Saturday, November 15, 2:00 p.m. ET

Girls Write Now, 247 W. 37th St., Suite 1000, NYC

WMG members only; FREE

Join WMG member Elise Thoron for a performance and discussion of If Beale Street Could Talk, put on by her company, Literature to Life. James Baldwin’s story about abiding love in the face of injustice remains disturbingly poignant sixty years after it was first published. Told from the perspective of its young heroine, this is the story of one family’s fight for justice in a society where institutional discrimination has the power to destroy lives, a theme that resonates today with audiences from all walks of life. If Beale Street Could Talk will be performed by Channie Waites and was adapted and directed by Elise. This event will be held at Girls Write Now, which is a scholarship partner of WMG. Space is limited.

WMG’s Small Group Socials are a long-standing tradition and remain one of our most popular program series. This is a wonderful way to facilitate meaningful connections among members. If you have any specific questions, please reach out to the host directly. All member contact information can be found in the Member Directory.

Thursday, December 4, 12:00 p.m. ET

Red Rooster Harlem (the acclaimed Marcus Samuelsson restaurant), 310 Lenox Ave. (between 125th & 126th Streets), NYC

Early Bird: $75 members | $85 non-members

Regular: $85 members | $95 non-members

Lunch included

Join WMG for a powerful and timely conversation with Karine Jean-Pierre, former White House Press Secretary and author of the highly anticipated memoir, Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House, Outside the Party Lines.

In her book, Karine examines America’s fractured two-party system and calls for a renewed focus on values over party loyalty. Having served in senior roles under Presidents Obama and Biden, Karine offers an insider’s perspective on partisan divisions and democracy, and provides insight for ways to move forward.

The discussion will be moderated by Natasha S. Alford, Senior Vice President at TheGrio.

This special in-person event continues WMG’s tradition of bringing together extraordinary women whose ideas challenge and inspire. Enjoy a seated lunch, networking with fellow members, and a thought-provoking discussion that will stay with you long after the event.

Speaker:

Karine Jean-Pierre was the White House Press Secretary and Special Advisor to former President Joe Biden. She has worked in senior communications and political offices in both the Biden and Obama Administrations. Prior to her time in the White House, Jean-Pierre was the Chief Public Affairs Officer for MoveOn.org. She is a graduate of Columbia University.

Moderator:

Natasha S. Alford is an award-winning journalist, host, author, and media executive recognized for harnessing the power of storytelling to inspire and educate. Currently serving as Senior Vice President at TheGrio, Natasha leads with a commitment to amplifying overlooked stories and shaping narratives that matter. She is a trusted voice in media, regularly providing insightful commentary on politics, social justice, and culture.

Refunds available up to 48 hours before the event. No refunds for cancellations made within 48 hours of the event.

Tuesday, December 16, 6:30-7:30 p.m. ET

WMG members only; FREE (Zoom)

Join WMG Co-Presidents Jodi Brockington and Jane Wesman for a virtual Member Social, a community-building celebration for all Women’s Media Group members. We strongly encourage members based outside of New York to join us. This isn’t just another Zoom meeting; it's a chance to pause, connect, and invest in your professional community. We’ll begin with a warm welcome from WMG’s leadership, then move into facilitated breakout sessions where you’ll introduce yourself, highlight a current goal or challenge, and meet peers whose skills or interests might align with yours. Afterwards, we’ll bring everyone back together for a wrap-up where we’ll share resources, upcoming WMG programs, and ways to stay engaged—whether you’re seeking a mentor, offering support to someone else, or exploring a new idea. The result? A stronger connection to WMG’s thriving network and fresh momentum for your next act in media.

WMG Co-Presidents Jodi Brockington (left) and Jane Wesman (right), along with other WMG Board Members, are hosting this virtual social.

Email us at info@womensmediagroup.org with any questions.

Thursday, January 22, 12:00-1:00 p.m. ET

Free for WMG members; $15 for non-members (Zoom)

Are you afraid that AI is going to take your job? Yes—we all are! Yet one truth remains: artificial intelligence can mimic style, but it can’t replicate soul. Join Women’s Media Group for a thought-provoking session with award-winning author Jane K. Cleland, whose new book, Beat the Bots: A Writer's Guide to Surviving and Thriving in the Age of AI, offers a roadmap for writers determined to stay both relevant and inspired. Guided by acclaimed publishing expert Jane Friedman, Cleland will share practical exercises to nurture imagination, spark original thinking, and resist creative conformity. Expect practical creativity boosters, encouragement to take risks, and a renewed sense of purpose in your storytelling journey. It’s not about resisting technology—it’s about harnessing what only humans can do.

