Schedule
Thursday, Sept. 26
10:15 AM
Dotun Bello
Company Details
Dotun Bello
Bello is a Nigerian creative currently based in NYC. He started his advertising career in Lagos before moving to the US in 2015. He has worked on Guinness, Bharti-Airtel, Diageo, BMW, Xfinity, and Samsung, among many other brands.
Bello is passionate about solving problems (or at least attempting to solve problems) and his favorite ideas present solutions from a fresh POV. He recently partnered with the One Club to create Lagos Creative Bootcamp, a free professional development program for advertising creatives based in Lagos, Nigeria. He spends his free time with his family, listening to battle rap and folding dough.
Neisha Tweed Bell
Company Details
Neisha Tweed Bell
Neisha Tweed Bell is an award-winning creative visionary with experience at global companies like Meta, Ogilvy, and Publicis, driving creativity, innovation, and inclusion. From launching Citi Bike to a VR experience for St. Jude to a global inclusive creative practice, Neisha’s commitment to people-first storytelling shines through the work she does and the way she works. Her community impact extends from mentorship to managing internship and enrichment programs, and beyond, earning her accolades such as a 2018 Essence Woke Woman, 2021 University of Florida 40 Under 40, and 2022 ADCOLOR Leader. Neisha's creative expertise is marked by a blend of strategic insight and an eye for culturally-connected storytelling, which she now shares as a consultant, coach, and creative director working with creative professionals from students to CCOs through her business, Next Level Up.
Dr. Sizakele Marutlulle
Company Details
Dr. Sizakele Marutlulle
Dr. Sizakele Marutlulle is a global executive and thought leader with extensive experience across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. She is the founder and CEO of a pan-African strategy and advisory practice advocating for Humancentric Creativism, a people-first approach to creativity. She advises leaders on designing inclusive futures and building high-impact brands. As a global speaker, she shares insights on future readiness, business reform, and diversity. She champions female entrepreneurship, having coined the term Fentrepreneur™ to describe women entrepreneurs with unique talents. Through workshops and coaching, she supports the growth of scalable, sustainable businesses globally, including in Africa, the UK, and the Caribbean.
Andrea Djan-Krofa
Company Details
Andrea Djan-Krofa
Andrea is the Director and Head of Africa for Women in Marketing (WiM) CIC, a global network founded in 2004 to support and elevate women in marketing, advertising, and communications. She leads WiM Africa, collaborating with organizations like the Unstereotype Alliance (ally member), the International Advertising Association (IAA) Africa Region, Unilever, Google, and Kantar. Through WiM Africa, Andrea fosters industry connections, promotes best practices, and celebrates achievements, paving the way for the next generation of marketers.
Joshua Kissi
Company Details
Joshua Kissi
Ghanaian-American Filmmaker & Photographer, Joshua’s work celebrates the vibrancy of communities through a cultural and historical lens. As one of the most sought-after photographers in America, his work has been featured in magazines such as Vogue, GQ, New York Times and his client list matches his A-level status with brands such as Nike, Beats By Dre and Google.
Breaking Barriers
Amplifying African and Caribbean Voices in Advertising
The numbers don't lie. African and Caribbean creatives are underrepresented at major advertising award shows and industry events. This panel will explore the challenges behind this disparity, such as biases in judging and limited access to resources, and discuss ways to foster greater inclusion. Join us to hear from industry leaders and advocates from Africa and the Caribbean who will share their experiences and highlight initiatives that are promoting visibility for the diaspora. Learn how we can support a future where African and Caribbean voices are celebrated in the advertising world.
11:00 AM
Virtual Career Fair
2:00 PM
Virtual Porfolio Reviews
4:30 PM
Mandana Mellano
Company Details
Mandana Mellano
A modern creative marketer, Mandana is the Founder and President of PEONY Talent; a high-touch boutique talent search firm working with some of the most famous agencies in the world. Connecting the dots between creativity, competencies, and human values, PEONY helps leading agencies, brands and publishers acquire talent in more meaningful ways.
Alex Brueggemaan
Company Details
Alex Brueggemaan
Alex Brueggeman is an EDI practitioner & anthropologist.
Alex’s passion for highlighting the voices of marginalized communities first led him to the U.S. National Park Service, where he worked as a field archaeologist, followed by the Historic House Trust of NYC. These formative experiences broadened his research and community-organizing skills and inspired him to explore the diversity of human experiences in creative fields and across traditional and digital marketing landscapes.
Since 2018, Alex has developed EDI strategies & programs for creative agencies such as 72andSunny, FCB Global, and, currently, Arts & Letters Creative Co., where he is the Director of Inclusion Strategy. His unique approach to EDI centers on cultivating cultural humility through community. In addition, Alex’s deep understanding of complex cultural patterns has been instrumental in shaping creative campaigns for brands such as Smirnoff, Air Canada, Marriot-Bonvoy, and the NFL.
Chip Peck
Company Details
Chip Peck
As the Associate Director of Talent Attraction and Retention at RPA, Chip brings many years of experience in the dynamic field of Talent Acquisition. Chip is known for his personable approach to supporting others in their professional development, emphasizing creative methods to identify and nurture existing strengths, skills and abilities.
Driven by a passion for facilitating meaningful connections, Chip frequently engages in coaching and guiding others. He encourages innovative ways to foster connections and personal growth. Beyond his professional expertise, Chip infuses humor into his interactions and approaches learning with a passion for personal and professional development. With him, you're not just navigating challenges; you're laughing through them and growing in the process.
Monty Browne
Company Details
Monty Browne
A previous D&AD and One Club Next Creative Leaders juror, Monty's advertising career has spanned 20+ years and has taken him from the US to Europe and back. With a good amount of his years in the industry focused on entertainment and sports, Monty has worked on the agency side at such places as VMLY&R and Endeavor's 160over90. Being an avid gamer, Monty has also held positions as Creative Lead for Riot Games, Europe and Global Creative Director, Sports at 2K Games. Being an ally for better diversity in the ad industry Monty has also been a One School mentor and has been featured in Adweek's Profiles in Black Creativity for his work with AT&T. Monty currently serves as VP, Group Creative Director at Adweek's 2023 Mid-Size Agency of the Year, Colle McVoy.
