Widely known for carving out her own unique paths to success, empowerment and personal growth discussing iconic moments in her life, Charlene Mc Farlane is on a benevolent crusade for us to look bravely at the things we rarely discuss in entrepreneurship - courage, class, fear, vulnerability, empathy and competition – asking, “What does success look like without the agency to self-advocate?”
about
The New ROR is the evolution of Referrals Opportunities Respect.
Grounded in research, data, industry insights, and lessons learned with a focus on underexplored aspects of employment and entrepreneurship. The New ROR's mission is to cultivate and empower a diverse and high-quality talent pool capable of asserting agency over their expression, identity and experiences.
A dynamic learning platform partnering with cutting-edge organizations across industry, academia and corporate environments in fashion, arts, and business who are committed to offering remarkable, authentic experiences that transform real-world challenges into opportunities to expand business and employment skills, deepen self-awareness, and strengthen influence.
challenges
Creatives, early-career professionals and emerging entrepreneurs face additional challenges navigating unhealthy and competitive environments, positioning themselves in vulnerable positions that are exploitable, discriminatory and exclusionary, accepting industry culture as a necessary component of career establishment or enhancement, giving carte-blanche to blurred boundaries due to:
Gender, race and class
Outside financial and social pressures to reach high standards
A lack of value and financial rewards for their work
As we work to develop programs and initiatives, we must also nurture self-awareness to shape future leaders and mold generations for a more dynamic and driven talent.
The following is ROR's four pillars that articulate its challenges and commitments for 2026 and beyond.
GATEKEEPING
Moving past outdated pillars of belonging that restrict information, knowledge, tools and resources based on class, education, and socio-economic status.
ADVOCACY
Driving the conversation to educate and raise awareness about systemic challenges.
COMMUNITY
Creating a safe space and appreciation for outliers from all genders and backgrounds.
INFLUENCE
Contextualizing the culture, providing real-life actionable strategies to navigate heightened environments and complex situations.