- What is the Talk Back conference?
The talk Back was designed to center the voices of mothers often “talked at,” “talked to,” and “spoken of,” but are rarely invited to speak. It was created to amplify their voices as leaders, experts, change agents and influencers and to offer those who often occupy those positions a safe space to be active listeners.
It was also created to offer community, inspiration and professional/personal development programming for the women we call infamous mothers...and to promote self-care.
- Why an online conference?
We chose to offer an online conference for three reasons. First, switching to online allows us to remove barriers that come with traveling and lodging. Second, it allows us to remove childcare barriers. Third, it allows us to reallocate dollars that would be spent on venue space to support the labor of our speakers.. By decreasing venue cost, we are able to honor our speakers time and energy with dollars.
- Why the theme of technology, business and love? Why “Welcome to the Spaceship”?
We chose technology, business and love because, both in fact and fiction, the women we call “infamous mothers” are often underrepresented in these areas.
We titled this conference Welcome to the Spaceship to acknowledge a few things. First, the world as it currently exists has not found a way to adequately listen to, support and provide programming for marginalized moms. And so, our programming, in many ways, is unconventional. In fact, to some, it may seem “otherworldly.” To normalize that difference, we own it through the announcement/greeting: Welcome to the Spaceship.
Second, this conference is a nod at what we call IMfuturism, or an acknowledgement of the role infamous mothers will play in future narratives. It’s about casting vision.
Third, we are making a connection between infamous mothers and technology through the spaceship metaphor. We are acknowledging that part of this otherworldly experience will be fueled, managed and inspired by our connection to technology.
- Why should I attend this conference?
You should attend this conference if you are interested in high-quality professional and personal development opportunities. If you welcome candid and raw conversations, if you are not afraid of being in a space that invites vulnerability, and if you are comfortable with laughter and deep reflection, you should attend this conference.
In the time of COVID-19, you should attend this conference if you are interested in making connections during a social distancing. Dynamic, interesting, down-to-earth and brilliant speakers, as well as powerful and thoughtful attendees, will be logging in from all over the country. Attend this conference for the networking.
- Who is the ideal audience for this conference?
This conference courts two groups of possible attendees: a.) the women we call “infamous mothers” and those who impact their lives. This year, we are interested in people who work with issues around diversity, equity and inclusion; people interested in tech; financial institutions; healthcare providers and IMtrepreneurs.
Acknowledging that Coronavirus is causing many events to pivot how people come together, we are inviting people to attend who are interested in experiencing an alternative to large face-to-face gatherings. With this invitation, we ask that you also keep in mind the primary audiences for which this online was originally created.
- Who are the women you call “infamous mothers”?
Infamous Mothers are the “bad girls” of the mothering world. We are the anti-heroes and subversive heroines who do not practice “mainstream” ideas of motherhood. We’re complex, imperfect, and often judged by society. As single moms, teen moms, baby moms, recovering addicts…women with “too much ambition,” moms who challenge the status quo--we often show some disregard for social expectations and respectability politics that are oppressive or hypocritical. Yet, our unconventional personality traits are refreshing because unlike the traditional hero vs villain tales we are accustomed to, we say the things others wish they could say, and we do the things that need to get done…even if it makes us unpopular. People root for us because, usually, our stories are about how we’ve overcome odds we were never meant to overcome. They root for us because they see themselves in us.
- Will I have access to sessions other than the ones I have signed up for?
Yes! Each pass offers you full access to all the sessions that come with it. For instance, if you sign up for “One-Day Pass (Friday),” you have access to every single session offered that day for up to 30 days after the conference ends.
- What does this conference mean by the following terms: IMpreneur, IMprofessional, and IMpersonal?
The Talk Back conference centers the voice of infamous mothers. We recognize that women who fall into this category have unique experiences as entrepreneurs and professionals. We understand that our personal development journey may be either slightly or drastically different from other women. We put “IM” at the beginning of these terms to indicate that these sessions are tailored to such audiences...You should know that even with us at the center, others can also benefit from the material offered.
- Why should I vend at this conference?
Vending at the Talk Back is an awesome opportunity to sell your products to a new market without having to incur the costs of travel, lodging and higher booth rent costs. Also, as we try to regain both normalcy and stability during the time of Coronavirus, virtual vending allows consumers to support small businesses, while allowing consumers to experience products they may not have encountered otherwise.
- How is this conference different from other conferences?
First, events such as this often focus on the professional or the personal--as if one doesn’t influence the other. For many of us, this is an artificial and forced divide. Our sessions allow you to create models and practices that invite you to consider your whole selves. Second, as stated above, we are different from other conferences because we are inviting the usual experts to be active listeners and the usual active listeners to be keynotes and workshop facilitators. Our position is that there is a whole population of women whose power, knowledge and wisdom has been overlooked and untapped. We mean to change that.
- Why a conference during a national pandemic?
Great question. Here are a few responses. First, we’re living in a time when jobs and work are becoming uncertain for many. We are committed to supporting restaurants, and stadium workers, and grooming services by pre-paying for services or offering portions of our incomes to create pots of money for others to still have some funds/wages. This is so important! It is also important that we apply that same energy to professional speakers, authors and other small businesses. Because each one of our presenters are paid for their labor, this is one way we can keep them working when events have been canceled so abruptly because of our need for social distancing. While 20+ speakers are presenting, over 75 lives will impacted from the income these mothers, fathers and providers will earn. That counts, especially at a time like now.
Second, during a time when the world has to pivot, things feel uncertain and people are afraid, our team is dedicated to supporting the empowerment of our attendees. For these reasons, again, many have pivoted their own content; we are in the process of adding more time-relevant sessions; and we are working to uplift spirits by adding entertainment—more on this later.
Third, some of our sessions are not COVID-19 related at all. These sessions offer an escape from the overwhelming amount of information flooding inboxes and timelines.
- Why should I consider sponsoring this event?
If you are a corporate or organizational sponsor, consider partnering with this work because it aligns with your own mission. For instance, if you are a health organization, we are supporting social distancing by offering sessions on tech and intimacy, for instance. While this was already on our schedule, we have pivoted some of our sessions to speak to the current times. We are promoting long-distance dating and helping others to do so successfully as a way to manage the Coronavirus disease. We may be able to reach target groups you have no access to. Beyond health, you may be a tech company interested in diversifying the industry. By sponsoring the tech track of the conference, you send the message that you are a company that believes in diversity.
If you are an individual , you may want to sponsor another individual because you believe this content is valuable and know that there are some who could benefit from the messages here but cost might be a barrier.
