Diversidays is a national association for equal opportunities in favor of digital inclusion. The organization aims to promote underrepresented or discriminated talents in the digital & tech industries, regardless of their social, cultural, or geographical backgrounds, differences, or age. The association carries out concrete actions to act in favor of equal opportunities.

The event was held at Studio 104 at Radio France and included the release of the 4th edition of the Diversidays directory and the presentation of a new study. The audience was a diverse group of individuals from various backgrounds, all eager to hear the stories and insights shared by the speakers.

During my talk, I shared my personal journey and the challenges I faced as a member of an underrepresented group in the digital industry. I spoke about the importance of representation and how it can inspire others and open doors for more diversity in the workplace. The participants were engaged and receptive, many approaching me afterward to express their gratitude and share how my talk resonated with them personally.

Overall, the Diversidays event was a powerful reminder of the importance of representation and inclusivity in the digital and tech industries and beyond. The talks and discussions were an inspiring call to action for individuals and organizations to prioritize diversity and create a more inclusive future.

"Il faut de l'audace et de la confiance en soi. Malheureusement c'est ce qui manque chez les femmes, d'où la création de #TheWonders" pour @Iam_Fatou#ForumDiversidays pic.twitter.com/jztqhYFTvW

— Jonathan Chan (@ChanPerco) July 6, 2022

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Cultural appropriation is when someone from a dominant culture takes and uses elements from a marginalized culture without permission, respect, or understanding of their significance. It’s an issue in the fashion industry because it perpetuates stereotypes, erases cultural heritage, and reinforces power imbalances.

Examples of cultural appropriation in fashion include using indigenous prints or symbols without permission, wearing headdresses or other religious and ceremonial clothing as a fashion statement, and appropriating black hairstyles or accessories without acknowledging their cultural origins.

Fashion brands should act to avoid cultural appropriation by educating themselves on the cultures they want to reference, working with diverse creatives and consultants, and acknowledging and compensating the communities they are inspired by. 

Here’s a 6-step plan for fashion brands to avoid cultural appropriation and promote cultural exchange instead:

1. Research and understand the culture you want to reference. Learn about its history, significance, and contemporary practices.
2. Collaborate with members of the culture you want to reference. Hire consultants, artists, and designers from the community to ensure that your representation is accurate and respectful.
3. Obtain permission from the culture you want to reference. Ask for consent from the cultural gatekeepers, such as elders, leaders, or artists.
4. Acknowledge and compensate the culture you want to reference. Give credit to the community and compensate them fairly for their contributions.
5. Avoid stereotypes and caricatures. Represent the culture authentically and respectfully, avoiding exoticism and appropriation of sacred symbols or practices.
6. Educate your audience. Use your platform to educate your customers on the cultural significance of the elements you are referencing and encourage them to learn more about the cultures they are inspired by.

I believe that by following these steps, fashion brands can create a more respectful and inclusive industry that celebrates cultural diversity rather than exploiting it.

If you’re a fashion brand looking to learn more about cultural appropriation and how to avoid it, I’m here to help. I can provide resources and consultation to ensure that your brand is promoting cultural exchange in a responsible and respectful way.

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Using a colonial struggle for profit and romanticizing indigenous battles only serves to further disenfranchise Native Americans. These are peoples who have suffered greatly and continue to fight for their rights and their stories to be heard. Hollywood takes their stories and transforms them to sell movie tickets, ignoring the true histories and experiences of these communities.

Unfortunately, this is not the first time we’ve seen this kind of cultural appropriation in Hollywood. Walt Disney made a similar mistake with “Pocahontas” in 1995, falsely romanticizing the relationship between Pocahontas’ tribe and the English settlers while hypersexualizing Native American women. While Disney claimed to have drawn inspiration from true events, they freely changed the key details of the story, such as Pocahontas’ age and her relationship with John Smith, in order to make a more “dramatic” narrative.

Another issue with “Avatar” is the lack of diversity in its cast. Only two actors in the film are non-white, leading to accusations of “BlueFace,” a reference to the controversial practice of blackface.

Perhaps most frustrating of all, Native American communities were not consulted or invited to share their stories and struggles with the film’s writers. This is a crucial step in avoiding cultural appropriation – by allowing marginalized communities to share their own experiences and stories, we can create more authentic and respectful representations.

