The Office of Multicultural Student Life hosted a virtual Young Professionals lecture on March 8 with Keke Palmer as keynote speaker.
Palmer is best known for her roles in âAkeelah and the Bee,â âJump In,â âTrue Jackson VPâ and âHustlers.â She is also a successful recording artist and philanthropist.
Palmer discussed a variety of topics, from getting into the entertainment industry to upcoming projects. She has a movie that is expected to come out by the end of this year called âAlice,â about a woman who works on a plantation and escapes, only to find herself in the 1970s. It gives more conceptualization of freedom, as this film is from the perspective of someone who was a slave, rather than other films that are focused on those whose ancestors were slaves.
UT senior Kayla Matlock has owned and operated Kay Kouture Co., a womenâs fashion boutique that specializes in eyewear and swimsuits, since last year.
Matlock was motivated to start her business in March 2020 because she felt that the timing was appropriate. While the coronavirus pandemic was breaking out, and online shopping was becoming more popular, Matlock saw her opportunity.
When opening Kay Kouture Co., Matlock felt the timing was especially right because of the protesting and social activism actively occurring throughout the country. She felt this was a time when Black businesses should be upholding their responsibilities.
âI felt that Black businesses especially should be taking a stand and voicing their opinions,â Matlock said. âThis is why I felt that I should try as hard as possible to open my business and keep my business running.â