Some of the women who attended The Root’s Young, Fabulous and Female event at the Long View Gallery in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday were questioning if and when they should quit their jobs and devote themselves full time to a startup idea. Others got super candid and described how they were in the middle of a quarter-life crisis, faced with the dilemma of having an expensive graduate degree and a high-paying job in a field that bored them to death. Others were easing into their 20s and 30s pretty darn well on the career front, but they wanted tips on how to balance work and a healthy social life.
The panelists—moderator Jummy Olabanji, an anchor at ABC7 in D.C.; Amanda Brown, executive director of the National Women’s Business Council; dermatologist Dr. Natasha Sandy; Shea Yeleen founder Rahama Wright; Because of Them We Can founder Eunique Jones Gibson; and Addie Whisenant, White House director of African-American media—were all graciously forthcoming. Each of them described the bold choices they made in their own careers to improve their work lives. They also doled out suggestions for how young women can go about gaining respect in their own fields. It was the first of many events that The Root hopes will continue to inspire young professional women. Here are some photos that captured the chic evening. Toyota served as the presenting sponsor of Young, Fabulous and Female.
The Root Publisher Donna Byrd interviews panelist Eunique Jones Gibson in front of the 2015 Toyota Camry.
A closer look at the event’s signage displayed in the Long View Gallery window.
A view of the entrance to the Long View Gallery in Washington, D.C., where the Young, Fabulous and Female event was held.
The Root’s senior executives, YFF panelists and media professionals gather for a photo: YFF moderator Jummy Olabanji; panelists Amanda Brown and Rahama Wright; The Root Publisher Donna Byrd; panelist Addie Whisenant; Debra Gray-Young, vice president and media director at Burrell Communications Group LLC.; panelists Dr. Natasha Sandy and Eunique Jones Gibson; and The Root Senior Director of Global Sales Michael Clark.
Panelist Addie Whisenant came to share words of wisdom with the attendees.
YFF attendees get their photo taken in the gallery’s foyer.
A bird’s-eye view of the chic reception.
The event’s young, fabulous and female guests mingle during the guest reception.
YFF attendees Ambre Reed, Shelvia English, Carita Marrow, Ariel Grant and Precious Jenkins strike a mean pose.
YFF panelist Dr. Natasha Sandy during the reception.
YFF panelist Eunique Jones Gibson attends the reception.
Colorful brochures detailed the course of the evening.
YFF attendees take pictures of themselves in and around the Toyota Camry, our sponsors for the evening.
YFF panelist Amanda Brown poses for a picture.
YFF panelist Rahama Wright poses for a picture.
YFF attendees Shanel James and Erin C.J. Robertson strike a pose.
The Root Publisher Donna Byrd test-drives—well, not really—the Toyota Camry.
YFF attendees Samantha Cole and Erika Morant pose for a photo.
Panelist Dr. Natasha Sandy (second from left) with her mother, Angela Sandy (left), and two members of her team: Aruna Thapar and Rhonda Blackman.
Guests received beauty and skin care products from Egyptian Magic, Shea Yeleen, Polished Holistic Skincare, The Root and Nubian Heritage. A few lucky ladies won prizes from The Root and Because of Them We Can for their social media engagement with the #YoungFabFemale hashtag.
YFF attendees Rochelle Bent, Nicole Rowland, Chasity Cooper, Dominique Broadway, Jusna Perrin and Avonda Turner gather for a photo.
Rahama Wright poses in front of the Toyota Camry.
Eunique Jones Gibson (right) with a YFF attendee.
Rahama Wright with Donna Byrd.
Makeda Saggau-Sackey, The Root’s marketing and events strategist; Jeff Friedrich, associate editor at The Root’s sister publication, Slate; and Erin Burgin, Slate’s events and operations manager, gather for a photo.
A closer look at the yummy hors d’oeuvres served.
YFF attendees Efua Andoh, Lekesha Campbell, LaToya Archibald and Krystina Lafontant; panelist Rahama Wright; and attendees Anna Barber, Jo Namayanja and Stephanie Peters gather for a photo.
YFF attendees pose for pictures inside the Toyota Camry.
Rahama Wright, Donna Byrd and Jummy Olabanji pose for a picture.
YFF attendees Avonda Turner and Dominique Broadway come together for a picture.
YFF attendee Shanel James orders a glass of wine from the bar.
YFF attendees Ola Ojewumi and Renee Campbell pose for a picture.
A close-up of the event’s brochures and gift bags.
YFF attendee Ehmonie Hainey behind the wheel of the Toyota Camry.
YFF attendees Carita Marrow and Precious Jenkins Tweet about the event.
YFF attendees take pictures in and around the Toyota Camry.
Dr. Natasha Sandy poses by the Toyota Camry.
A YFF attendee checks out the inside of the Toyota Camry.
Debra Gray-Young of the Burrell Communications Group delivers remarks on behalf of Toyota.
A closer look at the slider hors d’oeuvres served.
YFF attendees Krystina Lafontant and LaToya Archibald take a selfie.
Avonda Turner (center) and other YFF attendees mingle during the reception.
YFF attendee Shelvia English uses social media to tell her followers about the event.
Donna Byrd welcomes guests to the panel discussion.
The YFF panel tackles issues affecting young, female professionals.
Rahama Wright and Addie Whisenant look on as Dr. Natasha Sandy speaks during the panel discussion.
Here’s a closer look at the Shea Yeleen product samples in the gift bags. The shea butter beauty-care line was founded by YFF panelist Rahama Wright.
YFF attendee Chasity Cooper checks social media during the panel discussion.
The YFF panel engages in discussion.
Moderator Jummy Olabanji with YFF panelists Amanda Brown, Rahama Wright, Dr. Natasha Sandy, Addie Whisenant and Eunique Jones Gibson.
Amanda Brown speaks about her career.
Signs from the Because of Them We Can campaign, founded by YFF panelist Eunique Jones Gibson.
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