Be bold and be confident. Don’t miss out on your destiny because you’re so focused on someone else’s. ~Simona Noce
TheBlackManCan is Washington, D.C. to bring you a new Exquisite Woman feature. We bring to you an Exquisite Woman who is a Ghanaian princess & Italian Beauty. We proudly present Simona Noce Founder and Chief Executive Officer of L’Afropolitan PR and Special Events. Simona is a publicist that has a huge emphasis on entertainment, special events, and talent publicity. Dedication, Excellence, Genuine, Poise and Quality all define Ms. Noce and she can now add Exquisite to that list. Simona sits down with TheBlackManCan to talk about growing up in Ghana and the Jersey Shore, Howard University, HBCU SOCAL week and advice for young black girls.
TheBlackManCan: Simona, can you tell us the meaning behind the name L’Afropolitan?
SN: An Afropolitan is a person of African descent who is culturally exposed and aware about different lifestyles because of their up bringing. For example an Afropolitan might be born in Africa,& educated primarily in Africa but might have moved to London for college, works in Texas, speaks multiple languages, has an accent that sounds britisameriafrican. I am an Afropolitan therefore I called my business L’Afropolitan which is The Afropolitan in french. Just like Afropolitans my PR firm is culturally aware and adapting. We’re able to serve many and connect with all because I have been exposed to multicultural experiences. So L’Afropolitan has that advantage and brings a unique and creative niche to the game.
An Afropolitan is a person of African descent who is culturally exposed and aware about different lifestyles because of their up bringing. ~Simona Noce
TheBlackManCan: What is mission and vision behind L’Afropolitan PR and Special Events?
SN: L’Afropolitan seeks to provide class, style and excellence by elevating the image and success of our clients to an incomparable level by facilitating quality interactions while executing innovative strategies. My vision behind this is not to compete with all the PR firms in the world or try to be the best and the finest but instead it is to utilize my creativity, passion, and skill for Afrocentic culture and public relations, and to elevate, beautify and magnify it. I want to expose people of African descent in a positive and successful light and I know with public relations, I am able to shape the minds and perceptions of people towards situations, cultures and people. I aim to raise a standard for young black professionals to support our own business and ambitions!
Founder of L'Afropolitan PR & SPECIAL EVENTS Follow me on twitter @missnoce www.facebook.com/simonanoce
TheBlackManCan: How did you come up with the idea to create your own Public Relations and Special events firm?
SN: I had so many ideas and thoughts running through my mind and I couldn’t execute them the way I wanted and needed to because I was working for other people or collaborating with other folks who had a different vision than I did. Therefore I decided to birth my own group and see how and who I can serve with my skill and my vision.
TheBlackManCan: It seems as thought you have found your passion as it shows in the work you do. How important is it to find your passion in life?
SN: Passion is essential. It will drive your success and the results of your work. Passion is what eases them overwhelming times, and also is what fills you up with joy when you’ve accomplished something. Passion to me is everything.
There is not a day that goes by that I deal with a situation that Howard University hasn’t prepared me for. ~Simona Noce
TheBlackManCan: Please tell us more about growing up in Ghana and also the Jersey shore. How have both experiences shaped who you are today?
SN: Well I was born in Cote D’Ivoire and raised in Ghana (my mothers side of the family is from Ghana) and it was amazing. I mean that is home to me, my family is still there, my best friends are still there, Ghana is everything. Moving to the Jersey Shore was a culture shock, but I must say the combination of both experiences enabled me to be more enlightened, cultured, independent.
TheBlackManCan: How was your experience at Howard University? What are some lessons and skills that Howard taught you?
SN: Attending Howard University has been one of the best decisions I’ve made. I have never been more proud to represent anything or anyone as I am to rep Howard. At Howard I learned how to be a strong black lady who never takes No for an answer. My experience boosted my self-esteem, birthed lifelong friendships with the world’s top-notch black people and rooted respect, determination and love in me. There is not a day that goes by that I deal with a situation that Howard University hasn’t prepared me for.
