Page 3 - GROW TOGETHER - JULY 2019 - Ft. Chris Evans Events & Catering

the stage of WEC as a keynote speaker. Unapolo-
getically she spoke on the importance of her se-
lection. Relating the moment to her own experi-
ences in the music industry, she provided aston-
ishing examples of reactions she’d received from
potential clients.

Over the course of her speaking career some pre-
event callers implicatied that she was a risk to
their program. Could she relate to an audience
predominantly of European descent? Would she
clap back at 400 years of injustice like Ta-Nehisi
Coates to Mitch McConnell?
REPRESENTATION MATTERS

You already knew you had talent! Whether you're the plan-
ner, vendor or supplier you play a role in the success of an
event. However, did you know that you're an experience de-
signer or even better an ATMOSPHERE SHIFTER! According
to Jade Simmons, the keynote speaker at the World Educa-
tion Conference on June 18, 2019 you have the ability to ex-
ceed expectations and give audiences what they didn't know
they so desperately needed.

Jade Simmons commanded the stage on June 18 at
the World Education Conference 2019 in Toronto, On-
tario. For some it was her style, a lime green ensem-
ble with sparkling black pants and short haircut with
gorgeous highlights. For others it was her skill as a A dynamic speaker the only risk on June 18th
classically trained pianist who’s hands gracefully occurred when Jade walked across the stage in
keyed renditions of Flight of the Bumble Bee by Niko- high heels. Not only did she calculate each step
lai Rimsky-Korsakov. Undeniably professionals she delivered a speech that definitely had the
across the room were captivated. While their reasons W.O.W factor, a speech that resulted in the
varied there is one primary observation that must be seats of her Mastermind breakout session im-
addressed directly. Beyond the quality of Ms. Sim- mediately following the keynote being filled. Alt-
mons’ content is the importance of her being an Afri- hough less than 15% of the audience were
can-American Woman. Black, Latinx or Indigenous, Jade’s presence
was proof that advocacy for racial inclusivity
The Risk of Awareness
was being heard by the attendees, board of di-
Across headlines you'll see “The first Black this and rectors and #WEC19 special events committee.
the first African-American to do that” It’s an exciting Representation matters because it speaks to

time for under-represented communities to see this those who rarely see themselves in positions of
progress but frustrating to other groups As far back power or leadership. It also bridges the oppor-
as the group recalled Jade was the first African– tunity gap and encourages awareness about

American Woman to grace topics that never were deemed imperative.