Since 1976, Black History Month has been recognized nationally as a time to honor the bravery and contributions of African Americans throughout history as well as recognize those who are continuing the fight for equality today. This month we not only want to celebrate the undeniable impact that African American individuals have had on the events industry but also highlight three of the amazing black employees here at onPeak who’s contributions to our company have made a positive lasting impact.
Kim Beauplan
Born and raised in Brooklyn, Kim has been a valued team member in our New York office for the past 4 years, but her career started back in 2004 when she was a Dorm Associate at the University of Georgia. While there, she was passing through a job fair when a man from the Holiday Inn encouraged her to apply for a job with them. She interviewed and was hired all in the next day as a PBX Officer, eventually climbing the ladder to an Area Sales Coordinator.
In 2011, she returned to New York where she continued her work in the hotel industry but looking for a new challenge, she started browsing LinkedIn where she found onPeak. Having worked with third-party accommodations companies in the past she applied to onPeak and was hired as an Account Executive in 2016.
Kim is of Haitian and Cuban decent and recently made two very exciting additions to her family with the adoption of two kittens in January 2020.
Kim’s Advice: “Don’t ever doubt yourself. Just do it. Failing does not make you a failure. It just means you have not succeeded… YET”
Paige Morton
Paige has had a passion for the events industry throughout her life, both inside and outside of her career. While studying Hospitality & Event Management at the University of Florida she worked at a local adoption clinic helping with special events while also working in sports marketing. She continued to wear multiple hats after graduation when she was hired as an Executive Meeting Specialist for The Westin Peachtree Plaza and also working as a Suite Supervisor at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.
The hotel where Paige was working is located near AmericasMart, a popular space for events onPeak works with, so she became familiar with the company where she would later be hired as an Account Executive. “On a whim,” almost three years ago she moved to New York City and began her adventure at onPeak. She is currently working toward becoming a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP).
On top of planning her upcoming wedding, Paige devotes her time out of work to the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, helping with the African American division to help build up young kids to become healthy, happy and successful adults. She also recently overcame an injury to her achilles, allowing her to continue something she is also passionate about: running. At her core, Paige emphasizes that what she really wants to do is create memorable experiences for people.
Paige’s Advice: “Have goals, but don’t get so caught up in where you want to be that you forget to appreciate and see the value in where you are. In life, there are opportunities to learn and grow from both the good and the bad. Sometimes the journey to your goal is the most rewarding part.”
Anila Singh
As a first-generation American born to an African American mother and a Guyanese father, Anila was always taught the value of hard work and knowing your worth – even when struggles come your way. At 15, she was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis which led to her being ill throughout high school and would be something she struggled with in the future. She attended Emory University with the intention of going to medical school, but had reservations about how such a stressful path would affect her health . She had been working as a PBX operator at the St. Regis in Atlanta, while studying to take the MCAT and eventually advanced her role to the Overnight Manager & Auditor.
She admits, she liked the job that she intended to only be temporary much more than she expected and made the decision to switch her focus from medicine to hospitality and events. She earned a promotion within Starwood in 2012 as a Group Sales Coordinator for the Atlanta Metro Market cluster sales team; where she had impactful workplace mentors who guided her on her growth and knowledge of the industry. She also gained experience in off-premise catering and meeting planning as a Sales Account Manager at Proof of the Pudding, one of Atlanta’s oldest event companies. Eventually, her love of events led her to an organization she heard about called onPeak, where she has worked as an Account Executive for almost 5 years.
Anila’s twin sister, Nadiya, is a Group Sales Associate here at onPeak and Anila makes it one of her top priorities to set a good example for Nadiya’s 3-year-old daughter, Natalia. For her, that means reinstating some of the lessons that her parents instilled in her at a young age – to always work hard to achieve your goals, even if you have to work harder than the person next to you.
Anila’s Advice: “True success comes from having a motive you are so passionate about it drives you to excel. So no matter how much harder and longer you have to work to be acknowledged or recognized; first be passionate about yourself and know that you are valuable, you are worthy, and you are talented.”
