Cooper Smith’s Post

Imagine this ✨✨: Thirty brilliant women, all #femalefounders and/or leaders in our industries, sharing a meal while hearing and hyping the professional achievements, needs, and goals of each person around the table.🔥💫 🙌🏽 Thanks to Erin Gallagher, Founder & CEO of Ella, this idea exists in the form of Fairway Dinners -- a curated, inclusive dinner experience that unites women across generations, walks of life, and industries. These dinners occur monthly in cities across the U.S. Its goal is to level the playing field between male Founders -- who currently receive 98 percent of VC funding -- and women Founders, particularly women of color, who receive the smallest share of VC funding across the board. So far, within just eighteen months, the Fairway Dinners have helped garner $8M+ increased wealth, 30K new connections, 10K human capital hours, and more than 250 new job opportunities! 🌟💪 As the CEO and Founder of ALCG Media Group, it was an honor to have been invited to the most recent Fairway dinner in Washington, D.C. last Thursday evening. I spoke about the mission of ALCG Books, the work we're doing to address massive racial disparities in the American publishing industry while supporting and advocating for all writers who are pursuing fair publishing deals. For context, a 2020 NYTimes report found that from 1950 to 2018, 98 percent of books published in American fiction were written by white authors; and when writers of color do get published, their book royalties are often comparatively lower. ALCG Books believes that the American book market can only be more enriched by diverse literary talent, and so we work closely with writers and partner with literary agents who vow to give our clients' manuscripts a fair read. The goal is to help our clients write good books and get published on terms that are as fair and lucrative as possible. 👍🏽🥳 I was deeply inspired by the work and stories of each and every woman around my DC Fairway table last week: Jasmine Maietta, CEO of round21, a revolutionary platform that unifies artists, athletes, and fans through storytelling, value-driven products, and experiences; Kate Galecki, VP of Partnerships & Growth at We Are Rosie, a strategic consulting and talent solution for brands and agencies; Stacey Champagne, Founder & CEO of Hacker In Heels; Ije Jemie Nwabueze Lean Six Sigma, CTI, ORSC, PMI-ACP, CBAP, Executive Leadership Coach -- and so many brilliant others. ❤️ #hypewomen To Erin Gallagher, superwoman and mastermind of the Ella experience, thank you for your role in helping hundreds of women make valuable connections and raise funds for entrepreneurial success.🙌🏽🔥 To Anushay Hossain, podcast host, author, and women's health expert, who welcomed us into her beautiful DC home -- thank you!! I've joined a true sisterhood of business leaders and entrepreneurs making waves in Washington D.C. and beyond. #womeninbusiness #femalefounder #hypewomen #ALCCBooks

Hi friends, I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself and share why this event means so much to me. My name is Sammy, and I’m a woman of color, an adoptee from India, and someone who has always found herself navigating spaces where I wasn’t sure if I truly belonged. I grew up in a family that didn’t always recognize or talk about the realities that shaped my experience—things like race, identity, and the struggles that come with existing in spaces that weren’t designed for people like me. Now, as a professional working in housing and property management, I see firsthand how systems affect marginalized communities, and how easy it is for people—especially women—to feel isolated, unheard, or even powerless. I’ve spent years balancing graduate school, leadership roles, and my passion for justice and equity, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that having a strong, supportive community makes all the difference. With everything happening in the world right now—political uncertainty, attacks on women's rights, racial injustice, and just the everyday struggles of trying to thrive in systems that weren’t built for us—I wanted to create a space where we could just be. 💜 A space where we don’t have to explain ourselves. 💜 A space where we can feel seen and heard. 💜 A space where we can support each other—both personally and professionally—without judgment. That’s why I’m hosting Galentine’s Night Out. It’s not just another networking event. It’s a night to step away from the noise, be in community, and celebrate who we are. 📅 When? February 13, 2025 ⏰ Time? 7:00 PM 📍 Where? Roseville, MN (Exact location shared with confirmed attendees) 🎟️ Tickets? $15 (Limited spots available!) 💡 What can you expect? ✨ A powerful seminar on Living with Authenticity & Trauma-Informed Leadership (because we all deserve to lead with confidence and grace) 🤝 Intentional networking (not just exchanging business cards, but real, meaningful connections) 🍽️ Good food, great vibes, and the kind of energy that fills your cup 🎁 Swag bags & surprises because we love a little extra! This event is for women of all backgrounds, professions, and walks of life. You don’t need to be an entrepreneur, a leader, or someone with it all figured out. You just need to show up as YOU. And if finances are a barrier, please reach out! There are volunteer opportunities available—because this space is for all of us. I’d love to see you there. If you’re interested, grab your ticket here: 🎟️ https://lnkd.in/gwp2zysV Or just shoot me a message—I’d love to chat! 💜

