All Galleries

Photo Gallery

November Member Meeting 2023

November 30, 2023

In November, BECA Members came together in the heart of NYC for our year-end meeting. Experience the essence of the meeting by delving into the snapshots below.
A large group of diverse professionals poses together in an indoor setting, smiling warmly at the camera. They are dressed in business and business-casual attire, with a mix of colors and styles. The setting features modern lighting and a welcoming atmosphere, suggesting a networking or leadership event. The group stands closely together, reflecting a sense of camaraderie and community.

BECA Members photographed (From L to R) 1st row: Kevin Warren, Remi Kent, Jerri DeVard, Jacqueline Woods, and Janice Tennant.
2nd row: Damaune Y. Journey, Paul Alexander, and Gail Peterson.
3rd row: Will Smith, Shannon Watkins, Candace Matthews (Board Member & Founding Member), Sharon Harris, and Ukonwa Kuzi-Orizu Ojo.
4th row: Lesleigh Irish-Underwood, Diane Primo, Dara Treseder, Lauren Kelly, Sanyu Dillon, and Kirk McDonald.
5th row: Julie Spencer Washington, Vicky Free Sistrunk (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Rudy Wilson, and Julius W. Robinson.
Not photographed: Anton Vincent, Esi Eggleston Bracey, Kenny Mitchell, Maurice Cooper, Nadja Bellan-White, Najoh Tita-Reid, Ralph Santana, Ramon Jones, Sean Tresvant, and Susan Somersille Johnson.

Arrivals

BECA Members and special guests stepped into the member meeting with excitement, ready to connect and learn from our esteemed panelists.

Four women stand together, smiling at the camera in an indoor setting with a backdrop of elegant drapery. They are dressed in stylish, professional attire, including a black sweater, a patterned dress, a purple turtleneck sweater, and a black blazer. Their expressions convey warmth and confidence, suggesting a professional networking or leadership event.
Two elegantly dressed women pose together, one in a glamorous silver gown with a fur shawl and the other in a cozy yet chic gray outfit, smiling warmly at the camera.
A man wearing a plaid shirt and smiling brightly at the camera. He is positioned in a warmly lit interior with a staircase in the background, where another individual is descending.
A professional setting showing a table with event materials and name tags displayed. The environment is softly lit, with a few people engaging in conversations in the background.
A man with a beard smiles warmly at the camera, dressed in a navy blazer and beige shirt. The background features a softly lit event space with people and decorative lights.
A woman in a tailored gray suit and white shirt, smiling warmly, standing in front of neutral drapes.
A vibrant individual wearing a bright orange top with intricate patterns, paired with burgundy pants and a matching headwrap, smiling confidently in front of drapes.
A woman in a simple black outfit, smiling softly while standing against a background of neutral drapes.

Navigating Into and Out of C-suite Roles Panel Discussion

Lisa E. Davis (Partner; Frankfurt, Kurnit, Klein, and Setz) and Kerry Chandler (BECA Board Member/former CHRO leader/Board Director) brought a wealth of wisdom to a thought-provoking panel discussion. Moderated by BECA Founder Jerri DeVard, the discussion focused on the strategy behind identifying and negotiating into and out of C-suite roles.

A panel discussion on stage, featuring three speakers seated in director's chairs, discussing "Navigating Into and Out of C-Suite Roles," as displayed on the screen behind them.

(From L to R): Jerri DeVard (Founder), Lisa E. Davis (Partner; Frankfurt, Kurnit, Klein, and Setz), and Kerry Chandler (BECA Board Member/former CHRO leader/Board Director).

A closer view of the same panel discussion, with one panelist speaking while holding a microphone, and the others listening attentively.

(From L to R): Jerri DeVard (Founder), Lisa E. Davis (Partner; Frankfurt, Kurnit, Klein, and Setz), and Kerry Chandler (BECA Board Member/former CHRO leader/Board Director).

A different angle of the panel, capturing the expressions of the three speakers, each engaged in the conversation.
Audience members in red theater seats laughing and smiling during the event, showing engagement and enjoyment.
Two panelists smiling while posing together after the discussion, standing against a backdrop of neutral drapes.
Audience members applauding and actively participating during the event, showcasing their enthusiasm.
A wider view of the panel discussion, capturing the stage setup, screen presentation, and some audience members listening attentively.
An engaged audience member in a vibrant orange outfit and matching headwrap speaks passionately during the event, surrounded by other attendees in red theater chairs.
A diverse group of audience members seated in a theater, attentively listening to the discussion, with some taking notes or reflecting on the conversation.
A close-up of a woman in a gray suit, seated in the theater, actively listening to the event and smiling in response to the discussion.
A man in a blue blazer with a white shirt animatedly speaking from the audience, with other attendees seated behind him observing.
A candid moment showing a man in a suit with a red tie turning to converse with another attendee, while others in the background are smiling and chatting.
Three panelists seated on stage, laughing and enjoying a lively discussion, with one holding a microphone and another leaning back in amusement.
Audience members actively participating by raising their hands during the event, showing enthusiasm and engagement in the discussion.

Effectively Landing Board Roles​ Panel Discussion

Panelist Chuck Gray (Partner & Co-Head of U.S. Practice, Egon Zehnder) and Moderator Candace Matthews (Board Member & Founding Member, BECA and Former CRO, Amway) shared insights and stories on finding the right board role. They emphasized the significance of aligning oneself with organizations that resonate with your values and interests.

