What's Happening!

Our journey has been remarkable, filled with changes and challenges that have strengthened our resolve.  In 2025, NABFEME will proudly celebrate a monumental milestone — our 25th Anniversary and a legacy of impactful service that spans a quarter-century! From our humble beginnings to our expansive global outreach, we have a unique opportunity to come together and honor our shared journey of sisterhood and empowerment.

As we prepare to celebrate this extraordinary milestone and continue our crucial mission together, we invite you to begin planning now to join us! Instead of a one-time event, we’re taking our celebration nationwide, engaging with diverse communities across various markets on multiple dates. As we honor 25 years of unwavering dedication to advancing education, promoting equity, empowering individuals, and fostering inclusion, we’re excited to embrace our next chapter of progress. Our inspiring theme for 2025, “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now” embodies our commitment to forward momentum. It highlights the extraordinary 25-year journey of NABFEME and will guide our operations throughout the year.

The NABFEME 25th Anniversary promises to be culturally diverse, community-inclusive, and gender-friendly. Our celebrations will serve as a dynamic hub for professional development, drawing in ambitious entrepreneurs, influential businesswomen, and seasoned executives from the entertainment industry. This milestone event will not only commemorate our 25 years of impactful work but will also act as a powerful platform for cultural engagement and learning that welcomes individuals from all walks of life. With our theme “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now,” we aim to empower women in the entertainment and business arenas and attract pioneering leaders eager to transform the landscape for women in the workplace, community, music, and entertainment sectors. We invite you to participate and collaborate with us as we strive to uplift and inspire the next generation of trailblazers!

Following the April 6th members meeting cancellation, the rescheduled meeting was held on April 27th. It was inspiring, very informative and provided many opportunities for business collaboration. And, it was fun too!   The entire minutes from the meeting are not posted here, however, we have included a brief recap of the minutes from that meeting; we hope it will encourage you to attend our next NABFEME  Members meeting.

REcap.docx

NEXT MEMBERS MEETING: June 1st ~ 11:00am/EDT

YOU'RE INVITED to join in and add your voice to the conversation!  It's an Open House Chat for and with NABFEME “Members Only” ... Saturday, Feb 3rd at 11am/Eastern (please adjust per your time zone).

A connected team is a powerful team and we are stronger, more effective, and more efficient when we work together and every voice is heard. We know you’ve got brilliant ideas and insightful viewpoints, so let’s hear ‘em... Your Voice Matters! Staying in the shadows never helps, and we can only address the issues we know about. Don't worry about saying the wrong thing. Instead, think about what could happen if you don't say anything! Your Voice Matters! See ya on Feb 3rd! If you need to update or renew your membership... do it here on this site!  

Watch your email... You will receive the Private Invitation Link to join the meeting.  We'll see you on February 3rd!

NABFEME kicked off the year with our “Bubbles & Bosses” Campaign.   It was designed as an after-work networking set that featured female entrepreneurs, businesswomen, managers, community leaders and more.  Each session was designed to educate and inform the market in a woman-friendly, diverse, open to all type of atmosphere.  It included 3-4 “local bosses” ... powerful women who shared stories and gems from their success journey. We completed sessions in Memphis, Detroit, Shreveport, Chicago and Charlotte.

NABFEME completed a series of Facebook LIVE Sessions that were entitled “The Monthly Mojo” featuring professional thought leaders.  The monthly series included “Women’s Self Defense, we spotlighted Phelicia Wright whose career story inspired the Black Moon Girl Disney Character, we dug into entertainment legalities and business deals with Atty Rosetta Upshaw, Actress and Producer Erika Nicole Malone shared the journey and challenges of being a Black female in Hollywood who is acting, directing and producing... we had a great time with Transformation Coach Deanna Dupree and Kraft Foods retired VP, Robert Johnson shared leadership tips. For Black Music Month, we spotlighted Black Female DJs... Chevi Redd, DJ Lexx, Shani Scott, DJ Faze and Milli Mills were among our guests. We also spotlighted music and record label executive TC Tompkins and his new book, “When Radio Was King,” and for Black Music Month, we introduced our Queens of Southern Soul, which led us to the Elephant In The Room series.

The Elephant In The Room initiative was designed to tour 10 cities and focus on community engagement and social responsibility. It aimed to bring together local entrepreneurs, government officials, and influential speakers along with soulful R&B music performers we labeled the “Queens of R&B.” The initiative aimed to initiate discussions and conversations surrounding various social issues and unspoken truths that affect our communities, including Mental Health, Social Injustice, Homelessness, Funding for Black Businesses, Domestic Violence, Guns, Breast Cancer, HIV, and many others. Although there were challenges during the tour, the great audiences, powerful speakers, and excellent performances fueled the initiative, and it gained popularity as people began to understand the concept. As a result, there are four pre-confirmed Elephant In The Room dates in 2024. 

In 2023, NABFEME partnered with the Susan G Komen Foundation to address breast cancer in the Black community. The partnership was suggested by a longtime colleague, and although some aspects were positive, there were also some challenges. To move forward, NABFEME agreed to obtain the foundation's approval before including them in any marketing or events since not everything is suitable for everyone. The Elephant In The Room series was a great start for both organizations, and we will handle each scenario on a case-by-case basis. The partnership agreement is valid for one year.

