Episodes
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Today on Phenomenal Grit, Mimi Dixon, Crayola Marketing Executive takes us back to a pivotal moment in her childhood which helped define the leader she is today. Sheâs an engaging storyteller and visionary. I appropriately titled this episode, âSheâs a Baaaad Mama Jamaâ and youâll have to tune in to find out why. Enjoy the conversation.
About Mimi Dixon:
Mimi Dixon is a highly motivated and dynamic thought leader with +20 years of expertise in Integrated, Shopper & Sports marketing for leading global brands. She describes herself as a âBig Idea Generator, Activation Master, Strategic Thought Leader, and Passionate Marketerâ. Currently, she is Director â Brand Activation & Content at Crayola. In this role, she spearheads Advertising, PR, Shopper Marketing, National marketing campaigns, and Digital & Social Content & Imagery. Most recently, she led the development & activation of Crayolaâs 2020 Colors of the World skin tone crayon launch which garnered over 3 billion impressions to date and has gone on to win various marketing, diversity & inclusion & product industry awards including a TOTY (Toy of The Year) award for Creative Toy of the Year. Mimi also serves as the Chair for Crayolaâs first Diversity & Inclusion Council & is hard at work in building the councilâs foundation for both the council and the company.Mimi has been featured in Forbes, Black Enterprise, Diversity Woman, AdWeek, and CBS Saturday morning. She has also served as a 2021 judge for the Effie, AME, and ANA Multicultural Excellence Awards. Prior to joining Crayola in June of 2014, Mimi held various roles within increasing responsibility at Campbell Soup Company over a tenure of 16 years. During this time period, Mimi executed copious national marketing campaigns, managed the companyâs NFL sponsorship for eight years, activated numerous brand & celebrity partnerships, and lead retail-specific activation for key retailers like Target, Kroger, Safeway & Publix.
When Mimi is not creating or activating the next successful national marketing campaign, she enjoys traveling, reading, binge-watching true crime & reality TV shows, shoe shopping and spending time with family and friends. Mimi is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated and completes public service activities with her local alumnae chapter. Mimi has a Bachelorâs of Arts from Rutgers University and a Masterâs in Public Administration from the University of Delaware. She currently resides in Hamilton, New Jersey.
Colors of the World Skin Tone Crayons & More | Crayola.com | crayola.com -
Ayodele Kinchen is a native and current resident of East Palo Alto (EPA). She grew up in a Pan-African home and community circle, attending independent, k-8th grade African-centered schools in EPA and was immersed in Afro-centric cultural academia, leadership development, and rites of passage programs created and coordinated in part by her mother. She is a graduate of Howard University (Washington, DC) where she received her BA in Business Administration-Management (1999) and graduate of START-Up (2002) â an EPA business incubator and training program for entrepreneurs.
Ayodele is an entrepreneur and professional dancer. She began making jewelry and handbags and officially launched her business, Duafe Designs in 2004. She worked her business during off-hours/weekends and managed to perform as a primary dancer for Fua Dia Congo - a Congolese African Dance company where she studied under the renowned Malonga Casquelourde. Her dance career extended to teaching youth Congolese dance, drum, history, and song as a part-time resident artist for and the ALICE program (Arts & Literacy in Childrenâs Education, Oakland- 2004-2008) and VALA (Visual Arts Language Arts, a Tides Program, Oakland, 2008-2013). Her resident artist work introduced her to EnCompass Academy Elementary in Oakland, where she accepted the position as the Director of After School programs (2013-2016).
Ayodele worked full-time at EnCompass Academy and part-time as a business entrepreneur until her 3rd child was born. Her growing family needs and increased demand for her products did not function in tandem with a full-time job. Ayodele too long desired to be 100% self-employed. Thus, in 2016, she resigned from her Director post to further invest in her growing business and create a better work-life balance for her and her family.
