EPISODE · Mar 12, 2026 · 43 MIN
Adrianne C. Smith: From HBCU Roots to Global Influence | Cannes Can & Leadership
from Prepare For Takeoff · host Terry L. Cyrus
In this inspiring conversation, Adrianne C. Smith, SVP & Senior Partner and Chief Inclusion & Impact Officer at FleishmanHillard and Founder of Cannes Can: Diversity Collective, shares about her journey from her childhood in Alabama and Texas to becoming a global leader in diversity, equity and inclusion.She reflects on the role HBCUs played in shaping her leadership and the career milestones that helped establish her voice in the advertising and communications industry. Adrianne discusses the importance of mentorship, relationships and networking in creating opportunities. She shares insights on legacy building and empowering the next generation of leaders.The conversation also explores the founding of Cannes Can: Diversity Collective. She launched the organization after attending the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in 2017 and discovering that only about 200 of the more than 20,000 attendees were Black. Through initiatives like the CC:DC Ambassador Program, the organization creates opportunities for HBCU students and early to mid-career professionals to attend global gatherings such as the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity and the World Economic Forum in Davos.An inspiring conversation about leadership, access, and creating opportunity. Now it’s time to Prepare For Takeoff. ✈️Chapters00:00 - Introduction to Adrianne C. Smith00:54 - Growing Up in Alabama and HBCU Influence03:51 - The Journey to Spelman College07:40 - Experiences at Spelman College11:14 - Entering the Advertising World15:36 - Transitioning into Entrepreneurship22:22 - The Entrepreneurial Journey Begins26:01 - Navigating the Highs and Lows of Entrepreneurship32:07 - Balancing Multiple Roles as an Entrepreneur36:56 - Creating Opportunities and Leading by Example43:05 - Prepare For Takeoff ClosingThe future of business is yours to shape. Sign up for a free Shopify trial by clicking our Prepare For Takeoff affiliate link https://shopify.pxf.io/55LGnj.Start recording like a pro with Riverside, click our Prepare For Takeoff affiliate link https://riverside.sjv.io/jeVZYP to get started.
What this episode covers
In this inspiring conversation, Adrianne C. Smith, SVP & Senior Partner and Chief Inclusion & Impact Officer at FleishmanHillard and Founder of Cannes Can: Diversity Collective, shares about her journey from her childhood in Alabama and Texas to becoming a global leader in diversity, equity and inclusion.She reflects on the role HBCUs played in shaping her leadership and the career milestones that helped establish her voice in the advertising and communications industry. Adrianne discusses the importance of mentorship, relationships and networking in creating opportunities. She shares insights on legacy building and empowering the next generation of leaders.The conversation also explores the founding of Cannes Can: Diversity Collective. She launched the organization after attending the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in 2017 and discovering that only about 200 of the more than 20,000 attendees were Black. Through initiatives like the CC:DC Ambassador Program, the organization creates opportunities for HBCU students and early to mid-career professionals to attend global gatherings such as the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity and the World Economic Forum in Davos.An inspiring conversation about leadership, access, and creating opportunity. Now it’s time to Prepare For Takeoff. ✈️Chapters00:00 - Introduction to Adrianne C. Smith00:54 - Growing Up in Alabama and HBCU Influence03:51 - The Journey to Spelman College07:40 - Experiences at Spelman College11:14 - Entering the Advertising World15:36 - Transitioning into Entrepreneurship22:22 - The Entrepreneurial Journey Begins26:01 - Navigating the Highs and Lows of Entrepreneurship32:07 - Balancing Multiple Roles as an Entrepreneur36:56 - Creating Opportunities and Leading by Example43:05 - Prepare For Takeoff ClosingThe future of business is yours to shape. Sign up for a free Shopify trial by clicking our Prepare For Takeoff affiliate link https://shopify.pxf.io/55LGnj.Start recording like a pro with Riverside, click our Prepare For Takeoff affiliate link https://riverside.sjv.io/jeVZYP to get started.
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Adrianne C. Smith: From HBCU Roots to Global Influence | Cannes Can & Leadership
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