Spotify presents “The Opening Act” HBCU Conference experience. Eager and talented students that attend Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU), with an interest in the music-tech and media industries can apply for an all expense paid trip to New York for this conference! Learn more here!

Blue Studios Parent Open House

Join the Blue Studios parent open house 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm on: Aug. 16th, 23rd, or 30th. Register here!

THE RECAP

Tech Transit Talk with Women in Leadership at CTA

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) held a Tech Transit Talk in early July showcasing women in leadership in the transit industry. Attendees were able to get a first account of the impressive careers of CTA’s strategic leadership, the panelists included Chief of Staff Sylvia Garcia, Chief of Strategy and Technology Veronica Alanis and the Chief Planning Officer Carol Morey.  One major take away from this panel, “all things do not occur in a straight line, our personal and professional journeys are indeed a jungle gym”.

Carole reminded us to wear many hats throughout our careers, each new venture will challenge our comfort zones. Veronica left us with some pointed and powerful words, “navigating a career as a minority is a uphill journey but for every opposer, there are many more that are willing to support you and even more that are willing to follow you”. Sylvia recounted her days as a recent graduate from DePaul University cold calling in pursuit of an opportunity with the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Although she recalls a number of “curves”, Sylvia highlighted the priceless relationships she made along the way. From Presidential Management Fellow in Washington D.C. to CFO of the Department of Transportation and now Chief of Staff at CTA, all by at 31, Garcia made a path where one didn’t exist.

The League of Superwomen: A Powerful Discussion of Entrepreneurship

Memoirs of a Panel-a-holic,

Confession time! I’ve been to a ton of panels and I have to admit some of them start to sound the same. Any forum that allows for an open and honest discussion surrounding the trial ,error and triumphs of entrepreneurship gets a sure vote of “h*** yes” from me! Rendel Solomon of One Stock One Future and the League of Superwomen changed all of that for me and many others in the room. The Chicago Center for Arts & Technology was the perfect backdrop to host Chicago’s very own super women leading the way in entrepreneurship.

Watchen ” The Compass” Nyanue called out the pressures of society; “We carry expectations from our parents, society and so much more. Success is forging your path to freedom”. We were challenged to define what freedom meant to us, both on a personal and professional level. FREEDOM! Be unwilling to leave yourself at the door because your professionalism is rooted in your identity, there is NO compromise. PERIOD!  Erica ” Sister Scientist” Douglass gave us all a reality check, “You can save yourself from failure but you are going to have to invest!’. Often times we commit to having everyone else’s back but we have to remember ‘I GOT ME!’”. She went on to say,”If I can do it for them, I can most certainly do it for myself”.

Chris-Tia ” The Naturalista” Donaldson literally opened our eyes to the blood, sweat, tears of entrepreneurship, ” There is nothing pretty about chasing your goals, you have to go after them like a junkyard dog!”. You have to be willing to “put skin in the game, put in your own sweat equity before you expect others to!”. Keisha “The Futurist” Howard had everyone in the room jotting down notes of encouragement when she reminded us the learning curve of entrepreneurship is steep but it’s totally normal!

There was one final question from the audience seeking advice on the quest for mentorship, our panelists provided the perfect answer: “Don’t focus so much on seeking mentorship, focus more on being a person that someone wants to mentor”. I can confirm without a doubt that everyone in the audience had similar thoughts at that exact moment, “Wow, wise words from truly spectacular superwomen!”  Check out the event photos here!

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