Hiring Filters and Frenemies
Getting Noticed in Applicant Tracking Systems
The creative industry is increasingly relying on ATS (Applicant Tracking System) to build and streamline their talent operations. From scaling their talent pipeline and publishing open roles to accepting applications and communicating with hiring managers, ATS has become a full- cycle talent solutions for most organizations. What does this mean to the incoming and existing creative talent whose first challenge becomes beating the ATS to be seen? What impact does ATS have on resume and portfolio building? And how do hiring mangers make decisions based on curated information that is passed on via ATS? The panelists will uncover the pros and cons of ATS adoption while also providing tips and recommendations for creative talent who must navigate the intricacies of modern recruiting to reach their dream jobs.
Friday, Sept. 27
9:45 AM
Cristian Palma
Company Details
Cristian Palma
Cristian is a visionary entrepreneur who has made a significant mark in media, tech, and brand partnerships through his work with top companies such as Spotify, AFROPUNK, Vox Media, and NBCUniversal. He is the Founder of OFF THE CUFF, a creative content agency that amplifies the untold stories of emerging entrepreneurs, innovators, and creatives through authentic conversations and live experiences, inspired by his grandmother's legacy.
Since launching OFF THE CUFF, Cristian has had the honor of collaborating with industry giants like ESSENCE, TikTok, Samsung, Shopify, Meta, ADCOLOR, and MLB. His work has garnered attention in the press, including features on Pix11, SiriusXM, and dedicated spotlights from Shopify and Soho House, recognizing community leaders driving positive change.
Cristian's work, rooted in love and appreciation, aims to inspire the next generation of leaders and honor those who shape our lives by giving them
OFF THE CUFF Presentation
09:55:00
Opening Remarks
10:00 AM
Troy Millings
Company Details
Troy Millings
Troy Millings was born in the home of Hip-Hop, the South Bronx. From an early age, music influenced his education. His keen memory and ability to memorize lyrics translated into memorizing historical facts, equations, and literature. These two passions would later mold him into the educator he is today. He taught for 16 years, beginning his teaching career in the NYC Department of Education and most recently with the City School District of New Rochelle.
In the midst of teaching, Troy led Operations Crossroads as Program Director, a summer youth program designed for students at the secondary level of education. The purpose of the program is to introduce students to financial literacy through culturally responsive education while providing them with opportunities to gain work experience through summer internships in career fields of their choice.
Realizing there was a need to expand financial literacy education outside of the traditional classroom setting, Troy and his lifelong friend Rashad Bilal came together to start an educational platform called Earn Your Leisure. Today, Earn Your Leisure has grown into one of the top media companies in the world with its own podcast network, a top business podcast under its network, and an online educational platform. The Earn Your Leisure platform provides listeners with behind-the-scenes financial knowledge across entertainment and sports industries while highlighting entrepreneurs' backstories, breaking down business models, and examining the latest trends in finance. The podcast blends insights from a typical college business class with current popular culture, offering listeners a unique and exciting look into the world of business in a fresh new way. Earn Your Leisure has a community of over 1,500,000 followers on social media and 1,500,000 YouTube subscribers.
Earn Your Leisure also offers an interactive educational resource through EYL University, which is an online educational platform. Earn Your Leisure University is an online interactive community that includes over 100+ archived webinars covering a range of business, finance, and entrepreneurial topics. Subscribers to the platform have direct access to exclusive weekly webinars hosted by leading experts from a variety of different financial industries. Membership also includes access to a Private Investment Facebook group which includes a community of over 12,000 members, a book and movie club, bi-weekly interactive sessions covering the stock market with Troy Millings, and a monthly group financial planning call with Rashad Bilal.
Troy and Rashad founded The Earn Your Leisure Network. The Earn Your Leisure Network is a revolutionary network which gives rise to emerging and established content creators from the world of business, finance, and entrepreneurship whose perspective, expertise, and in-depth insight have been undervalued and overlooked. At its core, The Earn Your Leisure Network's ultimate purpose is to build as we climb as a community, highlighting collaboration over competition.
Lastly, EYL hosts live events across the globe which include the biggest financial literacy festival in the world, “InvestFest.” InvestFest is a first-of-its-kind, in-person experience to combine investing, entrepreneurship, pop culture, and entertainment in a 3-day festival setting. InvestFest includes a vendor marketplace for small businesses and live podcast stages with interviews from top entrepreneurs and celebrities. There are also live performances from top musicians, a food truck caravan, investing panel discussions, and interactive events. InvestFest was founded in 2021 with over 4,000 attendees and has rapidly grown with over 20,000 attendees at InvestFest 2023. Some of the headliners in the past years have included Steve Harvey, Tyler Perry, Dan Cathy, and Robert F. Smith.
In the midst of teaching, Troy led Operations Crossroads as Program Director, a summer youth program designed for students at the secondary level of education. The purpose of the program is to introduce students to financial literacy through culturally responsive education while providing them with opportunities to gain work experience through summer internships in career fields of their choice.
Realizing there was a need to expand financial literacy education outside of the traditional classroom setting, Troy and his lifelong friend Rashad Bilal came together to start an educational platform called Earn Your Leisure. Today, Earn Your Leisure has grown into one of the top media companies in the world with its own podcast network, a top business podcast under its network, and an online educational platform. The Earn Your Leisure platform provides listeners with behind-the-scenes financial knowledge across entertainment and sports industries while highlighting entrepreneurs' backstories, breaking down business models, and examining the latest trends in finance. The podcast blends insights from a typical college business class with current popular culture, offering listeners a unique and exciting look into the world of business in a fresh new way. Earn Your Leisure has a community of over 1,500,000 followers on social media and 1,500,000 YouTube subscribers.
