Balanced Black Girl: Episode Summary Title: Becoming the CEO of Your Life & How Pop Culture Influences Your Creativity with Michele Y. Smith
Release Date: January 28, 2025
Host: Balanced Black Girl
Guest: Michele Y. Smith, CEO of the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP), Seattle, Washington

Introduction

In this engaging episode of Balanced Black Girl, host Michele Y. Smith sits down with Michelle Y. Smith, the dynamic CEO of the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) in Seattle. The conversation delves into Michelle's inspiring career journey, her leadership philosophy, the profound influence of pop culture on creativity, and the importance of community engagement. Stripped of the usual advertisements and intros, this summary captures the essence of their insightful dialogue.

Michelle Smith's Career Journey

Michelle Y. Smith shares a compelling narrative of her career path, highlighting the diverse roles that shaped her into a C-suite leader. She began her professional journey in Philadelphia as a contract administrator before transitioning into travel, hospitality, and globalization sectors. Her dedication to community engagement and social impact propelled her forward.

[02:51] Michelle Y. Smith:
"My career has been a windy road. All facets have been around working with the public, being a community ally, setting organizations up for social impact."

In 2017, Michelle relocated to Seattle, taking the helm of the Woodland Park Zoo. Navigating the complexities of leading a major institution through the COVID-19 pandemic honed her crisis management and empathetic leadership skills, ultimately preparing her for her current role at MoPOP.

[09:22] Michelle Y. Smith:
"Dealing with the zoo during the pandemic was like solving a giant Rubik's Cube. It taught me resilience and readiness for the CEO role at MoPOP."

Leadership and Wellness

A significant portion of their conversation centers on Michelle's leadership style, which emphasizes empathy, transparency, and wellness. Her personal experience with burnout served as a catalyst for prioritizing mental health and establishing robust wellness practices within her organization.

[15:56] Michelle Y. Smith:
"I have a lot of boundaries. My schedule is meticulously planned to prioritize wellness, from morning workouts to meal prepping on Sundays."

Michelle advocates for a "people first" approach, encouraging her team to balance professional responsibilities with personal well-being. She implements practical strategies such as setting daily priorities, establishing clear boundaries for work hours, and fostering an environment where employees feel valued and supported.

[20:07] Michelle Y. Smith:
"Setting yourself up for success is the cheat code. It ensures you are calm, focused, and ready to lead effectively."

Pop Culture's Impact on Creativity

Michelle and the host explore how pop culture acts as a modern form of art, influencing creativity and societal narratives. Michelle highlights significant pop culture moments from 2024, such as Beyoncé's halftime performance and the artistic battles between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, illustrating how these events shape cultural discourse and inspire creative expression.

[22:12] Michelle Y. Smith:
"Pop culture has always been a global language with social impact. Our archives at MoPOP reflect that essence, celebrating genres like hip hop and graffiti art."

She emphasizes the museum's role in preserving and elevating pop culture as a legitimate art form, ensuring its continued relevance and appreciation across generations.

[26:47] Michelle Y. Smith:
"We were one of the first museums to recognize hip hop as a genre. It's essential to honor and archive these cultural milestones."

Community Engagement and Inclusion

A core theme is the museum's commitment to community engagement and inclusivity. Michelle discusses initiatives such as youth advisory boards, teacher collaborations, and community surveys to ensure that MoPOP reflects and serves its diverse audience effectively.

[50:51] Michelle Y. Smith:
"We co-create programs with our community to understand their needs. It's about being an ally and ensuring everyone feels represented."

She underscores the importance of generational wealth and philanthropy, advocating for membership programs as a means to support the museum's operations and educational initiatives.

[52:29] Michelle Y. Smith:
"Memberships drive community culture and support our educational programs. It's a way for everyone to contribute to generational wealth and cultural preservation."

Importance of Supporting Local Museums

The conversation concludes with a discussion on the significance of investing in local museums. Michelle highlights how memberships not only provide financial support but also foster a sense of loyalty and community among attendees.

[55:24] Michelle Y. Smith:
"Supporting local museums like MoPOP helps us expand our programs and serve our community better. It's about commitment and being a loyal fan."

She invites listeners to engage with MoPOP's upcoming events, celebrating its 25th anniversary and various cultural showcases, reinforcing the museum's role as a vibrant community hub.

Conclusion

This episode of Balanced Black Girl offers a masterclass in leadership, showcasing Michelle Y. Smith's journey to becoming a CEO, her empathetic leadership style, and her dedication to leveraging pop culture for community engagement. Michelle's insights underscore the vital role of wellness in leadership and the enduring impact of pop culture on creativity and societal narratives. Listeners are left inspired to prioritize their well-being, support cultural institutions, and embrace the power of community-driven leadership.

Notable Quotes:

• Michelle Y. Smith [02:51]:
  "My career has been a windy road. All facets have been around working with the public, being a community ally, setting organizations up for social impact."

• Michelle Y. Smith [09:22]:
  "Dealing with the zoo during the pandemic was like solving a giant Rubik's Cube. It taught me resilience and readiness for the CEO role at MoPOP."

• Michelle Y. Smith [15:56]:
  "I have a lot of boundaries. My schedule is meticulously planned to prioritize wellness, from morning workouts to meal prepping on Sundays."

• Michelle Y. Smith [20:07]:
  "Setting yourself up for success is the cheat code. It ensures you are calm, focused, and ready to lead effectively."

• Michelle Y. Smith [22:12]:
  "Pop culture has always been a global language with social impact. Our archives at MoPOP reflect that essence, celebrating genres like hip hop and graffiti art."

• Michelle Y. Smith [26:47]:
  "We were one of the first museums to recognize hip hop as a genre. It's essential to honor and archive these cultural milestones."

• Michelle Y. Smith [50:51]:
  "We co-create programs with our community to understand their needs. It's about being an ally and ensuring everyone feels represented."

• Michelle Y. Smith [52:29]:
  "Memberships drive community culture and support our educational programs. It's a way for everyone to contribute to generational wealth and cultural preservation."

• Michelle Y. Smith [55:24]:
  "Supporting local museums like MoPOP helps us expand our programs and serve our community better. It's about commitment and being a loyal fan."

Upcoming Events at MoPOP:

• Icons of Pop Culture Gala: Celebrating the museum's 25th anniversary.
• Soundoff Youth Artist Showcase: A mentorship program for youth in the music industry, featuring showcases on February 8th, 15th, and 22nd.
• Reconstruction of Culture Kitchen: Enhancing community spaces for extended programs.
• Renaissance Membership Program Relaunch: Focused on engaging local communities and fostering generational wealth through museum memberships.

For more information and to support MoPOP, visit their official website.