Hawa Diallo, Desiree Frieson, others Inspire as Cinergy Entertainment, Sanicle host Wakanda Forever Summit

Themed’ Celebrating Women Extraordinary X’, the event was a gathering of 100 of the most powerful women to connect and discuss how to build the next generation of Extraordinary Women. The event also underscores the need to intensify efforts to eliminate the strains of inequality and gender bias in society.

“On November 11 2022, declare for the celebration of the Women of Wakanda Virtual Summit and Special Screening under the framework of Wakanda Forever let’s recommit our energies to achieving true and irreversible gender inequality because we all benefit when women have the opportunity to lead and to rise for all by showcasing women innovation like Period Genie,” Chaste Inegbedion, Principal Product Manager,Sanicle.

Sanicle’s innovative initiatives and campaigns, such as The Period Passport Book, Period Genie game, Period Genie Animated Short film, sets out to educate, raise awareness, and, most importantly, generate opportunities for dignified conversations about a young girl’s journey from menarche to menopause. The virtual event was hosted by Anitra Parish of National Women’s Political Caucus.

The Goodwill remarks about Black infrastructure were from Lawrence Watkins of Atento Capital, Speakers from Apple, Thomas Reuters, Deloitte, Northrop Grumman, TanTV and the US Department of State were present. Faith Okereke opened and closed the virtual summit with a song.

“Storytelling allows us to really recount scenes from our own lives and share experiences with others across generations weaving together a tapestry of strength and a frailty an ease, boldness and timidity our Words really shaped the way our experiences are heard, and how they can transform various parts of our lives, whether it’s the arts, education, science, medicine, or you know personal things in our lives that really help us chart our path forward as a society and as communities,” says Hawa Taylor-Kamara Diallo, UN Dept of Global Communications. “It is only with women and girls at the center of our efforts that we have the best chance to succeed in addressing our current and pressing global challenges; from the climate emergency to gender-based violence, political divisions and to a sustainable recovery from this global pandemic,” said Hawa Diallo, Chief Civil Society Unit, United Nations.

“The SDGs reflect the commitment made by member states in this region over the past forty years thanks to the efforts and sacrifices of women activists and feminist movements.

Adrian Ogan, Sales Manager, Cinergy, said, “Achieving all-round, sustained development in society requires achieving parity in every stratum of every organization – be it in government or private. Women and men both have invaluable contributions to make that bear the unique imprints coloured by gender characteristics and tendencies. The point of impact investing is to use money and investment capital for positive social results.”

“I grew up in a house full of women, and I am one of five girls. My parents split up, and I went to live with my dad for a while. I was not gonna talk to him about my period. He was not gonna talk to me about it except to get me pads when I needed it. Over the last few years there has been more spotlight put on menstruation. Our plant based organic period box, A Plant-based Organic Period box, curated by Sanicle, is an excellent solution for that time of the month that is kind to the planet and people and includes items that help with symptoms girls and women experience during menstruation. In addition, this care box helps girls understand the benefits of plant-based period products and addresses specific period-related concerns such as painful, heavy, or irregular periods and self-care techniques.” – Roxanne Stewart, CEO Sanicle

One panel was about the longevity of legacy through storytelling with Pamela D. Marshall, Zaakirah Muhammad, Lia Miller, Funmi Eko, and Adedayo Fashanu.
“Now these [social media] platforms that are allowing voices from all over the globe to tell our stories, to bring our magic forward, as Wakanda represents, we are able to not worry about whether or not somebody else is telling our stories; we’re telling our stories today”. Zaakirah Muhammad, CEO Phocused Media Group, one of the Media panelists shared her childhood cancer story in honor of late Chadwick Boseman who died of Colon Cancer. “Don’t be afraid to be a narrative corrector, a narrative changer,” says Lia Miller.

The Entrepreneurship panelists Tameca Johnson, Chi Ilochi, Shatora Adrell, Lisa Love of Tanoshi, and Anie Akpe of African Women in Tech, say “entrepreneurship is key in all of our lives. It helps us not only create opportunities for ourselves, but for others.”

Impact Investment panelists Patience Gitau, Adrian Ogans, Isoken Ibie, and Shawna Curran says “women of color, and in particular black women, know that coming into the industry is one thing, but being able to stay in the industry and thrive in the industry is something different.”

Tech Jobs/Remote Working panelists Shakira Monet Johnson, Nicole Evans, Amanda Peterson, Ruth Jeremiah, and Danielle Smith suggest, “If you want to transfer into tech, don’t overlook those staffing agencies; having a network of people around you who will pour into you, can help validate your position.”

Desiree Frieson was virtually present in a closing Keynote that chronicles the stories of Women who have shaped societies. She shares, “We learn from Wakanda, when the community is strong you can move even farther and so hopefully everyone is seeking to learn how they can develop their skill sets professionally and personally by leaning into new sources and new challenges.”

The event wrapped with a HeforShe panel with Chaste Inegbedion of Sanicle, Yeves Perez of Workbnb, David Tollette of Typros, Chibueze Okereke, Olanrewaju Adewole, Stephen Oguntoyinbo and Wantoe Wantoe from UN. Some takeaways include.”Be as strategic as possible. Find little things about your business that can work in the way of partnerships.” and “women hold everything together, and as men we have to be of service to women at all times.”

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