Earn Your Leisure also offers an interactive educational resource through EYL University, which is an online educational platform. Earn Your Leisure University is an online interactive community that includes over 100+ archived webinars covering a range of business, finance, and entrepreneurial topics. Subscribers to the platform have direct access to exclusive weekly webinars hosted by leading experts from a variety of different financial industries. Membership also includes access to a Private Investment Facebook group which includes a community of over 12,000 members, a book and movie club, bi-weekly interactive sessions covering the stock market with Troy Millings, and a monthly group financial planning call with Rashad Bilal.
Troy and Rashad founded The Earn Your Leisure Network. The Earn Your Leisure Network is a revolutionary network which gives rise to emerging and established content creators from the world of business, finance, and entrepreneurship whose perspective, expertise, and in-depth insight have been undervalued and overlooked. At its core, The Earn Your Leisure Network's ultimate purpose is to build as we climb as a community, highlighting collaboration over competition.
Lastly, EYL hosts live events across the globe which include the biggest financial literacy festival in the world, “InvestFest.” InvestFest is a first-of-its-kind, in-person experience to combine investing, entrepreneurship, pop culture, and entertainment in a 3-day festival setting. InvestFest includes a vendor marketplace for small businesses and live podcast stages with interviews from top entrepreneurs and celebrities. There are also live performances from top musicians, a food truck caravan, investing panel discussions, and interactive events. InvestFest was founded in 2021 with over 4,000 attendees and has rapidly grown with over 20,000 attendees at InvestFest 2023. Some of the headliners in the past years have included Steve Harvey, Tyler Perry, Dan Cathy, and Robert F. Smith.
Rashad Bilal
Company Details
Rashad Bilal
Rashad Bilal grew up in the financial services industry, taking a summer internship with his family’s wealth management firm, The Bilal Group LLC, in 2005. He learned at a young age the importance of financial literacy and realized that he wanted to translate his knowledge into action. After graduating with honors from The University of Hawaii in 2007, Rashad became a full-time associate with The Bilal Group in May 2008, culminating in his advancement to Vice President in 2009 and Partner in 2014.
In 2018, Rashad Bilal partnered with his lifelong friend Troy Millings to start an educational platform called Earn Your Leisure (EYL). EYL has grown into one of the top business platforms in the world, with a top business podcast under its umbrella, a podcast network, and an online educational platform.
EYL gives behind-the-scenes financial views into the entertainment and sports industries, as well as highlighting backstories of entrepreneurs. EYL also breaks down business models and examines the latest trends in finance. EYL is a college business class mixed with pop culture that blends the two together for a unique and exciting look into the world of business. EYL has a community of over 1,500,000 followers on social media, and 1,500,000 YouTube subscribers.
Earn Your Leisure also offers an interactive educational resource through EYL University, which is an online educational platform. Earn Your Leisure University is an online interactive community that includes over 100+ archived webinars covering a range of business, finance, and entrepreneurial topics. Subscribers to the platform have direct access to exclusive weekly webinars hosted by leading experts from a variety of different financial industries. Membership also includes access to a Private Investment Facebook group which includes a community of over 12,000 members, a book and movie club, bi-weekly interactive sessions covering the stock market with Troy Millings, and a monthly group financial planning call with Rashad Bilal.
Troy and Rashad founded The Earn Your Leisure Network. The Earn Your Leisure Network is a revolutionary network which gives rise to emerging and established content creators from the world of business, finance, and entrepreneurship whose perspective, expertise, and in-depth insight have been undervalued and overlooked. At its core, The Earn Your Leisure Network's ultimate purpose is to build as we climb as a community, highlighting collaboration over competition.
Lastly, EYL hosts live events across the globe which include the biggest financial literacy festival in the world, “InvestFest.” InvestFest is a first-of-its-kind, in-person experience to combine investing, entrepreneurship, pop culture, and entertainment in a 3-day festival setting. InvestFest includes a vendor marketplace for small businesses and live podcast stages with interviews from top entrepreneurs and celebrities. There are also live performances from top musicians, a food truck caravan, investing panel discussions, and interactive events. InvestFest was founded in 2021 with over 4,000 attendees and has rapidly grown with over 20,000 attendees at InvestFest 2023. Some of the headliners in the past years have included Steve Harvey, Tyler Perry, Dan Cathy, and Robert F. Smith.
In 2018, Rashad Bilal partnered with his lifelong friend Troy Millings to start an educational platform called Earn Your Leisure (EYL). EYL has grown into one of the top business platforms in the world, with a top business podcast under its umbrella, a podcast network, and an online educational platform.
EYL gives behind-the-scenes financial views into the entertainment and sports industries, as well as highlighting backstories of entrepreneurs. EYL also breaks down business models and examines the latest trends in finance. EYL is a college business class mixed with pop culture that blends the two together for a unique and exciting look into the world of business. EYL has a community of over 1,500,000 followers on social media, and 1,500,000 YouTube subscribers.
Earn Your Leisure also offers an interactive educational resource through EYL University, which is an online educational platform. Earn Your Leisure University is an online interactive community that includes over 100+ archived webinars covering a range of business, finance, and entrepreneurial topics. Subscribers to the platform have direct access to exclusive weekly webinars hosted by leading experts from a variety of different financial industries. Membership also includes access to a Private Investment Facebook group which includes a community of over 12,000 members, a book and movie club, bi-weekly interactive sessions covering the stock market with Troy Millings, and a monthly group financial planning call with Rashad Bilal.
Troy and Rashad founded The Earn Your Leisure Network. The Earn Your Leisure Network is a revolutionary network which gives rise to emerging and established content creators from the world of business, finance, and entrepreneurship whose perspective, expertise, and in-depth insight have been undervalued and overlooked. At its core, The Earn Your Leisure Network's ultimate purpose is to build as we climb as a community, highlighting collaboration over competition.
Lastly, EYL hosts live events across the globe which include the biggest financial literacy festival in the world, “InvestFest.” InvestFest is a first-of-its-kind, in-person experience to combine investing, entrepreneurship, pop culture, and entertainment in a 3-day festival setting. InvestFest includes a vendor marketplace for small businesses and live podcast stages with interviews from top entrepreneurs and celebrities. There are also live performances from top musicians, a food truck caravan, investing panel discussions, and interactive events. InvestFest was founded in 2021 with over 4,000 attendees and has rapidly grown with over 20,000 attendees at InvestFest 2023. Some of the headliners in the past years have included Steve Harvey, Tyler Perry, Dan Cathy, and Robert F. Smith.
