Kapria Jenkins, the Executive Director of VML’s Detroit Experience Studio, has earned a spot on the Empower Executives Role Model List 2024, supported by YouTube. This esteemed global recognition highlights her pivotal role in championing inclusion for people of color within the business sphere.

Joining her in this acknowledgment is Jené Mitchell, technology specialist at VML, who has been named to the Empower Future Leaders Role Model List 2024, supported by YouTube. This list is a tribute to leaders like Jené who are trailblazers, actively catalyzing positive change and fostering inclusivity for people of color in the business landscape.

The global Empower Role Model Lists showcase leaders who are breaking down barriers at work and smashing the ceiling for people of color within the global business. These inspirational leaders are paving the way when it comes to increasing representation and driving inclusion for others within the workplace.

It is truly a moment of pride for VML to witness the outstanding achievements of Kapria Jenkins and Jené Mitchell. Their contributions as role models and future leaders in business are not only commendable but also serve as a beacon of hope for a more inclusive and diverse corporate world.

View the full lists here.

Kapria Jenkins Headshot

Kapria Jenkins

As the Executive Director of VML’s Detroit Experience Studio (DES), Kapria Jenkins leads a transformative 10-week program providing Black and brown high school students with immersive exposure to creative careers. With Kapria at its helm, DES has trained over 80 students and even won the American Advertising Foundation’s “DE&I Student Program” Mosaic Award in 2023.

Beyond her role at VML, Kapria is heavily involved in community service, volunteering through VML's Worldwide Foundation Day and frequently supporting projects throughout metro Detroit. She is a member of Noir, VML's Black and African Diaspora ERG and the Rotary Club of Detroit.

With over a decade of experience in fundraising for nonprofits, Kapria has secured significant funding for organizations like Junior Achievement and buildOn, demonstrating her commitment to uplifting communities and fostering lasting change. She is also an ordained minister and active in her local church.

Jene M 1x1

Jené Mitchell

Jené Mitchell is a Technology Specialist at VML. She is a co-chair of Noir, VML’s Black and “Afro-“ ERG, and WPPSoul, a collective comprising Black and “Afro-“ ERGs across the WPP landscape, through which she empowers Black employees and allies nationwide; helps spearhead WPP’s and VML’s Juneteenth & Black History Month celebrations; and orchestrated Just Ad Flava, VML’s Black History Month conference highlighting Black creatives and emphasizing the importance of representation in advertising.

Jené also contributes to Tech Together, VML’s diversity in tech ERG, and Ellume, VML’s ERG for employees identifying as women or non-binary, her focus on fighting bias in AI and championing intersectionality across all genders and identities.

In 2019, Jené founded Village606, a nonprofit empowering residents of Chicago’s Westside. Her membership of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for the past two decades—a major aspect of her origin story—has bolstered her commitment to community and social action.

I'm so thrilled to be celebrating this global group of trailblazing Executives, Future Leaders, and Advocates for people of color in business. All the individuals within these lines are championing inclusion and leveraging their expertise and knowledge to drive impactful initiatives and strategic change within their organizations. We could not effect change without them leading the way.

Suki Sandhu OBE

Founder & CEO of INvolve

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