#AHHPowerfulWomen: Universal Hip-Hop Museum’s Renee Foster Reminds Us To Win Each and Every Day
(AllHipHop Features) Renee Foster is a nimble results-driven public relations and marketing professional with more than 10 years of experience in performing arts, entertainment and currently new media. Experienced in developing comprehensive communication strategies and event solutions that advance goals and improves efficiencies is her forte. A creative communicator well versed in consumer behaviors, trend spotting, and cultural marketing, with specific attention to tone, messaging and outcomes is her strength. She is a former lifestyle magazine writer/editor, and is adept in event planning as well as content creation. As an influencer, it is her passion to shape conversations, amplify the positive impact of technology on a changing multicultural landscape that have an impact on communities and culture. Her mission statement is: “Winning hearts and minds, one at a time.” As the current Chair of Fundraising and Development for the Universal Hip Hop Museum, Ms. Renee Foster truly has a passion and values the culture that is Hip-Hop. With the opening of the Universal Hip Hop Museum around the corner, it was great to catch a moment or her time to connect about her work and her motivations to continue to embrace her power. AllHipHop: Explain what your job entails: Renee Foster: I’m responsible for capital campaigns that raise funds for the creation of the future Universal Hip Hop Museum in addition to developing strategic alliances with the arts/entertainment, business, and academic communities. AllHipHop: What’s the most enjoyable part of the job and your duties: Renee Foster: What I enjoy most is celebrating the legacy and impact of Hip Hop culture with others that feel as passionately about it as I do. It’s even better when that passion is coupled with financial support for our mission to create the next great museum in NYC. AllHipHop: What is the hardest part: Renee Foster: The hardest part is bringing about a consensus when there are lots of opinions. It requires the ability to listen carefully, a willingness to address all concerns and to diplomatically forge agreements that satisfy a mutually agreed upon goal. AllHipHop: Can you describe a moment of adversity personal and in your career? Renee Foster: There were times early in my career when I was insecure and my confidence in my abilities wasn’t what it should have been. I realize now, that this is a fact of maturity or a lack thereof. There are decisions I made then, that I would not make now. And I’d be a bit less cautious and a lot braver. It takes a lot of personal growth to self-assess and to acknowledge these facts. AllHipHop: What keeps you from giving up? Renee Foster: I’m too intellectually curious to not engage in the world around me. The reality that Hip Hop has become the predominant youth culture worldwide and the fact that we are 3-4 generations deep into it and still growing. It excites me. AllHipHop: Who inspired you to become a leader or boss? Renee Foster: I’ve had the opportunity to observe a lot of women lead as bosses. Some have mentored me and I’ve had the honor of working with some of them. Their successes have inspired me to take on new challenges and always set new goals for myself professionally. AllHipHop: How do you balance work and personal life? Renee Foster: I make it a point to give myself some quiet time. I’m never too busy that I can’t check in with family. And I prepare and share Sunday dinner with friends & neighbors potluck style on a fairly regular basis. These simple things give me balance and keep me connected to people that I care about and that love me. AllHipHop: What do you like to do for fun? Renee Foster: Traveling is my jam! I love exploring new cities, new cultures & cuisines. I also love to escape to the movies preferably alone, whenever I can. It’s usually an independent, foreign or art house film. And I want to be anywhere where skilled musicians are playing live music! AllHipHop: Please provide what it means to you to be a powerful and influential woman in the urban music and hip-hop industry. Renee Foster: To me, it means that I get to be the “keeper of the flame.” All too often women’s contributions to arts and entertainment are ignored, erased or invalidated. Our efforts behind the scenes have built careers that have made millions for others. By continuing to do the work that I love, there’s a young woman or girl somewhere that will be inspired by the example I’ve set. AllHipHop: Final Thoughts or words of advice? Renee Foster: Surround yourself with people you respect and admire. Don’t allow yourself to become jaded or cynical, it will drain all the joy out of living. Above all else, be grateful that you have yet another chance to win each and every day.
