This past weekend was the second annual EmpowerHer Conference in Chicago, and we're still reeling from all the powerful women, incredible stories and #BlackGirlMagic that you shared with us. Without our outstanding speakers and each one of you actively engaging and sharing your own stories, it wouldn't be what it is. So, thank you! And if you couldn't attend, check out the quick recap below and get ready to take notes — because so many gems were dropped.
Friday kicked off with a fireside chat with our very own Morgan DeBaun and Zim Ugochukwu of Travel Noire. Zim blessed us with her advice on hiring the right employees, the value of YOU time, and her three essential tips for self-care.
Self-care 101 from Zim:
1. Pray
2. Read your Bible + Learn lessons from women in the Bible
3. Drink matcha@TravelNoire #EmpowerHer17— Keisha Mabry (@KeishaMabry) June 9, 2017
"I don't check my email all day. Because I don't want requests to dictate me day." — Zim @TravelNoire #EmpowerHer17
— lesliecamille (@Hautemommie) June 9, 2017
"if you want your people to grow and succeed, you'll love them through all they do." – Zim of @TravelNoire #Empowerher17 #leadership
— Doriean (@Doriean) June 9, 2017
"The key to keeping really great people is by being a really great person." -Zim from @travelnoire during @blavity's #empowerher17
— De Nichols (@de_nichols) June 9, 2017
Next was a young creators panel with Ronnie Dickerson Stewart of DigitasLBi, Nickecia Alder of Black Girl Fly Mag, Autumn Merritt of Sir & Madame and Brienna LaCoste. They discussed what it takes to succeed, how to stay focused, and their keys to finding balance.
When Autumn Merritt of @sirandmadame said "I don't argue- it's a waste of my energy." #empowerher17 pic.twitter.com/42UL6Zv0NS
— Q (@RebrandChicago) June 9, 2017
"Command your worth by getting comfortable with yourself." – Autumn, @sirandmadame #EmpowerHer17 pic.twitter.com/3pfjx1t5bY
— andrea. (@IAmAndreaBrown) June 9, 2017
What's self care to Autumn Merritt of @sirandmadame?: Setting boundaries and monitoring energies. #EmpowerHer17 pic.twitter.com/AUHaIxSDOY
— EmpireLifeMagDotCom (@EmpireLifeMag) June 9, 2017
Yes. Ronnie.
We work ourselves to death living other ppl's dreams. Stop. Your name is not on the door!#EmpowerHer17— Keisha Mabry (@KeishaMabry) June 9, 2017
"You can't give if you ain't got." – Nickecia of @BlackGirlFlyMag —
A wordddddddd. #EmpowerHer17
— lesliecamille (@Hautemommie) June 9, 2017
"I prove my value by giving valuable work… I never want to put something out that isn't my best" – @brienna_lacoste #EmpowerHer17 pic.twitter.com/Qt3TKOA9SB
— EmpireLifeMagDotCom (@EmpireLifeMag) June 9, 2017
Saturday kicked off bright and early with some tasty breakfasts provided by McDonald's and plenty of networking to get everyone ready to learn and grow. After the coffee kicked in, it was time for the Ford Motor Company's Women's Entrepreneurship and Small Business Challenge with Nikisha Brunson of Urban Bush Babes, Alex Wolf of Boss Babe Academy and Darian Symoné Harvin.
@Ford's Entrepreneurship Panel is just EVERYTHING. Major gems being dropped. #EmpowerHER17 #myfordfam pic.twitter.com/OS3WwYl8Ug
— EmpireLifeMagDotCom (@EmpireLifeMag) June 10, 2017
Live as though you already have the medal. Don't wait for the accolades 🥇 Alex Wolf #Empowerher17
— TJ (@tamikatalks) June 10, 2017
"I'm learning to block out other people's voices and listen to my own" – Nikisha Brunson #EmpowerHer17
— Brittany Wright (@bbadpr) June 10, 2017
"Be gentle with yourself even when you mess up. You have something to give that only you can provide"- Nikisha @urbanbushbabes #Empowerher17
— EDEN BodyWorks (@edenbodyworks) June 10, 2017
Next came Kyra Kyles, former Editor-in-chief of Ebony and multi-platform media executive and Lilly Workneh of HuffPost Black Voices with a panel on black women in the media. Their commentary on how to succeed as a journalist and the state of the industry was more than well-received.
"The only way to get better at writing is to READ MORE." – @Lilly_Works (Sr. Editor, HuffPost Black Voices#EmpowerHER17 #Day2
— Brittany Applegate (@BrittApplegate) June 10, 2017
"Be about your money the way they are about deadlines. If you do the work, you should get paid." ~Kyra Kyles @thekylesfiles #EmpowerHer17
— Dasha Guyton (@dashaguyton) June 10, 2017
"You will not win when you over promise" – Kyra Kyles #EmpowerHer17
— Brittany Wright (@bbadpr) June 10, 2017
Shortly after, Lena Waithe and Robin Thede had the room buzzing with their open discussion and candid answers to audience questions.
