2045 Studio

On September 12, we commemorated 2045 Studio's first anniversary with our inaugural annual summit. The day's theme was Addressing the Inclusion Gap, which is the discrepancy between the mission of DEI teams and initiatives and the actual lived experiences of a company's employees. We hosted leaders from advertising, healthcare, investing, and more — including Stephanie Mehta (CEO and Chief Content Officer, Mansueto Ventures), Darla Price (she / her / hers) (President, Ogilvy New York), Singleton Beato (Global Chief Diversity and Engagement Officer, McCann Worldgroup), Judy Jackson (Founder, JLC Ventures), James Jean (Senior Director, North American Operations, Pfizer),  and Ken Chenault Jr. (Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Benchstrength) — for a day of discussions on developing inclusive leaders, fostering healthier work cultures, and addressing the Inclusion Gap. As stated by 2045 Founder and CEO, Porter Braswell, as the event opened: "For DEI to actually thrive, it has to be distributed throughout a company. It can't just be in isolation ... companies have to figure out how to transition into a world where all people managers are equipped to really push through the pillars of diversity, equity, and inclusion." By 2045, people of color will make up most of the U.S. population. As we approach that year, it's imperative for companies that want to remain relevant to build teams that reflect the country's population and coach managers to be well-prepared to manage increasingly diverse teams. Our mission is to help all people managers become more inclusive. We do this through one-on-one executive inclusive coaching led by curated professional coaches of color, supportive community groups, professional development workshops, and enriching events. We hope you'll join us in the journey to create a more inclusive future, whether by partnering with us or simply supporting our mission. Please reach out to us at membership@2045studio.com to learn more.

At our inaugural annual summit last month, "Addressing the Inclusion Gap," we invited leaders from the worlds of advertising, healthcare, investing, and more to share their perspectives on what it takes to create the inclusive cultures that organizations will need to foster in order to be successful in a rapidly changing world. In his latest Fast Company article, 2045 Studio CEO Porter Braswell reflects on the summit and explores our speakers' key takeaways. Read the full article below to get access to exclusive insights from speakers at Mansueto Ventures, Ogilvy, Pfizer, and other innovative companies, and apply for membership at www.2045studio.com for yourself or your employees. Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/eGXnks5E

Last week was a very hectic week with the United Nations convening in NYC. The World Economic Forum also gathered, and we had an intimate session with leading Chief Diversity Officers across some of America’s largest companies. My main takeaways were: 1. DEI leaders, other executives, and corporations need to work more closely with each other and better control the narrative - there is a small group of people controlling the narrative right now, and that needs to change. In order to do so, companies that remain committed to the values of DEI need to come together with shared statements and perspectives to take back the narrative. 2. DEI Leaders are becoming strategic change agents - the role of DEI leaders has expanded, requiring a unique blend of influence, data fluency, and strategic insight. They’re being called upon to guide senior leaders through complex conversations and navigate the intersection of culture, compliance, and business impact. As DEI becomes increasingly interwoven with organizational strategy, these leaders are emerging as critical partners in driving sustainable culture change. 3. The shift towards systems-level change - DEI and HR leaders are transitioning from focusing solely on awareness-building and training to implementing systems-level changes. This includes rethinking recruitment processes, performance reviews, and leadership development to reduce bias and increase equity. The focus is shifting towards embedding DEI principles into the very fabric of organizational systems—ensuring that inclusive practices become a natural part of “how things get done” without the need to label it DEI. I shared perspectives from both 2045 Studio on how to build inclusive leaders and my focus at True Search, ensuring diversity within executive search pipelines. DM me if you want to learn more about either!

Recently, Franklin Templeton's Regina Curry, Chief Diversity Officer and Katrina Dudley, Senior Vice President, Public Market Investments, discussed effective inclusive strategies for organizational success. Some of their key takeaways for today's leaders: 1) Create inclusive spaces: Make sure that diverse voices are present at the table, and give them opportunities to participate in decision-making. 2) Practice active listening: Encourage a wide range of perspectives and make space for everyone's ideas to be truly heard and considered. 3) Foster mentorship & sponsorship: Create structured mentorship and sponsorship programs in order to support diverse employees and helping them advance their careers. 4) Make opportunities for skills-based advancement: Focus on identifying skill gaps and offer personalized development opportunities to train employees. 2045 Studio can help you create opportunities to develop your employees, provide spaces for community and sponsorship, and train inclusive leaders to light the way forward at your company. Visit us at www.2045studio.com to learn more and apply for corporate partnership.

On September 12th, we commemorated 2045 Studio's first anniversary with our inaugural annual summit. The day's theme was Addressing the Inclusion Gap, which is the discrepancy between the mission and initiatives of DEI teams and the actual lived experiences of a company's employees. We had incredible speakers from advertising, healthcare, investing, and more — including Stephanie Mehta (CEO and Chief Content Officer, Mansueto Ventures), Darla Price (she / her / hers) (President, Ogilvy New York), Singleton Beato (Global Chief Diversity and Engagement Officer, McCann Worldgroup), Judy Jackson (Founder, JLC Ventures), James Jean (Senior Director, North American Operations, Pfizer), and Ken Chenault Jr. (Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Benchstrength). The day centered on discussions of developing inclusive leaders, fostering healthier work cultures, and addressing the Inclusion Gap. By 2045, people of color will make up the majority of the U.S. population. As we approach that year, it's imperative for companies that want to remain relevant to build teams that reflect the country's population and coach managers to be well-prepared to manage increasingly diverse teams. Our mission is to help all people managers become more inclusive. We do this through one-on-one executive inclusive coaching led by curated professional coaches of color, supportive community groups, professional development workshops, and enriching events. We hope you'll join us in the journey to create a more inclusive future, whether by partnering with us or simply supporting our mission. Please reach out to us at membership@2045studio.com to learn more.