In order to avoid cultural appropriation, we must be proactive in seeking out the voices and stories of those from different cultures. We can start by sharing their struggles and standing in solidarity with them – for example, by supporting efforts to protect the Amazon rainforest. By listening to and amplifying the voices of marginalized communities, we can work towards a more equitable and respectful future.

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As an advocate for equality in the workplace and society, I have dedicated my life to advancing the cause through the power of collaboration. Through The Wonders, my team and I empower and bring greater visibility to women creating positive impact, inspiring future generations to act for the greater good, and creating solutions that make real change in the workplace.

But the journey to equality is far from over. It’s unacceptable that it will take another 135 years for women to be on equal footing with men. This medal is not just for me, but for everyone who contributes to creating a more equal world. It’s a recognition of the collective effort of those fighting to reduce the gender gap and support gender equality.

I am grateful to Élisabeth Moreno for acknowledging our work, and I will continue to use my voice to promote gender equality and amplify the voices of those fighting for a fairer future for all.

I received the Medal for Equality !

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Our collective experience and expertise gave us unique insights into what it takes to launch and grow a successful startup in today’s fast-paced business world.

During the conference, we shared our top nine tips for success, based on our own journeys and the lessons we’ve learned along the way. I emphasized the importance of three key principles:

1 – Don’t be afraid of failure. As a serial entrepreneur, I encourage everyone to take risks and embrace failure as a valuable learning experience. I’m proud to say that I’ve experienced my fair share of setbacks, but each one has helped me grow and improve. For example, I had to close one of my businesses after just four years, but this experience allowed me to build a strong community that continues to support me today.

2 – Embrace creativity. In the world of entrepreneurship, creativity is key. Whether you’re developing a new product, creating a marketing campaign, or solving a problem, the ability to think outside the box is essential. As both Elodie and I emphasized during our talk, it’s important to always make room for creativity in your work.

3 – Surround yourself with supportive people. Finally, I can’t stress enough the importance of having a strong support system when starting a business. As I explained during our conference, it’s crucial to share your ideas with others and seek out mentors and investors who can help you along the way. Elodie echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the invaluable support that her own network has provided her with throughout her entrepreneurial journey.

By following these three principles – embracing failure, fostering creativity, and surrounding yourself with supportive people – I believe that anyone can find success in the world of entrepreneurship. So if you’re thinking about starting your own business, don’t be afraid to take the leap!

Discover  9 Key Tips for Launching a Successful Startup here!

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I spent three days with a family living in the steppe, learning about their daily lives and traditions. The mother of the family taught me how to sew a deel, the traditional garment worn by the Mongolian people. We used an old manual sewing machine, and I was amazed at how precise and skilled she was. I felt honored to be able to learn this skill from her and to be able to wear the deel that I had made.

One of the highlights of my trip to Mongolia was attending the airag festival. Airag is fermented mare’s milk, and it’s considered a delicacy in Mongolia. I tried it for the first time at the festival, and it was an unforgettable experience. I also watched traditional Mongolian wrestling, which was fascinating to see.

Another unforgettable experience was seeing the Mongol Khan theater performance. The play was about the Yunnu culture, and the costumes were extraordinary. I was amazed at the intricate details and the vibrant colors of the costumes. During my time in Mongolia, I also learned how to make the felt hats used in the theater.

I met with a designer who uses camel wool to create clothes, and I was impressed by the quality of the garments. She also upcycles cashmere to create beautiful patchwork, and it was inspiring to see how she incorporated sustainable practices into her designs.

My journey to Mongolia was an unforgettable experience, and it taught me so much about the importance of preserving traditions and celebrating diversity. I invite you to watch the second episode of “Fatou en Mode” to discover more about the amazing artisans and designers I met on my journey.

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The panel was hosted by Catherine Barba Chiaramonti, co-founder of Envi, L’ecole des independants, and featured Shanty Baehrel, founder of Shanty Biscuits, and myself, dubbed “the audacity queen” by Catherine herself.

We shared insights and tips on how to boost confidence and build audacity, particularly for those considering starting a new venture or transitioning in their careers. We also had the opportunity to hear from other experts and entrepreneurs throughout the three-day event, including Eric Larcheveque, co-founder and CEO of Ledger, Marc Simoncini, founder of Meetic, and representatives from companies like Malt, L’Oréal, and Mazars.

