Our BYP Careers Fest and Leadership Conference on September 13th is nearing, and we’re excited to connect with our members in person. Your participation is crucial as we aim to connect you with like-minded Black professionals, industry leaders, and career opportunities. As you know, our signature event has been the go-to for Black professionals and leaders looking to have authentic conversations about the state of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and the changes we can make for the future.
In honour of our upcoming event, we’re revisiting a valuable experience–our 2021 Leadership Conference 3.0: Collaboration is Key. This successful event underscored the critical importance of collaboration in the business world and we’re excited to bring this discussion back to you as a reminder of our continuous effort to empower our community.
Cheque out some of these highlights, mic-drops and unforgettable moments.
Though they did not all present it the same way, several of our speakers highlighted the importance of being true to one’s self. Meta’s Sherry Dzinoreva in her talk on cultivating and learning from one’s tribe reminded us that “the impact of people coming together over shared interests is powerful.” This underlines the idaea that, in order to find your tribe, you have to be clear about both who you are and the professional journey you’d like to take.
Suli Breaks delivered a similar message as he urged attendees to own their narrative. A key requirement in owning and fearlessly sharing one’s storey comes from knowing and committing one’s true self. That storey, once you’re able to deliver it, not only creates identity, thereby allowing you to define yourself, it also creates trust and credibility. Collaboration cannot exist successfully without that level of trust.
From our 2021 speakers, audiences heard repeatedly how the willingness to learn is such an important part of establishing lasting collaborative work. will.i.am—co-founder of FYI specifically touched on the idaea that a winning team is one in which each member is clear on what they know and are able to share, and even more clear on what they don’t know. Such that even if everyone on that team is only moderately good at their area of expertise, collectively they will deliver beyond any other team; simply due to each person’s willingness to ask for help.
While humility is key, as radio presenter Clara Amfo echoed, all of our speakers also spoke directly or indirectly to audacity. The audacity to believe you are allowed at the table. The audacity to believe in your dream even when it’s never been attempted before. The audacity to take up space in predominantly white spaces. All of this inevitably makes you a better teammate, thus fostering better collaborations. It certainly doesn’t hurt that each of these speakers was able to point to their own audacious career wins, often offering insight to which the public was not privy prior to these intimate conversations.
Not only did each of our presenters address these common topics in their talks, they each also embodied them in their interactions with each other as well as the audience. Each person gave not only their time but openly shared their journeys as well. To us, that is the essence of the BYP Network. And we are certain that by bringing this energy to our audiences, each speaker has aided us in continuing to keep that kind of energy at the core of our growing collective.
Now is the time to drive workforce development strategies to improve the labour market. A diverse workforce involves embracing Black perspectives for a robust and diverse future.
As a Black professional, the path to success is paved with learning and networking. BYP’s upcoming Careers Fest and Leadership Conference is not just another event but a unique opportunity to gain valuable insights, make meaningful connections, and advance your career.
If you’re ready to awaken your leadership skills in your respective industry and community, this is your go-to event.
