ColorComm Conference: June 4 - 7, 2018
For its fifth year, the ColorComm Conference is a PR professionals dream. Literally set in a relaxing paradise, women of color communications executives from Fortune 500 companies and C-suite professionals from the world's top PR firms come together to exchange ideas on development and inclusion. "My experience at the C2 Conference was life-changing, transformative, and needed. I was yearning to see women of color in my field that I could resonate with and grow from, and I got to see over 400 dynamic women. I gained invaluable advice from each session and definitely had some fun in the sun. The millennial passionate about elevating her career would definitely benefit from networking at ColorComm," shared Dominique Fluker, social media manager for WeWork.
Dominique Fluker
She Gained a "Fairy Godmother"
With many women of color attending at different stages of their career, most people seek to find mentorship and friendship at ColorComm. "What I loved about the C2 ColorComm conference was the combination of breakout sessions on mentorship, corporate communication strategies, and social media influencers while being able to celebrate a dynamic group of professional women. During one of the sessions hosted by Hill + Knowlton Strategies titled, 'Do you have a Fairy Godmother?' I realized that I gained one at the conference. Fairy Godmother (n)—a term coined at ColorComm, means a person with great influence who can connect you with the right people and save you years of running in circles. Starkly different from a mentor, a Fairy Godmother can make one phone call and your life could change," explained Dominique.
Have a Media Kit Ready
"If you want to network with someone and know that they are attending, make a mini media kit that includes their photo and a short bio so you're prepared. Networking at ColorComm can be super organic. There's really no specific rhyme or reason but be sure to have an open mind and be accessible," Dominique shared.
Women who are running the marketing and communications efforts for some of our favorite brands are in attendance and if you are looking for a job it's always good to be prepared. "The best spots to meet and connect with people were at the sessions, hotel lobby, and hallways and even at the pool. The best advice I could give is to keep your eyes peeled and to stay ready!" she remembered.
Her Biggest Takeaway from C2 Conference
For its fifth year the C2 Conference is moving from the beaches of Key Biscayne, Florida to Maui, Hawaii hosted at the Ritz Carlton which can be pricey for junior and mid-level attendees who may not get sponsored by their company to attend. Dominique did not stay at the Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne but wishes she did. "If I could do one thing differently, it would be that I would stay at the hotel where the conference was hosted. I could've connected with more women," she explained.
To avoid an expensive lodging experience at the hosting hotel, be sure to use your social network to find roommates to split accommodation costs.
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While speaking to xoNecole, Eva shares that she’s a lot like the beloved 1994 character in many ways. “Lyric is so me. She's the odd flower. A flower nonetheless, but definitely not a peony,” she tells us.
“She's not the average flower you see presented, and so she reminds me of myself. I'm a sunflower, beautiful, but different. And what I loved about her character then, and even more so now, is that she was very sure of herself.
"Sure of what she wanted in life and okay to sacrifice her moments right now, to get what she knew she deserved later. And that is me. I'm not an instant gratification kind of a person. I am a long game. I'm not a sprinter, I'm a marathon.
America first fell in love with Eva when she graced our screens on cycle 3 of America’s Next Top Model in 2004, which she emerged as the winner. Since then, she's ventured into different avenues, from acting on various TV series like House of Payne to starring on Real Housewives of Atlanta.
Je-Caryous Johnson Entertainment
Eva praises her castmates and the play’s producer, Je’Caryous for her positive experience. “You know what? Je’Caryous fuels my audacity car daily, ‘cause I consider myself an extremely audacious woman, and I believe in what I know, even if no one else knows it, because God gave it to me. So I know what I know. That is who Je’Caryous is.”
But the mom of three isn’t the only one in the family who enjoys acting. Eva reveals her daughter Marley has also caught the acting bug.
“It is the most adorable thing you can ever see. She’s got a part in her school play. She's in her chorus, and she loves it,” she says. “I don't know if she loves it, because it's like, mommy does it, so maybe I should do it, but there is something about her.”
Overall, Eva hopes that her contribution to the role and the play as a whole serves as motivation for others to reach for the stars.
“I want them to walk out with hope. I want them to re-vision their dreams. Whatever they were. Whatever they are. To re-see them and then have that thing inside of them say, ‘You know what? I'm going to do that. Whatever dream you put on the back burner, go pick it up.
"Whatever dream you've accomplished, make a new dream, but continue to reach for the stars. Continue to reach for what is beyond what people say we can do, especially as [a] Black collective but especially as Black women. When it comes to us and who we are and what we accept and what we're worth, it's not about having seen it before. It's about knowing that I deserve it.”
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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Feature image by Leon Bennett/WireImage
What Is a Praise Kink?
The concept of praise kinks isn't new, but thanks to TikTok, a lot of people are now realizing they might identify as praise kinksters. Currently, the hashtag #praisek1nk is trending with 568.9 million views, with tons of creators posting about their love for compliments and words of affirmation during sex. I, too, love a good compliment during sex. I once had a lover sing my praises about how good I was at a certain bedroom activity. His affirmations gave me WAP, but does that categorize me as having a praise kink?
How To Know if You Have a Praise Kink
Just because you love receiving praise doesn’t mean you have a praise kink. Someone with a praise kink experiences an intense level of sexual excitement from being praised or verbally affirmed by their partner during sex. You might have a praise kink if hearing your partner tell you how pretty you are makes you cum or if the thing that makes sex go from good to great is hearing your partner's thoughts about how good you are at giving head. And if, during solo play, the thing that gets you all hot and bothered is recalling the times your partner called you a good girl, it’s probably a praise kink.
Generally, a kink is a sexual activity that is needed for someone to enjoy sex. When it comes specifically to praise kinks, if you need reassurance from your partner that you're sexy, or good in bed in order to orgasm, you have a praise kink.
filadendron/Getty Images
Examples of Praise Kink Phrases To Try With Your Partner
If you’re new to the term and looking to explore, you probably have questions about what phrases to use. It may take a lot of communication and some trial and error to figure out what phrases work best for you and your partner. Ultimately, the best phrases to use vary from person to person and are based on what sex acts you and your partner enjoy, or what parts of their body they like complimented.
To get you started, here are some generic praise kink examples to try out with your partner:
Praise Kink Examples:
- You're such a good girl/boy.
- You're so good at [insert skill].
- You look so hot when you [insert activity].
- Your [insert body part] is irresistible.
- You taste so good. I can't get enough of you.
- You just have the perfect [body part].
- Just like that… you’re doing so good.
- Who taught you how to be so good at [something?]
While many examples of praise kink involve specific verbal affirmations, praise can also come in the form of brief words or phrases like “yes,” “keep going,” or simply a moan. No matter what type you prefer, praise kink is all about finding what feels good and exciting, and turns you and your partner on the most.
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Featured image by rocketclips/Getty Images
Originally published on November 4, 2022