Metro United Way’s Post

Tactically, morally and by every metric…

I think the biggest key to success is surrounding yourself with people who inspire you. Last night I was in a room full of people that inspire me every day to be better not only for myself, but for my clients. This past year with New York Life has developed my professionalism in ways I never imagined, and I can’t wait to see what my team and I accomplish in 2024. We’re just getting started ✨🏆 #newyorklife #2024kickoff #financialservices

“Go find what makes you different to find your magic.” ✨ I’m thrilled to share new beginnings in this new year. As with many of my former colleagues, my role was eliminated at Disney last July. With gratitude and clarity, I chose to see the glass half full and fill my cup: For the first time in four years, I could focus on finding my own magic. I started Trivia For The Culture, a Black pop culture team trivia night, in 2018 to bring people together over a love of Black culture and trivia. I felt called as a lifelong fan of The Culture and former JEOPARDY! contestant. It started with in-person events at Soho House Chicago, then eventually pivoted to virtual corporate events I hosted sporadically during the pandemic while juggling a very busy 9-to-5. Last month marked the return of Trivia For The Culture in-person since 2019 and the room hummed with so much energy. I'm still overjoyed by the positive feedback. I hope you get to experience this event one day for yourself, too. And for those who already have, thank you and I can't wait to welcome you back. Trivia For The Culture is accepting bookings for corporate / private events and February is filling up with ERG events for Black History Month. See my comment below for links to schedule an intro call and learn more about what Trivia For The Culture can do for your organization. For all the people in transition - I know it's hard and circumstances vary. Whenever possible, seek the happily ever after that fits your definition of happiness and yours alone. I'm glad I did. #entrepreneurship #culture #creativity #newbeginnings

This past weekend, I had the privilege of working at Nashville Oktoberfest once again, representing Nashville Soft Pretzel Co., LLC in the NSPC tent. This marks my third (or maybe fourth!) year contributing to this amazing event, and each year brings new opportunities for growth. In 2023, I transitioned to the production side, where I learned to carefully weigh fresh pretzel dough into 3 or 4 oz increments quickly and efficiently. But this year, I made it a point to learn even more. By shadowing the people who typically run other stations, I picked up new skills and became more versatile in helping out where needed. Our fearless leader, Vincent Dreffs, knows exactly where our strengths lie, and I’m grateful for the chance to expand mine. One thing that makes this team special is how dedicated we all are. A handful of Vince’s family members even fly down from Michigan to work the tent every year—that’s how much this means to us (and how wonderful of a leader he is)! We had no new faces this year, which was reassuring, as everyone knew their roles and was ready to dive back in. The experience felt like clockwork, thanks to this seasoned group of hard-working individuals including Abby Harris, Zach Anderson (BS-Guitar) and Ashley Guastella! This event allows me to hone my Process Improvement skills. Whether it’s in an office or at a festival, my ability to spot inefficiencies and step in to make things run smoother is something I take pride in. When I had a moment to rest, I’d check our stock or see if the service area needed anything. If my coworkers needed a hand, or a station was getting behind, I jumped in wherever I could. As one of our leaders pointed out, learning how to assist with other stations was a huge asset this year, and being adaptable helped the whole operation run more efficiently. I’m proud of what we accomplished, and I can’t wait for next year! 🥨🍻 #NashvilleOktoberfest #Teamwork #Leadership #ProcessImprovement #Adaptability #Tradition #ProjectManagement

Our latest blog post is a collaborative article written by three of our distinguished career coaches - Nicole Britenriker, Trinity Monteiro & Antonio Williams! 🚀 💫 They share their advice to Black middle managers in the industry on how to advance their careers and advocate for themselves in their roles. ✌ Check it out here - https://lnkd.in/eUkkvegz #linkedinsports #sportsbiz #careercoaching #careeradvice #careergrowth #blackhistorymonth #blackinsportsbiz

Check out these 10 Champion Superstars! They are making a positive impact in one or more of the following areas ✅ their jobs ✅ their communities. ✅ their families Read more at https://lnkd.in/d3-kPqeT

Did you know that August is Black Business Month? While the work I am honored to lead at BeyGOOD Foundation is rooted in creating more opportunities for economic equity and growth, it’s important to shine a light this month on the staggering reality for many Black business owners across the United States. Despite there being over 160,000 Black-onwed business contributing over $180 billion dollars to our economy, annually, according to Crunchbase data (2022), only 2.4% of venture capital dollars went to Black-owned businesses. With a funding gap this wide, it shows us very clearly just how much work is still left to do to create a future that provides equitable access to society's most marginalized and underserved communities. These businesses are the backbones of these communities and when they receive the access, support and visibility they need to attain greater success, they, in turn, have the ability to create opportunities for transformative change across generations. This is why we are so proud to collaborate with the amazing businesses that are part of the Black Parade Route, and I hope you’ll join me in supporting the small Black-owned businesses in your community who are doing their part to their mark on the beautiful tapestry that is the American economy. Click this to learn more about equity! https://lnkd.in/gKSSkWgB

Check out our latest episode of Genius Loves Company featuring Kristen Sario, Southeast Divisional Director of Rockefeller Global Family Office in conversation with Jannah Devine, one of Rockefeller's Private Advisors, as they explore the importance of valued advice in this information age and how Jannah's curiosity and care for her clients has propelled her career forward. https://lnkd.in/gjwrnxc5

I hope everyone (at least my Northern Hemisphere friends) had a great summer. Taking a break from social media was just what I needed! But, now we're back with the Nice Guy/Gal Awards. For those of you who aren't familiar with the awards, we are looking to celebrate those people in our lives who are good people. Every Friday, I’ll share nominations for people who have been identified as nice guys (and gals). If you want to nominate someone, just shoot me a private message by 5:00 EST on Thursday. There are only 3 requirements: 1) you have to be connected to the person you nominate 2) you can only nominate one person per week 3) you can’t nominate yourself 😀   If you want to provide a brief reason for your selection, that’s great, but it’s not a requirement. Let’s recognize people who make a difference simply by being nice. Have a great week, everyone.   https://lnkd.in/efTdSmWY #network #sportsbiz #people #niceguy #networking #sportsmarketing

Incredible idea! ♥ GAP's latest campaign has truly stolen the hearts of many, including mine. Building a campaign on the unique characteristic features of Jungle and Tyla, who have recently made significant waves across various audiences, is nothing short of a marketing masterpiece. This approach, coupled with a fresh take on GAP's iconic dance commercials, has created a campaign that resonates deeply with all the different audiences, especially with Gen-Z, whom everyone tries to reach through various methods. This is a prime example of a lesson we always share with brands looking to make a mark in the music industry: "Don't just insert an artist into your campaign; tailor the campaign to the artist". Seeing this concept executed so flawlessly without any forceful elements, just by rightly blending and reimagining what already exists and integrating it into GAP's values, fills me with joy. ✨ When done right, music marketing can be a powerful tool. Huge congratulations to everyone involved and, of course, to Gap! #marketing #musicbusiness #musicmarketing