Fluent Voices: Celebrating the Culture and Contributions of the Black Community
Fluent Voices is a blog series designed to give employees across all levels and departments within our organization the opportunity to share their unique stories and passions. In celebration of Black History Month, the team at Fluent reflects on the the achievements and contributions of the Black community and shares words of advice for the next generation of Black leaders. Stay tuned throughout the year as we continue to feature and celebrate more of the people that help to shape our culture at Fluent.
Reflections on Where We’ve Come From and Where We’re Going
Jessica Jeffers
Director, Media Strategy, AdParlor
What led you to your current role at AdParlor?
“I’ve had a very exciting journey. I originally joined AdParlor in June 2020 on the Performance Team and spent the year growing in my then role as Senior Media Manager – working on scaling our performance clients and buying on behalf of some of our Fluent Properties. I learned so much in a year and worked closely with Brooke Robinson who really mentored me to take on more of a leadership position within the team. In January, I was promoted to Director, Media Strategy and the rest is history.”
Name your current favorites:
- Watching: Ozark, The Apprentice (UK), Real Housewives of Orange County
What does Black History Month mean to you?
“Black History Month is one of the most important times of reflection – to figure out where our community has come from, where it is, and where it’s going. For all (myself included), it is also a time to educate ourselves and learn about our history. There are so many significant leaders and trailblazers that have got us to where we are today, and their stories are so impactful. I also see it as a time to sit down with my family and understand their feelings and their journeys. My Mum moved to the UK from Ghana in the 70s and my dad in the 60s and so they have seen and experienced an incredible number of moments that have shaped where we are today. They are both role models to me in that sense and I count myself so lucky that I can learn from them in a way that I can pass that information on to generations to come.”
If you could sit down for dinner with any influential Black figure from the past or present, who would you choose and why?
“It would be Viola Davis. She’s a great actress, but first and foremost, she is a powerful, strong Black woman and I really admire her as an individual. She speaks openly in public about her experiences growing up and the challenges she faced in being recognized and taken seriously within her industry. It would be wonderful to sit down with her and hear those raw details first-hand, and harness that as I continue my journey to represent the Black community in years to come.”
What is one piece of advice you’d give to the next generation of Black leaders?
“You CAN do it! It took time for me to achieve the role of a leader in the workplace and I couldn’t be more proud to have received my first promotion to a director role within the Performance Team at AdParlor. Brooke Robinson (VP, Performance) saw the potential I had, and it is an opportunity to show the next generation that working hard can and will get you there. So, keep going and believe in yourself because it’s a wonderful feeling to see all the hard work you have put in pay off!”
What is one thing you would like to see change in the world?
“A lot has changed and progressed since the Black Lives Matter Movement and as with any community, there is a way to go until we are THERE. I would say that I would like to continue to see more of those raw discussions, that allow people like myself to be vulnerable but also to help us move forward.”
Moyin Bamgboye
Content Marketing Manager, AdParlor
Name your current favorites:
- Watching: Inventing Anna
- Reading: Nearly All The Men In Lagos Are Mad by Damilare Kuku
What does Black History Month mean to you?
“It’s a celebration of Blackness – our history, culture, and contributions to society as we know it. I like to read about and reflect on the character and sacrifices of those who have fought for the rights that we have today.”
If you could sit down for dinner with any influential Black figure from the past or present, who would you choose and why?
“Margaret Ekpo! She was a Nigerian women’s rights activist and social mobilizer. She was a pioneer female politician in the country who fought against British colonial rule. I’d want to understand where her will and doggedness came from and what she thinks of how far we have come.”
What is one piece of advice you’d give to the next generation of Black leaders?
“Stay true to your purpose and continue to share your success stories to inspire and encourage others.”
If you liked this post and want to hear more from our team, check out the full Fluent Voices blog series here.