Q&A with Brittni Woodland -- Celebrating Black History Month with WAVIT
Can you share a bit about your background and how your personal experiences have shaped who you are today?
○ I grew up a military child traveling worldwide, so diversity has always been a key fabric of my human experience. While I have not always been welcomed into every space or place I have encountered, I understand the importance of honoring and celebrating differences. I believe exposure to varying cultures and ways of life from an early age has been a guidepost for the unique experiences and paths I’ve walked, including finding myself in what I consider a niche yet expansive industry, like audio-visual technology.
● Were there any mentors or role models along the way who influenced your journey?
○ While she is not a mentor, Alesia Hendley (Sennheiser) is incredibly inspiring. In my opinion, she’s a high-energy creator and professional, and she continues to carve out a path for herself in this industry by putting in the work and innovating unique and influential forms of communication and connection, among various other talents and skills she possesses.
● Are there specific events, leaders, or movements that have inspired or influenced your mission or vision?
○ As a creative and writer, first and foremost, key historical figures such as Maya Angelou, Langston Hughes, and Toni Morrison have been influential to me, not only because of their incredible gifts of literary finesse but also their passion for uplifting the black experience and the communities at the center of it. While they weren’t necssarily waymakers in the field of technology, their ability to innovate with the gifts bestowed upon them created impactful and long-standing cultural shifts and changes that are still felt today. Everyday I aim to honor my gifts, talents and abilities in marketing, data analysis, and organizational operations in the same way.
● How do you celebrate or reflect on Black History Month?
○ I celebrate Black history both during the designated celebration month and daily by honoring the courageous wisdom keepers, innovators, and leaders who came before me. Countless works of art, literature, artifacts, concepts, and living models exist because of Black history. I celebrate by revering those who came before me and paved a path for me to live and exist freely the way I can and do, and by using my unique gifts and abilities to enact change and create new models of creating, connecting and collaborating.
● What do you believe is the most important lesson for young people to learn about resilience, perseverance, and self-belief?
○ If you can believe it, you can achieve it. Period. It takes one tiny mustard seed of belief, faith, and determination to pursue a dream and make it a reality. It has been done countless times before and will be done countless times more. Our mind is an incredibly powerful tool when it is both nurtured and wielded mindfully with intention. I think it essential for the younger generations to know that their visions for a brighter future are valid and that to create a new world, they have to 1) believe it is possible and 2) stay steadfast in pursuing that vision even if they don’t see real-life examples of its possibility. Sometimes to create change, we must be willing to step into the unknown to be the first one to forge a new path for others to follow.