Earlier this month, we hosted an event with Randstad and Fast Company on equity and wellness at work as part of the 2024 Fast Company Innovation Festival. After a kickoff from Keith Brown (Vice President, Head of Community Impact, Randstad North America), Michael Collins (Americas Head of DEI, Global DEI Lead Barclays Bank and Execution Services, Barclays) sat down with moderator Floss Aggrey (Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Randstad NA) to talk about the intersection of technology, culture, and current events in retaining diverse workforces. Attracting and recruiting a diverse workforce can be a difficult task, but it's vital for companies to foster inclusive workplaces that demonstrate care for employees so all members of an organization can bring their full selves to work. Three key takeaways from this event: Lean into changing demographics. Younger generations are redefining how we work, from office hours to boundaries between personal and professional life. Companies need to embrace these shifts instead of rejecting them in order to remain competitive. Recruitment is only the first step. It’s not just about recruiting diverse talent — it’s about being prepared to truly support and retain them once they’re in the door. Proactivity > reactivity. In 2020, as companies reacted to current events, many didn't set up the necessary infrastructure for sustained, lasting change. It's important to be future-thinking when putting DEI initiatives into place, and be intentional about setting realistic goals. To gain access to future events where you can receive insights into what it takes to develop inclusive workplaces, contact membership@2045studio.com or send us a message.

I am deeply honored to have been welcomed by NAAIA - National African American Insurance Association and Omari Aarons-Martin, MDiv to speak at their annual summit. Thank you for the warm reception and the opportunity to share my journey building 2045 Studio and Jopwell. Thank you also to the incredible Susan Johnson for being an inspiration to all of us and for the engaging conversation. Being surrounded by so many remarkable leaders was truly uplifting. The energy, passion, and commitment to driving change within our communities left me inspired and motivated. Thank you to Kwabena Dinizulu and my team at Penguin Random House Speakers Bureau for the ongoing partnership and representation. Lastly Brett Carter, MBA, CIC, CPRM and I are excited to support True Search in helping place incredible leaders within the insurance industry. Please DM me if you’re interested in learning more!

Earlier this month, we hosted an event in partnership with ISE-DA at the 2045 Clubhouse featuring designer Brandon Blackwood, Founder, Creative Director, and CEO of his namesake brand, and visual artist Tschabalala Self. During the course of the night, Self and Blackwood spoke with moderator Jenée-Daria Strand about cultural stewardship, entrepreneurship, creative relationships and strategies for supporting emerging talent. Two key takeaways from the night: 1) As your career progresses, support newcomers however you can. 2) Support isn’t always financial — information-sharing, advocacy, and amplification are powerful forms of assistance that can ignite someone's career or open new opportunities for them. 2045 Studio provides members with a space where they can feel supported and empowered to take the next step in their careers. Reach out to membership@2045studio.com to learn more about corporate partnerships as a way to invest in your diverse employees and encourage their growth.

Last Thursday, in partnership with 2045 Studio, ISE-DA hosted a special event titled "Tschabalala Self and Brandon Blackwood on Black Art, Collecting, and Cultural Stewardship" to launch our new initiative Temperature Check. In a panel moderated by curator and writer Jenée-Daria Strand, visual artist Tschabalala Self and fashion designer/collector Brandon Blackwood spoke about Black art and collecting, and shared their perspectives on creative friendships and growing Black cultural production. We were honoured to have both Tschabalala and Brandon speak about their respective creative careers, and how the collector and artist relationship blossoms over time. Thank you also to Jenée for sharing her expertise and moderating our event. Our event brought together members of MoMA's Black Arts Council and Alvin Ailey's Young Patrons Circle, and a community of Black collectors, professionals, curators, and more to discuss the importance of cultivating Black collectors and supporting the global Black art ecosystem. ISE-DA's Temperature Check initiative does exactly that: it documents and assesses the growth of Black cultural stewardship across the diaspora. Learn more about Temperature Check here: iseda.co/temperaturecheck

“I am at a particular inflection point in my career and want to shake some things up. 2045 feels very right for me." — Lois Gregory, 2045 Member 2045 Studio provides rising talent with the coaching, community, and mentorship they need to take their careers to the next level and develop into capable, inclusive leaders. Through our comprehensive suite of development tools, we provide members with everything they need to feel comfortable in leadership positions and guide diverse teams to success. The benefits of inclusion in the workplace are clear — the most inclusive teams outperform average teams in decision-making and execution by 60% (Dimensional Insight). Reach out to membership@2045studio.com to learn how you can transform your employees into inclusive leaders with 2045.