Charlotte Profiles In Color (PINC)

Everyone's talking about these videos - but not the Black woman behind them. (What’s new though). Not sure if y'all forgot, but it's still Black History Month - so we're going to talk about this legend today. Meet Alexis Powell. A lot of y'all are running around saying, "Aaron Pierre that's Mufasaaaa!" But not a lot of y'all know that a Howard grad is behind ALL of this magic! Let me tell you how she turned a morning hallway greeting into The Jennifer Hudson Show's biggest brand moment: 2 billion views. 627% rise in impressions. All because someone listened to the youngest person in the room. Here's what happened: → Staff used to greet Jennifer with a 'spirit tunnel' every morning → Alexis saw an opportunity to elevate these with the guests → Leadership actually listened (imagine that!) → Now it's the show's most viral segment, with everyone from Usher to Michelle Obama feeling that energy This isn't just about a viral moment. This is about what happens when you create space for every voice at the table. The data tells us something powerful: → 76% of viewers actively seek joy-bringing content (Nielsen) → 88% share moments that make them feel connected (Psychology Today) → Positive content goes viral 3x faster than negative (HBR) → Companies with inclusive cultures are 2x more likely to exceed targets (Deloitte) The Spirit Tunnel proves it: → 2 billion+ views from amplifying authentic culture → 119% TikTok growth by letting young talent lead → 627% rise in impressions through fresh perspectives → Season 4 renewal because real recognizes real Here's the blueprint (we're getting tactical today): → Create weekly innovation sessions where EVERYONE (yes, even interns) can pitch ideas → Stop gatekeeping creativity behind titles and years of experience → Give junior team members a real budget to test their ideas → When something works, let them LEAD it (not just execute while someone else takes credit) → Document the wins so other companies can learn (like we're doing right now) Let's be honest: Your next billion-dollar idea might come from the person taking notes. Your viral moment might be pitched by the newest hire. Your brand's future might be sitting in your cubicles and not the leadership boardroom (oop). You just have to be humble enough to listen. And brave enough to let them run with it. (Shoutout to Alexis for bringing the culture to mainstream TV - and shoutout to Jennifer Hudson for creating a culture where every voice matters ??) ????? P.S. Whats been your favorite spirit tunnel so far?

Last week, I had the privilege of facilitating a “Needs and Leads” workshop for the Wharton Black MBA Alumni Association during our inaugural retreat in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Of course, it wouldn’t be me if I didn’t find a way to incorporate some AI into the mix! After discussing the ground rules for the session to ensure everyone would benefit from safety and support, I encouraged participants to use AI as a thought partner to map out their dream life and create a plan to achieve it. This was a deeply personal exercise—something just for themselves, but an incredibly helpful tool for identifying what they truly needed and how others could support them. It was amazing to see how AI helped participants think through their aspirations, concerns, actionable next steps and their asks for support. Because it was such a hit, I wanted to share the same prompt with all of you. If you’re looking to take a fresh approach to planning your dream life, give this a try and let me know how it works for you! And if you’re interested in hosting a similar workshop, feel free to DM me. Let’s create space for dreaming and action! Workshop Prompt: “I want to create a detailed 3-6 month plan for my dream life, including key success metrics to track. Over the next 3-5 years, I envision myself achieving the following: (Describe your 3-5 year dreams in detail—be specific!) My biggest concerns or challenges include: [list any fears, obstacles, or uncertainties]. I’m attaching my resume/profile to provide more context. Before we begin, please ask any questions that would help clarify how I can best move forward, and then provide a detailed 3-6 month action plan to make meaningful progress toward my long-term vision.” That’s the prompt. You can use ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, CoPilot or other preferred AI assistant. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts! The Wharton School

Blossoming Connections networking experience is here! Join us on Sat, May 4, 2024, from 11 AM - 1 PM at Central Piedmont Community College Parr Center for a springtime gathering of like-minded individuals. Early bird tickets are selling fast, so secure yours now for the opportunity to network, forge connections, and receive a complimentary professional headshot! ?? See you there! https://lnkd.in/ecxd_4Zx

ASC Founders Grants applications are now open! Founders Grants seek to support artists who build community by engaging Charlotte-Mecklenburg residents through innovative cultural experiences. Applicants should demonstrate an ongoing commitment to the creative community. In 2024, ASC will award up to five $50,000 Founders Grants. Applications are open through April 29, 2024, at noon. These grants are made possible by the Infusion Fund and its generous donors. Learn more and apply: bit.ly/3U0ikv9 Pictured: ASC's inaugural Founders Grants recipients: (top row, from left) MyLoan Dinh, Hannah Hasan and Dammit Wesley; (bottom row, from left) Jermaine Nakia Lee, Robin Tynes-Miller and Camerin Watson.