Freya H.

I identify too well with this article.

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I identify too well with this article.

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About 80% of Black leaders who seek out my coaching services and aspire to become more effective and impactful leaders lack employer support. Often, they are even fearful of asking their employer for this investment. Instead, they fund it out of their own pockets. ❗Keep in mind, Black women earn 58.5% less than White men (Catalyst, 2022 via Canadian Women’s Foundation), making it challenging to invest in themselves. From my experience, these are the three common scenarios Black women face regarding coaching: 1. Unaware of Available Coaching Opportunities: Many Black employees do not know if coaching is part of their organization's talent management strategy. If they are unaware, it effectively means it isn’t accessible to them. 2. Denied Requests for Development: When Black employees ask for development opportunities, the answer is often no, or the process for approval requires a business case rationalizing the request. Excuses range from budget constraints to doubts about their potential or impact. This reflects outdated and biased talent review practices. 3. Hesitation to Advocate for Themselves: Many Black employees, even those in senior roles, feel hesitant to ask for investment in their development. This hesitation stems from a lack of normalized support and the internalized belief, based on lived experience, that they are not worthy of such investment. Although I’ve developed a self-advocacy guide to help them request these investments, it shouldn't be necessary. I’ve yet to encounter this issue with non-Black employees whose organizations contract my services. Employers, sponsors, and allies need to recognize that investing in Black women’s development through coaching is crucial. This investment should place them in environments where they feel safe, understood, and are given the space to thrive. Are you willing to break the barriers and invest in the growth and development of your Black employees? #LeadershipDevelopment #EquityInclusion #BlackWomenLead #BrilliantColours #blackexcellence #womenofcolor #allyship

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https://lnkd.in/g7XsqKfU 📊 The challenge of declining Black male enrollment at HBCUs requires urgent attention. 📊 Statistics show that enrollment has decreased by nearly 30% over the last decade—a trend that can’t be ignored. At Assemble.FYI we’ve made it a priority to address this issue by offering sustainable, impactful solutions for smaller universities and HBCUs, moving beyond reliance on gifts and grants. Within the next six months, we will be rolling out our premium online courses in partnership with a select number of institutions. Our courses, spanning various categories, are designed to excite, attract, and prepare students for thriving careers in high-demand job fields. Here’s how we’re taking action: 1. Partnered with esteemed academics to design relevant, impactful curricula. 2. Recruited industry-leading professionals to deliver these courses. 3. Established a consortium to bring universities together to address shared challenges. 4. Invested in AI to enhance and modernize the student learning experience. While the decline in enrollment is alarming, it also presents an opportunity to innovate and create lasting change. We’re dedicated to ensuring HBCUs continue to be pillars of success, paving the way for a brighter future. If you’re affiliated with an HBCU, or would like to discuss collaborative ways to reverse the trend of college enrollment, visit www.assemble.fyi or message me directly at [email protected].

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So what is the fundamental reason for this fail? The struggles facing Group Black and Black Owned Media stems back to Corporate America and brands continuing to undervalue and underinvest in the Black Consumer Market. From a budget standpoint “flat is the new up”. Despite the continued cultural influence and economic buying power of Black Consumers, the investment still doesn’t match up with the business results and business contribution. Are we in the midst of a 21st century version of “benign neglect”? BTW even today reach and frequency doesn’t equate to relevance.

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As the CEO of Black Sisters in STEM it is an honor to share that Black Sisters in STEM is officially partnering with the a16z Cultural Leadership Fund for 2024! This is a partnership that redefines possibilities for Black women in STEM. For years, we've been on a mission to create opportunities and break down barriers for African American talent in tech. Now, with this partnership, we're elevating our impact. From groundbreaking innovations in gaming and generative Al to opening doors for high-impact, equity-earning roles, this collaboration is all about transforming the future. Here's what this really means: when we come together, 𝐰𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐚 𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲. The opportunity to empower Black talent, reshape narratives, and create a more equitable tech landscape is here and it's bigger than any one of us. The future is calling, and it's ours to shape. Let's make a real impact together! #BlackSistersInSTEM #a16z #Cultural Leadership Fund #TechEquity #Empowerment #NoLimits

