Rae Mackenzie Group, Inc.

It was another incredible Celebration of Black Music presented by Andersen Corporation and proudly produced by the Rae Mackenzie Group. What an honor it is for the Rae Mackenzie Group team to produce this event because it aligns so perfectly with what our CEO, Sharon Smith-Akinsanya teaches all of us— that we all need to do a better job of expanding our networks and building relationships in community. A huge thank you to the amazing The Dakota Minneapolis staff for their impeccable attention to detail, and an extra special shoutout to jamecia bennett for her electrifying performances that brought the house down for two back-to-back shows! #BlackMusicMonth

Expanding diverse networks is key to keeping Minnesota competitive. We can't afford to lose our top talent to competitive cities. Celebrating the Sistas® is about making sure Black women in our region are seen and celebrated for their accomplishment, while inspiring future generations to greatness here in Minnesota. We want to send a special thank you to our Presenting Sponsors for making all of this possible: U.S. Bank, Thrivent and Target. Congratulations Sharon Smith-Akinsanya for continuing to champion the power of relationships and creating strategy and experiences that make expanding diverse networks impactful and life-changing. #CelebratingTheSistas #SistaRipples #AwardCeremony #BlackWomen #WomenLeaders #Minneapolis

Here’s what leading corporations understand: showing up authentically for community events matters. But here’s what might not be quite so evident… While choosing to be in the room is essential, there is so much more that goes into getting the most out of the event, starting with curating your guest list. WHO you choose to invite can help you elevate the impact for your organization. Consider the potential results different guests can have: ✅ Your CEO and C-Suite leaders → Killer leadership positioning opportunity ✅ Emerging leaders → Support talent retention efforts ✅ Your Employee Resource Groups → Reinforcing a culture of inclusion ✅ Talent of Color → Diversifying your talent & customer pipelines With Celebrating the Sistas fast approaching, Sharon Smith-Akinsanya’s latest blog: provides invaluable insights to help corporations strategically leverage community events like Celebrating the Sistas and beyond. https://lnkd.in/gDGAjUtB #LeadershipPositioning #DiversifyingPipelines #TalentofColor #EmployeeResourceGroups #WorkCulture

Why are more and more corporate leaders stepping outside of the C-Suite? Because the old talent recruiting playbook went out the window with affirmative action. As America nears majority-minority status, CEOs and senior executives have got to find new ways to attract top talent and gain the trust of new demographics. And there’s one remarkably effective way to do both of those things at once: Invite them to attend the right community events where they can build a relationship with potential consumers and employees. Just consider these benefits: ✅ It makes a strong statement about your work culture. ✅ Strengthens corporate reputation and brand loyalty. ✅ Enhances employee morale and engagement. ✅ Opens doors to new markets and consumer segments. ✅ It’s a strategic move in leadership positioning. If you’re reading this and nodding along, pass it on. This is what leaders today must understand if they want their companies to remain competitive in their role. Our CEO, Sharon Smith-Akinsanya lays out all the details in: The Important Role Your CEO Can Play in Recruiting Top Talent and Attracting New Consumers https://lnkd.in/gHZ-m_TU #TalentRetention #TalentAcquisition #LeadershipPositioning #DiversifyingPipelines #ExecutiveLeadership

Congratulations Dr. Stephanie Burrage! We would love for everyone to join us on Saturday, March 9th, at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis (Downtown) when we gather to honor excellence, leadership, and the infinite impact of Black women in our communities and beyond. Learn how you can take part in this unforgettable black-tie, red carpet awards ceremony by visiting https://lnkd.in/grTNPEC Thank you to Target, U.S. Bank, Thrivent, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Delta Dental of Minnesota, Huntington National Bank, and Ecolab for helping to make this night happen. #congratulations #CelebratingTheSistas #minneapolis #Minnesota #blackleadership #womenleaders

As George Floyd’s murder shook our nation, Sharon Smith-Akinsanya was inundated with calls from CEOs and leaders all asking the same questions: "What do I do? What do I say to my employees? How do I talk to my Black colleagues?" Yet, the reality was, they were trapped in the almost unavoidable inauthenticity of anything they might do or say. And that’s all because the calls came in after a crisis struck. Find out what she told them in: What Every Leader Needs to Know About Celebrating Outside of Silos https://lnkd.in/g4CYiej2 #AuthenticLeadership #LeadershipPositioning #CommunityEvents #Engagement #EmployeeRetention #TalentAcquisition

Congratulations Tonya Allen! We would love for everyone to join us on Saturday, March 9th, at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis (Downtown) when we gather to honor excellence, leadership, and the infinite impact of Black women in our communities and beyond. Learn how you can take part in this unforgettable black-tie, red carpet awards ceremony by visiting https://lnkd.in/grTNPEC Thank you to Target, U.S. Bank, Thrivent, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Delta Dental of Minnesota, Huntington National Bank, and Ecolab for helping to make this night happen. #congratulations #CelebratingTheSistas #minneapolis #Minnesota #blackleadership #womenleaders

Congratulations Kelly Baker! Join us Saturday, March 9th, at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis (Downtown) when we gather to honor excellence, leadership, and the infinite impact of Black women in our communities and beyond. Learn how you can take part in this unforgettable black-tie, red carpet awards ceremony by visiting https://lnkd.in/grTNPEC Thank you to Target, U.S. Bank, Thrivent, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Delta Dental of Minnesota, Huntington National Bank, and Ecolab for helping to make this night happen. #congratulations #CelebratingTheSistas #minneapolis #Minnesota #blackleadership #womenleaders

As we kick off Black History Month, we couldn’t be prouder to be in full gear preparing for an event that truly captures the essence of this significant month. Black History Month is a time to reflect on the impact of Black leaders whose courage and resilience set a foundation for today's leaders, and Celebrating the Sistas is our way of spotlighting this enduring legacy. This impactful night bridges the gap between the past, present, and future. We celebrate not just individual accomplishments but the collective journey of a community that has overcome so much and continues to make significant strides. Our phenomenal honorees are the embodiment of progress, continuing the work of those who came before them, and opening doors for those who will follow. A special thanks to our sponsors for their essential support in bringing this meaningful event to life. U.S. Bank, Target, Thrivent, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Andersen Corporation, Delta Dental of Minnesota, Huntington National Bank, and Ecolab. You can learn more about these remarkable women and how you can join us for a night of inspiration, celebration, and community here: https://lnkd.in/grTNPEC

Congratulations Nawal Noor! We hope that you can all join us on Saturday, March 9th, at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis (Downtown) when we gather to honor excellence, leadership, and the infinite impact of Black women in our communities and beyond. Learn how you can take part in this unforgettable black-tie, red carpet awards ceremony by visiting https://lnkd.in/grTNPEC Thank you to Target, U.S. Bank, Thrivent, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Delta Dental of Minnesota, Huntington National Bank, and Ecolab for helping to make this night happen. #congratulations #CelebratingTheSistas #minneapolis #Minnesota #blackleadership #womenleaders