As the gifted visionary, designer, and owner behind DUAFE Designs, Ayodele specializes in one-of-a-kind waist beads, natural shell jewelry, fashion accessories, and eclectic handbags. She is a self-taught artist with a keen eye and talent for design, and finds joy creating wearable art that transforms the everyday woman into a Queen, and young girls into empowered Princesses. She builds awareness of African culture, tradition, and holistic wellness through her services that include waist bead parties, facilitating sister circles, youth/community workshops, a rite of passage program for girls 7-17 (Sisters of Tomorrow Bat Area), and consulting. Ayodele uses her art as a medium towards empowering young girls and women by designing pieces that heal, encourage, honor, and beautify the mind, body, and spirit. Her products can be found on her website www.duafedesigns.com or at her store located in Downtown Oakland, Ca.
duafedesigns.com
IG @Duafebyayodele
TikTok @waistbeadsbyayodele -
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How do you overcome adversity and develop an authentic voice while thriving in corporate settings? "There is no such thing as a diversity hire. Sit at the tables that value and respect you!" Tiana and I cover a myriad of topics in this raw and rare conversation. We're talking about self worth, how to recognize true allies and, thriving not just surviving in your career. Enjoy the conversation!
Tiana Conley serves as the Vice President of Global Cereal for the Kellogg Company, where she is responsible for the $6 billion flagship portfolio with treasured brands such as Special K, Frosted Flakes, Froot Loops and Corn Flakes. Prior to joining Kellogg, she was Marketing Director of global tequila at Beam Suntory, where she led a portfolio of 5 brands and oversaw operations at the Casa Sauza Heritage Center in Tequila, Mexico. Before joining Beam Suntory, Ms. Conley held a variety of marketing roles at Kimberly-Clark and Procter & Gamble, including leading the $4 billion Global Bath Tissue Portfolio as well as leading the P&L for the North American Olay brand. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Master of Business Administration degree from Xavier University Williams College of Business in Cincinnati, Ohio. Tiana is based in Chicago and is mother of two children, Griffin and Ava. -
I'm kicking off Season 2 of Phenomenal Grit with Ingrid Otero-Smart, President/CEO, Casanova//McCann, a minority owned multicultural advertising agency. This is an honest conversation about showing up in your career authentically as a working mom, a woman of color and defining your career for yourself at any age. Ingrid encourages women to go for the roles they truly want and to chart their own course. Enjoy the conversation.
Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Ingrid Otero-Smart has over 30 years of advertising experience in the U.S Hispanic Market and Puerto Rico. She joined Casanova Pendrill in August of â08 as President/CEO. The Agency re-branded as Casanova//McCann in 2016 and she acquired the majority stake from Interpublic Group in 2020, making Casanova a minority-owned Agency once again.At Casanova, she leads the agency operations, managing offices in Costa Mesa, New York, Detroit, and field teams in Dallas and Chicago.
Account experience includes NestlĂ© USA, US Army, Carlâs Jr, US Postal Service, Cigna, Coca-Cola, Chevrolet, California Lottery, US Bank and Ford Division, among others.
Under her leadership, the Agency doubled in size, opened the Detroit office, expanded the Nestlé relationship from one brand assignment to 18, and doubled its revenue.
Ingrid started her career at McCann in PR and joined Mendoza Dillon & Asociados in California in 1987. She worked there as an Account Director and left 18 years later as President/COO.
In 2005, she joined Anita Santiago Advertising as President.
Ingrid is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies (currently known as CMC). She is a founding member of this organization and has served as the Treasurer, head of its Marketing Communications Committee, chair of the Media Committee, and is a Past-President.
She is a former member of the Board of Directors of CPI Corp.; a former member of the Board of the Orange County Chamber of Commerce; former member of the Board of the U.S. Hispanic Family of the Year.
Ingrid currently serves in the Deanâs Advisory Board of the School of Communications, at California State University Fullerton (CSUF), Agency Advisory Board for the Schoolâs Practical Advantage Agency, and on the Board of Governors of this institution. She is also a founding member of the Latino Communications Institute and currently serves as its Vice-Chair.
