New York University’s Organization of Black Women and Women On The Move hosted its 9th Annual panel in honor of Women’s month to celebrate pioneering women on Wednesday, March 25, 2015.
This eventful evening was held at NYU’s breathtaking floor to ceiling glass auditorium at the top of the Kimmel Center, which gave attendees a 360 view of New York city’s skyline. Panelists included Grammy award winning singer – Estelle, Journalist/NYU professor – Kathy Iandoli, Supermodel – Jessica White, President of Roc Nation Records and Artist manager – Chaka Pilgrim. The panelists were joined by moderator Dee Vasquez and DJ – DJ Jazzy Joyce, who kept the crowd entertained.
The panel was created to inform, educate, and empower young women by collaborating with strong female industry leaders who’s focus was to give students’ incredible insight on how to brand themselves, create their own careers and become their own bosses.
New York University students, entertainment executives, and media enjoyed an insightful panel from an eclectic group of women who gave very diverse perspectives on life, success, and the balance thereof. The panelists opened up in a very rare and intimate form on how they became successful, challenges they faced in their careers, and how they rose above it all. These women go against all the mainstream misconceptions about women in the entertainment industry. Jessica White pushed through all the barriers of being a black model in a high fashion industry. Kathy who writes for Vice, Billboard, Rolling Stone and Hip HopDX, took education to the next level and is now a professor at NYU. Estelle defeated the stereotypes and ideals of what a pop singer is supposed to be and won a Grammy to prove it. She’s now enjoying the success of selling one of the highest selling songs on ITUNES, Conqueror from the popular series Empire. Chaka Pilgrim started with Jay-Z at the very start of Roc-a-fella Records and pushed through all obstacles and made them success stories. Now at the very top of the totem pole as President of his company. They all explained, in different versions, the importance of maximizing opportunities given, creating a platform for a successful business, and always staying true to yourself.
“Chaka is someone to admire and look up to. She has laid out the blueprint of how to make a career in the music business”, says founder Amber Ravenel.
The evening ended with WomenOnTheMove.org honoring pioneering woman, Chaka Pilgrim, for all her accomplishments and contributions to the entertainment industry. She was congratulated in a video montage by some of her fellow Roc Nation artists – Rita Ora and J Cole, Roc Nation staff – Lenny S and Jana Fleishman, Adrienne Bailon, friends in the industry, family, and ended with a special congrats from Chaka’s daughter. The award was presented by Chaka Pilgrim’s sister who gave a heartwarming speech on how special and hardworking Chaka is in her personal life and in her career.
In the past, WOTM has had incredible speakers such as journalist and Political industry tycoon, Danyel Smith, author, NBC Talk Stoop’s Cat Greenleaf, Angela Simmons, Brand Strategist Karen Civil, and District 21 Council Member Julissa Ferreras (the first elected Latina council in the borough of Queens).
