Booking.com’s Post

If you are at Cannes. Step out to this one. Get outside of your where you think you should be. Hear from leaders how Culture Drives Brands. Know who to go to in the Culture. #BlackCultureLeaders #Authenticity #Knowyourconsumer

Working as the only Black employee in a mostly white work environment can pose various unique challenges. These challenges include feelings of isolation, unfair expectations, and encountering systemic discrimination and implicit biases. As a result, this can lead to a lack of connection with colleagues and the broader work community. There is often an assumption that one Black employee can represent the entire diversity of the community, which can be quite burdensome. Moreover, limited opportunities for career advancement and a lack of professional support can make it difficult to navigate these obstacles and pursue career growth.

With Black History Month approaching, many companies are booking external speakers. But is this approach really engaging and inclusive? Have you asked your black employees if they’d like to share their stories? Their lived experiences could offer profound insights and create genuine cultural understanding. Consider hiring a moderator to facilitate these internal stories, creating an enriching, educational experience for all. As a motivational speaker, I offer moderation services to help elevate these conversations into engaging and empowering panels. Is your company ready to transform Black History Month into a true celebration of culture, communication, and understanding?

Juneteenth falls right in the middle of one of the world's most famous and largest creative festivals, Cannes Lions! For the advertising and creative world, there is no getting around it — it’s the busiest and most festive time of year for our industry. So what happens when you need to work through an important holiday? Earlier this year, our team spoke with the DEI team at Cannes about creative ways to honor Juneteenth when you still have to be on and connected for the international festival. One idea was working with brands like Because Of Them We Can, whose main focus is to shine a light on Black History and to share stories of the world's first. What better way to honor the spirit of Juneteenth than celebrating the first creatives that paved the way so people of all backgrounds can attend Cannes, and achieve success in our industry. How are you honoring Juneteenth at/during Cannes? Do you have any other ideas? Please share in the comments so we can continue the conversation.

"Empowering Black Business: @Urbanglobrand CEO Salimah Scott dives into the crucial role of communication in enhancing collaboration between the Black consumer and Black business for greater excellence and wealth. 🗝️✨ Let's break down assumptions, foster open conversations, and prioritize understanding to strengthen relationships within the Black business community. 💬💕 #BlackBusinessExcellence #CommunicationIsKey #UnityInCommerce #UnderstandingSuccess"

To celebrate #BlackHistoryMonth, we spoke with Sam White, director of Romeo and Juliet, about her experience in theatre, her sources of inspiration and the continued dialogue theatre must have to ensure diversity in the industry continues to grow. ✨ What inspires you creatively when making theatre? I'm not really interested in perfection as much as I am interested in work that is authentic and impactful. If you prepare and rehearse and show up, a show will be good. I'm more interested in how theatre makes people feel: from what they see to what they hear to what resonates in their heart space. I'm inspired by what hasn't been done more than what has been done before. I'm also inspired by new ways of doing things. The pandemic cleared my creative palate in many ways for new ideas, new energy, new techniques—new, new, new—while also honouring the past. I'm inspired by the idea of finding the balance between the two. ✨ As a Black artist working in theatre, what do you think of the current state of the industry/audience experience and how would you like to see it evolve? It's okay. I'll give it a strong C-. It's better than the D+ pre-pandemic. But I still don't see enough Black directors working at a high-level. And it would be awesome to see more Black artists and melanized people behind-the-scenes. I think the conversations have become whispers since 2020. But I am happy to continue shouting from the rooftops: More, more, more! ✨ Why is Black History Month important to celebrate within the community at large? It's important to remind people about the contributions Black folx have made to our collective history in North America. From infrastructure to creative spaces, we have made history and we're still here. A dedicated month is a cool way to continue to acknowledge what was and is. 📸: Ted Belton.

It's about that feeling – knowing someone else gets it, has overcome the challenges you're facing, and can show you the way. Seeing someone who looks like you achieve success, making you believe you can too. In 2024, it's disheartening that this is still needed, but the beauty lies in coming together despite it all.⁠ ⁠ 'Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.'⁠ ⁠ Connecting with fellow Black professionals should feel like grabbing a cup of coffee or a glass of wine with new friends. Sharing stories, creating opportunities, and overcoming challenges together. ⁠ ⁠ Because, in unity, there's strength, understanding, and the power to rewrite the narrative. Let's continue to come together, make a difference, and thrive despite the odds!⁠ Our Motto: “We have become the change we want to be” #NSBWEP #BlackWeddingProfessionals #BlackEventProfessionals #weddingassociation #eventassociation

As we prepare to recognize and celebrate the 159th anniversary of Juneteenth (June 19th), Blue Level would like to offer suggestions for ways in which your organization can stand in support. Here are some actions you can take in solidarity with Juneteenth: 1. Support local Black owned businesses. 2. Review your Diversity Supplier list, or create one. 3. Elevate and support local Juneteenth celebrations. 4. Provide Learning Opportunities through Workshops or Speaking Engagements.

FINDING YOUR VOICE AS A BLACK ARTIST ⬇ In the dynamic landscape of the entertainment industry, finding your voice and establishing your presence as a Black performer can feel like navigating uncharted territory. Whilst the life of an actor/dancer/model/singer is a beautiful creative journey, it is without a doubt marked by glass ceilings and token-hiring, and the relentless pursuit of authenticity amidst the valleys of expectations and stereotypes. Through the power of personal branding, you can learn to establish yourself as a Black artist and truly learn the importance of finding one's voice. Embracing your authenticity isn't just about showcasing your talents on Social Media; it's more often about trusting yourself as an artist and reclaiming your narrative (which, yes, can feel like challenging the status quo!) Whether it's through breaking stereotypes, embracing cultural heritage, or championing diverse narratives, each step we take as Black performers is a statement of our resilience and empowerment. In a world where representation matters more than ever, it is crucial for Black performers to carve out their own paths. By owning our narratives and amplifying our voices, we not only pave the way for future generations but also redefine the standards of excellence in the industry.

This ⬇️ is why I believe discussions about being Black professionals are consistently relevant—it’s about the entirety of our lived experiences. Fantasia Barrino Taylor, portraying Celie in The Color Purple, recently hosted her son’s dream birthday party at Lake Norman, NC. Unfortunately, they were asked to leave due to noise complaints, although the kids were already in bed at the time cited. According to neighbors, the renters were reported for loud partying around 11:30 p.m. Surprisingly, the owners immediately asked them to leave without any prior warning. Fantasia says the kids were entertained by a sip and paint activity, sketching the character in the photo below, while sipping on hot chocolate, and then the kids were sent to bed by 9. 📸 Watch the video on Facebook: https://lnkd.in/ghWaRZNR. ☕️ It seems the owners might not have recognized Fantasia, American Idol winner and R&B recording artist, as their renter. Imagine being nominated for a Golden Globe and then having to deal with “whatever this is.” Our book, “Triumph in the Trenches: An Anthology of Black Professionals in the Workplace,” edited by Elizabeth Leiba, published by Elona Washington, MSM aims to shed light on more of these experiences. Get updates here: https://lnkd.in/eYiGAfMc It’s the interplay of events within the Black professional experience that demands greater attention. In this case, we’ve worked for and anticipate renting an Airbnb for a respectful, comfortable stay—nothing more. For reasons undisclosed, the neighbors didn’t share the same dream. #newbookrelease