Essence Ventures: The Power of Values and being Valued.

Jan 4, 2018 | Business, Coaching, collaboration, conference, Diversity & Inclusion, empowerment, Events, global, leadership, marketing, positively powerful woman, ppwa 2017, PPWA 2018, relationships, STEM, strength, techology, transformation, Women

Essence Ventures: The Power of Values and being Valued.

“Values are the morals that we live by. They reside deep within us, and they affect our emotions. They are tough to alter, and often reside in our unconsciousness” (Source: How To Be A Positively Powerful Person! The Spirit-Filled Edition. Dr. Joel Martin).

Values keep us healthy — emotionally, spiritually, and physically. They are the ones that we must unquestionably keep, and the ones that must direct our actions. Our values are our strengths. As a consultant, executive coach and facilitator, I’ve been called me ‘The Transformation Generator’ for a reason. My unwavering promise is that I make sure the people I work for achieve their ULTIMATE goals in life and business. I value what they value and their missions as my own. The value that keeps me motivated is commitment.

Dr. Joel P. Martin, now President of Positively Powerful / Triad West, Inc. and daughter, Cybel Martin, now ICG Local 600 Director of Photography.

So, I had an emotional response when I read that Essence magazine, a client of my ad agency years ago, is Black owned once again. The values Essence personified were acknowledgment, respect and commitment. They were committed to bringing equity and equality as “a marquee lifestyle brand for African American women.”

Congratulations to “@Essence Ventures LLC, a company launched in 2017 by Shea Moisture founder Richelieu Dennis. As a result, the Essence brand has returned to a 100% black-owned independent company, after 12 years of being owned by Time.….As part of the new deal, Essence President Michelle Ebanks will continue in her role and join its board of directors. In addition, Michelle Ebanks, along with a Black female-led executive team, will have an equity stake in the business….Said Ebanks in a statement. “In addition, it represents a critical recognition, centering and elevation of the Black women running the business from solely a leadership position to a co-ownership position.” Derek Dingle adds, “The “groundbreaking” transaction “demonstrates that a number of African American entrepreneurs can execute with vision and wherewithal to return valuable institutions to African American ownership – a rare event in contemporary Black business history.” @blackenterprise @Essence Read more here.

BOCA Advertisement created by JPMartin Associates for the Black Owned Communications Alliance. Photograph by John Pinderhughes.

Dr. Joel P. Martin is a marketing, coaching, training, and consulting professional. The former owner and operator of a full-service NYC-based advertising agency, she founded Triad West, Inc. more than 15 years ago to provide clients with expertise in developing leaders; diverse and inclusive cultures; and aligned high-performing teams. She specializes in transformative leadership development and empowerment programs for Women. Dr. Martin provides services across the U.S. and globally. She has earned an MA in Psychology, Ph.D. in Communications and admission as a Fellow of the Wharton Business School. She is the founder of the Positively Powerful Woman Awards & Programs celebrating its 11th year. Triad West, Inc. is a woman owned and operated WBENC certified corporation.

A woman who dares to be powerful…creates success.

Dec 20, 2017 | Business, Coaching, collaboration, conference, Diversity & Inclusion, global, leadership, positively powerful woman, PPW Awards, STEM, techology, transformation, Women

Being a powerful woman has many faces. May 17, 2018, Dr. Pamela Williamson will receive the Positively Powerful Woman Visionary Leadership Award. Dr. Williamson is the President of WBENC West where she facilitates beneficial procurement opportunities between women-owned businesses and corporations across the US. She is a powerful servant-leader. She is a customer-focused visionary. And, she means business.

“When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid” Audre Lorde.

“Being Positively Powerful is more than a title. Every human being has the capacity to live a successful fulfilling life like Dr. Williamson and our previous 50 honorees. It may not always be easy, but it is possible.” Dr. Joel P. Martin, Triad West Inc. Awards Founder.

Being positively powerful means:

Resilient in the face of challenges or obstacles. It is not just what we do, it is how we do it.
Focusing on diversity and inclusion. Being a champion of an inclusive environment that embraces everyone.
Having a healthy mindset and body, which may take reinventing oneself, an exciting and worthwhile adventure.
Being financially educated for personal and professional success.
Sharing what we know and who we know in collaboration with others.
Owning our personal power as the author of our life and legacy.
Being powerful also means living a life of deep and meaningful relationships. In the case of Dr. Williamson, she is the wife of Ben and mother of two daughters, Alexandria ages 17 and Skyler age 12.

WBENC Members and Corporations: Sponsor the 11th Annual Positively Powerful Woman Awards. Share your commitment and advocate for women leaders. The founder of this program is WBENC Certified Triad West Inc., Dr. Joel Martin, President. For more information on the event, previous recipients, marketing opportunities, who we are, and the success we stand for, please click here. To become a WBENC Corporate Member or Certified Women Business Enterprise, click here.

The 2018 Positively Powerful Woman Awards will be Thursday, May 17, 2018, at the renowned Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, AZ. Reception: 5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Awards presentation: 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The event is open to the public.

Who will be this year’s Positively Powerful Women? One may be your nominee.

Jan 7, 2016 | 2014 PPWA, Business, collaboration, conference, Diversity & Inclusion, global, leadership, positively powerful woman, PPW Awards, relationships, transformation, Women

2014 PPW Group Photo As you think back on our her-story, what women have been “A Positively Powerful Woman”? If there were a special award for this, with social media available to share her story, her organization, the nonprofits she supports and the commitments that motivate her; plus a gala recognizing her leadership as part of a transformational program, who would you nominate? We want to know. Answer the questions below. And thank you!