#AHHPowerfulWomen: StubHub’s Head of Business Operations Bari Williams Shares Her Key to Maintaining Family Life as an Executive
(AllHipHop Features) Bari A. Williams is Head of Business Operations Management, North America at StubHub as of January 2017. In this role, she is responsible for business planning and operations, including cross-functional work with Product, Marketing, Strategy, Partnerships, Customer Service, Trust and Safety to manage and oversee technical metrics, product innovation, key strategic partnerships and drive P&L results across the company. Prior to StubHub, Ms. Williams was Lead Counsel for the Global Infrastructure, Development, and Operations (“Inbound”) Commercial Legal team at Facebook. In this role, she drafted and negotiated contracts supporting Facebook’s internet.org connectivity efforts, building aircrafts, satellites, and lasers, along with purchasing and procurement to keep the company running – from software and hardware for the development of new products for users, including marketing messenger bots for Tommy Hilfiger during Fashion Week, to deals for supplies and equipment needed to take care of Facebook employees worldwide. Additionally, she also successfully took on the passion project of developing strategy and implementing the launch Facebook’s Supplier Diversity Program, announced at White House Demo Day in 2015, and officially launched at NMSDC in October 2016. She also served on Facebook’s Black Employee Resource Group leadership team, which recently had its successful inaugural “Black Leadership Day” event. Prior to joining Facebook, Ms. Williams was an attorney at CSAA Insurance Exchange, formerly known as AAA Insurance, where her work focused on commercial contracts, primarily in the IT space, and privacy. Ms. Williams has been a featured speaker on panels at festivals and events, and has been featured on TheRoot.com, and in Black Enterprise and Essence magazines. She is a 2015 recipient of the National Bar Association’s “40 Under 40” award, recognizing young attorneys excelling in achievement, innovation, vision, leadership and legal community involvement in their careers, as well as their “Excellence in Legal Innovation” award, and a 2015 recipient of the Digital Diversity Network’s “Top 40 Under 40: Tech Diversity” award. Ms. Williams shares with AllHipHop some great methods to mainting the madness of not only being a female executive but balancing that with being a wife and mother. Take a look. AllHipHop: Please, explain what your job entails: Bari Williams: I’m responsible for business planning and operations, including cross-functional work with Product, Marketing, Strategy, Partnerships, Customer Service, Trust and Safety to manage and oversee technical metrics, product innovation, key strategic partnerships and drive P&L (profits and loss) results across the company. AllHipHop: What’s the most enjoyable part of the job and your duties: Bari Williams: Figuring out ways to solve problems. It’s fun to analyze something and see how it works, and then determine how and why it could be better, and then putting the pieces together to actually make it better. I love driving toward efficiency. AllHipHop: What is the hardest part: Bari Williams: Figuring out ways to solve problems. It’s a blessing and a curse. It can be frustrating when you know how to solve a problem, and you don’t have the necessary resources to fix it. AllHipHop: Can you describe a moment of adversity personally and in your career? Bari Williams: I’m a creature of routine and comfort, and I’m very Type A. I’ve been called a control freak. So, it’s hard for me to leave a situation in which I’ve become comfortable, know how to easily navigate the terrain, am great at the work, and good will has already been acquired in the company. But I know that growth is in the space outside of your comfort zone, and that’s always the hardest step for me to take… to leave the familiar to tackle the unknown. AllHipHop: What keeps you from giving up? Bari Williams: I remind myself that my dad’s parents were sharecroppers with elementary school educations. They didn’t move their family from Mississippi to California and grind it out to get some of their kids to college for me to get discouraged and give up, even when I’m not getting what I deserve. Just work harder to prove I’m worth what I’m asking for. AllHipHop: Who inspired you to become a leader or boss? Bari Williams: My mother. She’s always been the boss of our home and was such an exceptional teacher that people still stop me on the street and ask about her. To see that kind of impact you can have on someone’s life resonated with me. I knew I didn’t want to be a teacher, at least not in that way, but I wanted to have that kind of impact and legacy. AllHipHop: How do you balance work and personal life? Bari Williams: Three things: (1) I wake up early in the morning, to allow time to do something I want to do undisturbed. I’m the only early riser in my house, so it’s the only time no one is looking for me; (2) I organize my life on a shared calendar with my husband, and it includes our kid’s activities, and; (3) I have insomnia, which is good and bad. I try to use it for good. AllHipHop: What do you like to do for fun? Bari Williams: Four things: (1) I clear my DVR; (2) read; (3) watch or attend sporting events and concerts, and; (4) sleep. Yes, sleep can be fun when you’re an insomniac. AllHipHop: Please provide what it means to you to be a powerful and influential woman in the urban music and hip-hop industry. Bari Williams: It’s providing good experiences for the customers, fans, and our partners/artists, and providing more opportunity for those that look like me in the tech and entertainment space. AllHipHop: Final Thoughts or words of advice? Bari Williams: To get something you’ve never had, you’ll have to do something you’ve never done.
