ADE AFOLAYAN

What part of yourself do you wish to contribute through your work?

I wish to contribute my love and passion for black people. When I walk into a room and I see a vast array of different shades, colors, and hairstyles there’s a certain sense of pride and love that I experience. I want other people to love themselves and see how awesome and resilient and amazing we all are.

What’s your dream for OWN?

My dream for OWN would be for it to fully realize its potential as a vehicle to affect change in society.

ASHLEY WHITAKER

What part of yourself do you wish to contribute through your work?

My background and experiences give me a specific point of view and a tailored opinion about life and culture. I hope that lending my voice helps to shape authentic and relatable stories.

What’s your dream?

My dream is that this continues to be a place people look to for quality programming in which we can see real stories in settings that chronicle characters that are representative of people living in our world today.

CORINNE GILLIARD

What part of yourself do you wish to contribute through your work?

What I’d like to contribute through my work is myself: my strength, my vision and my outlook on life as a black woman.

What’s your dream for OWN?

OWN holds a very sacred space. There are a lot of women who look to OWN to voice who they are...to be that image in the world of what black womanhood can be. My dream for OWN is that they recognize that sacred space they hold, that they continue to listen to what women are telling them and hold that space in the highest regard.

DOMINIQUE CHAPLIN

What part of yourself do you wish to contribute through your work?

My Love. My Light. My Hopes. My Dream. My Experience.

What’s your dream for OWN?

My dream is that OWN continues to do it for the culture. Learn it, be it, develop it, support it, represent it...that is our responsibility.

FAITH ESELE

What part of yourself do you wish to contribute through your work?

I want to contribute my love of story.

What’s your dream for OWN?

My dream for OWN is that it would be a place where people who look like me become universal.

FATIMA ELSWIFY

What part of yourself do you wish to contribute through your work?

I hope to contribute my spirit of compassion to everything I work on so that I can help to create content that genuinely serves others.

What’s your dream for OWN?

My dream for OWN is for it to continue to be a space where black women feel seen but for it to also become a destination to receive healing that influences culture.

LAUREN TUCK

What part of yourself do you wish to contribute through your work?

I want to nurture new writers and give them a space to shine.

What’s your dream for OWN?

I want OWN to continue creating meaningful projects with honest portrayals of the world and that address topical issues.

SAMORA SUBER

What part of yourself do you wish to contribute through your work?

The part of myself I wish to contribute to OWN would be my love of storytelling and personal development.

What’s your dream for OWN?

My dream for OWN would be to see more black women in positions of leadership.

STAYCI LEWIS

What part of yourself do you wish to contribute through your work?

I want to utilize my voice and vision so that the aesthetic of OWN’s brand is very clear the moment someone steps through the door. My job is one of service, and it fuels the mobility of each department. Therefore, I want the love and service I give in the smallest of moments to be so evident that it’s contagious.

What’s your dream for OWN?

As OWN grows in its ventures, my dream is that the network will look at the talented young black women and men within the company when seeking ideas, looking for input, and find- ing resources. There’s an authenticity in each person’s, day-to-day lives, that is a necessary ingredient for realistic change in the world.

STACEY CARR

What part of yourself do you wish to contribute through your work?

My value for excellence. I believe that love is in the details and that preparation is important. We should always be a step ahead and have a reputation for being passionate and great at what we do.

What’s your dream for OWN?

My dream is that we have a strong, passionate team with a clear vision. OWN should be known for its groundbreaking, risk-taking programming in both the scripted and unscripted space.

NIKOL DAVIS

What part of yourself do you wish to contribute through your work?

I learned soon after starting at OWN that I didn’t love myself at the capacity that I should have, and I’ve been able to take leaps and bounds in self-love since my start here. So, I wish to contribute my best self: my self-loving self, my sharing ideas and speaking up for myself-self, and my helping others-self through my work.

What’s your dream for OWN?

I want OWN to defy stereotypes through its programming, events, and other ventures while continuing to be a place of inspiration, motivation, knowledge, and positive entertainment for its audience. I want OWN to be a refuge from the dismay happening around our world and encourage people to speak their truth, change their world, and make a difference.

TAKARA JOSEPH

What part of yourself do you wish to contribute through your work?

I wish to use my seat at the table to tell stories that inspire and help other content creators of color to achieve their visions. I wish to provide opportunities to others who may not have the access or support to create and share their own stories.

What’s your dream for OWN?

My dream for OWN is that it would be the primary content destination for women of color. I dream that we would produce content that guides and entertains female-driven audiences of all ages. From animated programming on Saturday morning to news-driven discussions in the evening. I want to hop up in the morning and be excited to go to work because I’m excited about what we’re doing and I know the work we do is making a difference in how the world sees people of color.