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📍Success has often been defined for Black men by external forces that limit our vision and potential. But true success for us goes beyond personal gains—it involves dismantling generational strongholds, breaking free of stereotypes, and building a legacy grounded in dignity. When we expand our goals to include these transformative elements, we’re not only redefining what success looks like for ourselves, but also creating a foundation for future generations to thrive. With creativity, intuition, and innovative thinking, we have the power to reshape narratives, not just for today but for generations to come. ______________ Visit my website: https://richardacross.com Check out my books and journals + more! ______________ POSITIVELY SHAPING THE FUTURE™ #1millionblackmalestudents #LifePurpose #mentoring #HBCUsMatter #LeadingWithIntegrity #TheBlackMaleImpact #Blackexcellence #ChallengeCharacterAssasination #BlackMenCollaboration #BlackMen #Impact #leadingchange #CulturalTransformation #HigherEducation #MillionaireMindset #BlackBoys #changethenarrative #EmotionalIntelligence #PositiveImpact #Book2024 #DrRichardACross #PositiveInfluence #OwnYourGreatness #InnerStrength #TrustBuilding #ChallengeTheNarrative #UniteForChange #DismantlingStereotypes

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Happy Tuesday LinkedIn. There's a lot of controversy surrounding SHRM's decision to drop the equity in DEI. My sentiments are aligned with those of many DEI practitioners, you can't authentically practice DEI without Equity. Equity is the meat of DEI. Equity is the accountability piece, it's what makes change tangible, measurable, and visible. Therefore, eliminating the E in DEI would be an injustice to the work and those who are most impacted by it. The practice of DEI looks different in every organization, and it is up to the organization and its leaders to decide how that is defined Consider those in your organization that are eager to learn and put DEI and leadership practices in to action. Recommend those leaders to our Inclusive Leadership Bootcamp. Real change is the actions you take!!! The total investment is $299. The program will include self-paced, live, virtual, and peer-to-peer engagements and will cover the following topics: Week 1: Foundations of DEI and Leadership Week 2: Developing your Inclusive Leadership Identity Week 3: Fostering Justice as an Inclusive Leader Week 4: Developing and Implementing an Inclusive Leadership Strategy https://lnkd.in/eCxnX7MB

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This article from Black Enterprise Magazine came at the right time! As the former Executive Director and now CEO of End Rape On Campus (EROC), I've had the privilege of working with various leadership coaches. Today, my needs as a leader have evolved, and I'm at a critical juncture in my journey of rebuilding EROC and honoring its legacy. Before any executive leadership coaches reach out to me, please note: I’ll reach out as I do my preliminary research. I know what I want and need, and I’m intentional about finding the right fit. Here’s a snippet of what I’m looking for: - A Black Executive Leadership Coach: My career journey has been shaped by having had at least 12 white supervisors, 95% of whom were women-identified. Only one has consistently supported and mentored me, exemplifying true allyship. I seek a Black Executive Leadership Coach who understands the challenges I’ve faced and has successfully navigated similar experiences. Their insights on how they found their strength, will, and motivation will be invaluable as I chart my path forward. - Coaching Style: I need a coach with an authentic, supportive, and direct approach. Someone who isn’t afraid to ask tough questions, respectfully challenge me, and guide me towards an authentic and appropriate direction. - Current Goal: My vision is ambitious: to lead EROC through a $1 Million+ transformation. I need a coach who can help translate my ideas and drafts into a strategic and realistic pathway. I aim to ensure EROC’s sustainability and empower future staff to carry forward its mission with drive and motivation. - Investment: While I deeply desire to invest in myself or have my organization support me, it’s not feasible at this moment. However, this is a need I am committed to fulfilling. QUESTION: I'm curious to learn from YOU, reader, who have had/currently have an executive leadership coach, what you have found to be rewarding in your journey? Thank you for your attention to my post and support as I embark on this exciting chapter. Sheena Collier | Enna Jimenez | Sabrina Saunders Mosby | Sabrina Hersi Issa | Diane Randolph Jones, MS, MFA | Fakisha Fabre | Bentina Terry | Sharisse Kimbro | Tiffany Dufu | Lynn Perry Wooten | Kimberly Bryant

