The Foundation: Year In Review
In 2019 we achieved great success with your support and commitment.
The Foundation measures its impact several ways, by the number of people who benefit from our initiatives, transformations that occur as a result of our programs, and ultimately, how we increase the diversity within the talent pipeline to reflect all communities.
Take a look at some of the highlights…
We kicked off 2019, hosting our “Icons, Rock Stars, & Innovators” online exhibit and recognition ceremony. In its 2nd year “Icons & Rock Stars” expanded to include, “Innovators” as a way to pay homage to industry icons, elevate today’s rock stars, and promote contributions made by African-Americans in the history of advertising, marketing, & media. In partnership with the Mixed Company podcast we were able to collect amazing stories of our selected honorees. Sadly, we captured an industry icon, Sheldon Levy’s last interview before his passing. You will always be in our thoughts Sheldon!
Missed it? Check it out here!
The Foundation’s Summer Internship PLACEMENT PROGRAM continued to make significant progress in attracting & changing the future DNA of our industry with 25 amazing interns from every walk of life.
The Women:NOW2019 Master Class, was HUGE! More than 350 women poured into the historic Altman Building to soak up insightful conversation with some of the industry’s most savvy thought leaders and executive coaches. The 2019 theme embodied the notion of “Defining Our Moment.” The day concluded with the introduction of the new class of i’mPART Fellows—15 in total. A standout program in its fourth year, elevating mid-level professionals to the executive level. Learn more!
Swag Courtesy of Soul & Ink onsite printing – Design by Simeon Coker 
Mia Roberts, Executive Facilitator, VP, Strategic Partnerships, Big Sister Assoc. of Greater Boston 
Lisa Feigen Dugal & Kyla-Gaye Barrett, Diversity & Inclusion Facilitators, PwC 
Nadia Masri, CEO & Founder, Perksy 
Kai Deveraux Lawson, Director of Community Engagement, Global Culture, WPP 
Karinna Schultz aka DJHollaFyeSixOne, Rapper, i’mPART Fellow 2018 
Shanell Simmons, i’mPART Fellow 2018 
Sindhuri Bhimavarapu, i’mPART Fellow 2018 
Shaquana Joseph, i’mPART Fellow 2016, Client Partner, Twitter 
Jessalin Lam, Director, Precision Marketing Academy, Nissan United | i’mPART Fellow 2018 
Gina Grillo, President/CEO, The ADVERTISING Club of New York 
Women:NOW2019 Master Class 
Valerie Graves, Author, Former Chief Creative Officer, Vigilante & UWG 
Valerie Graves, moderator, Panel “Manage Your Heat” 
Co-Chair, Sandra Sims-Williams, Senior Vice President of Diversity & Inclusion, Nielsen Global Media – Co-Chair, Laurel Rossi, CMO, Organic – ACNY Foundation & Inclusion Director & Event Producer, Ericka Riggs 
Tiffany R. Warren, Senior VP, Chief Diversity Officer, Omnicom Group – Founder & President, ADCOLOR 
Rakia Reynolds, Founder & CEO Skai Blue Media 
Felicia Geiger, Talent Executive 
Minjae Ormes, CMO, Visible
The Culture Club brought us together to showcase the hidden talents and passion projects of our creative community…culture has the power of bringing us together – highlighting the fact that we are more alike, than we are different.
The i’mPART Fellowship continued to thrive in its 4th year. In 2019 our commitment to retain more diverse talent and promote more women into leadership positions was stronger than ever. We expanded the program class from 10 to 15; provided each Fellow access to over 15 conferences & seminars, PwC executive training & other high level networking opportunities. To date we have helped over 50 women pursue their higher level career goals. The Foundation’s Fellowship model is propelling women forward and manifesting positive outcomes. Learn how!
The 16th Annual ADFUTURES Pitch Competition housed over 150 NYC Highschoolers in a day of healthy competition and learning. ADFUTURES focuses on promoting advertising to students who do not originally have access to the industry.
Join us in 2020! To get involved with The Foundation contact Ericka Riggs at ericka@theadvertisingclub.org