Today we’d like to introduce you to Evangeline Elder.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’m born & raised Oakland, the youngest of four kids and a cancer. I started my own hip-hop and R&B blog bout seven years ago and then eventually got into artist management, under my boutique agency, All Angles. I had a lot of success in management but wanted to have a stronger sense of community.
My co-founder and I started Women Sound Off in 2016, a platform and community for women to support their wellness and career journeys. While getting started, I began handling all the sponsorships for Women Sound Off and I eventually developed a love for outreach and partnership work. I now head partnerships and sponsorships at indie record label, EMPIRE in San Francisco–in addition to still doing artist management and leading Women Sound Off. I’m a proud multi-hyphenate and strongly believe all of my career tracks have equally developed me into the woman I am today.
Has it been a smooth road?
The road definitely has not been smooth. Access to resources has been a huge struggle along the way. I’ve had to find joy in specializing how to turn nothing into something. Becoming a leader was also a struggle, which people don’t talk about enough. In order to grow a platform or community, you have to become a better leader and manager. There’s no way around it.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Women Sound Off – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I’m most proud of the team and community we’ve built. I’ve gotten to know a lot of amazing women and watch them grow. I never thought mentorship would fit so naturally with my goals. I’m also proud that we’re fearless and not afraid to put women and non-binary creatives first.
What sets us apart? We’re a true intersectional platform, from top down all the way to our volunteers. We’re really intentional about representation (and are still learning to get it right). We’re also focused on intentional relationship making and peer learning. Many women who attend our events leave with long-lasting relationships that go beyond the time they spent at our event.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I’ll always love Oakland for its diversity, down to earth spirit and the culture here. I don’t like the extensive changes I’ve seen across housing – we’re in a crisis and it feels as though our city and government doesn’t care sometimes. What’s happening here is inhumane but I’m committed to fighting the good fight. I’m from Oakland, I’m not scared of an uphill battle. Oakland will forever be a gem – the energy here is unmatched and too authentic to be broken.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.womensoundoff.com
- Email: info@womensoundoff.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/womensoundoff
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/womensoundoff
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/womensoundoff
Image Credit:
Vanessa Vigil (photo 1); Kate Dash (photo 2)
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