HMSHost’s Post

And we're off! Happy Black History Month to all! Kraft Heinz in the early front-running for cultural gaffe of the month. At least this is a clean cut example of why diverse hiring matters in supporting your commercial goals. What's wrong with this? There is a prevailing negative stereotype around the presence of Black fathers. Creating an ad in which the one parent missing is the Black father, is... less than welcome. The expectation is not that everyone creating a major marketing campaign will know this. The expectation is that everyone creating a major marketing campaign will know you need to understand the cultural nuances you want to dabble in before you dabble in them. The hope is that eventually you'll have enough/some people of Black heritage working on these ads that someone will be able to point this out to you before you go to print.

Great insights in this article, well worth a read

Black History Month is a time to reflect and a time to look forward. To recognize this, BIIC is featuring insights from Black professionals throughout the month. Please join us in celebrating the work that is being done to promote positive change within the risk management and insurance industry. Q: What words of wisdom do you have for up and coming Black risk management and insurance professionals? A: Allow yourself time to think, meditate, evaluate, and give serious thought to your behavior, attitude, motivation and desires. Be honest and transparent. Know that you are not alone on your journey to success. Ask questions, seek guidance, and be of help to others around you. Integrity is the key to success. Thank you, LaVonda Lovett of Gallagher.

In celebrating Black History Month, NorthBay Health invited a number of our Excellent Black leaders to share thoughts on a variety of topics. Today meet Kerry Harris, Nutrition Services Production & Retail Manager who answers the question:  How do you see your role impacting diversity and inclusion in our workplace? I feel that fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within the workplace stands as a cornerstone of effective leadership. As a manager, I recognize the paramount importance of cultivating an environment where every team member feels not just welcomed, but empowered to contribute meaningfully. Championing diversity, equity, and inclusion enables us not only to broaden our perspectives but also to encourage others to embrace and celebrate our differences. As a leader I feel that it's my responsibility to actively foster an inclusive workplace culture wherein every employee feels valued and respected. Promoting open communication, actively listening to diverse viewpoints, and leveraging our unique differences offer us opportunities for mutual learning and growth. Ultimately, I strive to build teams that harness the power of diversity to optimize our collective effectiveness. I also believe that the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and its sub-committee at NorthBay are playing a crucial role in highlighting the history and unique attributes of various cultures, enabling others to engage and educate themselves.

2024 is the fourth year of Black Leaders Awareness Day (BLAD). The awareness day takes place every year on the 18th July and was created to highlight the importance of black leaders and the impact they have made throughout history and the impact they have today and will have in the future. It is vital we ensure that we understand and acknowledge the impact these leaders have. https://lnkd.in/eCPc9DtY Black Leaders Awareness Day #blackleadersawarenessday #blackleadersawarenessday2024 #BLAD #beyondouryouth #generationalleadership #quotes #leadership #leaders #nextgeneration

In celebrating Black History Month, NorthBay Health invited a number of our Excellent Black leaders to share thoughts on a variety of topics. Today meet Melinda Powell, Infection Prevention Program Manager, who answers the question:    Can you share insights on the importance of diversity in the workplace, based on your experiences? Diversity in the workplace assures the acceptance and inclusion of employees from all backgrounds. Diversity in the workplace recognizes the strengths and the potential each individual employee in the organization. Diversity provides our organization with access to a broader range of talent and creativity that assists with removing barriers and limitations on organizations achievements. Diversity increases innovation, creativity and strategic thinking by allowing people from different backgrounds to use their unique experiences to draw a wider range of knowledge to spark new, innovative ideas. Diversity may also foster stronger employee relationships that connect on a deeper level, based on their backgrounds or shared experiences, which improves workplace collaboration. Being more inclusive and diverse helps provide vision into the needs, inspiration and motivations of all of NorthBay Health’s customer base and also helps develops trust within the community. Diverse representation helps drive success, builds trust in the organization within the community and among the staff. #NBBlackHistoryMonth24 #BlackHistoryMonth2024

I attended the Rave LATE event, which celebrated Black History Month by honoring the achievements of Nuff Said, a collective formed in 2018 to advocate for diversity in creative industries. Their manifesto and impactful events have driven significant change, and learning about their journey was incredibly inspiring. Speakers like Kemi Adeeko, Isaac Izekor, and Georgia Armstrong shared their experiences since graduating. Kemi, a British-Nigerian filmmaker, discussed her transition from photography to directing her debut short film with Converse and John Boyega. Her storytelling approach across various media resonated with my creative aspirations. Nadeem Perera, co-founder of Flock Together, shared his journey as a wildlife presenter and activist. His efforts to create a support network for People of Colour in the outdoors were both relatable and motivating, reinforcing the importance of pursuing one’s passions. Georgia Armstrong’s achievements as a creative leader at Mother London, including winning prestigious awards for her UBER campaign, highlighted the transformative power of creativity. Rave LATE reminded me of the value of diversity in creative spaces and inspired me to advocate for inclusivity while exploring my own career possibilities.

Black History Month is a time to reflect on the incredible contributions of Black leaders, innovators, and changemakers throughout history. Their resilience, creativity, and determination continue to inspire us today—not only in society but in our personal and professional lives. As I reflect on the strength and brilliance of Black culture, one quote stands out to me: "My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humour, and some style." – Maya Angelou. Maya Angelou's words remind me that empowerment comes from embracing every part of our journey, the bad, the good and the ugly, with purpose, boldness, grace, and unwavering confidence. As a coach, I'm passionate about helping individuals ignite their paths to brilliance, transforming their careers, and unlocking their boundless potential. This month, celebrating Black History Month, I'm offering #free 1:1 #coaching sessions. It's my way of giving back to the community and helping others thrive, and just like our history, your potential is limitless. https://lnkd.in/e7q7u7S8

It's National Black Business Month. As a privileged Black business owner, I feel a duty to shed light on this: Black-owned businesses are 9 times more likely to operate without employees than the national average. I knew Black business stats, but thank you Samantha Katz for educating me further on the landscape. Put in that broader perspective, the Black business figures are more alarming and disappointing. Is a business sustainable with no employees? Why don't Black businesses have employees? Can you help Black businesses be successful? If you're interested in learning about my Black-owned business—which I'm extremely fortunate to run with my team—follow the link below. We make sending local eGift cards simple, conveniently enabling gifts that are more thoughtful and impactful: https://2ly.link/1zCVq

‘She’s just a diversity hire… if not, she wouldn’t even have this job.’ This is what I overheard from a manager and supervisor last week. Let's get one thing straight: if you think my skin colour is my only credential, you’re missing the bigger picture. Being Black is our superpower! We’re not here to “fit in,” and we’re sure as hell not here to tick boxes. We’re here to bring unique perspectives that drive success and add serious £££, bottom line! We shape culture. We push boundaries. We bring depth that companies can’t afford to ignore. To anyone who still underestimates us: if our presence makes you uncomfortable, then sit tight - because we’re only getting started 💋 To my Black kings and queens: you’re unstoppable, talented, and exactly where you’re meant to be. Happy Black History Month ✊🏽