One easy quick action…

Our Positively Powerful Woman Awards shine a light on women who are making a difference and the causes that matter to them. Attendance at the Awards program is open to the general public – women, men and families. For 8 years, this program has provided inspiration, motivation, empowerment and connections to build businesses and professional careers and skills to be a transformational leader anywhere in the world. We shine a light on our honorees in PR, print, websites and social media to empower all people to live their dreams. And we’ve won an award as one the Best Events for Women from Stevie International.

We all make a difference. The question is what kind of difference do we chose to make?

Please answer the three questions below in our comments section. We want to know what you think and who inspires you by her example. And again, thank you.

What makes a woman positively powerful?
Who do you nominate to be an honoree at the 2016 Positively Powerful Woman Awards?
What about them fits this definition for you?

If you want to know about our past recipients, see the photos and videos and learn more about our programs, click here.

Message from Joel Martin, PhD, Triad West Inc. & Founder:

The experience I want people to leave with at the end of every Positively Powerful Woman Program is that because they attended, their lives will never be the same but better, that they are closer to living their dreams than ever before, and they could as easily be on the stage as any of our recipients with the tools, access and resources that my team and I provide. Our intention is to “fire them up” so that they take action on the vision they have for what matters to them. That’s also my intention in every presentation I produce, speech I give or training I deliver. 2016 FB PPWA Photo

2016 Positively Powerful Woman Awards Sponsors

Is equity for women a fantasy? Does gender equality mean win-lose?

Nov 4, 2015 | Business, collaboration, Diversity & Inclusion, transformation, Women

Will 2016 be the beginning of the next monumental transformation for women’s equality? Will equity for women finally be available? It is expected that more women will take on senior corporate leadership positions at major U.S. corporations and foundations. It is expected that the pendulum is swinging in the direction of equity balance due to an increasing focus on wealth disparity and pay equality, especially for women. However, if the forces unite and we think that they will, this transformation may not be painless. The pain will be because of an archaic notion that pay equity, means that someone will have to lose.

Win-Win is not a fantasy

Data suggests that in every society where women are able to participate equally the economy grows. When women serve on corporate boards, those companies tend to be more prosperous. Research in the U.S. and Europe suggests that companies with female directors have better valuations than companies with no female directors (Source). Another way of thinking of this is that when a woman is invited to sit at the dinner table, miraculously there is more food to be served.

Transformation: Equal access and opportunity for women. Equity in the preparation, education and support of women in the face of privilege and exclusion and making sure that women of all cultures and races have what they need to take advantage of equality. Here are five promises that every and any women can make to empower the transformation:

Communicate, collaborate, advocate and educate. Share your brilliance and your vision (what you see). Mentor and accept reverse mentoring. Think well of women. Be the source of equity.
Collaborate. Think win-win. Be inclusive. Be the source of equality.
Be an activist for the causes that matter to you. Own your power including voting and encouraging all women (and all people) to vote. Be a source of leverage.
When you have equal access, leverage and learn the skills through equity. Takes RISKS. Learn negotiation. Think big. Share the access. Be the source of leadership.
Stand and speak out for the equality of all women. Be the source of inclusion.

According to a new Pew Research Center survey on women and leadership, most Americans find women indistinguishable from men on key leadership traits such as intelligence and capacity for innovation, with many saying they’re stronger than men in terms of being compassionate and organized leaders

What’s the difference? Cultures, honored or tolerated?

Sep 17, 2015 | ageing, Business, collaboration, Diversity & Inclusion, transformation

I love to travel and visit other countries. Training, coaching, speaking and the occasional vacation has taken me to nearly every continent and most recently Australia where I got to represent the ABHOW board on which I serve.

Attending the International Association of Homes and Services for the Aging Conference (IAHSA) in Perth, Australia, I spent time in the great hall listening, learning and observing. Among the ways that the culture was brought to life for me was the “matter of fact” way the speakers spoke with respect for the indigenous people. A significant number of speakers began their presentations with expressions of respect to the Aboriginal People and the sacredness of the land on which they were speaking.

While there, I also met Sister Lucia Raseipone (photographed with Rev. Dr. Marcia Patton and I). Sister Lucia is a Catholic nun and manager of St. Antonines Home for the Aged in Dundee, South African. Her presentation brimmed with her caring and love for the elderly. She finds ways to honor them and their beliefs without compromising her faith.

Visiting museums and tourist attractions in Perth and Sydney, I appreciated videos, exhibits and displays. There were signs like this that read, WARNING: Visitors should be aware that this includes images and names of deceased people that may cause sadness or distress to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.” That was a valuing of Aboriginal sensitivities, art and culture.

I will share these stories in my Diversity & Inclusion programs. They are authentic examples of how to be culturally sensitive, inclusive and practitioners of the Platinum Rule. We know the Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” The Platinum Rule is “Do unto others as they would have them do unto them.” Big difference.

When we accept as equally valid the insights, perspectives, opinions and ideas of people who are different from us, when we have and assume a positive intention, it is freeing and joyful.

In all matters, which would you rather experience? Being tolerated or honored?

“Tolerate: Allow the existence, occurrence, or practice of (something that one does not necessarily like or agree with) without interference.” From the Latin word for enduring pain.
“Honor: Respect that is given to someone who is admired. A good reputation; good quality or character as judged by other people.”

If you are interested in learning more about my approach to Diversity & Inclusion, let us talk. With the multi-cultural, generational and global shift in the workforce, this is becoming increasingly important. Contact me to learn more, to attend, or host one of the Triad West Inc. diversity programs.

There is always another way to express ourselves when we find our authentic voice.