#AHHPowerfulWomen: Shanti Das, The Hip-Hop Professional Shares the Joys of Entrepreneurship
(AllHipHop Features) Shanti Das is an accomplished music industry executive, marketing executive, consultant, mentor, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and Author. She is also the Founder of Press Reset Entertainment, an Atlanta-based firm launched in 2009 that serves as an entertainment concierge service providing independent marketing & strategy for music acts, talent booking for private & corporate events, brand influencer marketing and special event assistance. Her extensive 25-year music industry career (intern to Executive Vice President) includes positions at Capital Records, LaFace Records, Columbia Records, Sony Music and Universal Motown where she worked directly with some of music’s top talent like Outkast, Usher, TLC, Vivian Green, Toni Braxton, Prince, Erykah Badu and more. An advocate for many social issues, Das has started several successful initiatives and events including No Reservations Needed, an annual feeding with the Atlanta Mission for homeless community and Silence the Shame, a mental health initiative to peel back the layers of shame and stigma. In the past 6 years, she combined her passion and talent for business, community, and culture, rebranding herself as the Hip-Hop Professional®– someone that is skilled in a particular profession performs at the highest level, gives back to the community and has a love for hip-hop culture. Das is dedicated to becoming a global thought leader and inspiring the professional development of young adults. A highly sought-after speaker, she serves as a role model and mentor to many students at various colleges across the country via her successful College Chat Room Tour. Das is the author of “The Hip‐Hop Professional 2.0: A Woman’s Guide to Climbing the Ladder of Success in the Entertainment Business;” “The 1-2-3s of Networking,” a pocket guide of 30 invaluable networking tips to expand your professional contact base; The 1,2,3s of Entrepreneurship,” a pocket guide with tips from successful entrepreneurs and experts to help positively impact your business and The 1,2,3s of Self-Publishing A Book, a pocket guide of 30 tips to jumpstart your career as an author. Ms. Das spoke with AllHipHop briefly about her journey as a music industry marketing executive and making her mark as a powerful woman in the business. AllHipHop: Please, explain what your job entails: Shanti Das: I worked at record companies for almost 20 years shaping the careers of Outkast, Usher, Lyfe Jennings and many more. Took a leap of faith to become my own boss. I am currently Founder of Press Reset Entertainment. The company does consulting for music artists such as Jeezy, Demetria McKinney, Johnny Gill and others. We also do celebrity procurement for events in Atlanta. In addition, we co-founded and produce an event in Atlanta called ATL Live on the Park. It is one of the biggest music showcases in the business for the past 7 years. Aside from music I am a national speaker under the Hip-Hop Professional® brand and have spoken at countless college/universities, SXSW, A3C, EssenceFest, etc! I speak of music, professional development, empowerment, networking, and more. I am also a philanthropist and I have started several key initiatives for youth empowerment, mental health, and homelessness. AllHipHop: What’s the most enjoyable part of the job and your duties? Shanti Das: The most enjoyable part of my job now is being an entrepreneur and having the autonomy to work on various projects/initiatives at the same time. I love that I can still do music but also focus on my other passions such as community work and leadership. AllHipHop: What is the hardest part? Shanti Das: The hardest part of being an entrepreneur is the ups and downs of client work. You have good months and bad months. That’s why it is important to have several revenue streams. Sometimes I have contemplated getting a job again (working for a major company) but then I remember how Faithful God has been to me throughout this journey (this Leap of FAITH) and I tell myself to never look back! AllHipHop: Can you describe a moment of adversity personal and in your career? Shanti Das: One moment of adversity for me personally was going through my depression. I Finally saw a doctor got the help I needed. That’s what prompted me to start “Silence the Shame,” an initiative to peel back the layers of shame and stigma around mental health (shout out to Nick Cannon, Jeezy and Andra Day for their support). In our community, we are afraid to talk about it or to get help, which is so sad. Professionally I can recall the moments of