Blackweek Presents: Seven for Seven with Gabrielle Shirdan

Seven for Seven is a new profile series hosted on Little Black Book with the founders of Blackweek, a new economic forum and marketing conference coming to NYC October 15-18th.

Seven questions that dive into the minds behind the economic forum, and what’s in store. A little bit about them, a little bit about Blackweek, and a lot for everyone to think about.

The series continues with Gabrielle Shirdan, CEO at Kitchen Table.

1. What did you want to be when you were 7? 

Gabrielle> When I was seven? No clue… but by time I was 9nine, I knew I wanted to be in advertising. Taught myself Photoshop by 14 after seeing a friend’s dad designing it in one night at a sleepover – I’ll never forget. I watched my mother – A Black woman, a single mother, putting herself through an Ivy League grad program while serving my brother and I after our father passed – she built her business from our dining room table up, so I was privileged to believe anything was possible. Then, somewhere between a classic Nike ad and Halle Berry in Boomerang, I knew I wanted to be in advertising. 

2. An example of someone throwing a line back to you in your career? 

Gabrielle> Love this question! I give so much now because of all I was given then. Proudly, I am no self-made story. When I was a freshman in college, I got the opportunity to sit in on a pitch for Philly’s top ad agency, LevLane. I begged for an internship despite the roles only going to seniors – and they gave me a chance as a Freshman. I took charge of that chance they gave me – ultimately, I was hired full time when I was just a Sophomore. They didn’t have to let me in, or let me sit at the table – or listen to my crazy ideas at the table. But they did. I was at that agency for 7 years and respect due. Forever grateful to LevLane. 

3. Words to live by? 

Gabrielle> I live by too many words – but to sum it. “Treat my first like my last. And my last like my first… stay hungry” – Jay Z. 

4. What made you get involved with Blackweek? 

Gabrielle> I believe in Blackweek. I trust the people in this group with the future of our industry. I believe we as a collective in culture have spent enough time sharing thought pieces, posting rants, hosting all hands and sitting on panels geared towards the gaze of others – and now is the time to focus on solutions, to take those uncomfortable conversations and turn them into action. I’m involved because I’m excited about the progress and I still have so much love for what we do as marketers. I believe we can change the world in this industry. We just have to get out of our way to do it. 

5. What aren’t people talking about? What aren’t they saying out loud? 

Gabrielle> We’ve pretty much said it all! Credit to those who have been fighting this fight long before 2020. So while I believe we’d said it all out loud, I don’t know if people have really listened. There are conversations that need to come out of the group chat and get to the big stage. That’s where big impact will come. 

6. Who can benefit most from attending Blackweek? Who needs to go? 

Gabrielle> Who can benefit? Everyone. Who needs to go? Everyone. This topic is not Black and white. It’s a “we” thing. This is OUR industry. OUR world. This is young and old, creative and account, client and agency – all sides of the table.

7. Where’s your industry a year from now? 

Gabrielle> I recently saw Caroline Wanga speak at the UNCF Gala and she said, “Think about the decisions you’ve made in the last five days… how will the world feel about it five years from now.” I’ll leave that there. Where the industry is a year from now is based on the conversations and decisions we make now. And the key is in conclusions we make, not just the conversations we have. That’s what’s so exciting about Blackweek. Let’s talk… but let’s work!