Meet the speakers:

In Beat the Bots: An Author’s Guide to Surviving and Thriving in the Age of AI, Jane K. Cleland offers science-based creativity techniques that will guide you through the writing process to unlock your imagination and help you create compelling stories that resonate with emotional truth in ways AI can’t match. Her other books on the craft of writing, Mastering Suspense, Structure & Plot and Mastering Plot Twists, both won the Agatha Award. Jane has also written fourteen novels in the multiple award-winning Josie Prescott Antiques Mystery series (St. Martin’s Minotaur, with short fiction published by Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine). The series has just been optioned for film and TV. Jane is a contributing editor for Writer’s Digest Magazine and the chair of the Black Orchid Novella Award, presented by the Wolfe Pack in partnership with Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine. Jane is the Vice President of the Florida chapter of Mystery Writers of America. Previously, she served as President of the New York Chapter of MWA and was on the national board. Get to know more about Jane at janecleland.com.

Jane Friedman has spent her entire career in the book publishing industry, with a focus on author education and trend reporting. She is the editor of The Bottom Line, the essential publishing industry newsletter for authors, and was named Publishing Commentator of the Year by Digital Book World in 2023. Her latest book is The Business of Being a Writer, Second Edition (University of Chicago Press), which received a starred review from Library Journal. In addition to serving on grant panels for the National Endowment for the Arts and the Creative Work Fund, she works with organizations such as The Authors Guild to bring transparency to the business of publishing. Learn more at janefriedman.com.

Refunds available up to 48 hours before the event. No refunds for cancellations made within 48 hours of the event.

Tuesday, January 27, 6:00 p.m. ET (VIP Reception) | 7:15 p.m. General Admission

Get ready for a night of fearless, full-throttle comedy with Women’s Media Group, celebrating women who rule the mic and the moment. Featuring Sarah Cooper, Ophira Eisenberg, and Phoebe Robinson—plus more comedians to be announced—this live show brings together some of the funniest and most fearless voices in entertainment. Invite friends, bring your sense of humor, and get ready to laugh, connect, and unwind with WMG. Reserve your spot today—general admission seats will go fast!

Want the full experience? Go VIP and step into an exclusive pre-show mixer where the energy is as bright as the talent on stage. Sip, snack, and connect with WMG’s Co-Presidents, Board, members, and special guests before the night’s comedy lineup begins. Your VIP ticket includes time for cocktails and conversation—because the best laughs start with the best company!

Comedians:

Sarah Cooper is a writer, comedian, and producer based in New York City, best known for her satirical videos of Donald Trump during the pandemic. She is the creator and star of the Netflix comedy special Everything’s Fine, directed by Natasha Lyonne, and author of the bestselling book How to Be Successful without Hurting Men’s Feelings. In 2020, she was named a New York Times Breakout Star, a Breakthrough Performer for the Associated Press, and one of Vulture’s Comedians You Should Know. She has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and The Jimmy Kimmel Show. Her debut memoir, Foolish: Tales of Assimilation, Determination, and Humiliation, was released in 2023 from Dutton. Credits include The Wanderers (Off-Broadway), Unfrosted (Netflix), and the forthcoming The Housemaid (Lionsgate).

Ophira Eisenberg is a Canadian-born standup comedian, writer, and host. She hosted NPR’s comedy trivia show Ask Me Another for nine years and is the host of the new comedy podcast Parenting Is a Joke, co-produced by iHeart Radio and Pretty Good Friends Productions. Ophira filmed Inside Joke, her comedy special about surprisingly finding herself expecting at “an advanced maternal age,” when she was 8½ months pregnant. Her new comedy album, Plant-Based Jokes, is available on iTunes and is streaming now on YouTube. Her other comedy albums are Bangs! and As Is. Ophira is a regular host and storyteller with The Moth, and her stories were featured in two of The Moth’s bestselling collections. Ophira’s first book, Screw Everyone: Sleeping My Way to Monogamy (Seal Press), was optioned for a feature film.

Phoebe Robinson is a standup comedian, bestselling author, producer, actress, and publisher. Phoebe is the author of the essay collections You Can’t Touch My Hair, Everything’s Trash, but It’s Okay, and Please Don't Sit on My Bed in Your Outside Clothes, and, in 2020, she launched her own imprint, Tiny Reparations Books. Robinson is also the co-creator and co-star of the podcast 2 Dope Queens, as well as the HBO series of the same name. Other onscreen work includes the TV adaptation of Everything’s Trash and the standup special Sorry, Harriet Tubman, both of which are produced by her company, Tiny Reparations. She was the recipient of Variety’s Comedy Innovator Award for her work and continued contribution in comedy. Her second standup special, I Don't Wanna Work Anymore, premiered October 7 exclusively on YouTube.

Refunds available up to 48 hours before the event. No refunds for cancellations made within 48 hours of the event.