feeling some type of way about my compensation vs. my male counterparts. Since this is a piece for Women’s History Month, let me tell my ladies to ALWAYS know your value and don’t be afraid to ask for what you deserve. Often times, you will not get what you deserve if you do not ask for it! AllHipHop: What keeps you from giving up? Shanti Das: GOD, period. He is my rock and my best friend. I pray often and try to keep a level head about success and life. God wants us to remain humble and to also not forget about others. I really enjoy mentoring to young adults and helping others to succeed. Also, I have some good people in my corner that are always providing support and vice versa. U gotta have the right circle of friends/colleagues in your circle of trust…not everyone wants to see you get that W. As Drake says, “I got fake friends showing fake love to me straight up to my face.” Be mindful of the circle you keep and pray for the haters! AllHipHop: How did family play a role in your journey through this industry? (parents, siblings, significant other, children, etc.) Shanti Das: I am not married nor do I have kids. I do however have an amazing family. My sister is the rock of our family and was always there for me when times got tough in the music biz. My mom was a very loving parent and taught me to embrace my spirituality (she now has Alzheimer’s so I’m glad to be […]
#TheBusinessBully – 2017 Tech Takeover with Nate Bernadeau
On the Eve of the Donald Trump era, many people are scared. Some are scared of losing jobs, not being able to find jobs, etc. Many fear what a repeal of Obamacare will mean for their lives regarding healthcare. Others are starting or trying to grow their businesses. The one thing that people don’t have enough of is opportunity. One area that is often overlooked and neglected as an opportunity is the area of technology. We live in the digital age where things that were only possible on a cartoon called the Jetsons have become commonplace. Plenty of us use the technology (Smartphones, Tablets, Social Media, Apps, etc), but very few of us (less than 0.05%) are actually manufacturing and developing the technology, Let alone coding it. Nate Bernadeau is a Haitian American who lives in the Washington DC area and is passionate about changing that number. His site MyConnect Media is not only an alternative to Facebook, which has been known to block African Americans for various unknown reasons (see what happened to the Shade Room’s page of 4 million fans). This makes it unstable for people who are trying to consistently grow a Fanbase. Then when you factor in what happens when a potential employer looks at your Facebook profile, tens of thousands of job opportunities are missed because someone decided to have a few drinks and take a few inappropriate pictures. Myconnect seeks to fix that and change the way that social media operates whereby: Users can create 2 profiles, 1 personal and 1 professional or resume profile. Both will be kept separate so potential employers won’t be able to spy on you. Users can post links, upload images, videos, music to create a music playlist. Businesses will be able to do target marketing similar to Facebook and other social networking sites. Users can create Communities and within each Community, users will be able to create sub Communities or Categories. 10 star rating system for Businesses. (This can allow folks to give more feedback than what Yelp! currently offers) [wpdevart_youtube]C8ag4EzgSf4[/wpdevart_youtube] In addition to this eye opening interview, Dave Talks about what steps you need to take in 2017 in order to dominate your business, how to identify the holes left by your competition and how your attitude towards success must change. [wpdevart_youtube]f4J4jfyL8qc[/wpdevart_youtube] Dave Anderson is a speaker, entrepreneur and #1 Best Selling author living in Philadelphia who loves sharing knowledge and helping others on the topic of entrepreneurship, branding and sales. Dave is a passionate person who will go the extra mile and over-deliver. His aggressive, unorthodox and in-your-face style has earned him the nickname “The Business Bully.” Having been featured in Ebony Magazine, The Breakfast Club, The Huffington Post and countless others, David has become the go to business expert and sales trainer for thousands of entrepreneurs who buy his books, watch him on YouTube or listen to his Podcast. If you would like to learn more from Dave Anderson, please visit: http://BusinessBullyShow.com And Follow him on social media – Instagram Facebook Twitter For bookings and inquires for lectures, book signings or speaking engagements email info@innerbrand.org
