Event Facilitator Neisha Springer, Founder A Rose Grows, LLC
Brooklyn Liberal Arts High School Hosts Transformative Career Day with Leaders from Across Industries and City Agencies
Brooklyn, NY — Thursday, May 8th, 2025, the Brooklyn Institute for Liberal Arts High School buzzed with excitement and inspiration as it welcomed a powerhouse lineup of professionals for a Career Day Conference designed to ignite ambition and expand horizons for its students. The event, organized by Neisha Springer, founder of A Rose Grows, LLC, brought together prominent leaders from finance, entertainment, public service, advertising, and education for a full day of storytelling, strategy, and student empowerment.
“This is about visibility, connection, and confidence,” said Springer. “We wanted our students to not only hear the stories of professionals who look like them—but also to feel seen and believed in.”
The event featured a diverse mix of presenters and panelists representing a cross-section of industries:
B. Monet, acclaimed filmmaker, producer, and creative visionary B. Monet Creations
Aja Watkins, talent and inclusion leader at Morgan Stanley
Mia Francoise, Founder, Marketing & Business Growth Consultant at the mf. Agency
Ronald Blake Jr., production for Swizz Beatz, other events, and a youth mentor
Francoise Blanchette, public relations expert and leader
Vann Brewer, admissions counselor from St. John’s University
Deputy Dwight Flynn, representative from the Mayor’s Office of Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises (MWBE)
Jamell Henderson, Candidate for New York City Council and civic leader
Jocelynne Rainey, President & CEO of Brooklyn Community Foundation and workforce development leader
La’Zette Fontante, Global VP, Strategic Operations Inclusion Experience Consultancy at VML
Nadine Mihel, strategy director at WPP, one of the world’s largest advertising agencies
Adma Ortega, strategist at Wieden+Kennedy, a global creative agency
Sammantha Golbert, talent leader at Omnicom Health Group (OHG)
Shauntay Haylette, Shauntay is an educator, author, content creator, host, and freelance journalist. Founder of Short N Sweet Entertainment.
The day began with a keynote session focused on building executive presence, led by Nikki Bethel-Grant, CEO of the Emma Bowen Foundation, and comedian Alex Asifo, a program alumnus. Their conversation mixed humor with insight, grounding students in the value of authenticity and confidence in professional spaces.
Breakout sessions throughout the morning allowed students to engage directly with professionals in smaller, more personal classroom settings. Speakers shared their journeys, including moments of struggle, breakthrough, and growth, offering advice, encouragement, and a real-world look at a “day in the life” of their roles.
Students asked questions like, “What would you tell your 16-year-old self?” and “How do you bounce back from failure?” Panelists responded with candid wisdom: the importance of mentorship, perseverance, and staying curious in an evolving world.
In the afternoon, students participated in workshops focused on building practical career skills—resume writing, interview prep, communication strategies, and job search tools. Panelists encouraged students to start building their “professional toolkit” now, emphasizing the importance of internships, volunteering, and networking early.
The energy throughout the day was electric. Teachers, administrators, and panelists praised the students for their engagement and thoughtful questions, while students left feeling not just informed—but empowered.
Whether students were speaking with a college administrator, a filmmaker, or a City Council candidate, one theme echoed throughout the day: You belong in any room you walk into—if you prepare, stay curious, and lead with integrity. Neisha Springer, reflecting on the success of the event, said, “We wanted students to walk away feeling not just informed—but empowered. This is about exposure, connection, and belief. We brought the city to them so they could see what’s possible.”
The Brooklyn Liberal Arts High School Career Day Conference left students energized and equipped, not only with new knowledge but with relationships that may shape their careers for years to come.
Event Organized by Neisha Springer of A Rose Grows, LLC. To learn more about how to partner with event organizer Neisha Springer or about A Rose Grows, visit www.rosesgrow.com or email neisha@rosesgrow.com.