Awards and Recognitions:
2009 Hispanic Ad Executive of the Year, 2011 OC Business Journal Business Person of the Year (Marketing), 2013 OC Business Journal 50 Most Influential in Orange County, Earlier in her career, Hispanic Business Magazine recognized her as one of the 100 Most Influential Hispanics, two years in a row, 2013 Hispanic Marketing Achievement Award for her contributions to the US Hispanic marketing industry : 2013 Girl Scouts of Orange County Celebrate Leadership Award, 2014, Hispanic Lifestyle Executive of Excellence, 2014 OC Business Journal 50 Most Influential in Orange County, 2015 Ad Color Rock Star Award, 2016 AWNY Advertising Women of NY Mother of the Year, 2016 NY Puerto Rican Day Parade Corporate Executive of the Year, 2017 California State University Fullertonâs Practical Advantage (the schoolâs student-run advertising agency) recognized her with its first Excellence Award, - 2019 School of Communications at California State Fullerton Distinguished Communicator Award, 2019 Oasis Partnership Award, 2019 Inducted into the Hispanic Advertising Hall of Fame, 2020 Latina Style Entrepreneur of the Year, Los Angeles
Ingrid is a magna cum laude graduate of the School of Communications of the University of Puerto Rico. She has a son, Jordan, who has a degree in Communications and is pursuing a career as an actor.
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Have you ever met someone you instantly know is an absolute star--someone who lights up the room with their energy and joy? This is what it's like to be in the company of this week's Phenomenal Grit guest.
I am absolutely in love with this conversation and so excited to feature journalist, storyteller, and entrepreneur--Imani Bashir. This is a conversation full of grit, laughter and lessons. Learn how Imani began and grew her career. If you are looking to be inspired to turn challenges into opportunities this conversation is for you. No Grit. No Pearl. Enjoy the conversation.
About Imani Bashir
Imani Bashir is a Black American Muslim journalist and thought-leader who has appeared in Forbes, The NY Times, Glamour Magazine, BBC, and many media outlets around the world. Having lived in 5 countries, her storytelling speaks of cultural connectivity, social issues, and alternative living as an expatriate. Having lived in Wuhan, China at the beginning of the pandemic, Bashir and her family were displaced for 7 months living in hotels and Airbnb's.
Throughout that time Bashir continuously created work that dispelled prejudices surrounding COVID-19, leaned into transparency of being separated from her husband and son due to border closings, and as a result of living out of luggage, stepped into her entrepreneurial spirit to create her own line called The Takeoff Collection.
Her greatest goal as a Black Muslim woman that considers themselves a global citizen is to champion travel through the lens of togetherness, immersion, and acceptance. She can be found on all social media platforms @sheisimanib -
This conversation is about Karla Trotman's journey from corporate America to embracing entrepreneurship and the legacy of her family business.
Karla mentions this article in our conversation. It cites that 50% of multi-cultural women were thinking of quitting and leaving corporate careers. Karla leveraged her experience in business, to lead and grow her family business. Her career plans are rooted in giving her family a legacy her grandchildren can one day eat from. Enjoy the conversation.
More about Karla Trotman
Karla Trotman is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Electro Soft, Incorporated (ESI), an electronics manufacturing and engineering firm in the United States. She holds a B.S. in Business Logistics from The Pennsylvania State University and an MBA from Drexel University. The breadth of her experience in business extends to supply chain logistics, purchasing, global scheduling, and e-commerce where she served in key roles in companies to include Honeywell, Gap, and IKEA.Defying expectations is a common thread in the life of Karla. While at IKEA, Karla became the mother of two sons. With two challenging pregnancies, Karla recognized the difficulties prenatal and postnatal mothers experience. Her tenacity for learning, assessing, and fulfilling the needs of local and international communities is evidenced through her establishing Belly Button Boutique while on maternity leave. Karla utilized the power of the Internet in combination with her logistics background to start a successful online business selling products for prenatal and postnatal women. Over the span of 8 years, her business expanded to celebrity and international clientele. She was featured on NBC 10 News, People Magazineâs Celebrity Baby Blog, CBSNews.com, Huffington Post Live, several radio shows, books, and countless blogs.
