Just Ad Flava

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EVENT OVERVIEW

On February 24, Fluorescent ERG, VMLY&R's Black employee resource group hosted the agency's second annual Just Ad Flava, a half-day virtual conference centered on the national theme of Black health and wellness. Together, we explored a series of meaningful and relevant topics such as health, wellness, and culture within the advertising industry and beyond.

This year's conference featured a carefully curated line-up of our VMLY&R employees and clients—and even some notable guest speakers including Randy Jackson, Grammy Award-winning producer and music executive, and Tianna Bartoletta (Madison), 3x Olympic track-and-field gold medalist.

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EVENT SPEAKERS

A picture of Randy Jackson.

RANDY JACKSON 
Entertainer & Entrepreneur

Website Twitter

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A picture of Tianna Bartoletta.

TIANNA BARTOLETTA (MADISON) 
3x Olympic Track & Field Gold Medalist

Website Instagram

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A picture of Rego Marquiis.

REGO MARQUIIS 
Head of Creative, Walgreens

LinkedIn

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Valerie Waller.

VALERIE BARKER WALLER 
SVP & CMO, YMCA of the USA

LinkedIn

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Phillip Schermer.

PHIL SCHERMER 
Founder, Project Healthy Minds

LinkedIn 

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Othelia Pryor.

OTHELIA PRYOR, PHD 
Senior Project Manager, Pathways Learners & Leaders Program

Website

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Jon Cook.

JON COOK 
Global CEO, VMLY&R

Website LinkedIn

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Walt Geer.

WALTER GEER 
ECD, Experience Design, VMLY&R

LinkedIn Instagram

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Juliet Moffett.

JULIET MOFFAT 
Managing Director, Client Engagement, VMLY&R

LinkedIn

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Nikeisha Beckford.

NIKEISHA BECKFORD 
Group Director, Client Engagement & Fluorescent Co-Chair, VMLY&R

LinkedIn 

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Rick Bowden.

RICK BOWDEN 
Operations Manager & Fluorescent Co-Chair, VMLY&R

LinkedIn 

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Brandee Lake.

BRANDEE LAKE 
Just Ad Flava Chair & Fluorescent Co-Chair, VMLY&R

LinkedIn 

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Louis Byrd.

LOUIS BYRD 
Director, Experience Design, VMLY&R

LinkedIn

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Sarah Hodge.

SARAH HODGE 
Associate Director, Experience Strategy, VMLY&R

LinkedIn 

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Chioma Nwana.

CHIOMA NWANA 
Community Content Manager, VMLY&R

LinkedIn

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Kali Washington.

KALI WASHINGTON 
Just Ad Flava DJ

LinkedIn 

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RECORDED SESSIONS

Image of Fluorescent co-chairs delivering opening comments.
INTRO AND WELCOME

A warm welcome to the 2022 Just Ad Flava conference delivered by Nikeisha Beckford, Rick Bowden, and Brandee Lake, Fluorescent co-chairs.

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Image of speakers at Just Ad Flava.
FIX YOUR CROWN

A fireside chat between Tianna Bartoletta (Madison), 3x Olympic track & field gold medalist, and Nikeisha Beckford, Fluorescent co-chair, on navigating mental and emotional wellness when the weight of your crown starts to feel heavy.

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Image of speakers at Just Ad Flava.
HEALTH EQUITY IS NOT A TREND

A panel discussion on the state of health equity in the Black community, its social determinants, and the intersections between various dimensions of wellness.

The panel featured Brandee Lake, Fluorescent co-chair; Phil Schermer, founder of Project Healthy Minds; Othelia Pryor, senior project manager at Pathways Learners & Leaders Program; Rego Marquiis, head of creative at Walgreens; and Louis Byrd, director of experience design at VMLY&R.

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Image of speakers at Just Ad Flava.
FIND YOUR Y

From birthday parties to pick-up games, the YMCA was the home of many of our fondest childhood memories. Valerie Barker Waller, SVP and CMO at YMCA, and Juliet Moffat, managing director of client engagement at VMLY&R, discussed how the Y is evolving to meet the integral needs of local communities.

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Image of speakers at Just Ad Flava.
DEAR BLACK TALENT

The website dearblacktalent.com is a platform created to connect Black professionals with advertising and marketing agencies. Amber Chenevert, group director of strategy and insights at VMLY&R, and Jennifer Mack, senior marketing manager at VMLY&R, took some time to share more about this innovative and exciting initiative.

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Image of speakers at Just Ad Flava.
WHAT'S UP DAWG? HOW'S YOUR HEALTH?

The past two years of remote working have changed our relationship with health. And when busy meets the body, the results aren't always great. Randy Jackson, Grammy Award-winning producer and music executive, sat with Walter Geer, executive creative director of experience design at VMLY&R, to speak about his transformation to a holistic health lifestyle in the midst of a demanding schedule.

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Image of speakers at Just Ad Flava.
CLOSING REMARKS

Jon Cook, global CEO at VMLY&R, sat with Nikeisha Beckford, Rick Bowden, and Brandee Lake, Fluorescent co-chairs, to reflect on the 2022 Just Ad Flava conference and look ahead at what is to come throughout the remainder of the year.

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NON-RECORDED* SESSIONS

Checking In session banner.
CHECKING IN

This interactive session was an offering to anyone interested in learning about available mental health resources, sharing their personal triumphs and struggles, or listening to other attendees discuss their mental health journeys. We created a space for everyone to bring their whole selves to the conversation.

*In an effort to honor and protect the personal stories shared by speakers and attendees alike, this session was not recorded.

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Bruh, Get Checked session banner.
BRUH, GET CHECKED!

The apprehension around doctor visits is understood. However, it leads to alarming statistics—like Black men being 30% more likely to die from prostate cancer, a treatable disease. This session explored how establishing a team of medical professionals and an accountability circle can help you stay vigilant with your health to get more out of life.

*In an effort to honor and protect the personal stories shared by speakers and attendees alike, this session was not recorded.

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Sis, You Good session banner.
SIS, YOU GOOD?

This session was dedicated to Black womxn and covered tuning your attention to your body and trusting that you know it best. During the conversation, attendees shared honest experiences and learnings about navigating the healthcare system and left encouraged and equipped with the confidence to advocate for your health.

*In an effort to honor and protect the personal stories shared by speakers and attendees alike, this session was not recorded.

 

 

 

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