"Greatness can't be ignored. 'How do I go viral?' Go be great." –@LenaWaithe @robinthede #Empowerher17 pic.twitter.com/MymQqXiJvs
— Danielle Leslie (@danielleleslie) June 10, 2017
@lenawaithe & @robinthede talks navigating male dominated professional spaces! #EmpowerHer17 pic.twitter.com/yZYd7q47Sh
— 21Ninety (@21Ninety) June 10, 2017
" You don't have to have a ton of money if you have a ton of talent!" – Lena Waithe #EmpowerHer17
— Lo Cat (@iamlocat) June 10, 2017
Greatness can't be ignored – Lena Waithe #EmpowerHer17 pic.twitter.com/0TirdSvWbA
— SiliconValleySteph (@ItsStephAlof) June 10, 2017
And right before lunch came an AMA chat with Bari A. Williams of Stubhub. She helped us realize the value of our intellectual and creative property and explained the steps we can and should take to protect that.
Trademarks, Copyright & Patents!!!! Worth the investment. You believe in what you do. PROTECT IT. #EmpowerHer17
— AshleyAshlee (@byAshleeNicole) June 10, 2017
Trademarks, Copyright & Patents!!!! Worth the investment. You believe in what you do. PROTECT IT. #EmpowerHer17
— AshleyAshlee (@byAshleeNicole) June 10, 2017
After a much-needed lunch break came a powerful workshop with Danielle Leslie all about turning your passion into your career, finding out your culture add and staying true to you.
"Do what you love OUT LOUD!" –Danielle Leslie #EmpowerHer17
— Mrs. Jasmine Dortch (@allthatsjazz10) June 10, 2017
"Own your obsessions and you can monetize anything" – Danielle Leslie #EmpowerHer17
— Lo Cat (@iamlocat) June 10, 2017
Culture fit is out Culture Add is in #EmpowerHer17 #Crushingcorporate @danielleleslie Thank you! @crushingcorp pic.twitter.com/OzacfXsJNZ
— Yoli Chisholm (@yolichisholm) June 10, 2017
Morgan DeBaun took the stage again, this time to lead an AMA chat with Necole Kane of xonecole.com. Talk of transitions, self-care, loss and all that can be gained brought the room to tears and right back to laughs and empowerment in one of the most powerful sessions of the day.
I really enjoyed my chat with @MorganDeBaun at @Blavity's #empowerher17!!! pic.twitter.com/VVj7WyaHl9
— Necole ❤❤ (@hellonecole) June 12, 2017
I love how transparent Necole Kane is. Great reminders to pour into yourself before you can pour into others ❤️ #empowerher17
— Bre'Ana Deen (@bre_deen) June 10, 2017
Whew I admire @xonecole journey & outlook on life. The emotion, love and inspiration in this room is amazing ❤️ #empowerher17 pic.twitter.com/h8a3yoD30i
— Bre'Ana Deen (@bre_deen) June 10, 2017
@xonecole drops a gem with @MorganDeBaun at #EmpowerHer17 pic.twitter.com/tdCLK1IgoX
— De Nichols (@de_nichols) June 11, 2017
So inspired by @xonecole's story of success, loss, change, transition and growth 👏🏾 #teamnecole #EmpowerHer17 pic.twitter.com/V91wciHl0L
— SiliconValleySteph (@ItsStephAlof) June 10, 2017
"When I realized there was something greater on the side, I had to take the leap." @xonecole on her transition from NB #empowerher17
— B (@SixthStreetSoc) June 10, 2017
And rounding out the incredible, inspiring day were two talks by powerful and successful women who are redefining their craft and helping to motivate us along the way. Thanks to Luvvie Ajayi of Awesomely Luvvie and Erika Bennett of Allied Moxy for their powerful words!
"Your brand is what people are thinking about you when you're not in the room." – @Luvvie #EmpowerHer17
— Love Jays (@TheLoveJays) June 10, 2017
"I was raised never to question myself to the point where I have to change myself" @Luvvie #EmpowerHer17
— Toya From Harlem (@ToyaFromHarlem) June 10, 2017
on being a the only other in the room: "why tone down my blackness to make them comfortable for an hour?" –@Luvvie #EmpowerHER17
— Doriean (@Doriean) June 10, 2017
"Always keep a home for your writing that does not depend on anybody else" – Luvvie Ajayi at the #empowerher17 conference
— Insight News (@insightnews) June 12, 2017
"Defy tradition. Reject commonplace. Obliterate the box." – Erika Bennett of Allied Moxy at the #empowerher17 conference last weekend
— Insight News (@insightnews) June 12, 2017
I'll leave it so that you can receive it. #EmpowerHer17ِ pic.twitter.com/pQVJpj1G1F
— Q (@RebrandChicago) June 10, 2017
So once again, thank you to everyone in attendance at #EmpowerHer17! And if you're yearning for more wisdom from the weekend, look no further than #EmpowerHer17 on Twitter and Instagram.
See you next year!