My Week as an Aspen Ideas Fellow and Speaker

"The mind, once stretched by a new idea, never returns to its original dimensions." Ralph Waldo Emerson

The seven days spent at the Aspen Ideas Festival were some of the most transformational days of my life. What I enjoyed most was the opportunity to have the college experience all over again- the bustling around campus to attend sessions, the serendipitous nature of running into old colleagues and making new friends, and lastly, learning from the most innovative global leaders in the world. This experience rekindled my love for learning and reinvigorated my curiosity about the future of our society, our democracy, and our world more than ever before. Since returning back from the conference, I have been taking time to allow myself to soak it all in, to reflect on the opportunities presented at the conference, and to sit within the fullness of life at this present moment. 

There were far too many highlights to pick from my time in Colorado but I did my best to reflect on the lessons and themes that came up for me after the conference. So, in no particular order, here are my top 5 moments from the conference:

1. The Power of Dreams and Mentorship with David Rubenstein and Alex Rodriguez 

Learning about Alex Rodriguez’s start in business was inspirational. The panel focused on his business endeavors and the journey to now owning a stake in the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx. What impacted me the most was his founding story - Alex’s interest in business started after his family moved around frequently because they couldn’t afford rent. Having that desire to acquire wealth and change the prospects of his family stuck out to me as an important driver of success - the power of dreaming and wanting something better for yourself. A key point Alex mentioned was Magic Johnson’s impact in helping him launch his business and how important it was to have a mentor like Magic pour into him as he embarked on his entrepreneurial journey. As a man of color with few role models who owned sports teams, Magic’s advice propelled Alex to embark on his own financial freedom journey. Hearing this story reinforced my mantra about the power of dreaming and having mentors. I have been exceptionally fortunate to have role models and mentors who have always dared me to dream bigger than I imagined. In some ways, I’m living in my dreams now, with more to come.

Although ARod is the bigger household name, to me, David Rubenstein is on my personal Mount Everest of favorite talk show hosts. I've been a big fan of his Peer to-Peer Conversations talk show for years, and his humor, wit, and intelligence during the panel conversation reminded me why I’m such a big fan of his. Rubenstein’s interview with Oprah Winfrey on his talk show is a personal favorite and his style is one I try to emulate in my interviewing style. Watching him allow Oprah to tell her story and share her perspectives on business is what sparked my passion for creating a talk show and amplifying the voices of people doing important work. It was pretty cool to see life come full circle in seeing my “heroes” up close that way. 

2. The Present is All that Matters- Lessons in Improv with David Razowsky

One approach I had at this conference was to attend sessions that were off the “beaten path,” and I’m glad I did! As someone who has never taken an improv class before, David Razowsky’s enthusiasm in teaching us the basics of improv and allowing us to be present in the moment was unforgettable. This class encouraged me to be a better listener and provided practical tools I look forward to using in my media career.

My goal is to incorporate these lessons so that I can come into every interview more open to learning the stories of others, observant of body language and tone, and knowing how to pivot at a moment’s notice. If you’re looking to get out of your own head and enjoy a fun interactive experience that will help you in any personal or professional setting, I recommend an improv class!

3. A Black History Lesson and Learning to Play Bid Whist with Lamont Jones

I am a sucker for a black history lesson and a fun card game with friends, and attending this session with Lamont Jones hit both of those quirks of mine. For someone who has been personally shamed and had my black card (occasionally) revoked for not knowing how to play spades, learning Bid Whist felt like I had been finally invited to sit at the cool kid's table. Lamont’s energy and passion in explaining the rules of Bid Whist and the history of the Pullman Porters made this an experience to remember.

Lamont’s book, The Gist of Bid Whist, explores the fascinating role of the Pullman porters, African American men hired to work on sleeping cars for the Pullman Company from the late 1860s until the later 1960s. As they crisscrossed the nation, the porters shared the latest jazz and blues records and information and insights that helped fuel the Great Migration. They also introduced the game that was integral to life as a porter. Poetically, Bid Whist, in turn, ultimately contributed to the porters’ heroic impact on America. I first learned about the Pullman Porters while reading “The Warmth of Other Suns” by Isabel Wilkerson, and I’m excited to dive deeper into their history in Lamont’s book. Lamont's book is part celebration, workshop, and cultural history lesson—with a generous dash of buddy-comedy and daddy-daughter card game journey elements. You can purchase the book on Amazon and if you ever need a partner for a Bid Whist game, you know where to find me. 