During the panel, we discussed the importance of mindset, authenticity, and taking risks to build confidence and audacity. We shared practical exercises and tools that participants could use to strengthen their confidence and build their audacity muscles.

As an entrepreneur and business coach, it was an honor to share my experience and insights with the Cafet’Envie community. I hope that our discussion and the other activities offered at the event inspired and empowered participants to take the next steps in their entrepreneurial journeys.

If you missed the event, be sure to check out Envi’s website for future opportunities to participate in their programs and events. And don’t forget to keep building your confidence and flexing your audacity muscle – it’s a lifelong journey!

Do you want to boost your confidence and build your boldness?

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Here are my top 3 tips for empowering women in the workplace:

1 Invite Authenticity into the Workplace

In today’s world, it’s essential to embrace uniqueness and individuality. When team members feel that they belong and can bring their whole selves to work, they thrive. So create a safe space for diversity to fuel creativity and innovation.

2 Listen to Every Team Member

The best ideas for revolutionizing your company can come from anyone, not just those with the “innovator” label. Encourage everyone to participate in company-wide hackathons and brainstorming sessions, even those whose job descriptions don’t include innovation. By tapping into the insights of your entire team, you’ll unleash a wealth of potential.

3 Take Risks and Encourage Failure

Failure is an inevitable part of success. Launch multiple prototypes, and don’t be afraid to take risks. Reward failures because they provide valuable learning opportunities. The more you encourage risk-taking and failure, the more you’ll help your team build their audacity muscles.

In conclusion, building an inclusive workplace culture that empowers women and promotes audacity is not only the right thing to do, it’s also good for business. When employees are encouraged to bring their authentic selves to work, to share their ideas and take risks, the result is a more creative and innovative team that is better equipped to tackle complex challenges and drive growth.

By following these three simple tips – embracing authenticity, listening to everyone on the team, and encouraging risk-taking and failure – leaders can create a workplace where everyone can thrive. Whether you’re just starting out in your career or are a seasoned professional, it’s never too late to build your audacity muscle and unlock your full potential. So let’s keep pushing the boundaries, challenging the status quo, and empowering each other to succeed!

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With my co-organizer Laura Lesueur, we crafted a program that centered around three key themes: inspiration, connection, and celebration.

Firstly, we held an inspiring panel discussion on “Entrepreneurship as a Lifestyle” featuring incredible panelists Rokhaya Diallo, Louise Aubery, Ysaora Thibus, and Catherine Barba Chiaramonti. The discussion was engaging, thought-provoking, and left the audience feeling empowered and motivated to pursue their own entrepreneurial dreams.

We also wanted to provide an opportunity for our attendees to connect with each other and share their own projects and ideas. The “Pitch & Troc” session was a hit, giving attendees the chance to pitch their projects and needs in just one minute. The energy in the room was electric as everyone cheered each other on and made new connections.

Finally, we celebrated the night away with plenty of opportunities to dance, chat, and enjoy delicious drinks. Our partners JOLIMOI and Mastercard helped to create an atmosphere of impact, audacity, sisterhood, and fun that was felt throughout the entire evening. Overall, Bright & Bold Nights was an incredible success and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for our community of inspiring women. 

We believe that it is important to create spaces where women can come together, connect, and lift each other up. We hope that our event has inspired and empowered everyone who attended, and we look forward to seeing what amazing things they will achieve in the future. I am proud of what Laura and I have achieved with the Bright & Bold Nights events, and we are already planning the next one!

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In this episode, I discussed how many of the challenges around gender equality have been addressed in the years leading up to 2040. One of the major turning points was when women took to the streets and fought for their rights after a tragic event. This event sparked a change that ultimately led to gender equality becoming a non-issue in 2040.

During the conversation, I highlighted the importance of having women in positions of power in business and politics. This shift in power dynamics has played a crucial role in reshaping the world in a more equitable way.

I also expressed my hope that the overturn of Roe v. Wade could be the spark that ignites the changes I saw in 2040. It is important to remember that every small step towards gender equality is a step in the right direction.

I am grateful to Michelle Carter for inviting me to join the podcast and to Roni Michael for facilitating such an insightful conversation. If you’re interested in hearing more about my vision of the future, you can listen to the podcast here.

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