Brianna Doe’s Post

This post includes resources to learn more about #Juneteenth.

Here’s what UK Black History Month has taught me: Black History Month is a time to honor and celebrate black lives, talent, and excellence that shapes our communities, society and our world. I’ve quietly sat back this month, to see how many people put a spotlight on it 👀 From the content creators, to culture teams, the DEI experts and the proud business owners. And as someone who scrolls LinkedIn for hours everyday, proportionally speaking, it’s been poor. I’m no expert but as a human with eyes and a brain, I can see that black communities still face deep-rooted systemic challenges. Black people are still fighting for their rights to recognition, equity and justice. So you can tell yourself, that strides have been made and “but my best friend is black”. But it’s clear as crystal, that there’s a lot of work still to be done, on and off this platform. ✨✨✨ Follow me (Taq) and ring my ding dong 🔔 for more unsolicited recruitment advice on how to improve your hiring process, random stories and attention-seeking selfies.

🌟 Celebrating Black History Month! 🌟 At CE International, we honor the legacy and contributions of Black individuals worldwide - in the past, present, and future. This #BlackHistoryMonth, we're reminded of the profound and important impact Black leaders, thinkers, and educators have had and continue to have on shaping the world, especially in the area of #education. The work of earlier Black trailblazers such as Mary McLeod Bethune and Fanny Jackson Coppin created educational opportunities for Black children in the U.S. Later, brave Black children such as Ruby Bridges walked into newly desegregated schools to pursue the education they deserved. Worldwide, countless Black leaders have worked to build quality educational opportunities for children and youth in their communities, and today, Black education leaders globally advocate, teach, and innovate to build better #education systems, resources, and opportunities for all. As we commemorate Black History Month, we celebrate these achievements and recommit ourselves to creating inclusive educational environments worldwide so that all children can thrive. Image description: A blue circle with white text that says "Black History Month" and an icon of two hands holding up a person reading a book. Around the circle are decorative orange and yellow dots and color splashes of orange, yellow, and green.

As we keep celebrating Black-owned businesses, sharing literature from Black authors, and highlighting influential figures in the Black community, here are a few more recommendations: Business: Black History Walks Book: In Every Mirror She’s Black by Lola Akinmade Åkerström Figure: Betty Campbell

With Black History Month around the corner, I want to address something that happens every year. Many organisations will soon be reaching out to people in the Black community, asking us to share our knowledge, our stories, our experiences for FREE. Let me make this clear: **that’s not okay.** Our expertise, insights and lived experiences have value and it’s high time we stop being expected to offer them up without compensation. The days of exploiting Black labor and knowledge for free are over ***slavery days are DONE.*** You want to have meaningful discussions about Black history, culture and diversity in your workplace? Great. But if you truly believe in equity and inclusion, that starts with paying us what we’re worth. If you’re not budgeting for it, then ask yourself if you’re genuinely invested in progress, or if you’re just ticking a box to look good for the month. Here at the Self Made Speakers Academy, we’re committed to showing our mentees how to get paid their worth and how to find clients who truly value them. Because *equity* means being recognised and compensated for the value we bring not just in October, but *all year round.*" ♻️ Repost, like & comment if you found this interesting 

With Black History Month approaching, many companies are booking external speakers. But is this approach really engaging and inclusive? Have you asked your black employees if they’d like to share their stories? Their lived experiences could offer profound insights and create genuine cultural understanding. Consider hiring a moderator to facilitate these internal stories, creating an enriching, educational experience for all. As a motivational speaker, I offer moderation services to help elevate these conversations into engaging and empowering panels. Is your company ready to transform Black History Month into a true celebration of culture, communication, and understanding?

I was asked to delve deeper into the black leadership void and what could be done ! Well, the “Black Clergy” has been looked at as ineffective, and now they’ve been rejected. It does not diminish their contribution but acknowledges a shift in how leadership is perceived and accepted. We are at a point where it will take a concerted effort from Black professionals across various fields-people who possess both the intellectual rigor and cultural understanding of our community- to guide us through this crisis. These individuals, whether in education, healthcare, law, business, or urban planning, have the potential to inspire hope and empowerment. They have the knowledge and experience to develop actionable strategies that address issues while restoring confidence in leadership.   The solutions we need are not just spiritual; they are structural and require a deep understanding of policy, economics, and social frameworks. These leaders are not far removed—already embedded within our communities. They are the educators who understand the impact of underfunded schools, the doctors and mental health professionals who see the disparities in care, the lawyers working within the justice system, and the entrepreneurs building businesses despite barriers. Black professionals must step up to fill the leadership void in ways that reflect our people's modern needs. Only then will we be equipped to address the crisis by responding to its symptoms and dismantling the root causes with strategic, community-centered action. This is a call to action and a necessity for our community’s future.

Black History Month, observed in February in the US and October in the UK, honors the significant contributions of Black individuals and communities. For employers, celebrating Black History Month promotes diversity, inclusion, and cultural understanding. Here’s 5 reasons why it should be integrated into organizational culture: https://lnkd.in/ewc4qEHb

How can businesses and colleagues be effective allies to Black employees year-round? #BlackHistoryMonth #LinkedInNewsUK Employers and colleagues can be effective allies to Black employees all year round by: 💡 Calling out microaggressions and discriminatory practices as and when they happen (and not remaining silent) 💡 Creating environments where everyone feels psychologically safe and like they belong 💡 Being mindful of the isolating impact that being the 'only one' in the room can have on some people 💡 Developing awareness of their own biases and not letting them influence their decision-making 💡 Making sure that DEI initiatives are not performative 💡 Looking at DEI initiatives through an intersectional lens 💡 Creating level playing fields 💡 Listening to understand 💡 Avoiding the 'birds of a feather flock together' and developing relationships with people who are different from them As we come to the end of another Black History Month here in the UK, remember that Black employees face challenges all year round and that Black history is for life not just October. What else would you add to this list?

As we continue to celebrate Black-owned businesses, sharing literature from Black authors, and highlighting influential figures in the Black community, here are this weeks recommendations: Business: Elite Evolution Book: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas Figure: Diane Abbott