Passion is what eases them overwhelming times, and also is what fills you up with joy when you've accomplished something. ~Simona Noce
TheBlackManCan: You have a global mindset with plans to establish your firm and yourself in areas such as West African Countries, South Africa, England and the Caribbean. Tell us more about why you have chosen these places and what you plan to do.
SN: Well I don’t believe in limiting myself, however even beyond that, I don’t believe the need for L’Afropolitan is only in the states. I aim to serve and fill a need, a void! Therefore one day at a time, one state and one country at a time, I am bringing a unique perspective to the media, for my clients and my events. For instance I want to have a film & fashion festival in South Africa celebrating those in the industry. I also want to have an annual weeklong youth seminars in the Caribbean and in Ghana, that focuses primarily on building, celebrating and educating Africa’s youth with unique and creative events being taught by HBCU alumni.
TheBlackManCan: Can you tell us more about your plans to create your own mentoring program?
SN: Well in Ghana, I want to create a program primarily focused on students age 13 -17, where these students are being groomed into African leaders so we can reverse the Brain Drain phenomena we face in Africa. I aim to use my skills and my network to develop and enhance this initiative and produce fantastic results. These future leaders will be refined and strategically educated on all the important aspects of life; education, the family structure, health, and etiquette, with one goal in mind; to reverse the perception the world has on Africa not just by talking about it, but by being and showing it in their lifestyles, businesses and in the communities.
TheBlackManCan: Please give us the low down on HBCU SOCAL week? Why was it created?
SN: A friend of mine, Dunnie Onansanya, who is based in LA, created HBCU SOCAL Week. A love for all things HBCU affiliated, Dunnie developed HBCU Meet-Ups in LA to bring the HBCU community together for a time of networking and building relationships. With much success from the individual meet-ups the idea of a dedicating a whole week to the HBCU family in Southern California was invented. L’Afropolitan powered the events and she hosted them in California. The week was comprised of various events ranging from an HBCU Informational night to the HBCU Beach Party. It was educational, informative, and fun! We did this because we find it necessary to highlight what HBCU alumni are doing in their individual successes, and to unite us all in the Southern California area. L’Afropolitan will be bringing this event to NY!
TheBlackManCan: You have several partnerships. Why is it important to collaborate with others to create successful events?
SN: Yes, we do and I’m so grateful and appreciate of the support from our partnerships. We have partnered with entertainment groups and magazines, in an effort to reach a larger audience to successfully achieve our goals of each initiative.
TheBlackManCan: Where do you see yourself within the next five years?
SN: Next five years, hopefully I will be married, yes I do want my love life intact. I am single and not necessarily looking, but not shutting the door either. L’Afropolitan would have a nice roster of clients and our events will be bigger, better and memorable and definitely we would have hit our African market.
TheBlackManCan: How has twitter redefined the world of Public Relations?
SN: Twitter has not necessarily redefined Public Relations but it has enhanced it. Social media drives the world, especially young professionals and those in the entertainment industry. Redefining it will mean that we no longer need traditional public relations, which is not true. A combination of both strategies is effective.
I want to expose people of African descent in a positive and successful light and I know with public relations, I am able to shape the minds and perceptions of people towards situations, cultures and people. ~Simona Noce
TheBlackManCan: What words of advice do you have for young black girls?
SN: Be bold and be confident. Don’t miss out on your destiny because you’re so focused on someone else’s. It’s so cliché, but seriously when you dream, dream big, and shut the door hard in the face of anyone who says you can’t.
Visit Simona personal website www.missnoce.com
Visit the company website www.lafropolitan.com
Follow Simona on Twitter @missnoce
Friend Simona on Facebook www.facebook.com/simonanoce
“We as black men must carry and tell the life long story and uplift black women whenever we have opportunity to do so”, theblackmancan.org has a firm belief that this holds true. Throughout the world there are exquisite women who are making remarkable contributions to society. We want to take the time to highlight an exquisite woman each week. If you know a woman that should be featured please send an email to theblackmancan@gmail.com In that email please state who you are and why you are nominating this person. Please leave your contact information and the contact information of the individual you are nominating.
