Don't call it a comeback— the 8th Annual ColorComm Conference returned to commemorate the excellence of women of color in an elaborate and engaging program. Held July 26, 2023 - July 28, 2023, at the Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne in Miami, Florida, over 400 women of color business leaders across the communications, marketing, advertising and digital industries reunited with friends, and colleagues while also establishing new business relationships.
The conference commonly referred to as #C2Miami opened on Wednesday, July 26 with ‘The War on DEI: This Isn’t a Florida Problem’ panel of esteemed experts on the impact of DEI. Opening day continued with the ColorComm Circle Awards, honoring seven women of color changing the face of the communications industry, where Star Jones served as emcee.
Further, emphasizing ColorComm’s impact and influence in Miami, ColorComm was presented with a proclamation from the City of North Miami Beach Commissioner Daniela Jean, marking Wednesday, July 26 as ColorComm Day in Miami.
“We’ve been coming to the Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne since 2014, long before the action and laws affecting diversity and inclusion programs were in jeopardy in this state. For the past several years, we have worked hard to bring back the conference following a hiatus during the pandemic, long before the Governor of Florida restricted diversity and inclusion programs in Florida schools,” said Lauren Wesley Wilson, Founder and CEO, ColorComm Corporation.
“We know the economic impact and positive contributions that our conference has had on black and brown communities in the Miami-Dade region and throughout the state of Florida,” said Wilson.
The ColorComm community is intergenerational (ages 22-65) and programming offered multiple opportunities to meet women where they are, no matter where they are in their career journey.
Conference attendees enjoyed sessions that included – 'Financial Health to Generational Wealth' presented by JPMorgan Chase, 'You Got McDonald’s Money', ‘Increasing Women of Color on Corporate Boards’ and more.
“This was my first ColorComm Conference, and it was so exhilarating and affirming being in the presence of so many powerful women who are working diligently to reshape and reimagine their industries. We’re all returning to hectic lives where we’re constantly pouring into others, so it feels good to be in a space where you’re actually being poured into,” said Jemele Hill, journalist.
Eden Bridgeman Sklenar, Chairwoman and CEO of EBONY and JET, moderated the ‘Redefining the C-Suite: Preparing Your Executive Team to Meet Today’s Challenges’ panel. The in depth panel focused on how c-suite leaders meet the rapidly changing business and workforce demands.
The 8th annual conference concluded with ColorComm's Signature Luncheon. CNN's Abby Phillip served as emcee of ColorComm's Signature Luncheon and Huma Abedin, Political Strategist and New York Times Bestselling Author of "Both/And" served as the keynote speaker.
“As we continue to make strides in diversity and inclusion in media and communications, it remains critically important to have spaces like this. We need to continue to bring people up the ladder of professional achievement, and that requires building and maintaining opportunities for mentorship and development. I was proud to be a part of the ColorComm conference,” said Abby Phillip, anchor of CNN's Inside Politics Sunday. "ColorComm initially started as a luncheon series in 2011 to connect women of color in business., which is why they decided to close their conference with a Signature luncheon to mark the moment. Twelve years later, ColorComm has evolved into a corporation that provides economic opportunity and advancement to multicultural communities," concluded Wilson.