BE THE CHANGE! ... NABFEME Philadelphia welcomes the Elephant in The Room Tour and addresses topics like Human Trafficking, Mental Health, Breast Cancer, LGBTQIA+ Rights, Gun and Domestic Violence and more! The Elephant In The Room Social Responsibility Tour kicks off Saturday, Sept 30th at Shaking Crab Seafood Restaurant, 43 Snyder Ave in Philly.

Wine Reception begins at 2:30, Session starts promptly at 3pm... Backed by The KENI Jackson Experience ... "Live" entertainment with the Queens of R&B follows. Our Host: WDAS Air Personality MIMI BROWN!

The Elephant in the Room Queens of R&B “No Boundaries” Tour uniquely combines thought leaders from music, entertainment, business, and local government with dynamic musical performances by soul-stirring R&B, Jazz, and Southern Soul performing artists. The Elephant In The Room 10-City tour aims to initiate discussions, empower communities with inspiration and ideas on how to deal with the unspoken, social issues that plague our communities. Speakers will address topics such as Mental Health, Social Injustice, Missing & Exploited Women, Domestic Violence, Gun Violence, Reproductive Health, Gender Inequality, Bullying, Sexualization of Women in Music, HIV and many others.

GET YOUR TICKETS HERE

Stop by NABFEME.org and check out the slide on the homepage.  You'll meet one of our NABFEME Rocks (Robert Johnson), get to know some of our Sisters Behind The Beat, and don't miss "High Heels in High Places" featuring Attorney Lita Rosario-Richardson.  New videos are posted, member news and more.  As we prepare to enter a new year... the need for our mission is now stronger than ever! 

We still face uncertainty as the pandemic is not over, sponsor support is slow and we've had to minimize our programs... still we rise! 

As we plan our movement in 2023... WE NEED YOUR INPUT! Many times we play a guessing game because we don't know what you want, we don't know what you'd like to do, or what issues you'd like to see the organization address... and most importantly we'd love to tell the world about your accomplishments... but we can't do that unless you tell us. In fact, we can do any of this without your input!

Let's end the guessing game! Let's strive to thrive in 2023!! If there is something on your mind, tell us. If there is something you'd like to do... tell us! You just wrote a book, started a podcast, got a promotion... TELL US! We are stronger together!

NABFEME-Los Angeles A very special moment at #womeninentertainmentluncheon  @ms_dion_peronneau of The Dion Peronneau Agency @dionperonneau was presented by @nabfemelosangeles. A priceless profiles of excellence award of  she was awarded “21 years” ago for “Female Business Owner of the Year”. On August 25, 2001 Dion was unable to make the event to collect the award after learning that 3 clients she represented were killed in the plane crash with Aaliyah. May their souls continue to rest peacefully . We at NABFEME @nabfemeprez value our member/sisters so having the opportunity to present this award to our sister has left our hearts full with gratitude congratulations #dionperonneau for your continued excellence and to @tamalal we thank you for the continuous sisterhood and collaboration but also providing space in the platform for this presentation. NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK FEMALE EXECUTIVES IN MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT values each and every moment. #sisterhood #awardingsisters #nabfeme #nabfemelosangeles #aeg #dignityhealthsportspark  The sold out 9th Annual Women In Entertainment Luncheon (Film, TV, Music, Sports, and Fashion) #winterwonderland

The 9th Annual Women in Entertainment Luncheon was recently held at Dignity Health Sports Park in the American Express Stadium Club in Carver City, CA. It was an empowering afternoon filled with plenty of networking, amazing shopping, live entertainment, delicious cuisine and more! Ms Debra L. Lee, Chairman & CEO Emeritus/BET Networks and Chair of The Leading Women Defined Foundation, received the "Inspiration Award."  

Among the list of honorees Ms Dion Peronneau received the NABFEME Profiles In Excellence Award ... an honor she was presented on August 25, 2001 but was unable to attend and receive. 21 years later, Dion was received her “Female Business Owner of the Year” Award at the WIE Luncheon presented by Congresswoman Maxine Waters.  It was an incredible honor for both the National Association of Black Female Executives in Music and Entertainment, Inc. (NABFEME Los Angeles) and Women Helping Women in Entertainment to host this event for the 9th year.

Sponsored by: AEG, LA Galaxy, Los Angeles Kings, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Sparks, Coca Cola, City National Bank, Paramount Pictures, LA28, PacSun, Watson Land Company, The Cochran Firm, The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, The Los Angeles Fashion Magazine, Mixed Chicks Hair Products, Born to Roam, VIXI, Sweet Rags, LOT XI and The Popcorn Man.

The event seminar moderated by Pat Shields (Black Dot, LLC.) put the spotlight on the entertainment careers of executives Elita Adjei (VP, Corporate Communications National Geographic Content), Vanessa Shay (President, Los Angeles Sparks), Olivia V.G. Clarke (Activist Creator & Editor 1# Amazon Bestseller Black Girl, White School) and Jae Requiro (VP, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion AEG).

Special shout out to DJ Jiji Sweet!!! 

Congratulations Tamala Lewis Sr. Director, Community Relations & Foundation for presenting another stellar event!