Some moments feel full circle and this is one of them.
I’m incredibly honored (and honestly still a little in awe) to share that I’ve been selected as part of the 2026 Gerety Awards jury, an international committee judging some of the most powerful creative work in advertising across the globe. The Gerety Awards are named for Frances Gerety, the legendary copywriter who, in 1948, coined the line “A Diamond Is Forever.” A line that didn’t just sell jewelry, it reshaped culture, storytelling, and the emotional power of advertising forever.
My love for advertising started early. Long before media plans, CPMs, or upfronts, I was a kid in Detroit completely mesmerized by television commercials. One that still lives rent-free in my brain is the iconic 1980s Detroit Zoo “Talking Animals” commercial by Doner. It was witty, unexpected, and cinematic proof that a :30 spot could feel magical. That was my first real understanding that advertising could be storytelling, not interruption.
As I grew older, pop culture continued to shape how I saw the industry and my place in it. Seeing Robin Givens as Jacqueline, the sharp, stylish ad agency executive in Boomerang (1992), and Vivica A. Fox as powerhouse marketing exec Shanté Smith in Two Can Play That Game (2001), mattered more than I probably realized at the time. Those characters made the industry feel aspirational and possible for a young Black girl who loved media, messaging, and influence.
Fast forward to now: being a young Black woman and minority in advertising, sitting at tables that were not always built with us in mind, and being invited into a distinguished global jury evaluating the creative work of major agencies and creative houses, it’s deeply meaningful. It’s a reminder that representation isn’t symbolic; it’s structural. And pathways open when talent, timing, and perseverance finally intersect.
What makes the Gerety Awards especially powerful is their approach. Work is judged through a truly global lens by international executive juries and a grand jury of creative experts focused purely on originality, execution, and resonance. No traditional categories. Instead, creative “Cuts,” like a diamond, spanning TV/Cinema, Digital, Radio, Integrated Campaigns, Product & Packaging Design, Emerging Commerce, and more. The best work rises because it moves people, not because it fits a box.
To be part of an awards body that redefines creative excellence while honoring the legacy of a woman whose words changed advertising history is surreal in the best way.
This moment is personal. It’s professional. And it’s a reminder that the little girl glued to the TV in Detroit was always onto something.
Here’s to diamonds, daring ideas, and the stories still waiting to be told.
