Femme It Forward, a female-led music and entertainment company, announced today that mentee applications are now open for the third year of Next Gem Femme, a mentorship program aimed at accelerating career opportunities and trajectories of young women of color. Developed to help improve equity in the workplace, the program blends a wide range of industries by pairing promising talent with female industry titans and entrepreneurs in music, media, entertainment, and technology.
Following two impactful years of the program, Next Gem Femme returns with over 100 mentors with careers in marketing, publicity, live & touring, business development, talent management, artist relations and more – from companies such as Google, Amazon, Apple Music, CAA, Live Nation, NBC Universal, Netflix, Republic Records, and YouTube (full list below). Each Next Gem Femme mentee receives professional coaching, industry insights, and networking opportunities.
“Through powerful relationships and practical education, Next Gem Femme opens so many doors for young women of color, a group that has been overlooked for far too long,” said Heather Lowery, President & CEO at Femme It Forward. “We’re thrilled to launch our third year of the program and to build on its amazing momentum as we continue leading necessary conversations about the need to improve workplace equity. This brilliant group of mentors will give remarkable young women the wisdom and tools to expand their talents, overcome setbacks, and reach their potential.”
The third year of the program will create opportunities for over 100 female mentees of color pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees or currently serving in entry-level positions. Next Gem Femme once again plans to award at least half of the mentee spots to students from historically Black colleges and universities.
Femme It Forward is thrilled to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Google Pixel to launch the Femme It Future Scholarship, the first scholarship since the inception of the Next Gem Femme mentorship program. This empowering initiative aims to provide select mentees with impactful scholarships, creating a platform for them to soar to new heights in pursuit of their dreams. The Femme It Future Scholarship will be an exclusive opportunity offered to five exceptional Next Gem Femme scholars handpicked for their outstanding achievements, passion, and potential to make a significant impact in their chosen career fields.
“We’re thrilled to be partnered with Heather and the team at Femme It Forward - our mutual mission is centered around helpfulness and supporting the advancement of underrepresented communities, especially women,” said Ava Donaldson, Google’s Senior Marketing Manager, US Social, Influencer + Inclusion. “Our suite of products including Google Pixel, Pixel Buds and Pixel Tablet are ideal tools to unlock productivity and content generation for the next generation of female entrepreneurs.”
“Femme It Forward is beyond excited to join forces with Google Pixel to launch the Femme It Future Scholarship. This scholarship is our commitment to nurturing the next generation of female leaders who will shatter barriers, break stereotypes, and create a future filled with equality and empowerment,” Lowery said. “Google Pixel is at the forefront of incorporating diversity and inclusivity in its technology and products. We believe that empowering young women with education and opportunities is the key to unlocking their limitless potential. By offering transformative scholarships and coveted mentorship opportunities, our partnership can create change together that empowers the next generation.”
In addition to the prestigious scholarship, select students will also be treated to special care packages meticulously curated with a blend of cutting-edge Google technologies and high-quality products sourced exclusively from women-owned businesses. These care packages will serve as a reminder of the unwavering support from Femme It Forward and Google Pixel, emphasize the importance of women empowering women, and foster a vibrant community of trailblazers.
Next Gem Femme is a comprehensive program focused on long-term development, with each mentorship beginning with a one-year partnership and the opportunity to build moving forward.
The application period for mentees will begin today and close on Friday, June 16, 2023, at 9 pm (PST). Mentors and mentees will be paired in August, prior to the beginning of the third year of Next Gem Femme, which officially launches in September. Femme It Future applications will be available to mentees after the program launch. For more information and to apply, please visit Femme It Forward.