Woman-Centered Collective AllBright Launches Programming In Los Angeles
Elaine Welteroth speaking at the AllBright Backyard Series
A version of this story originally appeared on Forbes.com; All images courtesy of AllBright
Now more than ever, professional women need spaces to connect with one another and encourage each other to grow. It is a major reason why SIMPLY exists, after all.
The need for more woman-centric spaces also inspired LoveHomeSwap founder Debbie Wosskow OBE and former Hearst CEO Anna Jones, the co-founders of AllBright. A collective of members’ clubs, a digital platform, and content verticals—all made by and for the working woman—AllBright is hoping to bring women of different industries together to network, socialize, and empower one another.
The collective gets its name from former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, and her famous quote, “There’s a special place in hell for women who don’t help each other.” Instead of seeing other women as competition, AllBright is hoping to change the conversation and encourage their members—and the world at large—to see fellow women as potential business partners, collaborators, and friends instead.
With two London-based clubs already open, along with digital resources and courses, AllBright is well on its way to encouraging women all over the world to assist one another and show that we can all rise up together.
The next venture for AllBright? A West Hollywood club location opening late summer 2019. The West Hollywood location marks AllBright’s first US outpost, and will feature plenty of workspace, meeting rooms, a restaurant and bar, and a salon for hair, nail, and facial treatments, all set along the gorgeous backdrop of the Hollywood Hills. Made specifically for busy working women, the West Hollywood club will be the perfect space to both get work done and indulge in self care.
AllBright members toasting at the AllBright Backyard Series
Because the West Hollywood location is not yet open, AllBright has started membership programming with its AllBright Backyard Series. The series features a number of moderated conversations with notable women, all hosted in the beautiful backyard of one of their founding LA member's Beverly Hills home.
The Backyard Series kicked off in June with a conversation with actress and Booksmart director Olivia Wilde alongside Booksmart producer and co-writer Katie Silberman, and moderated by television and film producer Carmen Cuba. They discussed the importance of cultivating strong female partnerships in the professional world, a tenet that is central to the foundations of AllBright.
AllBright member Tiffany Dupont at the AllBright Backyard Series
We were able to attend the second Backyard Series event, which featured Project Runway judge and former Teen Vogue Editor-In-Chief Elaine Welteroth in conversation with Live Nation Chief Human Resources Officer and AllBright founding member (and one of Elaine's good friends) Nadia Rawlinson.
The discussion centered on Welteroth's new memoir, More Than Enough: Claiming Space For Who You Are (No Matter What They Say), which shares anecdotes from Welteroth's childhood through her time as Teen Vogue's youngest Editor-In-Chief and everything in between, along with powerful pieces of wisdom and insights that both young professionals and seasoned career women will find valuable.
Following the conversation between Welteroth and Rawlinson, attendees were invited to enjoy an al fresco lunch where they could mix and mingle with one another.
Elaine Welteroth with her new book, More Than Enough
By featuring such trailblazing women like Olivia Wilde and Elaine Welteroth, AllBright's Backyard Series is establishing the ethos of the larger AllBright collective ahead of the West Hollywood club opening. Bringing women together and empowering them to do great things will only be beneficial. Women in LA's entertainment industry (which is still largely male dominated) will no doubt enjoy having a new space of their own to grow, socialize, and relax.
The AllBright Backyard series is exclusive to AllBright members, but you can learn more about AllBright and membership here.