Post by account_disabled on Oct 22, 2023 5:00:25 GMT -6
I am also energized by the advances in the use of AI technology and am closely monitoring how it is being developed, and how it will ultimately be used. There are many instances where AI is already exhibiting cultural bias, and that needs to be addressed before we get any deeper into its use.
LI: What do you view as the primary inhibitors of diversity and inclusion in the business world, and how can today’s leaders actively confront them?
Rakia: In the past year, articles, op-eds, think pieces and the like have proliferated on DEIA (diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility) in the corporate world. While many companies have publicly agreed to make changes and, to their credit, have hired people to lead their DEIA efforts, very little has occurred to show any substantive, real change. Much has been said about really “doing” the work — but the results (increased representation of diverse individuals in decision-making positions, recognition of and addressing implicit bias, etc.) have been lackluster.Leaders need to be vulnerable, be open to hearing what employees are experiencing, and make a true commitment to addressing these issues in the workplace. These same changemakers should move past their reluctance to take action, bypassing the fear of public reaction, stockholder inquiries, and being called out on social media. Now is the time to be bold and lead by example.When she was downsized out of her job, Rakia turned entrepreneur and seized the opportunity to launch her nontraditional communications agency, Skai Blue Media. Now 10 years on, Rakia and her team serve such major brands and iconic figures as Airbnb, Comcast, Dell, Serena Williams, Morgan Stanley, and Jill Scott.But Rakia’s thought leadership isn’t just reserved for her client’s good.Her proven authority in marketing and multicultural communications place Rakia in high demand. She’s a regular contributor to the pages of Forbes, Inc.com, HuffPost and Fast Company. She’s spoken at TEDx, SXSW, Inbound, and others. And when it comes to current corporate leadership around diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA), Rakia is outspoken about the effort still required in order to effect meaningful change.
She’s a leader, an innovator, and committed to Phone Number List authenticity in every communication. That’s why we listed Rakia as a rising marketer to watch. In this conversation, she touches on topics like marketing leadership in the face of social change, the need today for a dedicated crisis communications team, the rapid evolution of social media, and three key metrics she encourages would-be entrepreneurs to always ask themselves.kedIn: Congratulations on the recent 10-year anniversary of Skai Blue Media! Tell us about the vision that inspired you to start this "non traditionalagency."Rakia Reynolds: I’ve always taken the road less traveled, whether it was how I tackled school assignments, the way I wore my hair, or how I’ve built my business.
More than a decade ago I was working for a traditional PR company and as a television producer, dealing with the industry rigamarole, knowing that something greater was around the corner. When my production company downsized and I lost my job, I seized that opportunity to reassess my career goals and open up my own agency. Named after my first born daughter, Skai, and related to my study of color psychology, I decided to use “Blue,” as it translates to trust, authenticity, serenity, and reliability. I founded Skai Blue Media to start an agency that was authentic to my own experience as a creative storyteller, TV producer, and strategic communicator.The fact that I am a Black woman thriving in this industry for 10 years is not lost on me; we have built something special and will continue to represent some of the most recognizable brands and individuals across the globe.Rakia: As someone who is passionate about color theory, storytelling, and personal branding techniques, I always advise our clients to focus their branding efforts on six building blocks, with each block representing an element upon which a sustainable brand is built upon. These Core Brand Values are relayed through verbal, non-verbal, visual, and written communications, and expressed via social media, traditional media, and connected through digital humanity (how you interact and connect with your network online in the digital world).
LI: What do you view as the primary inhibitors of diversity and inclusion in the business world, and how can today’s leaders actively confront them?
Rakia: In the past year, articles, op-eds, think pieces and the like have proliferated on DEIA (diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility) in the corporate world. While many companies have publicly agreed to make changes and, to their credit, have hired people to lead their DEIA efforts, very little has occurred to show any substantive, real change. Much has been said about really “doing” the work — but the results (increased representation of diverse individuals in decision-making positions, recognition of and addressing implicit bias, etc.) have been lackluster.Leaders need to be vulnerable, be open to hearing what employees are experiencing, and make a true commitment to addressing these issues in the workplace. These same changemakers should move past their reluctance to take action, bypassing the fear of public reaction, stockholder inquiries, and being called out on social media. Now is the time to be bold and lead by example.When she was downsized out of her job, Rakia turned entrepreneur and seized the opportunity to launch her nontraditional communications agency, Skai Blue Media. Now 10 years on, Rakia and her team serve such major brands and iconic figures as Airbnb, Comcast, Dell, Serena Williams, Morgan Stanley, and Jill Scott.But Rakia’s thought leadership isn’t just reserved for her client’s good.Her proven authority in marketing and multicultural communications place Rakia in high demand. She’s a regular contributor to the pages of Forbes, Inc.com, HuffPost and Fast Company. She’s spoken at TEDx, SXSW, Inbound, and others. And when it comes to current corporate leadership around diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA), Rakia is outspoken about the effort still required in order to effect meaningful change.
She’s a leader, an innovator, and committed to Phone Number List authenticity in every communication. That’s why we listed Rakia as a rising marketer to watch. In this conversation, she touches on topics like marketing leadership in the face of social change, the need today for a dedicated crisis communications team, the rapid evolution of social media, and three key metrics she encourages would-be entrepreneurs to always ask themselves.kedIn: Congratulations on the recent 10-year anniversary of Skai Blue Media! Tell us about the vision that inspired you to start this "non traditionalagency."Rakia Reynolds: I’ve always taken the road less traveled, whether it was how I tackled school assignments, the way I wore my hair, or how I’ve built my business.
More than a decade ago I was working for a traditional PR company and as a television producer, dealing with the industry rigamarole, knowing that something greater was around the corner. When my production company downsized and I lost my job, I seized that opportunity to reassess my career goals and open up my own agency. Named after my first born daughter, Skai, and related to my study of color psychology, I decided to use “Blue,” as it translates to trust, authenticity, serenity, and reliability. I founded Skai Blue Media to start an agency that was authentic to my own experience as a creative storyteller, TV producer, and strategic communicator.The fact that I am a Black woman thriving in this industry for 10 years is not lost on me; we have built something special and will continue to represent some of the most recognizable brands and individuals across the globe.Rakia: As someone who is passionate about color theory, storytelling, and personal branding techniques, I always advise our clients to focus their branding efforts on six building blocks, with each block representing an element upon which a sustainable brand is built upon. These Core Brand Values are relayed through verbal, non-verbal, visual, and written communications, and expressed via social media, traditional media, and connected through digital humanity (how you interact and connect with your network online in the digital world).