The success of Belly Button Boutique was an indicator to Karla of her ability to expand her horizons and affect change across multiple industries. She saw her success in navigating both the online space of business and logistics as an opportunity to propel Electro Soft, Incorporated (ESI) forward. ESI was established by Karlaâs parents Jim and Sheila Wallace in 1986 and is the largest African-American electronics contract manufacturing and engineering firm in the United States of America. Karla exited corporate America with her sights focused on ESI. Over the past ten years she served in the roles at ESI as Special Projects and Marketing Manager, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and currently as the Chief Executive Officer. Under her guidance, ESI was able to gain a competitive advantage by implementing an online strategy ultimately increasing became a flat revenue streak.
Through her leadership at ESI, Karla was named an Influential Woman in Manufacturing by Putnam Media. In addition, she won regional business awards and acquired GWL Technologies. As an influential voice in manufacturing, Karla cuts through the narrative of what is expected of a leader in her industry and sets a precedent for future leaders.
Karla inspires future leaders to be their true selves and to go after whatever interests them in life. She serves her community as a board member for Carson Valley Childrenâs Aid and the Montgomery Child Advocacy Project, which raises money to train lawyer advocates to support abused children and victims of human trafficking. She is Co-Chair of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Manufacturing Alliance, President of the Drexel Executive MBA Alumni Board, Member of the Drexel University Board of Governors, and an appointee to the Montgomery County Workforce Development Board. She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated.
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In honor of Mother's Day, I'm sharing some of my stories about growing my career while having children. I've saved the rainbows and unicorns for another day. These are the tough parts that people don't often share. Even if you're not a mother, there are lessons in this episode for you.
I also disclose some really heavy moments I've been experiencing as a mom of Black boys living in a country where Black boys and men continue to be disproportionality the victims of police violence.
This episode if not for the faint of heart! If you think I'm going to tell you that being a working mom is easy, think again. What I can tell you is that for me, it's worth it! What I'll tell you is that I can do hard things and so can you. Enjoy the episode. No Grit. No Pearl! -
The journey--the climb while you are climbing is just as important to highlight as the end result. In this episode, I have a conversation with Kristine Rodriguez, Director of Global Creative Operations for MAC Cosmetics, an Estee Lauder brand. Kristine shares how the relationships you build are the currency you have and gives us some great tips on making connections at work and navigating stereotypes and labels. Enjoy the conversation.
More about Kristine Rodriguez
Kristine Rodriguez is currently the Director of Global Creative Operations at MAC Cosmetics and has been with the Estee Lauder Companies for three years.For the majority of her career Kristine worked within advertising and throughout that time focused on building her network of friends and colleagues. She attributes much of her career growth over the past 12 years to the relationships she has been able to cultivate and maintain.
In her role within MAC, she has been able to grow as a leader and make herself a driving force in a large corporation like Estee Lauder. She recognizes the importance of having advocates and the right support system to help open the doors to new opportunities. As she continues to grow as a leader she strives to become a mentor and advocate for young women looking for a successful career in this industry.
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What happens when your side hustle becomes your main hustle? When you start pursuing your passion just because you love it, watch out amazing things will happen. Today, I'm talking to Kinya, Claiborne, founder and editor in chief of style and society magazine and chief executive officer of style and society group about building one career and transitioning to another. If you've ever been interested in how a person starts their career as a full-time influencer and content creator, or if you just want to be inspired to do what you love, because you love it--this episode is for you. Enjoy the conversation.
More about Kinya Claiborne
Kinya Claiborne is the founder and editor-in-chief of STYLE & SOCIETY Magazine and president/ chief executive officer of STYLE & SOCIETY Group, a full-service boutique consulting agency. She oversees the core magazine and digital across all platforms. A style influencer, TV host, entrepreneur, media maven, and lifestyle expert with a major passion for all things communications-driven, she launched the Los Angeles-based online publication as a platform to celebrate the best of entertainment, fashion, lifestyle, travel, food, and red carpet events globally.Kinya is also a co-executive producer and TV host of The StyleList, a TV series delivering the latest fashion, trends, travel, and pop culture in a fast-paced and entertaining format on Watch ONX, an online video platform and production studio featuring a diverse collection of content including news, entertainment, and lifestyle programming for the multicultural millennial. Both a tastemaker and award-winning content creator, she travels the globe working with brands, hotels, and tourism boards on special events, editorial coverage, and influencer programs.
