Adaora O’s Post

📢 We're looking for three Black women to join us in conversation at Advertising Week Europe on Wednesday 15 May at 2.30pm where we discuss The Shake Up. You'll join one of our JOT founders for a 10 minute conversation on one of these themes: The power of insight The power of change from within The power of mentorship/sponsorship sharing your experience as a Black women working in advertising, media, marketing or communications driving necessary change in the industry through one of the above. How to apply: send a short video, no more than 2 minutes long showcasing your key talking points in relation to the relevant topic. Please include your name and chosen area of expertise in the video. Send or share a link with access to hello@joinourtable.co.uk subject line: The Shake Up by Tuesday 30 April. More details about the event are available here: https://lnkd.in/gCsucv87

Did you know that the Black American community has a combined purchasing power of over $1.6 trillion? A core part of our 2023 strategy was strengthening the US community and understanding what they wanted from us. Rather than guess, we did what we do best and asked our stateside AMAKA Studio community. Leveraging our history of amplifying stories for Black women, by Black creators, we surveyed over 600 Black women based in the U.S. and curated an exclusive report, "Black Women in the United States," offering a profound understanding of the nuanced needs and preferences of this dynamic demographic. What's Inside: *Insights into the US Black women market and their unique needs. *Practical tips for culturally relevant marketing and communication. *Strategies to build trust and forge authentic connections. *Key takeaways for effective and diverse creator led content. In true AMAKA fashion, we’ve done all the leg work for you and we'd rather not gate-keep so we've opted to share these actionable insights for free. Let me know your thoughts and happy reading! Download the Report: https://bit.ly/3O0r0OC Beautiful report design by Sara Biatchinyi, one of our talented creators.

Black Women's History Month was created to celebrate the contributions, achievements, and histories of Black women in the United States and around the world. Celebrating Black Women's History Month can involve various activities and practices that honor and acknowledge the contributions of Black women. Here are some ways to celebrate: 1. Educate Yourself and Others: Read books, watch documentaries, and listen to podcasts that center on the lives, works, and achievements of Black women throughout history. 2. Support Black Women-Led Organizations: Contribute to organizations and initiatives led by Black women that focus on issues such as social justice, education, health care, and community support. 3. Promote Black Women's Work: Use your platforms, whether social media, blogs, or conversation, to highlight and promote the work of Black women artists, writers, entrepreneurs, and professionals. 4. Attend Events: Participate in events, whether virtual or in-person, that celebrate Black women's history, culture, and contributions. 5. Mentorship and Community Support: Engage in mentorship opportunities or community support initiatives that empower Black girls and women. 6. Reflect on Intersectionality: Acknowledge and reflect on the intersectionality of race and gender, understanding the unique challenges Black women face and advocating for equity and justice in all spheres. Celebrating #BlackWomensHistoryMonth is about recognizing the invaluable contributions of Black women to society while also committing to the ongoing fight against racism and sexism.

WHAT DOES “LISTEN TO BLACK WOMEN” MEAN TO YOU? Here’s a reflection question for you to think about and/or journal about today. If you’re feeling REALLY reflective, and can be honest about what your actions say about what “Listen To Black Women” means to you (NOT your intentions), here’s another one for ya. HOW DO YOU HONOR BLACK WOMEN BY HOW YOU LISTEN TO US? Take some time to reflect on these questions today, and remember that, “Freedom ain’t free”! Fighting for freedom ain’t free either! It costs us, as Black women, a LOT! So if you are learning from Black women online, make sure you’re not just listening to us, but you’re investing in our offerings, to go deeper in your learning (and unlearning), and you are supporting us financially. Get more uncomfortable with benefitting from the free labor of Black women every day, as if our time, labor, knowledge, expertise, and lived experiences don’t have any value. (If they didn’t, you wouldn’t keep coming back to consume our free labor on social media every day.) It’s time to do better. For all of the Black women Educators, Activists, Content Creators, Influencers, Authors, etc., you follow online, there is ALWAYS a link on our profiles for you to take that next step, from being a consumer and extractor of our labor, to actually paying us for it. Start there! Anti-racism is not a diet. It’s a lifestyle.™️ My links are also posted in the comments here. #antiracismschoolisinsession #blackhistory365 #diversityequityinclusion #dei #socialjustice #education #workculture #womenleaders #blacklinkedin

Reflecting on IWD: I’m often asked what it’s like being a Black woman working in the women’s movement - a movement historically and rightly criticized for being exclusionary. My answer: it’s tough but great, actually. When I meet incredible women apart of the Vital Voices Global Partnership network who are social entrepreneurs, activists, or survivors of gender violence, there’s instantly a sense of shared connection beyond what separates us. As a Black woman with a working-class background, I have built-in empathy from my lived experience. And since I’ve become a part of it, I realize how much Black women, and all women, are needed in this movement to help craft priorities for our future. Our challenges as women have attuned us to the injustices happening to women and families around the world. Empathy is our superpower. We are leading our households, we have a lot to say, our experiences and perspectives matter. In my opinion, we should be using every lever and every movement to advocate for ourselves and our communities. And it’s critical for us to be visible in spaces of power and step forward from behind the scenes. There’s more than enough room for us to jump in. This work needs us all.

