KYW Newsradio Community Affairs reporter and Flashpoint host sat down with founders Jennifer Montague, international DJ Casper and Marketing Director Samantha Wood regarding this innovative new effort that kicks off in Philadelphia April 12.
"We are always hearing the same people and the same content," said Montague, executive producer and co-founder of iTalk. "So we thought why couldn't we do something on a Friday night that could allow people to let their hair down and learn something at the same time."
iTalk was born.
Montague teamed up with DJ Casper and Wood to create a social media platform that would allow people to "talk" on social media about a variety of topics.
At the inaugural event, "iTalkers" will present nine minute motivational speeches on a variety of topics that will inspire audiences on a number of topics including courage, vision, change acceleration, endurance and leadership.
The event, which can also be considered "inspirational nightlife," takes place in three acts, and includes music and - get this - a dramatic stage play performance.
"We hope people leave with an experience of being excited, but knowing they have never seen anything like this before," said DJ Casper.
iTalk Philly speakers include Desiree Rogers, former CEO of Johnson Publishing, LLC (Ebony and JET magazines); Tom Spann, CEO, of Brightside and founder and vice chair of Accolade; Stephen Hoelper, vice president of product at Comcast NBCUniversal; Andrea Agnew; Meisha Johnson, former CBS3 anchor and CEO of Mimi Enterprises; and others.
In addition to the talks, the the group created a social media platform that allows people to "talk" on social media about a variety of topics. The platform uses several hashtags such as #iTalk, #iTalkPhilly, #iTalk4 to encourage people to "talk for" what they believe in.
The new platform is starting in Philadelphia on Friday, April 12, 2019 at the Kimmel Center from 6 to 9 p.m. It will expand to Las Vegas and Los Angeles in the coming months.
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