GLAAACC Celebrates Women In Technology

Full Article by LA Sentinel https://lasentinel.net/glaaacc-celebrates-women-in-technology.html

In celebration of Black women who have persevered and broke through the tech industry’s glass ceiling, the Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce hosted its 6th Annual Women in the C-Suite.

Four women who beat the odds and operate successful businesses in the seemingly impenetrable technology industry “spilled the tea” and shared their tips and triumphs to a capacity crowd at the London Hotel in Hollywood in early November.

 
women standing and smiling

“During the pandemic, 41% of all African American businesses across the country went out of business permanently. Seventy-five percent of those were women-owned businesses,” Hale said. “There’s work to be done and we’re here to help.”

Keynote speaker and GLAAACC’s 2023 Women in the C-Suite Trailblazer Honoree Sheila Marmon is founder and CEO of Mirror Digital, Inc. an interactive media and advertising company focused on connecting brands to the growing U.S. multicultural market. Marmon’s 15 years of experience in new business development, digital media development, strategy and planning has made her a leader in digital marketing.

Angela with Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce

In her keynote address, Marmon stressed that in business and in life, pursuing your passion is more important than the passion itself.

“The common thread to success is launching your business and going for it,” Mormon said. “If you don’t go out in the world and try to make it happen, if you don’t shoot your shot, you can never win because you are not even in the game.”

Microsoft Director of Executive Engagement and External Talent Celeste Alleyne moderated Women in the C-Suite’s panel of four technology executives. Alleyne leads Microsoft’s internal “talent agency” ensuring the company’s senior executives and external talent (celebrities, hosts, thought leaders) have a positive and successful event experience – both digital and live.

Alleyne led the four panelists through a series of questions regarding overcoming challenges, how to select a sponsor, the tech economy, code-switching, brand building, and the role of artificial intelligence. Each executive conveyed key lessons learned on their journey to the C-Suite.

Panelist Cassie Betts shared her story of going from homeless at 19 to becoming a leading advocate for women and minority-owned businesses. Betts is a self-described serial entrepreneur and the founder of Made in South LA, where she trains youth and young adults to become software engineers. She also hosts the KBLA 1580 AM radio talk show, “Talk tech to me.”

Betts said she has been aided in her career by women who saw her drive and championed her many ventures. “I feel like if you’re doing what you’re supposed to be doing and you keep it moving it forward, they will come to you,” Betts said. “Success is not about the dollars in your account. It’s about completing the goal that you set for yourself.”

Nielle Cook founded Avercom Virtual Solutions, an information technology consulting and design company focused on digital conversion using customer data and social media monetization. Cook advocates for black women to focus on their bottom line.

“I found that what was most helpful for us was revenue-focused everything. Revenue first for everything that we do,” Cook said. “A lot of the pathways that work for traditional businesses don’t exist for us. We have to throw that away and create our own playbook.”

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