As Seen on Wall Street
Celebrating Black History Month at the NYSE
For 230 years, the greatest leaders in the world have come to the New York Stock Exchange in the heart of the world’s financial center. On Feb. 14, we proudly built on that legacy with the honor of ringing the Opening Bell.
Some Favorite NYSE Moments, Courtesy of Merline & Robin
Get your popcorn ready and treat yourself to this sizzle highlights video, showcasing some of many epic moments of our day together at the New York Stock Exchange, this version courtesy of Black Women on Boards.
Best enjoyed via full-screen mode and, trust us, a much higher volume setting than whatever yours is currently at.
How Was This Day Different Than All Others?
For starters, “The trading floor doesn’t usually look or sound anything like this!” one market maker commented.
The epic day began with networking over breakfast in the NYSE Boardroom, then the Opening Bell ceremony to open the market, followed by guest speakers, an executive luncheon catered by Danny Meyer, surprise gifts and (of course) an incredible soundtrack.
The VIP guests in the balcony (live-streamed globally, see above) were student leaders from Spelman College in Atlanta, and an 8th and 11th grader from Brooklyn in The TEAK Fellowship, hosted by New York Stock Exchange President Lynn Martin.
Just look at those smiles! Group photo of honored guests, taken in the Boardroom of the New York Stock Exchange on Feb. 14, 2023, moments before the group was escorted to the iconic trading floor to open the market with the ringing of the Opening Bell. There would be 100 more faces in the photo if only the historic trading floor were larger!
From left, Robin Washington and Merline Saintil, both Lead Independent Directors at market-leading companies, in conversation with New York Stock Exchange Lead Anchor Trinity Chavez, interviewing them on the trading floor on Feb. 14, 2023.
Spending Valentine’s Day on Wall Street
While at the New York Stock Exchange for a high-value day of executive programming and networking, our Co-Founders Robin Washington and Merline Saintil sat down with Trinity Chavez, NYSE Lead Anchor, to share from the iconic trading floor the vision and success of the global nonprofit we know as Black Women on Boards.
See link in photo for the 60-second sizzle video the NYSE produced as prelude to the longer version of the interview posted below.
Capturing the Historic Day’s Highlights in 60 Seconds
Treat yourself to sizzling one-minute recap of our incredible day on Wall Street, with the high-energy action of the day’s programming beautifully evident, thanks to this gorgeous video produced by our good friends at the New York Stock Exchange.
For more such content, be sure to follow Black Women on Boards accounts on social media, starting with LinkedIn. Scroll through those posts, or search on #BWOBatNYSE, to relive some defining moments of this epic day.
To attend a live Black Women on Boards event anywhere in the world is to experience something very special, filled with community, connection and celebration. This selfie in progress in the historic NYSE boardroom on Feb. 14, 2023 conveys the flavor of why our gatherings are unlike any others.
It’s a Defining Moment for Market-Leading Companies
Hear the insights that our Co-Founders Merline Saintil and Robin Washington shared in an exclusive sit-down interview with New York Stock Exchange Lead Anchor Trinity Chavez moments after opening the market on Feb. 14.
This five-minute recording provides key takeaways shared from their years of first-hand experience on a wide range of boards and committee leadership roles, from Fortune 500 to private.
From left, Merline Saintil and Robin Washington — between them they currently serve on nearly 10 boards and leadership roles, in addition to their many nonprofit passions — hosted the Black Women on Boards delegation of 120 executives to the New York Stock Exchange on Feb. 14, 2023.
Featured in “The Leaderboard” NYSE Series
But wait, there’s still more! While at the NYSE, Merline Saintil was invited to sit down for another interview, to be featured in a new video series they’re producing to showcase the perspectives of today’s global leaders on a range of topics, most especially leadership in changing times.
Speaking of global leaders, here are some of the 100+ who joined us on the iconic trading floor for the Opening Bell ceremony. Our business anchor friends at CNBC, broadcasting live next to us, found that even their glass walls couldn’t contain our level of energy when opening the market on a historic day.
Full Page Feature in The Wall Street Journal
We enjoyed working with The Wall Street Journal as they explored and reported on a topic that is the work of our lives. Download the PDF to learn and benefit from insights from an incredible range of leading board directors.
Talk about perfect timing! Our Feb. 2023 visit to the NYSE coincided with the national print editions of The Wall Street Journal's story featuring their interview with Black Women on Boards Co-Founders, Merline Saintil and Robin Washington.
BWOB Featured in LinkedIn News
"How has representation changed, for better or worse, in your industry over the past five years?" LinkedIn News asked in Feb. 2023, linking to The Wall Street Journal story mentioned above. "What can be done to improve representation, inclusivity and equity – and what positive changes do you want to see more of in 2023 and beyond?"
Three BWOB members were shown walking onto the NYSE's iconic trading floor in the news image used by LinkedIn in Feb. 2023.
Black Women on Boards (BWOB) is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that aims to remove the obstacles that the world’s top Black female executives can face when pursing board of director appointments.
How We're Different
There's no shortage of incredible professional organizations laser focused on propelling top talent and rising stars into even greater leadership responsibilities. So why one more? We noticed a significant opportunity for black women specifically and public companies in particular. We are a nonprofit global membership organization that works 1:1 with our members, with no plans for explosive growth. Rather, our strength is in the intimacy of deep bonds among a few hundred executive women shaping the future.
Getting Things Done
We wake up every day excited to be on this journey that is so deeply rewarding personally and deeply gratifying professionally. We are a lean team that moves fast, balanced with our natural inclination to dream big. Inherent in membership is the expectation of championing the next generation in transformative ways. That's how we grow. That's how we win.
WHAT CEOS ARE SAYING
“I have never in my life met such an amazing and inspiring group of people and board candidates. Every company that partners with BWOB will benefit 10X as much as the women themselves. I could not be more supportive of your mission. Diverse world views, voices and perspectives simply make us better.”
Ari Segal
CEO & Co-Founder, GEEX SPAC
Managing Director, IGC