, I’m continuing to learn each and every day. Of the group of women on the panel, I was the only Gen-Xer woman of color. I don’t take that position lightly.
I spoke about mentorship and taking risks and being vocal and not being afraid to make mistakes. It was so full circle for me to be up there with those women representing a field and a segment that when I was in the position of student audience member at a similar event, there was no role model to emulate. I know even more deeply how important seeing someone who looks like you in a role you want to occupy is because after I offered my advice and reflections on that panel, most of the students of color (black, Latina, etc.) came up to me after to connect and share their experiences. Again, I don’t take the impact of my words, my presence, my leadership lightly. I even told one young lady who was grappling with a situation of how to be herself in the workplace to let her #BlackGirlMagic shine. I know she didn’t expect that response but she knew exactly what I meant.
Me and fellow panelist
When I started my career, I started off as a journalist. And journalism is still very important and respected by me. But when I had line of sight to the impact of the field of communications, particularly public relations, that was it. I crossed over to the dark side. And when I joined the ranks of communicating business-to-business and corporate related messages, I realized the impact of my being a part of the team. How my perspective was so important in those war rooms where decisions where being made about how a product or a community outreach initiative or a spokesperson’s words were going to be positioned to the public. Advertising, marketing, public relations can leave an indeliable mark on people’s mindspace, sometimes not noticed by the person receiving the message. It is so important for the folks shaping those messages to be diverse and reflective of the real world. This business can be stressful at times. But at the end of the day, it’s PR, not ER. And I’m so glad to have a supportive partner who understands the world because he lives it in a parallel universe in the field of media.
My partner was at the panel supporting me, taking pictures and even gave me a gift after my talk to say congrats. And again, much circular momentum and realization that I am a bonified leader in the field of communications and my top role now is that of mentor and cultivator of the next generation of pros.
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