Events Recap: May 2021

ICYMI: Civic Engagement for Young Leaders: Keeping Momentum at the Local Level

— Brianna Westbrooks, Government Relations Professional, Cozen O’Connor

On April 20, 2021, the Young Professionals Council hosted a panel to discuss the importance of civic engagement. Larry Platt, Founder and Editor of the Philadelphia Citizen, moderated the conversation and asked the panel a variety of questions regarding their career journeys, the importance of being politically informed, and their advice to young people who want to become more involved in their communities.

Philadelphia City Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson detailed her lifelong commitment to her community and her years of public service. She emphasized the importance of educating community members about the importance of every election and spearheading initiatives that encourage more young people, first time voters, and individuals not affiliated with a political party to become more involved in the political process.

City Commissioner Al Schmidt relayed his journey to elected office and encouraged young professionals to be willing to take risks. Although he believes Philadelphia’s political system is old and can be intimidating, becoming involved in hyper-local political bodies such as wards or committees can be a way for young professionals to make an impact.

Lauren Cristella, Chief Program Officer at the Committee of Seventy, encouraged participants to become active in organizations, advocacy, and elections that support specific causes they personally care about.

Towards the end of the program, the panelists agreed that public officials should seek innovative methods — such as utilizing social media — to grow and maintain civic engagement.

ICYMI: YPC Meet the C-Suite with Ric Harris, President & General Manager, NBC10/Telemundo 62/COZI TV/ TeleXitos/NBCLX Philly

— Shawnna Williams, Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

On May 5, 2021, I had the pleasure of interviewing Ric Harris, President & General Manager, NBC10/Telemundo 62 for YPC’s Meet the C-Suite event. From workplace diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), to his favorite audio books, our candid conversation provided an inside look into the wisdom and passions of Ric Harris.

Kicking off our discussion, Ric underscored the importance of both traditional and reverse mentorship, citing the value that younger professionals have to offer to experienced leaders, and vice versa. He also shared timely advice for Black, Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) professionals who have a unique set of challenges due to the pandemic, as well as the overt racism on display in the media and social media. He encouraged all who are affected by microagressions and racial bias in their workplace to speak up, as that is when the conversation and real change begins. It is even better if allies contribute by amplifying the voices of their BIPOC peers. Leaders who care about DEI and value their employees will listen and act accordingly.

We discussed that company affinity groups, like NBC’s Black Employee Network (BEN), don’t just provide a space for Black employees to connect over shared experiences, but they are also an opportunity for allies to learn about other groups’ cultures, challenges, and similarities.

For those that want to impress the leaders in your organizations, Ric’s “Come to Win” mantra is for you. “Come to Win” is an attitude or approach that means you come to work (or log in to work) to compete with energy and ideas. In order to make work fun and meaningful, he urged attendees to not to just show up and do your assignments. Make sure you come to win!

Ric is a big supporter of mental and physical fitness, sharing that he exercises when he can, and typically while listening to audio books such as Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America, 1619-2019 edited by Ibram X. Kendi and Keisha N. Blain; and Die Empty: Unleash Your Best Work Every Day.

Towards the end of our chat, Ric proudly and sincerely confesses that he is a “mama’s boy,” and over the next year, he is looking forward to seeing his mother for the first time since winter 2019.