At the 2023 Cause Marketing Summit, mentee alum Kayla Morgan spoke about her experience talking to Shonda Rhimes on behalf of Girls Write Now
New York, NY – November 2, 2023
Mattel’s Dream Gap Project partners with Girls Write Now again! Last year mentees had the rare opportunity to ask television producer Shonda Rhimes their burning questions. This year, mentee Kayla Morgan was invited to speak about her experience in the Cause Marketing Summit—a gathering of nonprofit professionals and civic-minded businesspeople who team up for the greater good.
Kayla spoke to Susan Zheng, Senior Director of Global Brand Marketing for the Barbie Brand at Mattel, and Shannon Rider, Director of Cultural Insights and Strategy at Talk To Jess, about interviewing Shonda as a high schooler.
“Being in that session was really a holistic experience for me where I got to think about my past life and what I wanted to do in my future,” explained Kayla. “And also just remembering that whatever I put my mind to, I can achieve, even if I’m different and there’s no one in the room who looks like me. But that difference is actually unique and can lead to positive change.”
Now a sophomore in college, Kayla reflected on how the experience has shaped her worldview. “I’m really interested in business and entrepreneurship, and from Shonda, I learned the importance of using my difference to break down barriers for other young women.”
Watch the original video above of Kayla in a mentoring session with Shonda Rhimes!