Mark your calendars for September 26th and join us at the 2024 Ignite Gala as we celebrate 15 incredible years! 🎊 🥂 This year's gala promises an evening to remember, celebrating the youth we've served across the Midwest and raising essential funds for The BrandLab's programming. ✨ What's in store: -15th Anniversary Panel -Alumni Fireside Chat -Live and silent auctions -Live music, dancing, dinner, and much more!! Reflect on our transformation and renewal journey, and let's commit to positive change in the profession together. 💚 Secure your ticket today using the link in the comments! Early bird tickets sales end 8/16! 🎟️ #Ignite2024 #TheBrandLab #CelebrateYouth #DriveChange #15thAnniversary #TBL #Marketing #Advertising #Gala
The BrandLab
Non-profit Organizations
Minneapolis, MN 7,318 followers
Changing the face and voice of the marketing and advertising profession.
About us
The BrandLab’s mission is to change the face and voice of the marketing and advertising profession. We envision people of color launching sustainable careers in workplaces of inclusivity and belonging. We serve young professionals ages 15-25 from Indigenous, Black, Brown, AAPI and Hispanic/Latinx backgrounds who are interested in creative careers through job programs, professional development, mentorships and more. In addition, we work with the industry to place young talent, and ensure that both the workplace and work being produced are culturally competent and equitable. We operate our programming in the Twin Cities, Kansas City, Milwaukee, and Chicago.
- Website
-
http://www.thebrandlab.org
External link for The BrandLab
- Industry
- Non-profit Organizations
- Company size
- 11-50 employees
- Headquarters
- Minneapolis, MN
- Type
- Nonprofit
- Founded
- 2009
- Specialties
- DEI&B, Exposure, Access, Opportunity, Equity, and Changing the face and voice of the Marketing and Advertising industry.
Locations
-
Primary
105 S 5th Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55401, US
-
1740 Main St
Kansas City, MO 64108, US
-
207 E Michigan St
Milwaukee, WI 53202, US
Employees at The BrandLab
-
Kelli Williams
The BrandLab CEO | Keynote Speaker | Board Director | Change Maker | Community Investor | Personal Branding Enthusiast
-
Kathy McCuskey
CEO at Yamamoto
-
Milena Oliveira
Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, Carrier | Board Director |
-
Peter Kim
President, Chief Creative Officer at MKR
Updates
-
🌞 2nd Summer Monday Highlights! 🌞 We had an inspiring and insightful session with Michelle Lawless from Media Minefield, who shared her expertise on the role of AI in marketing and advertising. Her talk opened our eyes to the incredible potential and transformative power of AI in our industry. 🚀 Our interns also had a productive day, meeting with their coaches for an internship check-in. These sessions are crucial for their growth and development, ensuring they are on track and making the most of their time with us. 💼✨ Thank you, Michelle, for your invaluable insights, and kudos to our interns for their dedication and enthusiasm! 🌟 #SummerMondays #AIinMarketing #MediaMinefield #InternshipLife #TheBrandLab #TBL
-
-
🎓 Attention Current TBL Interns and Alumni! 🎓 The deadline for our Rise Scholarship application is July 15th! 📅 Don’t miss out on the opportunity to receive funds to support your college education expenses. There will be at least one winner for each of our regions! 🌟 Apply now and take the next step in your academic journey using the link in the comments below! 🚀 #TBLRiseScholarship #CollegeFunding #DeadlineAlert #TBL #TheBrandLab #Scholarships
-
-
Kicking off our 15th anniversary with a poem written by our CEO, Kelli Williams 💚🤝
The BrandLab CEO | Keynote Speaker | Board Director | Change Maker | Community Investor | Personal Branding Enthusiast
As we celebrate 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗟𝗮𝗯'𝘀 𝟭𝟱-𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗿𝘆 this week, I am excited to share a special poem I wrote to celebrate our journey. 💚 My daughter titled the poem, "The BrandLab: Coloring Outside The Lines" In places where stories tend to blend, And voices sound the same, my friend, The BrandLab’s voice begins to rise, Changing our world, opening our eyes. Fifteen years we’ve walked this path, To lighten loads and clear the math, Of businesses where ads are made and spun, Where just a few folks had the fun. We bring colors, bright and bold, Unlocking tales that must be told, BIPOC youth with dreams so bright, We give them opportunities to reach new heights. Their stories, shared, real and true, Breaking the old, embracing the new, Our mission is clear, our purpose grand, Creating space where all can stand. Every shade, every voice and tune, Heard and valued, morning to noon, Ads reflecting varied souls, Diverse lives, unique roles. Breaking chains of old routines, Erasing pasts, unfair scenes, Media's mirror, shining bright, Showing the world in different lights. No more bland coloring in the lines, But rich with every joy and sign, The BrandLab’s work, a worthy fight, Setting the marketing and advertising world right Fifteen years of changing hearts, Playing fair, in all our parts, So, let’s all join this vital quest, To lift each other, do our best. In diversity, we truly find, The true voice of humankind, This year, we mark these fifteen years, Of breaking barriers, shifting gears. Here's to more stories, voices strong, Together, moving ever on, The BrandLab’s mission, clear and true, Creating a world that's bright and new. #anniversary #poem #changingthefaceandvoice #nonprofitleadership