Adrienne Lucas
Company Details
Adrienne Lucas
Adrienne Lucas is the Global Head of Strategic Partnerships & DEI at The One Club. As part of her role, Adrienne partners with brands and agencies throughout the US, and parts of Africa and Europe, to create programs designed to retain and increase the number of creatives of color in advertising.
One of the largest programs under Adrienne’s purview is Where Are All The Black People (WAATBP), an annual diversity conference and career fair. WAATBP attracts up to 3500+ attendees and 60+ sponsoring agencies and brands including: Amazon, Capital One, and Mattel. Adrienne also spearheads the Creative Boot Camp initiative--a free weeklong program where college students of color create and present an advertising campaign for a real client.
Adrienne holds a J.D. from NYU Law, a B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Diversity & Inclusion Professionals Certificate from Cornell University IRL School. She is passionate about the arts, civil rights, and social justice.
Keynote Fireside Chat (Earn Your Leisure)
Conversation with Earn Your Leisure Podcast CEOs, moderated by Adrienne Lucas
11:00 AM
Recruiter Stations
11:00 AM
Portfolio Reviews
11:00 AM
Eric Mosley
Company Details
Eric Mosley
Wellness Room
Black Mat Yoga with Eric Mosley
WAATBP is a lot to take in, and that’s a very good thing. But while you’re running around networking, meeting recruiters, getting your portfolio reviewed, and so many other opportunities, don’t forget to decompress with a little “me” time. Stop by the Wellness Lounge for gentle yoga sessions, guided meditation, and self-guided journaling, all led by Black Mat Yoga founder Eric Mosley. Even just a few minutes in the Lounge will help you to reconnect with yourself, relax and tap back into your greatness!
11:15:00
Adrianne C. Smith
Company Details
Adrianne C. Smith
Adrianne C. Smith is the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at FleishmanHillard, a leading global communications and marketing agency, and the founder of the Cannes Can: Diversity Collective (CC:DC), launched in 2018 to diversify the creative, marketing, communications, and advertising industries and provide marginalized communities access to global events. In 2019, she made history with her Inkwell Beach platform at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity as the festival's first standalone diversity, equity and inclusion activation, and expanded it to Davos (during the World Economic Forum) in 2024. CC:DC’s Inkwell Beach pays homage to the historic site in Martha’s Vineyard. Adrianne is on the boards of the Reykjavik Global Forum and Harlem Business Alliance, was named ADCOLOR DEI Executive of the Year in 2023 and a ColorComm Circle Awards recipient in 2024.
Chandra Guinn
Company Details
Chandra Guinn
Chandra Guinn is the Executive Director of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging at McKinney. A seasoned educator and advocate, she leads initiatives to foster a more equitable and inclusive workplace. She convenes the Agents of Change cohort, is executive sponsor for Chroma, the Employee Resource Group, leads community outreach efforts including work with HBCU, North Carolina Central University (Durham, NC), and the Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice (PMC).
Guinn is a passionate advocate for social justice and is committed to creating a positive impact in this industry and her community. She has spoken on international stages and moderated industry-wide sessions. Previously, she directed the Mary Lou Williams Center for Black Culture at Duke University. Since, she has sought to leverage her prior higher education experience to build bridges of opportunity for those outside or new to the industry as her success lies in helping others succeed.
Dionna Dorsey
Company Details
Dionna Dorsey
Dionna Dorsey is the co-founder and CEO of The Creative Ladder, a nonprofit connecting, elevating, and inspiring a more inclusive generation of creatives. Her love for creativity and community building began as a young child with a coloring book and has since grown into an entrepreneurial passion. She uses compassion, community, culture, empathy, and inspiring storytelling to support the next generation of creatives in their climb up the creative ladder. Co-founded by Ryan Reynolds, the non-profit offers leadership training, mentorship, networking opportunities, and career development resources for rising creative talent.
She's also the founder of District of Clothing, a lifestyle brand encouraging progression, inspiring action, and supporting self-love. With apparel and accessory items for the sideline rejectors who awake with passion for progress and desire to make their dreams reality, District of Clothing is worn by the change-makers making change happen.
Aaron Francois
Company Details
Aaron Francois
Aaron is a blerd, social media enthusiast, sneakerhead, and lover of all things DEI.
As a multi-hyphenate creative, he leverages his passion for culture and strategic thinking to build brands across industries like CPG, tech and gaming. He’s also used this experience to become a resource to rising industry talent serving as a mentor for students, rising stars, and seasoned professionals alike.
In and out of work, Aaron dedicates his time to developing infrastructures for the development & retention of diverse talent. In 2022, he launched Black Visionaries, a non-profit 501(c)(3) created to democratize access to resources and community for Black professionals across varying industries.
Aaron’s love of community has translated into distinctive honors such as 2021 MAIPER to Watch, Mr. ADCOLOR 2022, the AD Club Rockstar award, and being the inaugural recipient of the 4A’s x McCann Worldgroup Billy Davis Award, as well as the“Right Hand” Plug Award.
Let’s Put Y’all On Game (McKinney)
Industry Opportunities to Know to Grow
This panel discussion will explore the diverse range of resources and opportunities available for professionals seeking to enter or advance their careers in the advertising and marketing industries. The panelists will share their personal career journeys, discuss the origin stories of their industry-related initiatives or programs, and provide valuable tips for navigating the industry and crafting successful applications.
