Time for T.E.A. Virtual Event Sparks Hope for Progressive Change Among Young Entrepreneurs and the Community
Tracey Phipps, Founder of Time for T.E.A. Brings Millennial’s Together to Discuss Innovation During COVID-19
Saturday, June 20, 2020 a host of young organization leaders and guests gathered online for an important conversation surrounding the global pandemic crisis, COVID-19. Over 70 guests joined the call to hear from experts in the music and arts, fashion and beauty, finance, and leadership categories.
Store front business owner Ana Buitrago talked about how she had to pivot during COVID and cancel nearly 60 hair and makeup appointments at her beauty bar located in the DMV area. “The Coronavirus took me by surprise and I quickly had to restructure our current way of doing business,” she said. Buitrago met with her team of award winning hair and makeup artists and began providing online tutorials and consulting for her clients and those seeking services. “Although it was difficult, it was a learning experience for my business and how we can now provide an additional virtual service for customers. Wardrobe Stylist Melanie Pace and Fashion Designer Wellta Boualaphanh shared corresponding sentiments. “Living in Toronto and being a traveling stylist meant that I was not going to be able to physically assist my clients,” Melanie said. “ I had to stay current on how the virus was affecting Toronta and the U.S., so I partnered with some of my friends and started promoting a virtual styling service.” “This was actually a blessing for me to see that I was able to continue working with my client and keeping the relationships, which are important to me.” Wellta used her fashion design platform to create "Masks for Mass." She took a pledge to make over 500 safe surgical grade masks and distribute them to states that had a large peak of Coronavirus cases early on like Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Florida, California, Minnesota, Iowa, Arizona, and Virginia.
During the Money Moves segment, Kim Wang, Maggie Gomez, and Lashea Reeves, tapped into the importance of financial literacy and building your portfolio in business and entrepreneurship. Lashea, the Executive Director and Founder of 8 Cents in a Jar discussed inter-generational mobility through financial education. “Through my organization, I wanted to be sure that no matter your age or background, you were able to understand the fundamentals of money and how to make it,” said Reeves.
Time for T.E.A Founder Tracey Phipps curated this free online event to not only focus on how we can pivot during a pandemic, but how organizations can support one another for a cause. Music and the arts has been a light during this time of crisis for many. Deejay Young, Chris Pyrate, and Ayoinmotion, were three of the virtual event panelists where they shared their gifts and talents in their communities to bring awareness to important causes such as the Black Lives Matter movement. Independent Recording Artist and Grammy Nominee contender Deejay Young has also been seen in the National Tour for the Broadway production Hamilton. During the live event, Young shared his love for the arts and supporting a cause with his new single, Hashtag. “ I wrote the song, Hashtag because we were seeing so much in the media about what society says we should be and how we should look, but embrace who we truly are,” said Young. “I want every person to feel empowered by who they are and who they were created to be because it’s a blessing.” Chris Pyrate who is an international muralist, street wear designer, and vocalist, has tapped into an array of industries converging his skills into pure talent that profoundly influences the masses. His recent piece “Giving Us Our Flowers” mural in Washington, D.C. serves as an art form to support black artists while bringing awareness to Black Lives Matter. To add in the conversation, Ayoinmotion is a uniquely dynamic performer who has opened for the likes of Davido, Talib Kweli, Teni the Entertainer and more, as well recently headlining the world famous Carnegie Hall’s neighborhood concert series. Also a poet, Ayoinmotion recently curated a Juneteenth event called Juneteenth in the Park for over 100 people in Harlem . “It was important for me to plan this event to give our community outside of a rally or protest that energy to release, relax, and reconnect.” said Ayo. “In actuality, we deserve to take up space. During this time African-Americans have faced one pandemic after another and this space provided that for the moment,” he added. As a creative, COVID has given me time that I haven’t had to produce more social and political content centered around humor and that’s how I’ve remained creative.”
The fourth category highlighted in Time for T.E.A.’s online event focused on leadership. Franchesca Chavez and Anna Zakkery came together to share how individuals can use their creative talents to better humanity and spur thought provoking conversations that matter to our community. Franchesca is co-founder and Executive Pastor of Hope Center, a church plant in the DC Metro area. She is also the creator of FranchescaChavez.com, a blog about ministry, marriage, and motherhood. With over a decade of teaching, Chavez shared with our guests how crisis can be the breeding ground for creativity. “When we as leaders understand that creativity is using your imagination at its best, without any limitations we can find creativity in anything around us.” Franchesca also touched on the role leaders are taking during this current climate. “Listening and learning are very important for all leaders right now that want to survive and thrive during this pandemic.” “Listening to your staff, taking a stand whether that’s policies for COVID relief or social injustices across our country,” she added. Anna, who is an international speaker and the Founder of the School of Self Efficiency and Emotional Quotient for entrepreneurs and individuals spoke on Emotional Intelligence and its importance to determine your soft skills. “ What i’ve noticed during this time is that people are concerned about losing their job,” Anna said. We are currently offering courses that will help people boost their skills to either maintain their positions or earn more money during the crisis, and it has been so helpful.”
Time for T.E.A.’s mission is to cultivate a culture of women and girls in diversity and age to gather consistently to engage and educate one another around the nation. This was the organization’s first virtual event for women and men. Donations from the free event will support Time for T.E.A. Teen programs.
“As an artist and creative, I have found myself to be inspired by what is happening around me while at the same time more conscious of what I am sharing with the world. When things don't go how we plan, our desire to push through and be successful becomes more evident through our creativity. Responding to Crisis with creativity was a chance for people to learn about what others are doing to push through these hard times. My hope is to find some goodness and joy in the middle of the uncertainty, and I believe our team and special guests were able to achieve that,” Founder Tracey Phipps shared.
Learn more about Time for TEA and this first virtual tea event by visiting www.Time4TeaOrlando.com