Photo: Courtesy of Melva LaJoy Legrand
How she got her start: "I attribute my initial interest in the events industry to both Mrs. Banks and Howard University’s Homecoming," Legrand says. "However, in my professional career, I started at the bottom and was mentored by the vice president of Radio One. I was inspired by her mastery of logistics, as well as her composed and clean-cut demeanor."
Legrand was immediately drawn to the logistics and behind-the-scenes work of events, and knew she had the mind for it. "My degrees may have been in education and administration, but my heart said event planning—and I haven’t looked back. That was 20-plus years ago."
What innovation means to her: "Innovation means daring to do something different—to do something no one else is doing," she says. "It’s when you see something and whether or not you agree, say to yourself, 'Hey that’s interesting.' It’s being open-minded to giving both you and your audience a healthy push forward to take risks in order to succeed."
Legrand says that reading and daydreaming help push her toward innovation. "Because I have a deep passion for this field, I actually dream about my events. I try to explore how something can give an edge while complimenting the unique brand and story of the moment," she says. "I believe this is why our work never gets boring."
How she stays inspired: Legrand actually finds the most inspiration from her clients. "I enjoy knowing they trust us to produce their memories, stories, and moments of joy," she says, adding that she's also inspired by her team and peers.
"I love sharing what I know, where I’ve grown, and where I aspire to go, as well as learning their stories. Connecting and collaborating with people feeds my soul."
Career highlights: Legrand cites a number of events that stand out in her memory, including co-producing Beyond the Blackout with Bright Occasions and the Anderson House to amplify Black businesses. "We hosted this event three times, and I can honestly say the industry has shifted," she says. "Knowing that I worked with a talented team and played a role in diversifying our field brings me tremendous joy."
Another special moment was providing gala consulting for the Alzheimer’s Association National Capital Area Chapter’s Brain Ball in 2022. "This event was dedicated to my father, Melvin Clay Jones, who lost his battle with dementia on May 7, 2021," she says. "[The gala] took place on the one-year anniversary of his passing. I was destined to play a role in this event, and I am so grateful that they exceeded their fundraising goals to find a cure."
Legrand also loved working on the Education Pioneers Annual Conference, where she saw Bryan Stevenson speak on topics like the lack of humanity, prison reform, and shared brokenness. "Everyone cried during his keynote, and everyone healed," she says. "What I remember the most was his patience and authenticity. Although he was only supposed to sign a few of his books, he signed every single book and took the time to engage with everyone. He showed me that people are never what they seem to be. It was beautiful to be around that depth of sincere servant leadership."
Her favorite thing about the event industry: "This life is never boring," she says. "We are always on the edge of a trend and, if you are as lucky as I have been, you will meet amazing people along the way who become like family—a creative family, but a family nonetheless."
This feature is sponsored by Hubilo, a leading virtual and hybrid event platform built to drive engagement, with clients including Deloitte, Coca-Cola, Amazon Web Services, and more.
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