Fortune & Forks: Building Community and Career Connections for Women

The Genesis of Fortune & Forks

• 💡 Naomi and Crystal met as interns at the BET Awards in 2015 and bonded over their shared ambition and work ethic, initially producing a podcast together.
• 🚀 They founded Fortune & Forks in 2017, driven by a desire to create community for women, particularly women of color in male-dominated industries like media.
• 🤝 The first event was an intimate dinner, funded out of their own pockets, aimed at fostering connections among women in media, bridging the gap between early-career professionals and established leaders.

Networking Across and Building Relationships

• 🎯 Networking across, with peers and those to your left and right, is emphasized as crucial for career advancement, often proving more fruitful than solely networking upwards.
• 💬 Authentic relationship building is prioritized over transactional networking, creating spaces where members feel comfortable being themselves and naturally opening up.
• 🛠️ Fortune & Forks evolved from a supper club to a social club, incorporating online portals and Slack channels to foster ongoing connectivity and real friendships beyond curated events.

Navigating Career Challenges and Entrepreneurship

• ⚠️ The importance of reputation, integrity, and being a reliable person ('a good villager') is highlighted as essential for long-term career success.
• 📈 Early career advice includes being specific when asking for help, learning from mistakes with grace, and understanding that career growth is often a result of consistent effort rather than instant gratification.
• 💡 The founders emphasize following curiosity and passions, as hobbies and interests can evolve into fulfilling career paths, a concept they aim to instill in younger generations.

The Fortune & Forks Foundation and Future Vision

• 🌱 The Fortune & Forks Foundation aims to ease the transition from college to career for women of color, offering mentorship and internship opportunities.
• 💰 Future plans include expanding the foundation's programs to include financial literacy for high school students and developing public events in 2026.
• ✨ The brand aims to be a flywheel serving women of color through various touchpoints, including the social club, the foundation, and future brand initiatives.

The Power of Community and Accountability

• 💖 The concept of a 'village' is central, emphasizing showing up for others, doing what you say you will do, and fostering genuine support systems.
• ⚖️ A balance between setting personal boundaries and maintaining a supportive community is key, with accountability and grace being vital components of strong relationships.
• 🚀 Naomi and Crystal's partnership exemplifies this, with their complementary strengths and shared commitment driving Fortune & Forks forward through consistent effort and mutual support.