[Creative Project Management] The Black Renaissance

Summary:

Amazon hosted an upscale gala called The Black Renaissance to recognize and celebrate Black leaders after the annual Executive Leadership Council (ELC) Week. This inaugural event aimed to improve engagement and networking opportunities for Black employees.

"Historically, the Executive Leadership Council Week concludes with the ELC Recognition Gala and warm farewells. After gaining valuable feedback from Amazon’s Black leaders, for the first time, Amazon celebrates MLMS Participants with a luxury affair! The Black Renaissance was created to amplify networking among peers, fellowship, catch-up and share memories from days past events. It’s time to celebrate Amazon’s Black Leaders and their Renaissance-- a Black Renaissance."

Objectives:

Recognize Mid-Level Managers at Amazon through creating a space where they could fellowship, learn and have fun.

Successfully partnering with Amazon executives to provide mentorship and lead engaging speaking moments.

Creating the Black Renaissance

When creating the Black Renaissance, Kaylyn did the following to create an immersive phase- based engagement.

Phase 1: Cocktail Hour

To kick- off the event, attendees were greeted with a Black Carpet photo opportunity and cocktail hour! During this cocktail hour the following highlights pushed the envelope

Vendor Management: Partnering with Knarly Designz media agency, Kaylyn was able to direct them on the vision for The Black Carpet experience. During this experience, attendees received access to all the photos taken for easier accessibility and to support a frugal and forward- thinking approach.

Highlighting Black Businesses: Staying aligned with the goal of the event, Kaylyn sourced Black businesses to result in an event created purely by Black businesses and creatives. Through keeping this vision in mind, Kaylyn also sourced an All- Black jazz band to play live music during the Happy Hour.

Phase 2: Dinner & Re- Igniting Innovation

Following the Cocktail Hour, attendees were guided behind curtains to a separate room with a round table dinner waiting for them. Throughout dinner, attendees were able to hear from Black leaders from the AWS Innovation Fund.

Activation Development: Partnering with AWS Innovation Fund leaders to create a full experience that created, guided and nurtured the partnership.

Phase 3: After Hours

Following dinner, attendees entered the last phase of their evening with a live band, open bar, cigar lounge and wine tasting activations.