The Voices in the Shadow 4 was a resounding success, bringing together over 100 exceptional Black women for a day of inspiration, connection, and empowerment. Held at the Google London office, this event showcased the incredible strength and resilience of the Black community, especially women who often face unique challenges in the workplace. As the fifth installment in this series, The Voices in the Shadow 4 continued to build upon the momentum of previous gatherings, demonstrating the enduring impact of these events on the lives of Black women. By sharing their personal stories and experiences, attendees were able to learn from one another, forge meaningful connections, and feel supported in their professional journeys. This gathering also held significance in the context of Black History Month, a time to celebrate the contributions and achievements of Black people throughout history. By highlighting the successes and challenges faced by contemporary Black women, The Voices in the Shadow 4 provided a platform for recognizing their ongoing struggles and advocating for greater equity and inclusion. Investing in the next generation of Black women leaders is crucial for addressing the systemic issues they face. By creating spaces where these women can connect, learn, and grow, we can empower them to become influential figures in their fields and inspire others to follow in their footsteps. #BlackWomenInTech #DiversityAndInclusion #Empowerment #TheVoicesInTheShadow Yasmina PASSERI Mbombo Njoya @Blackwomenintech

This Juneteenth, we celebrate the resilience and achievements of Black communities while reflecting on the ongoing journey toward gender and racial equity. Join us in acknowledging the systemic barriers that Black women continue to face in their pursuit of economic mobility. We invite you to learn with us. Revisit our report, Analysis of Black Women's Historical Labor Trends & Systemic Barriers to Economic Mobility, to discover how systems and policies have long impacted economic outcomes for Black women. https://lnkd.in/g9pMKvTS

Hi LinkedIn, It’s been a while! As we continue to evolve and define It Takes A Village Collective, we wanted to reintroduce ourselves and highlight some exciting ways you can work with us in the coming months. Our mission remains steadfast: to ensure that by 2028, 1 in 5 people in adland will be a Black woman. If you are an organisation who is here for positive change and supporting the success of Black Women in Adland here’s how you can support and work with us: 💬 Book a call to find out about our Consulting Services: At It Takes A Village Collective, we empower agencies and brands to transform workplaces by supporting, recruiting, and retaining Black female talent. Our consultancy services are designed to provide data backed insight to support your organisation in both setting and achieving objectives for the Black female experience at work as well as the talent pipeline. Get in touch to find out more: 💬 Book our founder, Chloe Davies, for workshops & speaking engagements: As we celebrate Black History Month, this year we are aptly focused on Reclaiming Narratives. Chloe is available to speak at your events, offering her insights and expertise on how we can continue to drive change and create spaces where Black women thrive. 🌍 Citizens Membership for Corporates (launching 22/10/2024): We’re excited to announce the upcoming launch of Citizens—our membership program designed to connect, empower, and equip Black women in adland. We have Corporate rates available for organisations. Contact citizens@simplymschloe.com for rates. 🙌🏽 Partner with us: If you are an organisation who would like to connect and provide exclusive offers, services and experiences to our members; by collaborating with us, you'll have the opportunity to connect with a vibrant community of Black female professionals and contribute to championing our vibrant network. Contact citizens@simplymschloe.com to discuss collaborations. Together we are shaping adland into a space where Black women have agency, leadership and thrive on their own terms. For more information or any questions, feel free to comment below, DM us, or email at: contact@simplymschloe.com. #BlackWomenInAdland #ITAV

We are thrilled to unveil our latest study: "Black Women in the United States: Navigating Dual Cultures and Shaping Futures." When engaging with clients, we understand their difficulty in connecting with diverse young Pan-African communities and working with creators. Many also find it challenging to measure the success of "diversity-led campaigns." By linking brands to culture through distinctive storytelling, we've collaborated with major names such as Nike, Wavemaker, Access Bank, Naomi Campbell, Sheila Atim, and Ayra Starr. We have crafted a game-changing solution, our platform, bringing a wealth of industry data, knowledge, and insights into diverse markets. In this report, discover how AMAKA's insights help advertisers effectively engage with Black women in the U.S. by understanding their diverse cultural backgrounds, behaviors, and interests. It also unlocks cultural engagement strategies that resonate, optimize your media approach, and leverage the credibility of Black influencers. We provide actionable strategies to ensure your marketing strategies campaigns resonate with varying Black women communities within the United States. It is your toolkit for building stronger connections, fostering meaningful relationships, and ultimately driving impactful results. Ready to Dive in? Here is your Exclusive Access: https://lnkd.in/d_rrDXiY Image Credits: photographer: DOP - AnAkA (https://lnkd.in/dm38_Mcc) Model: Herrana Addisu (https://lnkd.in/d8K_rdj9)

PSA A lot of Black creatives, experts and consultants were hit hard during Black History Month, especially Black women, femmes, non-binary folks and disabled persons. This is a direct consequence of the attacks on equity. I’m starting to see March events for Women’s Month popping up. And I can’t help but notice the absence of Black femme experts. Please remember: 1) Black women are full women. And that includes dark-skinned, full-figured, short haired, Afro-featured, trans women, and disabled Black women. 2) Don’t let “women” stop you from being inclusive of other gender identities. As I like to say “Yes/and, not either/or.” 3) Pay equitably. I have to admit that I’ve taken a reduction for a few engagements in ways I’ve never experienced before. Yes, I understand budgets have been slashed but I also sense a regression to “prove you’re worth it” sentiment. This is the moment to catch ourselves and adjust. Note: If your company has more than one ERG group, consider organizing events together for more robust and equitable engagements. 4) Remote presentations are great AND they also take time. Be gracious with resources for prep that arises differently than in-person presentations. It also enables more flexibility and accessibility for femme folks with differing abilities and regionalities. And it’s not too late to book folks for February. We still have half a month to go! Advocate for the resources, or if you’re the decisionmaker, use your power. #equitymindset