Kinya was nominated for the Los Angeles Business Journal (LABJ) Fashion Award in the Influencer/ Trendsetter category honoring top individuals who drive tremendous economic growth in Los Angeles. Additionally, she was nominated for the Los Angeles Business Journal (LABJ) Entrepreneur of the Year award, honoring achievements by powerful women who make a difference throughout Los Angeles.
Kinya is also a Style Influencer for StyleCon, an annual conference celebrating beauty and fashion, and joined Los Angeles Fashion Week (LAFW) as a media partner for the spring/summer 2018 season where she co-hosted the LAFW red carpet influencer kickoff event and the LAFW Opening Night Gala.
A media maven with more than 15 years experience, Kinya began her career working within radio, TV news, and print publications before transitioning into corporate communications, and later launching STYLE & SOCIETY in November 2013. Kinya earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in mass communications from California State University, Sacramento, and is a native Californian residing in Los Angeles.
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How does a person go from battling imposter syndrome to living life authentically with grit and grace? How does a person learn to show up in the room at work with excellence? How does one build a personal brand to be proud of?
Alia discusses all of these things and more with Cherée Johnson, Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary, and Chief Compliance Officer for W.R. Grace. There are so many awesome pearls of wisdom shared in this conversation. From her vulnerable early years, Cheree takes us on a journey that leads to discovering her superpowers--her phenomenal grit! Enjoy the Conversation.
More about Cheree Haswell Johnson
Cherée joined W.R. Grace in January 2021 as the Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary manages all legal matters affecting the company worldwide, including the management of Grace's legal department. As Corporate Secretary, she is responsible for corporate governance and matters relating to the activities of the board of directors. Cherée also serves as Grace's Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer.
Cherée joined Grace from McCormick & Co., Inc. where she was Vice President, Deputy General Counsel, Assistant Corporate Secretary, and Chief Intellectual Property Counsel. At McCormick, Cherée served as general counsel for the Consumer Products Business as
well as the businesses in the Asia-Pacific region. Before joining McCormick, CherĂ©e was Deputy General Counsel at KraftHeinz (formerly H.J. Heinz Company or âHeinzâ). Prior to KraftHeinz, ChereĂ© held several leadership positions are global companies including Cargill and 3M.
Cherée earned her Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering with Honors at Florida
A&M University and her Juris Doctor at University of Minnesota Law School. She is a member of several boards including Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Advisory Board, American Bar Association, and USPTO Patent Bar. -
In this episode of Phenomenal Grit, host, and marketing executive, Alia Kemet shares the intentionality behind the word "for" in Career Conversations for Women of Color. This podcast is for EVERYONE but the "for" represents both a battle cry and a love song for the women who need it most.
Alia also shares early career experiences that taught her the value of leaning into and surrounding yourself with people who believe in you at work.
Surround yourself with people who see your light. Those that want it to shine. Those that will support you and uplift you. They are there. You might just be missing them. Ask them what they think of you and how you can be better. Find the people who will champion you.
No Grit. No Pearl. -
Phenomenal Grit comes in many packages and this podcast will feature and celebrate them!
This episode is dedicated to all women who have been typecast as the "Hidden Gem" or "A Quiet Storm" and features Wendy Joong, Vice President of Insights & Creative Strategy for WE Communications. Wendy and Alia talk about making an impact at work while overcoming stereotypes when you have a quiet presence coupled with an introverted nature.
Wendy also shares her personal perspective as an Asian American woman in corporate America. She talks about what it's like to not be considered the norm in her industry and how she learned to find comfort in her own style--ultimately creating an impactful career. Enjoy this inspiring conversation and learn how to go from Hidden Gem to Quiet Swag!