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Breaking Barriers and Embracing Growth ✨ As a first-generation Haitian woman, I’ve seen firsthand what resilience looks like. My parents sacrificed and pushed through unimaginable hardships to give my sister and me a better life. Witnessing their strength and determination, I’ve come to understand that the challenges we face in life can either define us or propel us forward. For a long time, fear and doubt held me back. But I realized something powerful: I am worthy of every opportunity that comes my way. The growth that followed that realization has been transformational. Through my journey, I have been inspired to share my knowledge and voice. It’s why I launched my program, Finding the Success Within, to empower others to break through their limiting beliefs and discover the success that already lies within them. 💬 “Your past is a part of you, but it doesn’t define your future. You are worth every opportunity and more!” I want to encourage anyone reading this—whether you’re just starting your journey or you’ve been on the road for a while—keep going. Your breakthrough is on the other side of your belief in yourself. Let’s connect, share stories, and keep growing together. 💪✨ #GrowthMindset #SuccessWithin #HaitianPride #PersonalDevelopment #Resilience

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Discover how Black women can overcome "Imposter Treatment" and build confidence in the workplace. Get inspired by success stories and strategies from 'I'm Not Yelling' - the ultimate guide to navigating the workplace. #Empowerment #WorkplaceSuccess

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My latest ForbesBLK on why we need Black professional organizations now more than ever #blacklinkedin #blackorgs #professionalorganizations #DEI #blackprofessionals #goodreads https://lnkd.in/gmF8Xc3E

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August is National Black Business Month, and we recognize the Black-owned businesses nationwide. Black business owners account for about 10 percent of U.S. businesses and 30 percent of all minority-owned businesses. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, that amounts to approximately two million companies owned by African Americans. Nearly 40 percent of black-owned businesses are in health care, social assistance, repair and maintenance, and personal and laundry services. Other categories include advertising firms, auto dealerships, consulting services, restaurants, barbershops, beauty salons, and more. HOW TO OBSERVE Support and encourage African American-owned businesses in your community. Learn more about business opportunities for the African American community. Use #NationalBlackBusinessMonth in social media correspondence. #Sharingiscaring

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We've been building Change Agility for 13 years dare I say...we were pioneers of our time! We did not introduce the profession or methodologies or frameworks - we fell in love with the profession and its intended value, we saw our place in it, and how we can add more value to the industry and customers. We took a leap of faith and jumped into a largely established industry that seemed unattainable, untouchable, impossible to penetrate:) ...Imagine a boutique black female owned change management firm in 2011, bold enough to compete with the big professional services firms! We broke the barriers. It was never going to be easy, and we knew that, so we proceeded with courage, clarity, and passion. That was then...this is now and we've gone digital! Chang'd, our digital platform was conceptualised in 2019, with MVP1 launched in 2021 as our initial offering. Here we are now, launching MVP2 this October 2024. The past two years has seen us win international awards, and Chang'd has been at the forefront of our story. We are innovative! We are redefining the profession. This year, we took a leap of faith and kicked off our change catalyst programme and academy with the vision of training and producing one hundred change practitioners in the next 5 year. Yes, you heard right - 100! This will create much needed young skills in an aging and, a difficult industry to enter - particularly for young black talent. We are giving back and redefining the industry, one change manager at a time. We are Bold. We are Daring. We remain Ahead of the Curve. We are Agile. We are Open for Business! I'm so excited to be launching Change Agility and Chang'd in London this week! Change Management Tech is here! Talk to us for a simpler approach to managing change programmes complexity. This moment marks the opening of London'sInvestment week, and as I echo the Deputy President of the Republic at the Global South Africans Awards & Heritage Month Celebration Dinner when he declared to the United Kingdom Government, Business and Investment Community - South Africa Is Open For Business! Economic projections are sitting at over 2% growth next year, what an opportunity this is or us at Change Agility! South Africa is growing again. We are open for business. This picture says it all. As I stand in the lobby of the London Stock Exchange, ready to meet partners and potential Uk clients - I am declaring that Change Agility continues to be open for business! I encourage you to become part of our story, and help us achive our vision. #GrowingGreatBusinesses #ChangeAgility #Changemaker #WeAreChangeAgility #AfricaExpertise #InvestedInYourStory #YourStoryMatters #LondonInvestmentWeek

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Opportunity October 2024 REMINDER: Week 2: 1. Write down Scripture pertaining to increasing faith. Faith and complacency cannot coexist. Meditate of this Scripture so it will ignite positive thoughts and feelings. 2. Continue reading your book of choice and ensure you dedicate time throughout the week to read a few chapters. 3. After revisiting a goal last week, even if you have not started yet, write it down, keep it visible, and start over. Remember, you are gifted and equipped. #WecandoallthingsthroughChristWhostrengthensus #OpportunityOctober2024 #BeginAgain #MindsetShift

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