21 days to go. Last night, I went to bed thinking about you. To each of the 175 finalists at the Women In Sales Awards (Europe) representing 18 countries across EMEA and North America - I woke up thinking about you too. Here's my message to you. Right now, you may be buzzing with excitement… or tangled in a web of self-doubt. All sorts of questions running amok in your mind: 📣 Did I do enough? 📣 What if the judges weren’t impressed? 📣 What if I don’t win? Will people think less of me? 📣 What will people at work think about me? 📣 What if I do win? Will I feel guilty that others didn’t? You may be excited or worried about whether you've won the title in your category. ⛔ 21 days you can allow your mindset to make you its prisoner. ⛔ OR 😘 21 days you can set yourself free to feel chuffed that you made it as a finalist amongst all those entries. 😘 Here's The Invitation: Be kind, loving and proud of yourself for achieving finalist status. Allow pride to be your focus. As a former #WISA judge, I’ve spent many hours pouring over applications -reviewing, scoring, and discerning. Each finalist represents a compelling business case of evidence that rose above fierce competition. That on its own is worth celebrating. Of course, winning is thrilling and the ultimate outcome. But are you going to pin your entire happiness on that outcome? That would be a silly thing to do. It's a gamble that I personally would not take. So, instead of holding your breath for 1,814,400 seconds until Awards night, breathe. Be kind to yourself. Feel that sparkle that you’re a finalist - a standout among so many. You've done what you could. The judges' scores are in. Enjoy that feeling of pride. Please tell me you've read this far, because I want to wakeup with new thoughts other than worrying about 175 beautiful women at the top of their game, being harsh with themselves. Whatever happens on the Awards night, the pride you choose to carry now will help you beyond the 4th of December. Will I see you there? #future #careers #women #wisawards #womeninsalesawards

"You rent your title, but you own your character..#Leadership is about... #compassion, #trust, #partnership, and inclusivity...#Believe in the #power of #diversity, #equity, and #inclusion... Our efforts will open doors, elevate underrepresented voices, and improve outcomes for everyone. It is now our turn to become those shoulders for the next generation." Thasunda Brown Duckett #congratulations #InspiredByYou #OnRepeat from the below post. Trending on #Investing: "🙋♀️ 47% of angel investors are women, a 39% increase since 2021. 🙋♀️ 46% of entrepreneurs seeking angel capital are women-owned, a 62% increase since 2021. We aren't waiting around for someone else to #PutaWomanOnIt. We're doing it ourselves. We're putting our #money to work funding the #innovation.... Women angels & founders are the future limited partners." Allison Byers h/t for tagging me here https://lnkd.in/eUFKaP78 "Female-founded #startups accounted for about 10-15% of all exits, which is significantly higher than their share of #VentureCapital funding (2-3%). Conclusion: #Investing more in female-led startups." Tony E. Kula https://lnkd.in/ei4-qfwy #InfluencedByYou Melissa Katrincic h/t for tagging me on your experience #fundraising post! +See Tony's post w/ the advice of Claudia Nassif: "How to support women who are fundraising" https://lnkd.in/efjnJnFc “Investment consultants, institutional investors, and public pension funds make investment decisions on behalf of beneficiaries who are mostly women and people of color. Why do they usually give w* men investors control of the #retirement savings of women and people of color, rather than giving it to women and people of color who look like most beneficiaries." Roy Swan https://lnkd.in/eFvFBfkS "Patriarchy is like any schoolyard bully. It’ll fold quickly if we stand up to it." Sam Plant #InspiredByYou #OnRepeat https://lnkd.in/euhY-BJs #Gratitude to all the #FreedomAdvocates who #CallitOut & #CallusIn to action! #Together we must #FloodtheFeed with this #narrative. #Talent is an asset class! #CheckYourBias #ThinkDifferent #InvestDifferent #data #business #economy #policy #Laws #finance #banking #assetmanagement #wealthmanagement #markets #philanthropy #strategy #money #cultureofmoney