A man is seated on stage, speaking into a microphone and gesturing with his hand. He is dressed in a gray zip-up sweater over a collared shirt, appearing engaged in a discussion. The background features a large projection screen with subtle visuals, indicating a professional panel or conference setting. His focused expression suggests he is sharing insights or answering a question.

Chuck Gray (Partner & Co-Head of U.S. Practice, Egon Zehnder)

Two panelists seated on a stage, engaging in a discussion in front of a screen that displays the event's title and one speaker's name.

(From L to R): Chuck Gray (Partner & Co-Head of U.S. Practice, Egon Zehnder) and Candace Matthews (Board Member & Founding Member, BECA and Former CRO, Amway)

A panelist in a patterned blouse and glasses, seated and holding a microphone, smiling while participating in the event.

Candace Matthews (Board Member & Founding Member, BECA and Former CRO, Amway)

Generative AI: Guidance and Implications​ Panel Discussion

Suzanne Kounkel (Global and US CMO, Deloitte) and Jacqueline Woods (BECA Founding Member & CMO, Teradata) facilitated a panel discussion sharing wisdom on the technology, the application, and the implications surrounding the evolving landscape of Generative AI.

Two panelists, one in a black outfit and the other in a checkered dress, seated on stage, each holding microphones while conversing.
A panelist in a checkered dress passionately speaking into a microphone, with another panelist sitting beside her.
Two panelists are seated on stage, each holding microphones while discussing topics in front of an audience.
An audience seated in red theater chairs, attentively watching and applauding the panel discussion on stage.
A woman in professional attire sits attentively in a red theater seat, appearing engaged in a discussion or presentation.
A woman wearing a leather jacket sits in a red theater chair, focused on a speaker in the foreground.

Geopolitical Landscape​ Panel Discussion

Chris Foster (BECA Founding Member and CEO, Omnicom Public Relations Group) moderated an engaging panel discussion with Jim Margolis (Partner, GMMB) and Terry Nelson (Managing Partner, PLUS Communications). Together, they unpacked the impact of upcoming elections, global conflicts, and political discourse on the narratives that define brands today.

A wide shot of a theater presentation titled "Geo-Political Landscape," with three panelists seated on stage and an audience watching attentively.

(From L to R): Jim Margolis (Partner, GMMB), Chris Foster (BECA Founding Member and CEO, Omnicom Public Relations Group), and Terry Nelson (Managing Partner, PLUS Communications)

Three men on stage seated in director-style chairs, one speaking into a microphone while gesturing, participating in a panel discussion.
A woman in a purple sweater sits in the audience with a thoughtful expression, listening attentively to a presentation.
Three panelists, including one man speaking into a microphone, are seated on stage in a theater, engaging in a discussion.
Attendees seated in red chairs listen and engage during a theater-style presentation, with one woman gesturing as she speaks.
Three panelists seated on stage in director-style chairs, all holding microphones, participating in a discussion.
A wide shot of a theater presentation titled "Geo-Political Landscape," with three panelists seated on stage and an audience watching attentively.

Unboxing the Power of Black Media​ Panel Discussion

Industry luminaries Earl “Butch” Graves (President & CEO, Black Enterprise​), Joe Anthony (CEO & Founder, Hero Collective​), Louis Carr (President of Media Sales, BET), Michele T Ghee (CEO, Expectant Group), and Pauline Malcolm Thornton (Chief Revenue Officer, Essence Communications Inc.)​ joined forces to delve into the heart of Black media today – sharing stories and insights with BECA Members and special guests.

Five individuals pose together in an indoor setting, dressed in stylish and professional attire. They are smiling and standing closely, conveying a sense of camaraderie. The group includes a mix of fashion-forward outfits, including a plaid cardigan, a sleek black dress, a purple blazer, and patterned jackets. The warm wooden backdrop suggests a sophisticated networking or leadership event.

(From L to R): Joe Anthony (CEO & Founder, Hero Collective​), Michele T Ghee (CEO, Expectant Group)​, Earl “Butch” Graves (President & CEO, Black Enterprise​), Pauline Malcolm Thornton (Chief Revenue Officer, Essence Communications Inc.), and Louis Carr (President of Media Sales, BET).

A panelist passionately speaking during a professional discussion, seated alongside other panel members in formal attire, with an audience in view.
A panelist gesturing while speaking, flanked by two attentive co-panelists, in a well-lit conference setting.
A full view of the panel discussion with five seated panelists and a host standing at a podium, in front of a projected screen displaying discussion prompts.
A full view of the panel discussion with five seated panelists and a host standing at a podium, in front of a projected screen displaying discussion prompts.
A smiling panelist seated in a director’s chair, relaxed yet engaged in the ongoing conversation.
A member of the audience actively participating in the discussion, surrounded by others seated attentively in a theater setting.
A candid moment of laughter and conversation among an attentive audience in a professional theater setup.
A male audience member speaking with an expressive gesture, while others attentively listen during the event.
Four panelists seated in director chairs discussing insights, with a screen behind them displaying a data chart.

Post-Meeting Cocktail Reception

As the meeting concluded, BECA Members, panelists, and special guests came together to fellowship and continue the dialogue.

Two women engaged in a conversation at a networking event, with others mingling in the background.
Three women posing happily together, showcasing bright smiles at a casual event.
A woman with short hair warmly hugging another attendee at a social gathering.
Two men in conversation at a high-top table during a professional event, with modern decor in the background.
A man and a woman holding drinks, smiling for the camera in front of a decorative gold backdrop.
A woman greeting another with a hug while others chat around a high-top table at a formal event.

Interested in connecting with BECA?

Contact Us
Programs Overview
BECA Members posing and smiling at a BECA event.