11:15:00
Prof. Javier Garcia
Company Details
Prof. Javier Garcia
Amera-Rime Lulu, MPS
Company Details
Amera-Rime Lulu, MPS
Donna Dei-Baning
Company Details
Donna Dei-Baning
Carol Tavarez-Scanlon
Company Details
Carol Tavarez-Scanlon
Carol Tavarez-Scanlon is a psychotherapist with over a decade of experience in the mental health field. As a bi-lingual, bi-cultural therapist born and raised in NYC, Carol understands the complexities and ambitions faced by professionals, creatives and intellectuals alike. Trained at NYU’s Silver School of Social Work, Carol draws on professional expertise developed both in community settings, such as The Park Slope Center for Mental Health and Covenant House, as well as in the corporate world at Young & Rubicam.
Carol draws on techniques across approaches including attachment theory, mindfulness, and cognitive behavioral therapy, as well as accelerated healing techniques, including EMDR and AEDP.
Carol’s professional and life interests are wide ranging - she is a world traveller, enjoys horticulture, yoga, hiking and interior design. She lives in Westchester with her husband and never misses the chance to spoil her 10-year-old pitbull mix, Chui.
Finding Your People (Spark a Convo)
Seeking Strength and Solidarity in Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)
Panelists will discuss intersectionality, faith, family, gender, race, & strategies workers of marginalized identities can use to create community & collective success.
12:15:00
Moses Foster
Company Details
Moses Foster
A native of Farmville, Virginia, Moses earned a BA from Virginia Tech. Following a stint in the world of publishing in New York, Moses moved back to Richmond and joined Huntsinger & Jeffer -- an advertising and direct marketing firm -- as a copywriter. While there, Moses wrote campaigns for such clients as Hilton Hotels, SunTrust Bank and the American Red Cross. After leaving the firm, Moses moved to Capital One Financial, where he held several marketing positions, including Senior Director of Creative Development in the Brand organization.
In 2007, Foster opened West Cary Group, a full-service marketing communications and advertising firm. Since that time, he has guided West Cary Group and its clients into an era of integrated communications innovation and growth, garnering such notable clients as Capital One, Luxottica, Amazon, Henrico EDA, the Richmond Airport, Fannie Mae, American Water, and Dominion Energy.
Moses serves on the Executive AdvisoryCouncil to the Robins School of Business, the Board of the MCV Foundation, the Board of ChamberRVA, and the Venture Richmond Board. Foster was recognized in 2015 as the Mike Hughes Advertising Person of the Year and was inducted into the JA Greater Richmond Business Hall of Fame in 2021.
Sherika Wynter
Company Details
Sherika Wynter
Sherika Wynter is the CoFounder and CEO of T|W Tote, a subsidiary of
Thomas & Wynter R&D. Launched in December 2018, T|W Tote is a luxury
short term carry company that strives to change how people view fashion
and sustainability.
Sherika’s background is in mechanical engineering and industrial design from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and University of the Arts, respectively. She has an extensive career in hardware and software product development, with over 15 years of experience in private sector and government affiliated companies.
While running the R&D company, Sherika also teaches product management and strategy to professionals looking to transition into a new career, entrepreneurs looking to start/grow their businesses and enterprises looking to train their employees.
Shallon Thomas
Company Details
Shallon Thomas
Shallon Thomas is the co-founder of Thomas & Wynter R&D and the Chief Operating Officer of T|W Tote. His professional background includes an MBA from Washington Adventist University and a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. Shallon began his career as a quality engineer in the military defense industry and later served as a consultant for the US patent office.
As an entrepreneur, he believes innovation and constant evolution are the secrets to his success. Alongside his business partner Sherika Wynter, his company T|W Tote has shipped luxury bags worldwide and partnered with companies like Capital One, Google, and The NBA’s player association. Shallon seeks to share his vision of servant leadership with the world and inspire others to start their entrepreneurial journey.
In the Black – A BIG Conversation About Running a Black-Owned Small Business
Starting your own business is no small feat. Connect with Capital One partners West Cary Group and TW Tote for a real conversation about Black entrepreneurship.
12:15:00
John ‘JP’ Petty
Company Details
John ‘JP’ Petty
Philadelphia native, John “JP” Petty III is Executive Creative Director at Wieden + Kennedy
Portland, where he helps lead that office alongside MD Jess Monsey and creative partners Ana
and Hermeti Balarin, overseeing all creative output for brand partners, including Nike, Old
Spice, Visa, Fisher Price, HP, and Samsung to name a few.
Prior to his elevation to ECD, JP was head of social at WKNY, where he led a team of 15 social
strategists working across Anheuser-Busch InBev, Ford, McDonald’s, Kraft-Heinz, vitaminwater,
HBO, Sprite, Jordan Brand, and Lyft.
During his time in the New York office, JP helped launch WKNY’s Bodega — an internal
social-first creative group that aims to ignite conversation and advocacy by working cultural
moments into brand storytelling, versus trying to push brand storytelling onto culture.
JP was also on the team behind the explosive McDonald’s “Famous Orders” partnerships with
Travis Scott, J. Balvin, BTS, Saweetie and others, leading to the creation of numerous TikTok
trends and an ingredient shortage around the country. He also helped launch the highly
anticipated Ford Bronco after COVID cancelled automotive shows, pivoting to an entirely
organic digital and social push, leading to sold out pre-orders in under 24 hours and becoming
the #1 trending Twitter topic ––all without any paid social media.
He’s shaped culture-defining campaigns for brands by putting social at the center of creative
work. In doing that, JP transformed Wieden + Kennedy’s creative output for a new media
landscape, while shaping trends for the type of work that will guide the next generation of
advertisers. He’s also championed an inclusive recruitment approach that is welcoming a new,
diverse group of creative talent into the industry.
Formerly, as the Director of Social at Translation, he spearheaded the development of
engagement strategies for the likes of State Farm, NBA, HBO, Champs Sports, Budweiser
Made In America, NFL, and the Brooklyn Nets. While there, he worked closely with music and
advertising industry veteran, Steve Stoute to launch the artist services company, UnitedMasters,
and was instrumental in the development of their 2018 NBA sync deal. Before joining
Translation in 2013, JP served as a Social Strategist and Columnist at Raine Magazine.
In 2009, he received his Bachelors of Science degree in Business Administration from the
nation’s first HBCU, Lincoln University, and in 2012, a Masters of Science in Project
Management from Drexel University. JP is a hip-hop and Philly sports fanatic, whose motto is
“Get On. Put On.” and dedicates all of his past and future work to his late mother, Wanda.
