Featured Articles
My American Story
by Shaní (Sha-nay) Clayton
Liv Fun: Vol 9 – Issue 4
When I moved to New York City in 2008, I was full of hope, charisma, self-expression and drive, ready to take on my next challenge: venturing into the world of advertising. For years, I was enamored by the dynamic culture of the ad industry, especially the creative aspects of visual artistry and community comradery amongst colleagues.
I was fortunate enough to dip my toe into the industry a few years prior as an intern and later a full-time employee at an agency based in San Antonio, Texas. It was here that I had the great fortune of collaborating with one of the top ad agencies in New York City. I befriended one of the account executives there and would later meet her on a trip to NYC in winter 2006. This brief encounter would be the catalyst for my eventual move to NYC two years later and the start of an expanding career. Unfortunately, this would later turn into a gut-wrenching and heartbreaking reality check, leading to my eventual departure from not only the advertising industry, but from the corporate world altogether due to years of discrimination.
While my experience involved making the tough personal decision to leave behind financial security and a 10-year career, it launched me on a path of exploring ways in which our communities could come together so that other African American women and women of color wouldn’t have to sacrifice their careers and could be seen authentically in the workplace.
Liv Fun
by Leisure Care
Winter 2020
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The Embrace
by Skye Moody
Lunch time, and it’s a special date. Our mother is taking her three young children downtown to lunch with their grandfather. I’m three years old, small for my age, wearing a couture dress, handmade by my French-trained seamstress grandmother, Bee.
My American Story
by Shaní (Sha-nay) ClaytonWhen I moved to New York City in 2008, I was full of hope, charisma, self-expression and drive, ready to take on my next challenge: venturing into the world of advertising. For years, I was enamored by the dynamic culture of the ad industry, until …
From the Fire to the Frame
by Susie Kearley
Helping others has long been known as a catalyst for better mental health and new social connections. While science gives us plenty of examples of the benefits of doing for others, we found evidence of this in the beautiful story of Ian Randall and his volunteer work.