For most Americans July 4th is looked at as Independence Day. We get the day off, barbeque, spend some time in the pool and maybe even attend a fireworks show. However, for myself and many other members of the Black community, Independence Day looks a bit different. After the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, it would take an additional two years for slaves in Texas to hear of their newfound freedom on June 19^th 1865. Thus Juneteenth, one of the nation’s most recently federally recognized holidays is celebrated yearly across the United States. 

Much has been written about making yourself more valuable in the workplace, but too often I’ve found the advice is incomplete: Get more skills and more certifications — then, get more responsibility. We tend to focus on the practical side of work, ignoring the emotional intelligence and soft skills required to truly excel. In today’s workplace, the best way to demonstrate your value as an amazing employee is to manage up.

“Managing up” is a working style in which you use empathy and strategic thinking to consciously enhance your manager’s work and add value. In short, it means going beyond your day-to-day work to interject additional value into the equation. This added value can produce a better relationship with your boss, a more productive working environment for everyone and better advancement opportunities for you. Who would say no to that?!

Oklahoma, with its awe-inspiring natural beauty, boasts a diverse array of tourist destinations that will captivate any traveler's heart. From the pristine beauty of the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge to the eclectic and nostalgic attractions sprinkled along historic Route 66, like the Blue Whale of Catoosa, there's something for everyone to explore!
For National Travel and Tourism Week, we asked some of our favorite locals for their favorite destinations around the state. Keep reading to learn about some of VI's favorite spots in Oklahoma!

We’re stoked to introduce VI’s new Director of Business Development, Chas Stoker! 

In 1908, a group of women marched in New York City to demand better pay, shorter working hours, and the right to vote. Three years after that, the first annual International Women's Day was celebrated, and 112 years later, this annual holiday is recognized in more than 27 countries and is celebrated by people around the globe on March 8th.

International Women's Day provides an opportunity to reflect on the progress made toward gender equality and equity, and recognize the challenges that still exist. By celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women everywhere, we can educate ourselves and start important conversations that lead to positive change in our world.

At VI, we're proud to celebrate the women who bring so much value to our team every single day – but especially on International Women's Day. So, to celebrate the 112th anniversary, we asked the most phenomenal women we know to share their stories, advice, words of encouragement, and insights on what it means to be a woman in the modern world:

Regardless of your experience coming into an internship, everyone has a common goal in mind - to grow. And growth is best defined by two factors - personal and professional. You can see personal growth in the relationships you make with both clients and coworkers. Professionally, you notice growth in the skills you develop. But internships vary from industry to industry, company to company, and even department to department. In order to make the most of your time with a company or organization, you have to approach it with the right state of mind.

VI Marketing and Branding has grown by another 15 great minds! Meet the newest members of our team:

For International Women's Day, we sat down with a group of women at VI to talk about what it means to be a woman in 2022. These creative, badass marketers shared the challenges they face, the women that inspire them, their favorite things about womanhood, their best advice to young women, and more. 

VI is so proud to announce that Erin Robinson, local artist, and VI Creative Director, is creating change in our community with a collaborative, free art show, You & Me: The Art of Grief and Joy After Loss.