-
Today, we raise a virtual anniversary toast to three of our amazing staff members: Amy, Mariela, and Akiyaa! 🎉 🌟 Amy Brown, our incredible Partnerships Manager, continues to forge valuable connections and drive our collaborative efforts forward. 🌟 Mariela Fonseca Ruiz, our dedicated Regional Program Coordinator, plays a pivotal role in ensuring the success of our programs in our Milwaukee region. 🌟 Akiyaa Depusoir-Cochrane, our outstanding Regional Program Manager, brings passion and excellence to our regional initiatives. Thank you for your hard work and commitment! Here's to many more years of success together! 🥂✨ #TeamCelebration #AnniversaryToast #AppreciationPost #WorkAnniversary
-
-
July 7th marks our 15th anniversary of impact and innovation. 🥂 15 years ago, John and Cindy Olson founded The BrandLab to address the growing diversity gap in the Minneapolis marketing and advertising workforce. Since then, The BrandLab has grown from a small initiative into a powerful force for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in multiple locations across the Midwest. As we reflect on our past achievements, we are filled with excitement for the future. Our mission remains as vital as ever: to change the face and voice of the marketing and advertising profession by empowering a new generation of diverse leaders. Here's to 15 amazing years and many more to come. #TBL #TheBrandLab #Anniversary #15thAnniversary #Impact #Equity #Exposure #Opportunity #Access #BIPOC #Marketing #Advertising
-
We are proud to introduce Cindy Olson, Sean Irwin, and Mercedes McFarland Jackson as the newest members of our board of directors! We're so excited for the innovative ideas and experience they'll contribute to our organization. 🎉 Cindy, co-founder of Olson Advertising and The BrandLab, has significantly influenced the advertising industry with her innovative leadership as Executive Creative Director. Over her 30-year career, she has shaped Olson Advertising into one of North America's top independent agencies and earned numerous Effie awards for her impactful campaigns. Cindy has collaborated with major partners like Target, Minnesota Wild, Allianz, and the Detroit Pistons, consistently elevating brands and resonating with consumers. Sean, a Senior Director at Ovative Group, has over 15 years of marketing and measurement experience and has significantly contributed to the company's growth by leading key teams like Financial Planning & Analysis and Retail Media Activation. Since 2010, he has been actively involved with TBL as a mentor, event attendee, financial contributor, and finance committee member, showcasing his dedication to mentorship and community involvement. Outside of work, Sean enjoys spending time with his family at their cabin, and his rich background in marketing, finance, and leadership makes him a valuable asset to any board. Mercedes, Shareholder and Vice President at Fredrikson & Byron, P.A., specializes in debt finance transactions and advises C-Suite executives on transactions and compliance matters. With over 18 years of experience, she has expertly guided organizations through financial challenges such as the 2008 recession and the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating her strong capabilities in risk management and corporate governance. Additionally, Mercedes is actively involved in nonprofit board directorship, advocating for ESG, diversity, equity, and inclusion principles while leveraging her extensive expertise in commercial financing, venture capital, IPOs, and mergers and acquisitions. Join us in welcoming these amazing individuals to The BrandLab! #TBL #TheBrandLab #BoardOfDirectors #Marketing #Advertising #Welcome
-
-
Thank you, Milena Oliveira and Frank Crowson, for 4 wonderful years on our board! Your impact has been truly amazing and we can’t thank you enough for all the support and love you have given to our organization. Wishing you both nothing but the best in your future endeavors! 🌟 #Appreciation #BoardService #TBL #TheBrandLab #Marketing #Advertising #BoardMembers
-
-
Understanding personal experiences helps organizations identify and address gaps in their inclusivity efforts. This segment provides personal, real-world insights into the experiences of belonging and exclusion from our alumni. It offers a deep, empathetic understanding of the emotional and social impact of inclusion and exclusion, highlighting personal stories that resonate on a human level. Meet our panelists: Alvin Onkware - Twin Cities The BrandLab Internship Alumni Emely Cruz - Kansas City The BrandLab Internship Alumni Cristal Ortiz - Milwaukee The BrandLab Internship Alumni Seven D. - Twin Cities The BrandLab Internship Alumni Felipe Alejandro Fernández Nuñez - Twin Cities The BrandLab Fellowship Alumni Until June 30th, get 12 months of exclusive access to our Fearless Alumni Panel Segment for $50 off. This segment includes a workbook, making it great for individual learning and team trainings. Use the link in our below or link the the comments to learn more! https://bit.ly/3KZ3mQG #Fearless #FearlessConference #DEIB #DEI #TheBrandLab #TBL #Workshop #Marketing #Advertising
-
-
Last week, we kicked off our first Summer Monday! Our interns enjoyed a wellness session, inspiring remarks from our CEO Kelli Williams, and met their summer coaches. Excited for a fantastic season ahead! 💼✨ #SummerInternship #Wellness #Leadership #TeamBuilding #ProfessionalDevelopment #TBL #TheBrandLab #summermondays
-