Breakout Session 2B – 14th & Market Fireside Chat
1:00 PM
LUNCH
LUNCH
2:00 PM
Kenny Lloyd
Company Details
Kenny Lloyd
Kenny Lloyd, the Director of Culture & Innovation at VCCP US works diligently to amplify the agency both internally and externally. Kenny has a diverse advertising background transforming legacy brands such as Tiffany & Co. to introducing culture forward platforms within tech brands such as Apple. He is extremely passionate about progressing his community forward and shining a light on the inequalities within advertising; ensuring to uplift the next generation of marketers.
Chukwukere Ekeh
Company Details
Chukwukere Ekeh
I’m Chukwukere Ekeh, dedicated to using my gifts of encouragement and creativity to empower others. As an executive and marketer, I passionately uncover human-led insights, crafting impactful campaigns, content, and partnerships. My work resonates deeply, driving both emotional connections and profitable outcomes.
Bryan Burke
Company Details
Bryan Burke
A Texas native now based in Brooklyn, NY, Bryan Burke is a creative director and marketing strategist with a passion for culture-based storytelling. A graduate of Morehouse College’s film and media department, Bryan has worked with influential brands like Highsnobiety, Ralph Lauren, Jordan Brand, and Timberland. He has dedicated himself to crafting authentic narratives that connect deeply with diverse consumers, pushing brands to engage in meaningful and consistent storytelling.
Challenging the Status Quo (Spark a Convo)
Marketing to Black Consumers
This panel will dive into how brands can identify and reflect Black consumers through an authentic, consistent approach to storytelling, rather than looking to capitalize on mere moments in time.
2:00 PM
Nik Reed
Company Details
Nik Reed
Nik is a Florida born, Brooklyn based Creative Director working every day to change the narrative around what it means to be a Florida Man. He has worked at Wieden + Kennedy for 6 years on brands like Bud Light, Jordan, Nike, The Brooklyn Nets, McDonald's, Team USA and most recently Delta.
Sharita Frazier
Company Details
Sharita Frazier
A seasoned creative with an unwavering passion for art direction, Sharita is driven by the pursuit of human truth behind every visual story. Born in Boston and now rooted in Atlanta, her career has been defined by an insatiable curiosity and dedication to the craft.
Throughout her career, Sharita has been at the helm of ideation, brand identity, leading teams to craft compelling brand experiences. Her journey began in traditional marketing agencies, such as Ogilvy, where she honed her skills in brand awareness, targeted messaging, and launching new brands and products. This diverse portfolio includes iconic names like Samsung, Holiday Inn Express, AT&T, Charlotte MLS, Lowe's, Under Armour, and Pernod Ricard.
Currently, she manages a wide array of experiential programs for Delta Air Lines, with a particular focus on activations and events. Whether internally or externally, she ensures each experience is crafted to have impact, while forging genuine connections.
Angela Benjamin
Company Details
Angela Benjamin
Angela Benjamin is the General Manager for Equity Outreach Strategies at Delta Air Lines. Her work focuses on partnerships which dismantle systemic barriers and uplift underserved, underrecognized and underrepresented groups, in gaining traction toward improved wellbeing through education, upskilling and meaningful work, in the aviation industry and beyond.
Over the past two decades of her career she has specialized in talent mobility and career development, including managing a global leadership development pipeline program at Danaher Corporation and leading numerous talent acquisition initiatives at Accenture.
Angela is a proud alumna of Florida A&M University. Outside of work, in partnership with her husband Kwame, she enjoys spending evenings and weekends juggling the many activities of her three sons.
Brittany Gilzene
Company Details
Brittany Gilzene
Brittany Gilzene is the Founder of The Black Linkup, a brand celebrating Black culture through exceptional events. With extensive media and advertising experience, Brittany specializes in audience strategy, ad tech, and media operations. As an Audience and Data Strategist, she drives data-backed strategies for brands under Coca-Cola’s portfolio, including Sprite and Fanta, focusing on audience segmentation and optimization. Brittany’s leadership of The Black Linkup has led to successful events, a strong social media presence, and solid client relationships. She holds an MBA in Marketing from Iona College and a BA in Digital Media from SUNY New Paltz.
Andersen Cupid
Company Details
Andersen Cupid
Andersen Cupid is an award winning artist and designer currently working as a Senior Designer/ Art Director at Delta Air Lines. His artist features include Sotheby's, World Trade Center, Amazon, Link NYC, and many more. He has worked on creative projects at Delta ranging from Essence Fest to Ad Color and continues to lend his creativity on major brand partnerships and initiatives.
Taniya Paylor
Company Details
Taniya Paylor
Tan is a data-driven brand marketing professional with over 3 years of hands-on experience in developing and executing strategic marketing initiatives. Her passions in building brand awareness, driving engagement, and amplifying brand difference through multicultural acumen has helped drive success within multiple campaigns such as Issa Rae x Delta’s LAFW debut with The Runway Runway Collection, Essence Festival, and Art Basel Miami. Only a few years out of college, she shows a proven ability to leverage consumer insights and creative storytelling to deliver impactful campaigns and premium experiences to diverse demographics.
Very Mindful and Always Demure: Navigating Corporate Spaces And Challenging The Status Quo As A Black Creative (Delta Airlines)
Navigating Corporate And Challenging The Status Quo As A Black Creative
Join our panel of creatives as they share their personal stories and advice on balancing self-advocacy within corporate and creative spaces. Let’s tap into ways we can move with mindfulness and intentionality, while making our voices heard. We’ll also discuss the crucial role of DEI in building inclusive workplaces and crafting effective and meaningful marketing strategies.