4. Women’s Sports is Having Its Well-Deserved Moment - Candace Parker & Lester Holt

WNBA legend Candace Parker and Lester Holt’s conversation about the growing prominence of women's basketball and the importance of investing in women's sports was timely and insightful. With the WNBA's recent TV deal and increased corporate sponsorships, there is an unprecedented demand for high-quality women’s basketball. It just makes smart business sense to invest in the WNBA right now.  As Candace mentioned during the conversation, things take time. It’s taken almost 30 years for the WNBA to reach this point. Still, the financial backing the League is seeing now is a game-changer because it will allow for better player salaries, improved facilities, and enhanced marketing efforts.

One thing that stuck out to me was that both Candace and Alex Rodriguez (in his session with Rubenstein) mentioned the pitfalls of social media and how it is putting unnecessary pressure on these athletes as they develop into household names. It made me think of how Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark have become household names at such a young age and how stressful it can be to have your life under a microscope while also embarking on a new professional chapter. As fans of the game and viewers, it's important for us to extend grace to these athletes as they navigate new terrains and chart new paths. I have yet to attend a WNBA game, but in the meantime, if you’re looking to stream the next game, the WNBA league pass subscription is live now. Watch the replay of Lester and Candace's conversation here.

5. We Should All Care About Climate Change - Jane Fonda’s Last Act at 86 years old 

When I grow up, I want to be Jane Fonda. That’s all. I have yet to see someone carry a crowd as Jane did at Aspen. Her humor, wit, and impassioned speech urging immediate action to combat global warming made me google “how to compost,” and I may be taking my recycling habits a bit more seriously now. LOL. 

"We are in a race against time, and the clock is ticking faster than ever."  What I appreciated about Jane Fonda was how she tied climate change to some of the larger social and economic issues our country is facing and how greener policies would create sustainable jobs while protecting vulnerable communities. It left me empowered to make better decisions about how I engage with our world. Watch her interview here.

Bonus Mention: My Panel on AI and Inclusivity

In the spirit of self-promotion (😂), I had the amazing opportunity to sit on a panel with industry leaders Cordell Carter, Arun Gupta, and Dominique Fines about how AI can be more inclusive. As we dove into discussions about bias in AI systems, I was struck by the passionate voices of my fellow panelists, each bringing their unique perspectives from tech, academia, and entrepreneurship backgrounds. The audience's questions challenged us to think deeper about the ethical implications of AI development in our respective fields.

One key takeaway was the critical importance of diverse teams in AI creation. We explored how homogeneous groups can inadvertently bake their biases into algorithms, perpetuating societal inequalities. I learned about promising initiatives to increase representation in tech, from early education programs to inclusive hiring practices. The panel reinforced my belief that responsible AI development is not just a technical challenge but a deeply human one. As we push the boundaries of what's possible with AI, we must remain vigilant in ensuring these powerful tools serve and empower all members of society. It's a complex journey, but one that's absolutely essential for our shared future.

Watch the replay of the panel here.

"A gift from the skies, to be recognized. I'm keeping my eyes on the people, that's the prize"- Common

On the last night of the conference, we had an amazing performance by rap legend Common, and when I say I had a TIME, I.HAD.A. TIME! It was amazing. But I say that to say, his song "People" feels very apropos for the best part of the conference. It was the people. Although the glitz and glamour of meeting my favorite celebrities leave an imprint, the people I met made this experience especially memorable.

From the other amazing Aspen Ideas fellows, to the conference organizers who made sure we all had an amazing experience, to the attendees and speakers, each of the strangers I can now call friends is what I'll treasure most. The best parts were the late-night conversations on how to empower our individual communities, going on expeditions to find edible wings in Aspen (side note- Aspen’s food scene left a lot to be desired but that’s another story for another day 🥴), to having soul-filling conversations about all the ways we strive to make the world a better place, I’m thankful for the people above all else. 

I’ll forever remember this experience for expanding my mind to dream bigger and bolder dreams. It was one to remember. If you want to check out any of the sessions from the festival, check it out here.

If you have any questions about my experience or to dive deeper into the lessons I learned, leave a comment or question below!

Until next time,