We’re thrilled to share that The Female Quotient is a finalist in the Shorty Awards for best Branded Series, FQ Trailblazers in History and for our LinkedIn presence 🏆 We believe that change happens through powerful storytelling. Through our “Trailblazers in History” video campaign, we share the stories of “unseen” female change-makers. From historic firsts to pioneering the world’s most innovative concepts, women have made extraordinary contributions to the world as we know it. Yet, so many of these iconic women’s achievements have gone largely unnoticed because they were never documented in history books. For example, Albert Einstein’s first wife, Mileva Marić-Einstein, was a physicist too – and there’s plenty of evidence that her work contributed significantly to his groundbreaking science. They decided to publish under his name because a man's name carried more weight. The purpose of this campaign is simple, but powerful: Make the invisible visible by highlighting forgotten women in history. With a small social team of just a few people (who truly love uncovering the history of trailblazing women) and zero budget, we’ve organically grown this series post by post. FQ community: We'd love your help to vote for our team's creative work through April 30! https://lnkd.in/gjJBmbRe #shortyawards #shortyawardsfinalist #audiencehonor

🌟 I'll be speaking at OMR this Tuesday alongside some incredible trailblazers! 🚀 Hosted by the amazing Onejiru Arfmann, and joined by fellow panelists Aileen Puhlmann and Victoria Toney-Robinson 💫 I'm deeply honored to sit beside these phenomenal Black women as we delve into the topic "Power of a Vision.“ Each of these women have not only carved out space in their respective industries for themselves but are actively ensuring they won’t be the last „Black unicorns“. To me, a powerful vision goes beyond personal success; it's about impacting lives for the better and solving actual problems within your choosen industry. As the founder of Styleindi GmbH, aimed at closing the product inclusivity & botanical innovation gap in the beauty industry, I've seen firsthand how having a powerful vision helped me defy the odds. Whether it's building 2 companies from scratch, breaking historic barriers by becoming the first Black women raising venture capital in cosmetic CPG in Germany, or driving biotech innovation for cosmetics from african botanicals nobody looks at, my journey thus far embodies the phrase "Against all odds". I invite you to join our panel session on the OMR 50/50 stage on Tuesday and learn through the lense of four Black German trailblazing women how to break barriers, disrupt outdated systems, and create powerful visions that drive action. PS: No, you may NOT touch my hair at OMR! #OMR #FemaleFounders #BlackFemaleFounders #PowerofVision

At e.l.f. Beauty, we stand for every eye, lip and face. Period. That means all day, every day. However, we recognize that the spirit of inclusivity doesn’t show up everywhere it should. The highest seats of power in the U.S. business community are skewed to those with the most access. In fact, the average U.S. corporate board is 88% white and women make up only 27% of U.S. corporate boards! 🤯 It's time to change that narrative. Scratch that – it’s time to Change the Board Game. 💪 Research has shown that having a diverse board and a diverse executive team is not just the right thing to do, it's smart business. Our track record (including our 20 quarters of net sales growth) backs that up. We believe our diverse board helps us make better decisions, foster innovation and expand our market share because it reflects the diverse communities we serve. We are proud that our board is 2/3 women and 1/3 diverse and that we are 1 of 4 out of the 4,200 publicly traded U.S. companies with a corporate board like that. Join us in our mission to Change the Board Game. Together, we can create a more inclusive and equitable future for all. We are proud to be leading this charge in a way that only e.l.f. can. This is more than a movement, it’s a call to action that will be felt for generations to come. 🚀 ❤️

