Let’s talk: Black History Month

NOTE FROM THE CEO

When I stepped into the role of CEO and owner at talkStrategy, I knew that I had the huge responsibility to foster a brave space coupled with an inclusive agency culture open to all perspectives. I don’t take this responsibility lightly. I am proud of the team we have built, each person bringing their own perspectives to the work, to the enrichment of the agency and to each other as individuals. Beginning this month, we will embark on a year-long journey to learn more about each other, explore new perspectives, and have candid conversations. As communications professionals, our role is to help brands navigate the modern channel ecosystem. We hope this endeavor will introduce new thinking, making us better communicators, better stewards of the ecosystem, and frankly better humans. To ensure we have diverse perspectives, the exploration will be spearheaded by rotating members of our team of talkStrategists. I hope you join us over the next weeks and months, as well as join in the dialogue.

Let's talk: Janel Martinez

During this Black History Month, we are taking the time to acknowledge and honor African American professionals who have made contributions to the Marketing and Communications industry as a whole, as well as recognizing those who are history in the making. Next, Janel Martinez helps us shine a light on Black and Latinx intersectionality through her experience as a Honduran-American multimedia journalist and entrepreneur.

Janel Martinez, multimedia journalist, entrepreneur and advocate

Janel Martinez is a Honduran-American multimedia journalist, entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for Afro-Latinidad. The Bronx, NY native is the founder of the award-winning blog Ain’t I Latina?, which celebrates women of African descent with roots in Latin America and the Caribbean. Her platform has featured interviews with prominent Afro-Latinas such as actress Selenis Leyva and singer Amara La Negra, among others.

As a frequent public speaker, Janel discusses media, tech, entrepreneurship, culture, and identity, as well as diversity, at conferences and events for Bloomberg, NBCU, Oath, and SXSW. She has also appeared as a featured guest on national shows and outlets, including BuzzFeed, ESSENCE, NPR, Sirius XM, and Vanity Fair. Her work has been featured in Univision Communications, Oprah Magazine, and The New York Times.

Janel has been recognized for her contributions to the Afro-Latino community. She was nominated for the 20th Annual Rosoff Award in the 20-Something Category, won the Afro-Latino Festival of New York’s Digital Empowerment Award, and was recognized at City Hall by the New York City Council, the Black, Latino and Asian Caucus, and the Bronx Delegation to the NYC Council for her contributions as a woman of Garifuna descent.

Most recently, Janel’s work was featured in the newly-released YA anthology, Wild Tongues Can’t Be Tamed, published by Flatiron Books. Janel’s passion for social media and her expertise in reporting, writing, editing, and producing digital content for niche audiences have earned her a reputation as a specialist in her field. She holds a bachelor’s degree in magazine journalism and sociology from Syracuse University.

Ain’t I Latina? is Janel’s online destination for millennial Afro-Latinas to celebrate their diversity. The blog offers celebrity news, career advice, lifestyle coverage, exclusive interviews with Latinas, and an opportunity for readers to share their stories.

FUN FACT

Janel is a self-proclaimed travelista who loves social media and sweet treats.

Thank you for taking to the time to learn more with us about the impact of Black professionals in the field. Stay tuned throughout the coming months for more moments of reflection and homage. Follow for more talkStrategy storytelling at @wetalkstrategy.

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