GIRLS WHO LISTEN share How to Make it in the Entertainment Biz
The best thing about being a Black woman is joining the world in celebrating who you are for two months straight. Black History Month being followed by Womens History Month might’ve been by chance, but what is very intentional is the work Kadijat B. Salawudeen (pronunced Kha-dee-jah) put together for the launch event of Girls Who Listen, an event platform adjacent to her first brainchild Industry News Magazine. Just one month after the launch of Girls Who Listen, Kadijat hosted a panel discussion for aspiring media mavens to take advantage of. The panelists, Paulana Lamonier, Jessie Nichols, Tiffany Wood, Carolyn Page, Alyssa Castillo, and Asia Milia Ware are all women of Color making waves within the areas of digital media, print media, and entertainment. They gathered on a couch at Spaces Workspace in Dumbo, NYC (very well dressed if I do say so myself) and shared their experiences climbing up the ladder in their respective industries.
Kadijat posed questions regarding dream careers and how to break into those dream careers, but in order to go from “one day” to “day one” you must have an amazing resume. Jessie Nichols, Director of Event at Teen Vogue, told us how important is was to tell the truth on your resumes. As head of a larger team and former college basketball player, Jessie knows all about being able to pull your own weight to get the job done.
Jessie suggests whatever skills you are good at, make sure they’re transferable. As former Executive Assistant for Anna Wintour, she developed skills in time management and strengthened her abilities in Event Management which was ultimately her career destination. Other advice shared by our panelists were to constantly update your resume and to have a different resume for every industry you’re applying to. Stay ready so you never have to get ready!
Being a Black woman is the privilege of a lifetime yes, but its not always easy being Black in business. No matter how difficult, Asia Milia Ware, Editorial Assistant at Teen Vogue says to always be yourself. During the conversation Asia reminisced on the days as an intern at InStyle, being a fresh Hampton University graduate from Southside Jamaica Queens. “I knew I was different. I looked nothing like those size 2 other white girls, but I was me.” Despite the differences from her counterparts, she didn’t let it keep her from doing her job, and doing it well. Now as Editorial Assistant she can ask her Black female director “You good!?” and she’ll respond, “I’m good!” Being yourself benefits you in the workplace and when you’re looking for help to get there.
Networking is a skill many people are good at, but might not be doing correctly. Alyssa Castillo interned at Roc Nation for one semester before being offered the role as Executive Assistant to rapper, Fabolous. As an intern, she said hi to everyone, remembered their names, and helped everyone at a moment notice. She was one week shy of her internship end date when her predecessor could no longer commit and Alyssa was the first person they called to fill in. The relationships she developed kept her memorable and employed. Networking across is just as important as networking with your superiors. Networking across opens doors for mentorship, but you have to be practical about it. While networking might happen as quickly as a happy hour, Freelance Publicist Carolyn Page let us know that mentoring will take a bit more time. “You’ve really got to get to know the person before they start mentoring you. Does this person have the capacity for you? Do they have the time? While you’re hunting for that perfect mentor, what are you doing in the meantime? Help them help you.” If you can be useful, offer your skills. Showing them what you have to offer makes it easier for your potential mentor to see how they can help.
Okay, so you’ve landed your dream role, but how do you keep it? Job security is something everyone has to keep in mind in the workplace. As much as we believe ourselves to be the best of the best, we are still very much human and will make mistakes. Our panelists let us know that it’s OK to make mistakes as long as you own up to them and don’t let them define you. Redeeming yourself is the best way to make up for your error, and like we’ve heard before – the best apology is changed behavior.
Multimedia journalist Paulana’s specific advice toward job security is joining the CYA organization, also known as Cover Your Ass. Do what is necessary to keep track of everything that happens to you and around you in the workplace. As we’ve heard before on HNOW, HR is your best friend. CC your Human Resources department when you feel necessary, and send those emails summarizing your verbal conversations. If the ish hits the fan, you’ll have your receipts!
I’m truly appreciative of these women for sharing their experiences as professionals in this business. Kadijat created an environment for truth and transparency for myself and the rest of the audience to learn from and apply to our own careers. The final words we were left with were enough to hold us down even when Black Women’s History Month is over. “Be Unapologetic, remind people who you are and never limit yourself.” Special thank you to Girls Who Listen, and Industry News Mag for hosting an amazing event, I’m excited about what I’ll learn at the next one!
