Feminism and Festivals with Do LaB's Monica Fernandez
As Executive Producer and a foundational member of the Do LaB community, Monica Fernandez oversees Lightning In A Bottle's production, while curating a host of the event's creative programming and media. Proud to be a woman in a male dominated industry, she employs an empathetic management style known as “compassionate leadership”, which is instrumental in understanding how individuals think, feel and get motivated. She sees this as an invaluable tool in retaining and grooming talent so that each of her team members have the opportunity to reach their highest potential both in the office and at home.
Brown Girls Rising is a partnership with Nylon Espanol to elevate the conversation of feminist action, leadership, community involvement, and culture.
"We are always looking at ways to curate and create more diversity in our community." - Monica Fernandez
In this episode, we chat with Do LaB’s Executive Producer, Monica Fernandez about how she made a way for herself in a male dominated workplace. She also, goes on to talk about how they advice she gave herself back then probably wouldn’t be the advice she’d give young girls today.
“I felt like pulling back my femininity, I started wearing more black and I always wore heels so I can be tall. It helped me be heard but, now looking back I don’t know how I feel about that anymore...”
Monica also details one of her experiences with racism and otherness, she goes on to say how that has changed how she shows up in the workplace today.
“I want to create an even playing for everybody. Whether it’s an actual playing field or the workplace. I want people to look at people as just people.”
Audrey and Yvette talk about their experiences with raves (or lack thereof), how they deal with feminism in the workplace, and growing up with otherness.
"I want people to look at people as just people" - Monica Fernandez
This episode, Brown Girls Rising Episode 15, can be found at BrownGirlsRising.com or on iTunes.
This episode was recorded in sunny Downtown Los Angeles at Maker City LA.