🌟 Recapping an Inspiring Panel at #BHIS2024 🌟 During the Black Healthcare & Innovation Summit, we had the privilege of hosting the transformative panel discussion “Beyond Barriers: Black Founders Transforming Healthcare,” moderated by the incredible Erica Plybeah (not pictured here). Our panelists—Jessica McGlory, Joe Thurman, and Ashlee Wisdom, MPH—shared their journeys as Black founders who are breaking barriers, challenging norms, and creating innovative solutions to advance equity in healthcare. Key Highlights from the Panel 💡 Resilience in the Face of Challenges: Each founder shared the systemic barriers they’ve encountered and how they’ve turned obstacles into opportunities for change. 💡 Innovation with Purpose: From reimagining end-of-life care to leveraging AI for talent acquisition and creating digital platforms that amplify the voices of Black women, their work is shaping a more inclusive and accessible healthcare landscape. 💡 Building a Legacy: The panel emphasized the importance of paving the way for future leaders by fostering ecosystems of support, collaboration, and mentorship within the industry. 💡 Call to Action: The discussion left us with actionable insights on how to support Black entrepreneurs and founders in healthcare—from investing in diverse leadership to actively breaking down systemic barriers. We’re inspired by the passion and determination of these trailblazers and grateful for the rich insights they shared. Together, we’re transforming healthcare for the better. Thank you to our panelists and moderator for leading this essential conversation and for your unwavering commitment to advancing equity and innovation. #BreakingBarriers #BlackFounders #HealthcareInnovation #BHIS2024 #TheLeverageNetwork

At the end of women’s history month I made the following statement “Be an accomplice not an ally” I’ve been asked, more than once - okay three times, to clarify this. My metaphor is, an ally gives you cab fare to the protest, an accomplice is zip tied next to you figuring out who to call for bail. Doesn’t really translate into business stuff, well not normal business stuff. Here’s what it looks like in normal business stuff - not being part of a panel that’s not diverse. Not moderating, not being on…no nothing - turning down a speaking engagement and suggesting someone from an under represented group - helping conference planners access under represented people in your network. - pushing for limited drinks at a conference. Not everyone drinks, or feels safe in those environments - Using the privilege you have to enhance or help someone else build their career In the end, it’s really about checking ego and making space for women and other under represented groups a spot at the table. They’ve worked just as hard, in some cases harder, than you have they’ve earned and deserve the spot as much as you do.

Race Network Leaders & Future Leads Event We are thrilled to have Vincent Egunlae, an award-winning keynote speaker and the Number 1 Black British Business Award Rising Star, sharing his experiences and insights on being a Race Network Leader and how he has excelled in his career. Additionally, our recognised Silver Trailblazer, Riverside, will be discussing their journey of organisational cultural change and the impact it has had on their company. Talking about their ERG, recruitment and retention and how they achieved their Silver Trailblazer status. Polls revealed: ➡️ 96% would recommend the events. ➡️ 90% learnt something new. ➡️ 84% would use something they learnt. You will: - Meet, collaborate, and exchange ideas with other changemakers in virtual discussion groups. - Take part in interactive polls and hear state-of-the-nation poll results. - Gain access to 50+ insights and ideas following the event. - There will be a focus on race networks (ERGs) at these events; however, this event series is valuable for all race equality changemakers. Past attendees include Race Network Leaders, Race Network Members, Senior leaders, and HR and D&I representatives. Register today. https://ow.ly/w3aJ50SC2VF #RaceEqualityMatters #ItsEveryonesBusiness #ActionDrivesChange