View the session recordings below.
On March 20, the Detroit Regional Chamber and Wellness Works partnered with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan to host its annual International Women’s Day event to celebrate personal and professional well-being. In between the many activities during the event, the audience heard from four women about their career journeys.
Princess Castleberry, Chief Executive Officer of Castleberry Global, highlighted that inclusivity and empowerment are not just buzzwords but rather that they are foundational pillars for creating a supportive environment for women to thrive. She delved into the concept of “The Zone” and the transformative power it holds for women everywhere on the journey of self-discovery and empowerment.
Castleberry outlined eight essential steps that occur when one is in “The Zone,” ranging from self-reflection to managing stress and embracing healthy conflict. Each step underscores the importance of self-awareness, resilience, and women’s ability to navigate challenges effectively. By encouraging women to embrace their strengths, reconcile their past, and confront their fears, Castleberry empowered the audience to step outside their own zones of comfort, growing confident in their authentic selves.
Nutrena Tate, President and Chief Executive Officer of Brand Nu Consulting Inc., encouraged the audience to embrace their uniqueness and value their worth. She urged women to break free from the constraints of invisibility within society and reclaim their power without negotiating their worth. Tate shared her experiences to emphasize the importance of acknowledging and addressing feelings of invisibility and exclusion, using them as armor and fuel to reinforce self-worth. She also highlighted the importance of embracing authenticity to discover your worth and build a strong community of diversity.
Tate also shared that embracing authenticity is essential to discovering your worth, saying, “Nobody compares to you. You ultimately have to know your brand — you have to know what you stand for.” From mentors and family to friends and colleagues, Tate found that it encourages empathy and a stronger sense of connection towards other women who are also experiencing their struggles and doubts on the journey to discovering self-worth.
Deirdre Young, Chief Diversity Officer and Assistant Dean of the Office for Institutional Equity and Inclusion for the College for Creative Studies, highlighted the transformative impact of inclusivity and underscored the role of women for economic growth and empowerment by sharing measures that individuals can take to inspire change in their communities and workplaces. Young’s speech began with a simple yet profound question: “Why not inclusion?” which challenged individuals to confront their biases and actively seek ways to promote inclusivity in their daily interactions. Through encouraging introspection and reflection, Young set the stage for a conversation about the importance of diversity in driving innovation and success.
She also urged individuals to continue pushing forward, even in the face of adversity, and never to let anyone dim their light. “As long as you keep going, you are enough,” she declared, inspiring individuals to embrace their authentic selves and strive for a future where inclusivity reigns supreme. Further, workplaces can each make unique contributions to their shared goals by rising above biases and inviting others to foster inclusivity, particularly in the workplace. By embracing inclusivity and inviting others to join the journey, individuals can pave the way for a brighter, more equitable future.
KimArie Yowell, Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer of Rocket Companies and Chief Learning Officer of Rocket Central, emphasized women’s depth, complexity, and resiliency. She highlighted how beauty transcends superficial standards and is defined by the light within everyone. Quoting her grandmother, Yowell underscores the importance of embracing inner beauty and uniqueness rather than solely relying on external appearance.
Yowell called upon the audience to embrace their inner beauty, unleash their brilliance, and set firm yet gentle boundaries. She emphasized that together, women have the power to create a world where they are celebrated, their brilliance is recognized, and their boundaries are respected.