Joyfully Black

This week Esi Eggleston Bracey,  Chief Operating Officer, EVP Beauty & Personal Care of Unilever North America, joins the Joyfully Black podcast. Today’s guest thought she would pursue a career in numbers but shifted to the world of management, brand building, and marketing leadership. You’ve seen her work with brands like COVERGIRL in their partnering with some of our favs like Queen Latifah and Janelle Monae in major campaigns. This Chicago native is recognized time and time again with awards including the Ebony Power 100 List and Cosmetics Executive Women Achievers Award. Now at Unilever, leading with Dove, she has been diligently working on the CROWN Act--anti-hair discrimination legislation, that has recently been passed in several states. 

In this episode, we delve into the importance of building a village, managing career opportunities and motherhood in Europe, why beauty matters, and her techniques for staying whole.

What to listen for: 

The importance of having a village 6:56

How she created energy domains to stay whole: 7:16

Experiencing career opportunities and motherhood abroad 10:15

Her six energy domains 14:26

The path from surviving, to thriving, to being 21:25

Why beauty matters 28:22

What led Dove under her leadership to drive the CROWN Act 31:48

What's brings her joy today 39:14

Resources Mentioned

Sign up to support the CROWN Act

The Little Book of Big Lies: A Journey into Inner Fitness by Tina Lifford

Connect With Esi

On LinkedIn

On Instagram

Stay In Touch

Instagram: @joyfullyblk

Email: [email protected]

In today's mini-episode, Joy discusses her experience with her intentions for 2021 and reveals her intentions for 2022. Two listeners share their intentions. Joy also shares details for a guest book giveaway.

Get in touch: @joy.dixon

Follow us on Instagram: @joyfullyblk

In this episode, Joy has a candid conversation with Dr. ZaDonna Slay on her burnout breakthrough. Dr. Slay is an administrative social worker, nonprofit professional, and university instructor.

After graduating from college at the age of twenty, today’s guest achieved her dream role as a nonprofit Executive Director at twenty-five years old. Despite thriving in her career, ZaDonna found herself plagued with imposter syndrome and burnout. Today she shares her burnout breakthrough, how faith and community sustained her, and the power of dance and self-forgiveness on her journey.

What to listen for:

• Burnout symptoms look different among Black women 16:17
• What helped ZaDonna recenter and recover from burnout 25:23
• What is in ZaDonna’s mental wellness pocketbook 28:29
• The role of dance and movement in burnout recovery 31:37
• Advice to her 19-year-old self 34:13
• Her theme for 2022  42:35
• How self-forgiveness brings joy 42:41

Where to find Dr. ZaDonna Slay

Instagram: @drzslay

Twitter: @drzslay

Resources

Motivation App

United State of Women

Stay Connected

Instagram: @joyfullyblk

Joyfully Black Website

• Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Email [email protected]
• Tag @joyfullyblk with your favorite highlight from this episode
• If you enjoyed this episode, like us on Instagram and share it with a friend!

In this episode, we discuss how to play in our lives with authenticity Melissa M. Proctor. Melissa is the Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Atlanta Hawks & State Farm Arena. In this role, Proctor oversees the day-to-day management of the club’s marketing, Hawks Studio, live experience and production, brand merchandising, and corporate social responsibility among her varied responsibilities. 

From becoming the Miami Heat’s first ball girl to a celebrated leader in the communication and sports industry, Melissa shares insight as a strategic marketing executive. We also learn how to develop guiding principles to identify purpose, her experiences as a caregiver, and fostering authenticity as a superpower.

What to listen for

1.  Her starting five guiding principles 8:51
2. The best advice she received as an intern that Melissa follows today 17:58
3. How she remained resilient as a young adult parental caregiver  21:44
4. Developing an unexpected village 23:51
5. The items in her mental wellness toolbox 30:25
6. The event that nourishes Melissa’s soul 33:57
7. Making time for joy in motherhood 36:00
8. What is the advice for her 18- year old self 38:25
9. Using Stoicism to foster mental health 39:25
10. The best advice received about work-life harmony: 41:05

QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What was your favorite quote or lesson from this episode? Let me know in the comments!

Where to Find Melissa M. Proctor

Instagram: @melissamproctor

To Order Melissa's Book, From Ball Girl to CMO

Amazon

Website

Stay Connected

Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at [email protected]

The hashtag for the podcast is #JoyfullyBlk

Make sure to follow us on Instagram: @joyfullyblk

In this solo episode, Joy discusses the differences between resolutions and intentions, why intentions are the new Black, and how to set your own for 2022.

What's your one-word or short phrase intention for 2022?

DM your intention and why you're choosing it on Instagram (at) joyfullyblk or email at [email protected]

Stay Connected

Want to recommend a topic or guest for Joyfully Black? Let us know here

Use the hashtag #JoyfullyBlack to share what you enjoyed about this episode.

Make sure to follow us on Instagram: @joyfullyblk

In this episode, we discuss how to unravel hustle culture for greater impact with Melissa C. Potter. Melissa is the Vice President of Social Impact for ViacomCBS.  She is a passionate thought leader in the field of social impact and advocacy, molding and shaping social change through programs, opportunities, platforms, partnerships, and new media. 

From literally growing up working in hip hop to an acclaimed voice in the social impact space, Melissa shares insight as an entertainment executive. We also learn how to navigate imposter syndrome and have an impact without sacrificing mental wellness.

What to listen for...

1. Identifying role models who have the attributes you aspire to ( 6:01)
2. Standing up to detractors in the workplace (7.54)
3. Navigating imposter syndrome (12:14)
4. How to say no to the hustle culture for growth (12:39)
5. What habits to unlearn to combat hustle culture (15:07)
6. Tools to add to your mental health toolbox? (17:54)
7. Being the voice in the room (19:27)

People Mentioned

Sylvia Rhone

Mona Scott

Where to Find Melissa C. Potter

Instagram: @melissacpotter

Stay Connected

Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at [email protected]

The hashtag for the podcast is #JoyfullyBlk

Make sure to follow us on Instagram: @joyfullyblk

Too often Black women try to tackle depression and anxiety alone in the midst of building their lives. The Joyfully Black podcast is focused on Black women on their self-care journey balancing career, community care, and family, as well as guests who offer resources and guidance for protecting their mental health.

Join Joy Dixon Paul as she delves into conversations that can keep us "in the black", so we can be Joyfully Black.

Stay connected

Visit joyfullyblk.com for show notes and a full transcript of every episode.

Stay in touch on Instagram: @joyfullyblk

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