It was more than a whim that brought some of the most diverse and talented women together for one event. The Women In Media Philly 2016: Crossing Borders Conference set the stage for some of Philadelphia’s most prominent and promising women in media to gather, talk and network.
Women in Media, WIM, is a media collective annual affair and the brainchild of millennial powerhouse Danielle P. Jeter (owner of AOI Events & PR). Jeter and her partners Syreeta Martin (Founder of Sincerely Syreeta & Co. LLC) and Haniyyah Sharpe-Brown (Communications Manager and CEO of On Point Communications) have successfully produced WIM Philly for four years straight.
This year, they humbly honored keynote speaker and seven-time Emmy Award-winning journalist, Tracy Davidson of NBC 10 with the coveted Arete in Media Award. Davidson shared a message of myth busters for self-preservation with wide-eyed audience members.
“We hear so much about multi-tasking. In actuality we can’t truly multi-task. We’re task switching. We’re not focused. We need to learn to sit in the moment.” Tracey continued on to say, “Feed yourself. Fill yourself up with self-care! Make connections. Be in touch with your success.”
Conference attendees seemed to breathe a sigh of relief as Davidson relinquished them of running the rate-race that some say many women do, as they raise families, cultivate relationships, and build their careers or personal brands. It’s no wonder Davidson has become so accomplished. She understands the power to be still and behold what is present.
Once the morning session was completed, media professionals of all types ascended throughout The View venue to take in the lessons of the expert workshop facilitators. Interactive workshops were led by eight-time Emmy award-winning journalist and author Lu Ann Cahn, who also serves as Director of Career Services for Temple’s School of Media and Communication; Aliya Khabir, activist and principal of AZK Communications; Pax Tandon, positive psychology expert; and Elizabeth Santry, producer of Mic Will Travel Podcast and media consultant.
EGL was able to sit in on Cahn’s seminar, “I Dare to Dream,” based on her written yearlong account of taking on courageous new adventures every day. Cahn coached the group of rising star media ladies.
“Every time you do something for the first time, you are creating ripples of new opportunities. Dare more, do more, live more!”
Cahn’s words were direct- be authentic in your career and personal journeys; and get unstuck!
The day culminated in a Women in Media panel discussion moderated by Sincerely Syreeta. On stage were Susan Jacobson, president of Jacobson Strategic Communications; Alexis Barnes, multimedia international freelance journalist, and Vanessa Graber, WPPM Radio station manager PhillyCAM. The four women shared their stories of where they began, how they have leveraged themselves, and how they maintain their ability to survive in various sectors of the media industry. Collectively they share the same sentiment for hard work. In order to rise and find one’s position in the industry, you have to work diligently and continue to study your craft and evolve.
In the words of guest speaker Pax Tandon, women in media need to practice mindfulness. Learn to find your inner peace in the chaos of the industry. Once you tap into who you are, what you are striving for, get focused and live out your goals.
Kudos to the WIM Philly team! Thank you for galvanizing women to come together and unite to build up one another and to rise up in a male-dominated industry. The ladies are all in formation now.
Written By: Tawana C. Coleman