3:00 PM
Sequoyah “DataBae” Glenn, MBA
Company Details
Sequoyah “DataBae” Glenn, MBA
Award-winning marketer Sequoyah Glenn, MBA, known as DataBae and Queen Quoyah, uniquely blends analytics and creativity in her 12-year advertising career. She pioneered research, driving successful campaigns for global brands. In 2019, she founded the relationship-focused Black Marketers Coalition and established National Black Marketers Day in 2022. She co-founded CultureMRx for Black insights professionals to network and develop skills. Active in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and several non-profit organizations, she mentors students, speaks at conferences, and serves on the University of South Florida's Customer Experience Certificate program board and AMA Atlanta board. Sequoyah embraces lifelong learning through empathy, kindness, and stepping outside her comfort zone.
Obele Brown-West
Company Details
Obele Brown-West
Obele is an award-winning marketing innovator recognized by Campaign US, Adweek, Ad Age, Chief Marketer, PRWeek and AdExchanger. With over 20 years experience, Obele is the first President of Tracer—a data intelligence platform for businesses and marketers—leading the global executive team. Tracer is backed by investors including S4 Ventures, Alex Rodriguez and Gary Vaynerchuk.
Prior to Tracer, Obele led Tinuiti’s 800+ commerce, media, analytics, lifecycle, influencer and creative specialists as Chief Solutions Officer. Under her leadership, Tinuiti became the first independent agency to win Microsoft Global Agency of the Year and the first with exclusive Reddit and TikTok partnerships.
Obele is an Executive member of the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences and The Ad Age List. Obele sits on boards for Goodlife Clothing, Gifting Brands, Stop Soldier Suicide and I Choose The Ladder.
Carla Anderson
Company Details
Carla Anderson
Carla Anderson is a seasoned creative director based in the DMV area, boasting over a decade of experience in creative development for brands of all sizes. Renowned for her leadership and team-building skills, Carla excels in nurturing talent and driving creative strategy. She is a fervent advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, committed to fostering safe and equitable work environments. Carla's passion for creating impactful, inclusive brand narratives has made her a respected voice in the industry, continuously pushing the boundaries of creativity while championing the importance of diverse perspectives.
Jonina Bullock
Company Details
Jonina Bullock
Jonina is a graduate of the University of Georgia, where she earned her degree in Advertising and German Language. Currently, she works at Edelman, where she is an Assistant Account Executive for US New Business. Prior to her tenure at Edelman, she worked for Delta Air Lines in their Brand Experience and Service Recovery divisions.
Dabo Ché
Company Details
Dabo Ché
Dabo Ché is a creative entrepreneur and CEO of CHÉ Creative Industries. With over 25 years in advertising, Dabo has become an outspoken voice for representation and culture. Since launching, the agency has created award-winning work for L'Oreal, Martell, HOLOGIC, Comcast, EFFECTV, Amazon Music, Amazon Prime Video, and more.
With far-reaching agency experience in General Market and Multicultural segments, Dabo has most notably led Spike Lee's SPIKE DDB and Steve Stoute's TRANSLATION creative teams. Dabo is also a founding partner of the industry event BLACKWEEK launching in October of this year and co-founder of Heir Loom, a new Black and woman-owned holding company in the advertising industry.
F*ck That Job (Spark a Convo)
Co-Creating Healthy Work Environments for Current & Future Marketers of Color
This panel discussion, led by award-winning marketer Sequoyah "DataBae" Glenn, dives into how managers & employees of color can co-create healthy work environments where current & future marketers of color can thrive & increase workplace retention.
3:00 PM
Amanda Stewart
Company Details
Amanda Stewart
Amanda Stewart is a dynamic marketing professional celebrated for her ability to craft compelling brand narratives and drive transformative growth. Her diverse career spans technology, media, and entertainment, with roles at Yahoo!, NBC Sports, Combs Global, Vevo, and Endeavor. Through these experiences, Amanda has refined her skills in brand marketing, product development, and storytelling, consistently inspiring high-performing teams to achieve their objectives. She is also the founder of Lou Lapel, a sustainable fashion brand recognized by W Magazine and WWD. Holding a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Business Marketing from Bradley University and a Certificate in Fashion from Parsons School of Design, Amanda blends creative insight with innovative strategies. Committed to pushing marketing boundaries and shaping industry trends, she also mentors students and early-career professionals, supporting their entrepreneurial and career growth.
Oyinkan Olojede
Company Details
Oyinkan Olojede
Oyinkan Olojede is a founder, brand strategist and designer based (mostly) in New York. The Brooklyn-born, Johannesburg-raised Nigerian brings a global perspective to her work as a multi-hyphenate creative with over 8 years experience in media and agency settings. Her interests lie in doing work that prioritizes the individual behind the customer, and speaks to the importance of community—both online and offline.
In 2020 Oyinkan co-founded FourTwo Creative, a full-service creative agency building culturally relevant brands and creating authentic touchpoints with Black consumers with the power of storytelling. Oyinkan has ideated, pitched and produced campaigns for major brands—Spotify, Nike, Uber, and Disney among them.
Oyinkan holds a B.A. in Psychology & Economics from New York University and has done coursework in PR and Marketing Communications.
Tahira White
Company Details
Tahira White
Tahira White is a multi-disciplinary creative entrepreneur.
Developing environments rooted in vision, positivity, and opportunity, Tahira’s keen insight helped her to identify voids and solutions in creative spaces as an emergent voice for the under-recognized and under-sourced.
Over the last 15 years, Tahira’s journey has propelled her to the position of Co-Founder and Executive, commanding three companies: 19th & Park, a trailblazing creative marketing agency, 1Park9, a 360 production studio, and Wercflow, an AI-driven marketing productivity tool. All holding clientele portfolios of renowned brands including Apple, Nike, P&G and many more.
In between running businesses, Tahira commits her time to empowering today’s younger generation to contribute directly toward the betterment of their lives and communities through civic engagement, entrepreneurship and other pillars.
Teddy Johnson
Company Details
Teddy Johnson
Teddy is a Central Florida transplant who hails from Brooklyn, NY. Having a mother in the airline industry incited her passion for travel and a deep reverence for learning about other cultures. She has since created a career around a love of cultural connection and elevating brands. Her intuitive capabilities enable her to uncover and implement unique solutions based on trust and empathy, utilizing innovative strategies that create value. Teddy is married to a charming Bronx-native, and they are raising their three children in the Sunshine State.
