The Root continued their multi-city series, Young, Fabulous and Female event in NYC last week Wednesday with a night of conversation about black women and they challenges that their are facing. Sponsored by Pepsi We Inspire, the event was held at the Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater and was attended by over 200 women (and a few men). Jacque Reid, co-host of KISS-FM’s The D.L. Hughley Morning show, moderated the panel discussion with a great panel line-up: Tracey Ferguson, editor-in-chief of Jones Magazine and star of Centric TV’s reality show, Keeping Up with the Joneses; Lois Samuels, model and fashion designer; Edwina Findley, actress (Tremé); Donna Byrd, publisher of The Root; Raina Kelley, Newsweek staff writer; and Harriette Cole, president of Harriett Cole Media.

The conversation start off with a bang with what women and men really thought about rapper Slim Thug’s recent comments of black women in an interview. The rest of the discussion focused on theme of sisterhood, mentorship, balancing work/life issues, learning more about yourself and ways of how we can grow as women. The overall take away message was that the being fabulous is not about the clothes you wear or the shoes you rock but about being yourself. We have to love who we are and don’t letting anyone stop our goals. It’s okay to be scared, used that fear to start a plan where you want to be. A good tip about going after new opportunities was that you have to be willing to volunteer. Not everyone has the time to be a mentor. Avoid asking someone to go to lunch, ask to have coffee. There was tons of discussion going on online via the Twitter hashtag #youngfab.

All women can apply the advice given that night. It was such an empowering experience and would love to attend one again. Final words to remember: “We are responsible for the image we put out. We can change the way media see us.” and “Believe in the power of speaking things into existence”. I would like to thank The Root and Pepsi We Inspire for a great evening, Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater for a beautiful venue and all of the successful and fabulous ladies of the panel.

Photo by LaVelle Finerson