It was more than just a “Tuesday Girls’ Night Out” at AYZA Wine & Chocolate Bar in New York City, it was an opportunity for industry influencers and accomplished women to gather and share intellectual capital. The NABFEME “Smart Women Meet Up” was one of many get-togethers around the country, including Toronto, on a mission to reignite the NABFEME’s fire.
NABFEME, an acronym for the National Association of Black Female Executives in Music & Entertainment, Inc., is a non-profit organization, led by music and entertainment industry leaders. Its mission is to raise the awareness of women of color and the contributions they make to entertainment, NABFEME strives to encourage excellence while providing networking and support opportunities for women in music and entertainment and complementary disciplines like finance, real estate, beauty, fashion, media, etc.
New York is where it all started for the 12-year-old women’s organization that has been on a hiatus in terms of hosting events like the Celebrity Mom’s Luncheon, Women Who Jam and operating their College Rep and Mentor programs.
During the brief recess, the bond between the women has remained strong as it was apparent when former Island Def Jam VP and NABFEME’s founder Johnnie Walker and the evening’s organizers Sheila Jenkins and Kristian Buchanan were able to assemble more than a dozen goal-minded women who traveled from as far as Atlanta and Washington, D.C. eager to “regenerate” and restart.
The members wield influence, exchange a wealth of ideas, strategies and connections and praise one another for accomplishments like raising a billion dollars for programs and events and being a quiet force and having an instrumental hand in the success of entertainers like 50 Cent, Fat Joe, Fabulous, 2 Live Crew, Snoop Dogg, the Ruff Ryders and other notable celebrities.
The women’s network is currently renewing memberships and accepting new members. Women who have an interest in building, long-term mutually beneficial relationships and are on the path to their destinies are encouraged to join.
Please visit nabfeme.org for more information. –yvette caslin
