Women in Media Discuss Decisions that Led to Success

 Students crammed into Carnegie Hall Wednesday night as the Endustry Power Players hosted their Women in the Media panel.

The panel, which focused on entrepreneurship and leadership within the entertainment industry, featured Miko and Titi Branch, founders of Miss Jessie's Natural Hair Care Products, Jummy Olabanji, anchor for ABC7/WJLA-TV, Rahiel Tesfamariam, founder/editorial director for UrbanCusp.com, Helena Andrews, author of "Bitch is the New Black" and screenwriter, and Susan Banks, head of special projects for TV-One.

EPP President Zon D'Amour moderated the event, asking each panelist questions ranging from how to make yourself more marketable to what to do after graduation. "Whether you're a freshman or a graduating senior, everything that you will hear tonight from our esteemed panelists will be beneficial," said D'amour, a senior film major. "When I got my opportunity, I said I would help others to get theirs," said Banks. Banks, who has been working in network television for 25 years, has been the mastermind behind some of the most successful branding campaigns in the industry. "Find your creative passion. Listen, go places, be in different environments. That's how you are awarded different opportunities," Banks said. "That's why you need to do internships and network and make yourself known."

From graduating at the top of their class from prestigious universities like Stanford to doing hair on the second floor of their brownstone, each panelist shared personal advice and experiences that helped them get to where they are today. "I grew up locally. I went to Banneker high school, which as you know is a public school and then moved on to graduate from Stanford and then Yale," said Tesfamariam. "I've seen both sides of the struggle and I'm sure we [the panelists] can all agree that as an African American woman, you have to be five steps ahead of everyone else."

"Be humble," said Olabanji. "In television, the majority of the people in power are white males. When they want diversity, they are more likely to pick someone of color who looks more "European," Olabanjo said. "As real as this is, I'm a strong believer in going after what you want. Be the best at what you do and everything will fall into place, even if you don't fit the image the person hiring you wants."

Miko Branch, who used to wear her hair straight before she gave birth to her son, could attest to Olabanji's statement. "I would go from breast feeding my son to doing my customer's hair and my own hair would look a mess," said Branch. "But they would always ask me ‘what did you do to your hair? I love it!' and from then on we went from specializing in selling that ‘super straight her image' to doing natural hair for the everyday woman." "Having straight hair, curly hair, kinky hair, or no hair is perfectly fine," said Branch. "Just remember that you are beautiful and that's what matters."

Andrews, who has partnered with "Grey's Anatomy" creator/executive producer Shonda Rhimes to write a screenplay for her first boo, urged the audience to continue learning about the world and themselves. "Keep finding your voice," said Andrews. "Never settle, always be looking two jobs ahead."

"You have to be ok with life changes. You have to maintain your faith," said Tesfamariam. "Take a leap of faith and the universe will conspire in your favor."