Meet Wendy Joong:
Bringing together data-driven strategy and breakthrough creativity, Wendy has 20 years of experience ideating and implementing strategic, integrated PR & marketing communications initiatives. A winner of multiple industry awards, Wendy has delivered successful campaigns for clients in various industries such as retail, consumer products, food & beverage, consumer tech, and financial services.Wendy graduated from Columbia University and has a passion for television, baseball, and all things pop culture.
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This conversation with Nadja Bellan-White, Global Chief Marketing Officer at Vice Media Group is all about courage. After Nadja and Alia chat briefly about how much they love veggie burgers because--why not, she shares tons of practical career advice.
Get ready! You might be inspired to do something you didn't think you were ready for. Perhaps a big career pivot is in store for you. Nadja shares her global journey across multiple continents and industries, and how she leverages a courageous mindset for game-changing career moves! Enjoy the conversation.About Nadja Bellan-White
As Vice Media Groupâs first Global Chief Marketing Officer, Nadja Bellan-White is responsible for developing the enterprise brand strategy for this media conglomerate. She oversees marketing, brand strategy, data and insights, and global communications in over 25 countries. Prior to joining Vice Media Group, Nadja was the Executive Partner and WPP Team Leader for Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide. At WPP, Nadja led the Brand Transformation for Unilever across Beauty and Personal Care focusing specifically on Dove and led behavior change for Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation globally.She is known as the âfixerâ- the person brands call when they are facing challenges in brand transformation. Nadja utilises her 26+ year career in integrated marketing, media, and communications to transform brands. Using her background in digital, brand, and consulting she has a unique approach that makes her an invaluable member of the team. During her career, Nadja has led brand transformations for such clients as American Express, LG Electronics, IKEA North America, RBS Citizens, Bharti Airtel, Coca-Cola, Siemens, Safaricom/Vodaphone. While in Africa, her team leveraged partnered with key African government leaders in driving business growth in countries across East and West Africa.
Context, Culture, and Creativity are also critical for Nadja. Nadja was the recipient of AdColorâs Legend Award for her excellence in advertising, media and communications, the 2019 recipient as one of Savoy Magazineâs top 100 Women in Corporate America, named one of the top women to watch for AdAge Europe in 2020 and recently named one of the top 25 Women of Color in Communications in 2021
She has served as both a member and the President of Dubai Lynx, Creative Effectiveness Jury; member of the Council of Urban Professionals Board (NY); Executive Leadership Council, Executive Director of The Roundhouse.Org (UK) and was recently elected to the Board of the Ad Council.
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This powerful conversation with Chloe Arnold, Emmy Nominated Choreographer is a perfect way to celebrate Women's History Month. Chloe, is PHENOMENAL GRIT personified! In this interview, she gives us so many lessons and pearls of wisdom. She is unapologetically honest, vulnerable, and inspiring. She discloses the not so pretty parts of what we go through as women and how her resilient nature kept her intensely focused on her goals, pushing toward her dreams, and how dance drove her spirit to reach them. Enjoy the conversation!
No Grit! No Pearl!
Chloé Arnold, was discovered at a young age in Washington, DC by Debbie Allen. Chloé's choreography has been featured on hit TV shows such as So You Think You Can Dance, Good Morning America, the Ellen Show, The Talk, John Legend and Chrissy Teigen's A Legendary Christmas, and over 50 episodes of The Late Late Show With James CordenChloé Arnold is the founder of the hit Female Tap Sensations Syncopated Ladies. They have over 70 million views online, receiving praise from Beyoncé, Whoopi Goldberg on The View, as well as many other celebrities and news outlets around the world. Some of their credits include The Ellen Show, Good Morning America, So You Think You Can Dance, Global Citizen Week, New York Fashion Week, Essence Fest, Imagine Justice (featuring Common, J. Cole, and Andra Day), Glamour Women of the Year Awards, Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative at the US Open, CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, The Women in the World Summit, Democratic National Convention, Beyoncé's Ivy Park Launch at Top Shop London, and many more.
Chloé recently was named one of LeBron James' "The Strongest," a campaign featured in Essence to celebrate his 16th Nike Sneaker release, was on The Root 100 List, and was featured in Shonda Rhimes and Microsoft's "Language of Leadership" panel discussion. Chloé is also an entrepreneur who holds a degree from Columbia University. She and her sister co-founded Chloé and Maud Productions, DC Tap Festival, and co-produced the award-winning documentary TAP WORLD with Hollywood Executive Producer Dean Hargrove.
