IFLE is responsible for encouraging and promoting the study of foreign languages and the cultures of other countries at the elementary, secondary, and postsecondary school levels in the United States. IFLE’s work includes administering both domestic and overseas programs. Overseas programs are authorized under the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act (Fulbright-Hays Act).

IGS’ own Graphic Designer and Fulbright scholar recipient Adrienne Hackney looks forward to showcasing her talents to promote the mission of IFLE. Under this contract, IGS will create compelling images to share the IFLE vision with a diverse audience, providing multi-cultural graphic design for IFLE program brochures, presentations, and exhibit materials.

Adrienne says, “I get the most excited by the opportunity to create visual impact by leveraging design to connect with people of different races and cultural backgrounds, inspire them into action, and unite them to effect change in their lives.” Hackney honed her skills in graphic design while pursuing her scholarship in India.

Towan Isom, IGS President and CEO, says, “We here at IGS are no strangers to the importance of diversity and international experiences. The combination of our cultural awareness and graphic design skills necessary to develop dynamic products will promote understanding of and knowledge about foreign languages and other cultures around the world. We aspire to advance global educational competency among American citizens, and increase the quality of postsecondary educational resources for ED.”

The session focused on various facets of management and leadership and was based on Towan’s book Chasing Greatness: The Young Professional’s Guide to a Dynamic Life (2010). Like the book, the session offered practical steps on leadership development as well as management. Some of the topics during the interactive sessions included How Great Leaders Should Offer Intellect and Inspiration; How to Think Outside What You Know; Great Leadership Is Anticipation; Why Value Is Created by the Recipient; How to Give Resolutions, Not Justifications; The Importance of Passion vs. Peaking; and How Greatness Is in the Recovery. Each is a dynamic session individually, but all in one conference, they proved powerful!

“The book is amazing, and the session was impactful, insightful, and inspiring,” said attendee Rakia Reynolds, Principal of Skai Blue Media.

The presentation was certainly not a first for Isom; she has extensive experience speaking at conferences.

“I love to speak on leadership and management. Unfortunately, I don’t have much time. Our business is expected to double this year, and so will our team! The book is my way of giving back all that I’ve learned over the years. It’s practical, and the response has been tremendous.”

Towan, who launched the IGS communications firm from her basement 15 years ago, frequently talks about finding the right talent in a tight economy. “We have a stringent interview process. We don’t want the candidate who can simply talk; we want the candidate who can also teach. Every day we’re teaching our clients how to bring something exciting to their projects. Our employees must be able to think and teach; it brings greater value to the client.”

President of IGS and author of the book Chasing Greatness, Towan Isom kicked off the walk as keynote speaker. As a woman-owned small business, IGS places an emphasis on diversity and social inclusion. Isom spoke from first-hand experience with victims of domestic abuse, and reiterated the important role that members of the community can play in helping to end the violence.

“Everyone needs a Mrs. Johnson,” Isom said, referring to someone willing to help other women. “I am honored to be the keynote speaker at this event. As a witness to women and girls victimized by the destructive impact of violence, I speak not just to raise public awareness, but to empower the most vulnerable members of our community.”

Staggering statistics speak to the critical need to end violence against women and girls. Up to 70% of women experience physical or sexual violence from men in their lifetime. Among women aged 15 to 44, acts of violence cause more death and disability than cancer, malaria, traffic accidents, and war combined. The cost of intimate-partner violence in the U.S. exceeds $5.8 billion per year. Moreover, 102 countries have no specific legal provisions against domestic violence.

Caroline Slobodzian, president of the U.S. National Committee for UN Women, National Capital Chapter, stated, “This march is an opportunity for positively influencing our global community, bringing us one step closer to ending violence against women and girls worldwide. We challenge everyone to participate in this exciting and uplifting event.”

Walk sponsors include IGS, Sephora, Arena Stage, Lush, Tranquil Space, and the drum group Batala. The Walk culminated with Batala’s performance—a feast for the eyes and ears. Proceeds from the march will support the United Nations (UN) Trust Fund to Eliminate Violence Against Women.

For more information about the UN Trust Fund to Eliminate

Violence Against Women, please visit:

http://www.unwomen.org/how-we-work/un-trust-fund.

Under this contract, IGS is responsible for overseeing outreach to organizations like the National Council of LaRaza, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Federal Asian Pacific American Council, Society of American Indian Government Employees, and others to assist the Army National Guard in recruiting talent that emulates the country’s demographics.

"I liked the way Isom presented themselves,” said First Lt. Tommy Elkins. “After meeting the Isom team, I decided to move forward."

“The work we do will bring in fresh, dedicated, and talented soldiers and diverse talent,” states IGS President and CEO Towan Isom. “For more than 15 years, Isom has subcontracted for larger communications firms, but now it’s our turn to be at the helm! We have an incredible team with fresh ideas. We’ve been around a long time; our clients love us and look for ways to use us. It’s a true testament to your service and innovation when your clients look for ways to keep you on. Our efforts help our clients create better campaigns to reach special populations.”

What’s next for IGS? Towan Isom says the company continues to focus on developing smarter campaigns with measureable results in the education, energy, and healthcare industries by using traditional promotional tactics and social media, including video and live streaming to promote awareness. “Social media allows us to measure our success and audience engagement more easily than traditional marketing vehicles,” she explains.

IGS is a full-service communications firm with a core focus on Strategic Communications, Program Management, Conference Planning, and Management Consulting. IGS is a woman-owned business, certified according to 8(a) SBA Federal Government standards.

IGS invites visitors to their Web site and Facebook page at http://www.isomglobal.com and http://www.facebook.com/IsomGlobalStrategies.  

For more information, contact Samiha Sobhan at samiha@isomglobal.com or (202) 248-5043.

Recognizing the important work of the Grameen Foundation, Isom Events chose to support the foundation's mission this holiday by making a gift of $500 in order to contribute toward helping the world's poorest, especially women, improve their lives and escape poverty through access to micro financing and technology.  As part of its holiday party on December 2nd, Isom Events made a contribution of $10 for each person attending. Also attending the event was a representative of the Grameen Foundation who spoke on behalf of the non-profit organization. In addition to the Isom Events contribution, several guests were so moved to make an additional $250 in contributions for a total of $750 generated at the event for the Grameen Foundation.

"As a woman-owned business here in the Washington, DC area I felt it was important to recognize the struggles and challenges of operating a successful business by supporting the imperative work the Grameen Foundation does every day top help those with my same aspirations in developing economies," said Ms. Towan Isom, owner of Isom Events. "At the Isom Events holiday mixer we were privileged to have so many of our clients share the holiday season with us celebrating the success our company has had over ten years of operations. I could not think of a better way to show our gratitude to our clients than to share our success in a way that will help others pursue and attain their economic dreams," said Ms. Isom.

"It is a remarkable thing when companies like Isom Events identifies with the Grameen Foundation's mission to provide access to micro-loans for poor women n who are working to develop or expand a small business. As a woman-owned business itself, it is clear from this generous contribution that Isom Events recognizes that micro-business creation plays a vital role in helping families to escape poverty and build a better future for their children. We are grateful to have supporters like Isom Events," said Ms. Kari Hammett-Caster, Grameen Foundation Director of Online and Annual Giving.

Isom Events, a national multiservice marketing firm that provides branding, research, marketing and event planning to its clients. Isom Events offers a full range of marketing disciplines for organizations of all sizes having worked for Fortune 100 & 500 companies, non-profits, associations and Federal Government Agencies to help them achieve their goals by engaging the audience with targeted communications.

Originally posted on the Georgetown Patch by Allen Raymond