LaKeydra Toliver, MBA, SHRM-CP

I'll be blunt. As a black woman in HR, I am not surprised by SHRM's decision to drop equity from their DEI initiatives and focus. I sat for my SHRM exam in 2022 and paid for the exam myself. SHRM provided no financial assistance for low income HR professionals to further their careers and made candidates jump through hoops to get any sort of accommodation for the exam. In order to maintain your SHRM credential, you need to obtain 60 credits within the 3 years of your certification expiration date. These credits can only be obtained by attending conferences ($$$$), seminars/workshops ($$), hours and hours of extracurriculars, or furthering your education through course work and/or going back to school ($$$$$$$). These actions are NOT equitable by any means and make it nearly impossible for those who are marginalized, to keep their certifications. Not to mention, you have to pay roughly $300 a year to keep your access to their resources. As if the $1600 to sit for the exam was not enough. SHRM is nothing but another big corporation who pandered to the wave of popularity surrounding DEI following the 2020 George Floyd protests. They have always lacked diversity in their members, their leadership, and have never proven to be inclusive or equitable in any of their external practices. I will not be renewing my SHRM membership and will let my credential expire come 2025. I thought that obtaining this credential was imperative to my success and growth as an HR professional but as we can see by the current state of the job market...that isn't the case. Dropping equity was only the first step. I can definitely see them rolling back much more down the road.

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My first session attended today was on Black school leader pipelines. It was so insightful, practical, and full of resources to start taking action steps! 🙌🏿 #nabse #teamDPS #BlackSchoolLeaders #POCleadersK12

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Hey Garry Johnson III, right on time. I'm not a frequent coffee drinker but have been thinking of getting a bit into it and was looking for a Black-owned brand to support so...kismet. I just bought that 1871 😋 ☕️ Coffee Description: "HBCU Fun Fact: Established in 1871, this historic institution is renowned for its legacy as the first land-grant historically Black university. With a steadfast commitment to academic excellence, social progress, and leadership development, the university empowers students to effect lasting change in their communities and beyond. Coffee Description: A very complex medium-dark roast of bright full flavor African grown coffees. Enjoy hints of toffee, caramel, chocolate, raisins, green apples, red fruits and even hints of cherries and black currant with a soft floral finish. Coffee cherries are often processed by hand at the home of the farmers after being hand picked. Quality standards are high and farmers adhere to these strict standards with environmentally friendly processing, washing the beans and leaving in the sun to dry, then hand sorting and packaging." Read full description and more about BVU here: https://lnkd.in/gVr6qHd8 Question for devoted java drinkers: Is it true if you brew whole beans instead of ground coffee ☕️, you get a richer taste? 🤔 What's your favorite way to consume coffee? Also support this brotha please.

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It's #juneteenth and today we acknowledge the freeing of more than 250,000 remaining enslaved Black people in Texas on June 19, 1865. But there's still work to be done in the form of financial freedom and #reparations. If you want to truly acknowledge Juneteenth today - and moving forward -join The Reparations Race - led by Erin Corine Johnson. Learn how to participate as a: BENEFICIARY - Black/Black-Owned/Black Led Businesses, Projects, Communities and Causes; CONTRIBUTOR - Non-Black people making cash payments to participating beneficiaries (via CashApp, PayPal, Venmo, etc.); SUPPORTER/CONTRIBUTING SUPPORTER - Anyone that would like to sign up to actively spread the word -AND/OR- contribute products and services in lieu of cash donations to participating beneficiaries; SPONSOR - Any and all direct supporters of The Reparations Race Org, the seeding of the organization as a division of Hola Magnolia Identityworks, and this year's pledge: funding and organizing the return of the Juneteenth Global celebration on the ground in Barcelona and Madrid, Spain! See Erin's post below for all details. #juneteenth2024 | #equity | #buyblackjuneteenth June 19, 2024

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💼 When it comes to Employee Relations, knowledge alone isn't enough—you need to master application. 🚀 This state-of-the-art bootcamp will give you the power to transform your career and elevate your skills. 🔥 Empower yourself, grow your career—you need this! 🌐 Learn more and register at https://lnkd.in/eVh7yzpe #EmployeeRelations #CareerGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment #Leadership #fyp #worklife #careerupgrade #buddyinHR #HRleadership #Certification #Minorityleaders #Leadingwithpurpose #CareerShift

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Growing up and working in different spaces in NYC and being of Caribbean descent has allowed me to recognize how color transcends in different ways and how it mimics culture. I wear color everyday I come into the office. I recognize most people wear black, white, navy blue and grey for work. For me this isn’t my personality and that’s why I enjoy wearing yellows, greens, blues, pinks. The colors in work culture mimic the buildings in NYC. Majority of which are black, brown or grey. The luxury buildings all look the same as well. I love color and culture because it’s expressive. In the Caribbean, Latin America, and Africa for example you’ll find homes that are bright colors and I believe that speaks to our vibrant cultures. I want to leave you with this- do you feel you wear less color to fit in? Do you see how color and culture can influence social structures? P.S. this isn’t meant to make anyone feel bad for wearing less color but moreso an observation. I love me an all black outfit.

