Women of Rubies has successfully hosted its 4th Media Visibility Bootcamp, a transformative two-day event designed to empower women with essential tools and strategies to enhance their visibility, build credibility, and achieve success in personal and professional spheres. This year’s Bootcamp was held during a milestone moment as Women of Rubies celebrated its 9th anniversary, marking nearly a decade of empowering women globally.
The event featured distinguished speakers, engaging panel discussions, and interactive networking sessions that inspired participants to harness the power of media to amplify their voices and achieve their goals.
Day 1 Highlights
The bootcamp opened with a powerful address from Hon. Charmaine Williams, Distinguished Guest of Honour, who emphasized the importance of visibility for women entrepreneurs and her unwavering commitment to supporting their access to vital resources.
Special Guest Patricia Bebia, leveraging over 20 years of media experience, delivered an inspiring talk on how visibility can transform opportunities for women, leaving participants motivated to take control of their narratives.
Notable sessions included:
- Prudence Zoe Glorious on “Innovative Approaches to Public Relations: Building Transparency and Credibility,” providing actionable strategies for building trust.
- Esther Ijewere, founder of Women of Rubies, presented “The Power of Wikipedia: Leveraging Open Knowledge for Women’s Visibility and Empowerment,” highlighting the platform’s role in amplifying women’s contributions.
The day’s Fireside Chat Panel featured insights from:
- Heather McWilliam, founder of Brave Inspires Brave, on leveraging media for mental health advocacy.
- Amaechi Omijeh, on successful social media campaigns driving small business growth.
- Erica Ayisi, with practical steps for women of color to overcome systemic barriers.
Day 2 Highlights
Day 2 began with a keynote by Sabine Soumare, who presented the “2024 State of Women’s Entrepreneurship in Canada,” offering valuable insights into the current landscape.
Special Guest Councillor Colleen James spoke passionately about the representation of women in media and the importance of challenging misrepresentation.
The main session speakers were:
- Kesiena Edafiogho on “Leveraging Media to Boost Career Visibility in the Digital Space”
Kesiena emphasized the power of personal branding and storytelling to stand out in the digital world. She provided practical tips on using social media platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram to connect with professional networks and boost career visibility.
- Priscilla Iyari on “Effective Marketing Communication Strategies for Securing Funding”
Priscilla shared essential strategies for positioning brands to attract funding. She highlighted the importance of tailoring messaging, building trust, and crafting compelling proposals to secure grants and investments.
The final Fireside Chat brought actionable insights from:
- Blessing Okebe, on personal branding for competitive industries
Some Empowering Nuggets Shared During the Bootcamp
Throughout the event, speakers shared memorable and empowering nuggets:
Reflections from Esther Ijewere
Reflecting on the event’s success, Esther Ijewere shared:
“This year’s Bootcamp and our 9th anniversary symbolize the remarkable journey of Women of Rubies. Through this platform, we have empowered countless women to amplify their impact and visibility. I am deeply humbled by the inspiring women who joined us and proud of the milestones we have achieved together.”
Sponsors and Media Partners
The event was proudly supported by Myeki.market, and Chekwube Uchea, with BellaNaija, Naijapreneur Canada, and Guardian Nigeria as media partners.
Get the BootCamp replay here; womenofrubies.com/mvbc4
For more information about Women of Rubies and future events, visit www.womenofrubies.com.