July 31st 2024.
The 9th Annual ColorComm conference was truly an inspiring event. It was a call to action for women of color in the communications industry, and for all those who support this unique and dynamic group of women. The conference took place from July 24th to July 26th at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, and nearly 400 women were in attendance.
ColorComm Inc. is a leading women's platform that focuses on diversity and inclusion in the communications, marketing, advertising, and media industries. This year's theme, "Reaching for More," marked the first time the conference was held in Los Angeles. The three-day retreat kicked off with the 9th Annual ColorComm Circle Awards, emceed by media personality Star Jones. ColorComm's CEO and founder, Lauren Wesley Wilson, also gave remarks and commentary.
Jones shared, "With the recent movement of Black women mobilizing and advocating for Vice President Kamala Harris to become the Democratic nominee for President, the conference theme is more significant now than ever. It's a reminder for women to reach for more in their professional journeys. This conference is the first major event for women of color since the announcement. No matter your political views, we can all agree on the unique power that we possess during times of crisis. The current state of the world can make it challenging to navigate the workplace, and we've all had to reach for more to get what we need."
From start to finish, the conference was filled with inspiration, wisdom, mentorship, and career progression. Attendees walked away with five major takeaways from the insightful panel programming featuring industry veterans.
The first takeaway was the importance of negotiating for a better salary and position. Tiffany Smith-Anao'I, EVP of Entertainment Diversity and Inclusion at Paramount, gave attendees a crash course on negotiating in the workplace. She stressed the importance of knowing your worth and not being afraid to ask for what you deserve. "Our talents are vast, and our worth is immeasurable because we bring so much to the table. Don't be afraid to negotiate and don't take 'no' for an answer," she advised.
Another important lesson was that you don't get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate. Smith-Anao'I reminded attendees that negotiating is not just about salary, but also about creating a work-life balance that meets your needs. She also encouraged them to do their research and be strategic in their approach.
The importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace was also a significant topic at the conference. Sue Obeidi, director of the Hollywood Bureau of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, spoke about investing in diversity and the need for DEI initiatives. "My hope is for DEI to just BE – not an entity, not an initiative, not an issue. Unfortunately, we have always been made to feel like we're the 'other.' That's why DEI is necessary," she explained.
Ana Flores, founder of #WeAllGrow Latina, a community of impactful Latinx women, also shared her perspective on DEI. She emphasized the importance of feeling safe and connected in the workplace and how that was the driving force behind creating her platform.
Arlan Hamilton, founder and managing partner at Backstage Capital, spoke about the pressure of being the only woman of color in the room and the importance of representation. She encouraged women to create opportunities for others and to build something that can be passed on to the next generation.
Lastly, Watchen Nyanue, founder and CEO of I Choose the Ladder, introduced a useful tool for career success – the "Success Ingredients List." She compared it to baking or cooking, where the right amount of each ingredient will lead to success. This list includes skill mastery, networking, personal branding, self-advocacy, and strategic thinking.
The conference concluded with ColorComm's Signature Business Luncheon, where ColorComm CEO and Founder Lauren Wesley Wilson served as the emcee and award-winning filmmaker Tonya Lewis Lee gave the keynote speech. Wilson reflected on how ColorComm started as a luncheon series in 2011 to connect women of color in business, and it has now evolved into a corporation that provides economic opportunities and advancement to multicultural communities.
Overall, the 9th Annual ColorComm conference was a powerful and empowering event that highlighted the importance of women of color in the communications industry. It was a reminder to always reach for more and never settle for less than what we deserve. As Wilson stated, "Thirteen years later, ColorComm has evolved into a corporation that provides economic opportunity and advancement to multicultural communities."
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