Can you tell us a little about your communications background and what you are working on this year?
I started my communications career more than 20 years ago as an intern at a television station in upstate New York, where my first story was broadcast right after the 9-11 Terrorist Attacks. I will never forget that moment, on September 11, 2001, as we all stood around in the newsroom watching the events o
f 9-11 unfold right before our eyes. It was my first time seeing the emotional side of journalists. The off-camera tears that flowed in the days afterward as we told one of the most heart-wrenching stories of our time was an experience that would forever shape my career. It left me with an insatiable thirst for storytelling and taught me how to be a journalist with heart.
As my journey continued, I gained valuable experience working for my college newspaper as an award-winning advice columnist and writer. I covered everything from celebrity features to stories that mattered, like the story I wrote about Alice Ball, a young African American chemist at the University of Hawaii-Manoa (1915) that never received credit for her role in discovering a partial cure for leprosy. When I Google her name today, it puts a big smile on my face to see that her name (and her work) continues to get the recognition that it deserves.
After graduating with a degree in journalism, I went on to become a breaking news reporter and then started a career in public relations.
For the past eleven years, I have worked in various communications roles at Elgin Community College (ECC) in Elgin, Illinois, and now serve as the Chief Marketing, Communications and Government Relations Officer reporting to the president as a member of the President’s Cabinet.
Outside of ECC, I am the founder and CEO of DR. WEBB Inspires LLC (@ToyaWebb.com), a motivational speaking enterprise that combines my experience as a thought leader and certified life coach to inspire mass audiences on various topics ranging from Diversity and Inclusion to Organizational Change.
If you were to give advice to someone who wanted to move into a comms career, what on-the-job experience or activities would you recommend?
In my role at ECC, I am a strategic advisor to the president of the college, fellow cabinet members and other college stakeholders, responsible for providing sound, practical advice on issues or actions that can positively or negatively impact the institution’s reputation. This requires experience, confidence, a high level of professionalism and trust.
The advice that I would give to someone who wanted to move into this career stage would be to first get to know who you are, your leadership style and the unique value you bring to the table. Make sure this is the right role for you. Leading in this capacity is not for the timid or faint of heart. Once you know your superpower, continue to grow and strengthen areas of improvement. You can do this by joining professional organizations, like IABC, where you can learn from your peers and take part in professional development opportunities such as webinars and seminars. Also, find a mentor, someone that is currently in the role you aspire to, and soak up their knowledge so that when the opportunity arises, you will be ready. Most importantly, as you aim for higher levels of leadership, make sure that you take care of yourself- mentally and physically.
In the context of Women’s History Month, was there a key female leader, mentor or communications professional that helped inspire you? In what ways?
My mom will always be an inspiration. She taught me what true grit looks like. She is strong and resilient. Even under the most difficult of circumstances, I have never seen her fold! Standing tall at less than five feet in stature, she is a giant of a woman to me. Whenever life gets tough, I am reminded of the saying “Like Mother, Like Daughter” and I soldier on!
A communications professional that inspired me was none other than Oprah. I grew up watching The Oprah Winfrey Show, which was set in my hometown of Chicago. A fun fact: When I was in fourth grade I was almost a guest on her show for an episode featuring exceptional children. I am not sure what happened, however, many years later, I want Oprah to know that I am still looking forward to that interview!
Oprah started her journalism career at a time when it was a heavily male-dominated field. While she made her job look easy on camera, behind the scenes, she dealt with the harmful effects of microaggressions and was told she was “the wrong color, the wrong size and that she showed too much emotion.”
Yet, she was unrelenting. I admire her for her courage, tenacity and determination to persevere in the face of adversity.
Given that Oprah was a journalist that paved the way for so many others and is one of the most influential women in the world, it is appropriate to end with one of her quotes: “You have to find what sparks a light in you so that you in your own way can illuminate the world.” And this, in a nutshell, is why I founded DR. WEBB Inspires LLC.
####