Joy Ekuta
Company Details
Joy Ekuta
Joy Ekuta is the Co-Founder and Chief Strategy and Operations Officer at Retrospect, a Black-owned creative strategy, design, and research company that builds culture-forward experiences for evolving, globally-mindful brands. Having supported companies at their earliest stages to more established teams, Retrospect works with brands to align their ethos to commercial and cultural impact.
As an MIT Alum and former Researcher and Operations Leader in the tech industry, Joy is passionate about working in spaces that sit at the intersection of people, technology, and culture. Her professional experience has included roles that span research, program management, and recruiting at startups and enterprise organizations (Pinterest, Two Sigma, Humu, Exos Financial). She has also been a serial entrepreneur, successfully co-founding 2 other organizations (Hostowambe, ImpactLabs) to date.
She resides in Washington, D.C. and enjoys cooking, dancing, and traveling in her free time.
The Group Chat (Spark a Convo)
A Conversation with Black-Women Founders
Ever wonder what it's like to be in a group chat with some inspiring Black women entrepreneurs? Typically the group chat is sacred, but join us for a candid and intimate dialogue with four visionary Black women who are redefining success in both business and life... it’s part "Shark Tank," part "Red Table Talk," and 100% boss energy. Moderated by Amanda, a seasoned marketing executive with experience at Endeavor, Yahoo, WarnerMedia, and NBC Sports enlightening panel will explore the profound parallels between the entrepreneurial journey and personal growth. The founders will share their transformative journeys, highlighting how entrepreneurship has shaped both their professional and personal growth. They'll explore the delicate balance between business savvy and emotional intelligence, and reveal strategies for harmonizing career ambitions with core values. "The Group Chat" presents entrepreneurship as a powerful catalyst for self-discovery, resilience, and well-rounded success, offering a fresh perspective on the intertwined nature of business and personal development. Expect to laugh, learn, and leave feeling like you just got the ultimate pep talk from friends. Whether you're dreaming of launching the next big thing or just trying to level up in life, don’t miss the "The Group Chat.”
4:00 PM
Closing Remarks (Delta Airlines Presentation)
(Delta Airlines Presentation)
4:15 PM
Shannon Washington
Company Details
Shannon Washington
Creative, traveler, culturist—Shannon Washington is a busy woman.
Currently, Shannon serves as Global Chief Creative Officer for GOTHAM, the global boutique creative brand in the McCann Worldgroup network of agencies.
Shannon returned to GOTHAM in 2024 to craft the creative growth and expansion of the agency, from a legendary, 30+ year player in the beauty space, to a full-scale creative powerhouse for a new set of categories, brands and talent.
Before GOTHAM, Shannon served as the US Chief Creative Officer, Connected Communications for R/GA US, the network’s largest and flagship region where she focused on reshaping the region’s campaign creative vision, fidelity and work culture.
At R/GA, her intersectional and craft-centric style of leadership led to a renewed creative vigor in the office, resulting in an impressive set of wins to include a Webby Agency of The Year win, a #2 sport for AdAge’s A-list, and three impressive award seasons, with a net of campaign awards not seen since 2016. Business-wise, Shannon successfully led a host of winning pitches for Uber, Sephora and TurboTax, which was the second largest win for IPG in 2023. In addition, her approach has earned her three distinctive honors: Ad-Age CCO of The Year, The AdWeek 100 and one of Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business.
Shannon joined R/GA after a stint in Los Angeles with Media Arts Lab, where she helped launch Apple TV+ and build a foundation for original content marketing in the Apple ecosystem, and at Deutsch Los Angeles where she led H&R Block. Previous to Los Angeles, Shannon was at Droga5 NY, where she led the culture-driven “I Am What I Make Up” relaunch of CoverGirl and the launch of You Invest with Chase.
When she can, Shannon can be found actively adding to the discourse around the culture of leadership and inclusivity in advertising through paneling and public conversations. When she's not in front of a monitor, Shannon is working on adding another stamp to her passport or attempting to run a 10 minute mile.
Shannon is a proud and loud graduate of Howard University and lives in New Jersey.
Kaleeta McDade
Company Details
Kaleeta McDade
At VML, Kaleeta helps companies drive intimacy at scale while harnessing the power of innovation, design, data, and technology. Her twenty years of experience span numerous industries and geographies, holding notable leadership and creative roles with Google Brand Studio, Apple, Sapient Shanghai, Deloitte Digital, and Ogilvy. Kaleeta has a proven ability to drive impact for brands, helping them shape a creative vision that deepens customer relationships across every stage of the engagement lifecycle. Her influence and leadership shape how customers around the world experience some of the largest brands in retail, sports, beauty, and health. Her work has been revered by major clients such as Costco, Nike, Apple, Google, WNBA, LA Rams, Verizon, AT&T, Wells Fargo, NY Life, and The Coca-Cola Company. Kaleeta is bridging creative storytelling into storyliving across VML’s client portfolio.
PM Panel – From Billable to Valuable
All of the things we learned about money when we weren't learning about money. From navigating negotiations to pitching profitable creative, Shannon and Kaleeta are going to break down everything they learned on their way to the Creative C-Suite.
5:00 PM
DJ SIMBAZILLA
Company Details
DJ SIMBAZILLA
SIMBAZILLA is a DJ, Event Curator, and Digital Marketer from Brooklyn NY. With a deep passion for music and a commitment to creating unforgettable experiences, SimbaZilla is a force to be reckoned with in the DJ and event industry. Whether it's a high-energy nightclub or a laid-back lounge atmosphere, SimbaZilla's talent and diverse musical range ensure an unforgettable experience for all in attendance. Believing that the world is full of amazing music, SimbaZilla's DJ sets span various genres including Hip-Hop, R&B, Afrobeats, Amapiano, House, Club, and Dancehall.
Networking Reception
After-Party
After a full day of networking, DJ SimbaZilla will turn things up a notch by hosting our afterparty. Join us for networking, drinks, dancing, and vibes!