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Alia sits down with MJ Soler, advertising producer to discuss how she has excelled in advertising, an industry that has a long way to go when it comes to diverse representation. MJ's determined nature has helped her build the career she always wanted, and the drive to work hard and play hard too.
MJ has been in love with the world of production for as long as she can remember. Early on, she worked as an intern for MTV networks and Participant Media in LA & NY. Unsure about whether she wanted to pursue roles in Television or Film, she discovered advertising was her true calling after graduating from Elon University in NC. Something about the fast nature of the business, the variety of categories she could work on, and the possibility of traveling all over the world creating campaigns really turned out to be the perfect fit.As an agency Creative Producer, MJ has produced TV commercials for brands like Volvo, Canon, Frankâs RedHot, McCormick, Walgreens, Gillette Venus, Pantene, TJ Maxx, and Target among others. She began her career at Grey and is currently a Producer at Mother New York.
MJ is also bilingual, loves to travel, has an MBA, and considers herself a team-player above everything. She loves dogs and is doing what she can to help create an advertising and production landscape with greater representation and inclusivity.
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In this episode of Phenomenal Grit, host and marketing executive, Alia Kemet, shares early lessons learned which help her crush big goals and achieve success.
Her 5 Ways To Increase Winning Moments at Work are inspirational and actionable!
For over 20 years, Alia has worked as a marketer in corporate America transforming how brands go to market, connect with consumers, and ultimately grow business results.
Alia Kemet is the Vice President, Creative & Digital Marketing for McCormick & Company. In her role, she oversees several functions including: digital strategy, content, creative campaigns, owned platforms, social media, public relations and branded engagement across McCormickâs portfolio of brands. She has designed creative experiences to modernize brands, developed McCormickâs first in-house creative agency, and introduced transformational creativity, an impactful innovative approach to digital and consumer intimacy across the firmâs flavor brands.Prior to joining McCormick, she spent 14 years with IKEA US in creative and digital leadership roles launching social media and leading an overhaul of the companyâs digital operations to increase omnichannel traffic and sales. Always a transformative leader, she is responsible for IKEAâs first foray into branded content producing several branded programs including IKEAâs Easy to Assemble, Fix This Kitchen and the IKEA Home Tour. Her work has won multiple industry marketing awards.
All views and opinions belong to Alia Kemet and not an employer. -
In honor of Black History Month, Alia and her cousin Arica Harris, Group Leader of Banking and Payment Operations for one of the largest financial services companies in the country reflect on their shared family history as descendants of Tulsa Race Massacre survivors and how this legacy has enabled their own Phenomenal Grit.
Arica discusses how she found comfort in discomfort early in her career when she was the only or one of a few people of color in "the room". She offers tips on how to build relationships, stand out at work, and secure sponsorship within your organization. This episode is a must for anyone who has ever found it difficult to navigate spaces where they are in the minority. Be inspired!
Dedicated to the memory of James Titus Durant.
For more information on the Tulsa Race Massacre Visit: https://www.tulsahistory.org/exhibit/1921-tulsa-race-massacre/ -
Alia has a conversation with one of her childhood friends reflecting on the earlier stages of their careers when they leaned on each other for life-changing support. Mujadala (MJ) Abdul-Majid is an accomplished technology attorney who has held leadership roles with Amazon, Ro and recently joined Facebook.
Listen in as Alia and MJ discuss navigating a career change, finding innovative ways to lean into challenging opportunities, and asking for fair and equitable compensation. This is a conversation you don't want to miss. Be Inspired! -
On each episode, Phenomenal Grit host Alia Kemet will interview amazing women of color who will share their wit, grit, and wisdom to help you achieve your career goals. This podcast is the go-to place for inspiring you to tap into your personal magic, navigate challenges and CRUSH IT at work! Launch Date: February 16, 2021. Visit PhenomenalGrit.com to find out more.