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[7] reasons why Black men need to participate in helping with leveling the playing field. To level the playing field for others, it's where we actively engage in mentorship, advocacy, creating opportunities, and community involvement. 1. Representation Matters: 🤴🏿 Black men's participation ensures diverse voices and perspectives are included, creating a more equitable environment for everyone. 2. Breaking Barriers: 🚧 Active involvement helps dismantle systemic barriers and challenges that hinder progress for Black men and other marginalized groups. 3. Role Modeling: 🌟 Serving as role models, Black men inspire future generations by demonstrating resilience, leadership, and determination in overcoming obstacles. 4. Empowerment: 💪🏾 Participation empowers Black men to advocate for their rights, access resources, and pursue opportunities that contribute to personal and collective advancement. 5. Community Strength: 🤝🏾 Collaborative efforts foster solidarity within the Black community, fostering unity and collective action to address common challenges. 6. Impactful Change: 🌱 By participating, Black men contribute to creating lasting change that promotes fairness, justice, and equal opportunities for all. 7. Future Generations: 🌍 Investing in leveling the playing field today ensures a brighter future for generations to come, where all individuals have the opportunity to thrive regardless of race or background. By sharing knowledge, advocating for equality, and participating in initiatives that address systemic issues, you'll be providing opportunities and support for those who may face barriers. Through empowerment and role modeling, you are encouraging individuals to recognize their potential and advocate for their rights, contributing to a more equitable and inclusive society. ______________ Visit my website: https://richardacross.com Check out my books and journals + more! ______________ POSITIVELY SHAPING THE FUTURE™ #1millionblackmalestudents #motivation #inspiration #education #mentoring #HBCUsMatter #LeadingWithIntegrity #TheBlackMaleImpact #Blackexcellence #ChallengeCharacterAssasination #PersonalDevelopment #Perspective #Psychology #leadingchange #CulturalTransformation #Knowledge #MillionaireMindset #BlackBoys #changethenarrative #EmotionalIntelligence #PositiveImpact #Book2024 #DrRichardACross #PositiveInfluence #BestVersionOfYourself

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Friends, this IS wild...like really. Issa jungle out there - full stop. But I want to speak to some feedback I've seen in the comments about resume and career coaches citing the resume as the main issue... Sometimes it IS the resume. If you don't know the hiring manager and you apply to a project manager job with an event planning resume, it's over - case closed. Because what I can tell you is there are 100 other candidates who applied with a project manager resume and who also learned the pain points the company is going through so...bottom line: job search will always be a competitive sport. But more importantly, please let's start saying the quiet part out loud: It's also the relationships and connections. I didn't get my jobs purely from my experience and skills...I can honestly say I just knew the right people at the right time who sponsored or advocated for me. Is that purely merit-based? Nope Has the job market always been that way? Yup Will it always be that way? More than likely. So any quality career coach or job search coach you are working with usually has a relationship building and network leveraging component to their strategy... I REPEAT: Most people likely never got their job purely based on merit. Familiarity, privilege, relationships, sponsorship, connections, affinity bias likely played a role. https://lnkd.in/g9QPaNzH

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Have you ever wished for a place where you can: 📣Learn the skills that truly matter for excelling at your job? 📣Stay current with the latest trends and developments in the project world? 📣Test your ideas and share your challenges in a supportive environment? 📣Connect with people who not only understand the obstacles you face but also cheer you on to succeed? We did too. That’s why we created Black Women in Projects.🙋🏾‍♀️ We are here to be your go-to resource for everything from practical skills to motivational support, specifically tailored for women who work as Project Managers, Business Analysts, PMO, Programme Managers, Scrum Masters and Delivery Managers. 🌟 Follow our page for regular updates and insights that help you grow and thrive in your career. Let’s succeed together! #BlackWomenInProjects #CareerGrowth #ProjectManagement #WomenEmpowerment

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When mastering professional etiquette, there should ALWAYS be considerations given to verbal and non-verbal communications. I had the pleasure of facilitating a very energetic conversation about this topic with college students from several different colleges during UNCF's Leadership Conference this year. One thing we as black people hear alot - yall always look angry. Most often times we are not aware of our facial expressions and how others could perceive it. I mean honestly, who cares what other people think right? Wrong... We absolutely should care when the situation does not warrant such expression - especially in professional settings. Read that again. Being approachable is key to success. It is apart of being professional especially in leadership roles. Check out their reaction as I share my experience with being corrected by my husband on several occassions. You had to be there to catch the full vibe though!! I love this environment and I'm looking forward to speaking with many more college kids! What professional etiquette tips would you give to the up and coming leaders?? ~Alisha B. "The Workplace Doctor" Diagnosing Problems, Prescribing Solutions #careerdevelopment #speaker #hbcu #collegestudent #alishadbrown #adbrownconsults #professional #humanresource

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Hey Black HR Society Family, it's not too late to honor Juneteenth in your workplace. Here are some easy and impactful ways to celebrate virtually, fostering inclusivity, education, and compassion: 1. Online Cultural Activities: Plan a day of online cultural activities showcasing Black art, music, and cuisine. Encourage employees to participate by sharing their own experiences and traditions. 2. Digital Resource Sharing: Curate and share a list of digital resources—ebooks, articles, documentaries, and podcasts—about Juneteenth and Black history. Create a virtual space for discussions and reflections. 3. Support Black-Owned Businesses: Promote Black-owned businesses by organizing a virtual marketplace or sharing a list of online Black-owned stores for employees to support. 4. Inclusive Virtual Communication: Send out inclusive and respectful communications about Juneteenth, highlighting its importance and encouraging virtual participation from all employees. 5. Remote Volunteer Opportunities: Coordinate virtual community service projects that support local Black communities, such as virtual tutoring or online mentorship programs. By embracing these initiatives, we can honor Juneteenth meaningfully and promote a workplace culture of understanding, respect, and unity, even from a distance. #Juneteenth #VirtualCelebration #InclusiveWorkplace #HR #DiversityAndInclusion #BlackHistory #CulturalAwareness #HumanResources #phoenixaz #TheBlackHRSociety #DEI

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[DEI Question ❓] How do you feel about categories? Placed on you or the ones you place yourself in? We 🫶🏽 Maurice Harris 📸: bloomandplume #dei | #blacklinkedin #blackprofessionals #blackatwork #blackcommunity #blackcreatives #blackmen

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