
Winners Announced
SPARK A CONVO
You voted. We listened.
Our team received an outpouring of submissions for our new 'Spark A Convo' initiative where you, the Where Are the Black People community, select which conversations we feature during the conference. Our team narrowed the list down to 10 entries and you picked your three favorites. Take a look at the winning entries below!
Thank you for taking the time to vote, and joining in the dialogue at the conference. We look forward to sparking more engaging conversations at WAATBP 2026!
WINNING PANELS
Creator to Creative Director: Turning Influence Into Industry Power
Panel Lead: Jayde I. PowellNominated By: Tiff Knighten
Black creators are no longer just setting trends—they’re shaping the entire creative direction of brand storytelling. From TikTok to LinkedIn, from grassroots culture to global campaigns, these voices are redefining what it means to be a creative director in the digital age.
This panel will explore how Black creators are building cultural relevance, influencing aesthetics, and steering brand narratives that resonate across communities. We’ll unpack why brands and agencies are increasingly turning to creators for strategy and storytelling—not just content—and how this shift is opening new doors for collaboration, leadership, and ownership.
Building Creative Audacity: Stop Hiding Your Gifts + Unmute Your Genius
Panel Lead: Shakira Polite
Playing it small is costing us opportunities. This panel dives into language and strategies that silence self-doubt and transform imposter syndrome into creative conviction, because confidence is built through clarity, not clout.
But Did You Earn It, Tho? The Unwritten Rules of Authenticity
Panel Lead: Sequoyah Glenn & Chasity Jones
Sequoyah "DataBae" Glenn, Chasity Jones, and Shenise Wigfall discuss how authenticity is earned, not given. We'll offer an edgy & raw look at "playing the game," building a personal brand, and developing skills to showcase your true self.
Bringing together Black voices within the advertising community to celebrate success, highlight setbacks, and demand their rightful place at the table alongside their allies. Everyone is welcome.
