Inspiring Girls International’s Post

🚨The reality of leadership inequality for Black Women… 📌𝟰.𝟲% of UK leadership roles are held by people of Black, Asian, or minority ethnic backgrounds 📌Over 𝟱𝟬% of Black women in the UK have quit jobs due to racial inequalities 📌In 2023, only 𝟭𝟬.𝟰% of Fortune 500 companies were led by women … and just 𝟮 of them were Black. 📌𝟴𝟰% of marketing professionals in the UK identify as white You might find these statistics shocking, but as Black women, we’ve seen these barriers up close. These numbers aren’t just statistics - they represent real obstacles and systemic challenges that must be addressed. 🍭𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻🍭 lollipop mentoring, founded by Maria McDowell, is on a mission to empower Black women into leadership roles and build a supportive industry network. Our tailored mentorship programs are designed to create opportunities and guide Black women in overcoming these barriers to achieve their full potential. 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲—𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲! Sign up to join our new upcoming mentoring cohort this November. As a mentor, or a mentee, your participation is crucial in driving diversity in our industry. Be part of the change 🔗 [SIGN UP] https://lnkd.in/eCJmQRMw #BlackWomeninmarketing #lollipopmentoring #mentoringmatters #BlackWomenlead #sendtheladderdown

Building a network and learning from others outside your immediate organisation is a critical part of senior leadership. Never underestimate how powerful it is. But how many times do we tell ourselves that we're 'too busy' and that we don't have the time to make this a priority? I was reminded of this last week when I attended Page Executive's Women in Leadership event. First things first; what an event it was, complete with a panel of individuals willing to share their wealth of knowledge and experience. The theme of the evening was 'Shaping Our Future and Supporting the Next Generation', with a fabulous panel discussing topics such as: 🎓 Inclusivity in education - a topic close to my heart, having been a Non-Executive Director for a university for almost a decade. It was fantastic to be inspired by University Academy 92 (UA92)'s work with the Co-op making education accessible to all and supporting young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to reach their potential in so many different ways. 🚺 Menopause in the workplace and the benefits of gender-balanced teams. I left full of optimism after hearing about the progress being made and the organisations that understand how vital it is to support female leaders in the here and now and in the future. There's so much more I could say about these panel discussions, but I'll wrap it up here by thanking: 👉 The Page Executive team (including event lead Beth Horsley) for organising such an inspiring event. 👉 Jessica Whitehead, for the invitation. 👉 The entire panel (Shirine Khoury-Haq, Charlotte Chambers, Kate Headley and Marnie Jane Millard OBE) for your insights. 👉 Caroline Roberts-Cherry, Chair of The Pankhurst Trust (Inc Manchester Women's Aid). #WomenInLeadership #Leadership #NetworkingEvent

Corporate boards are under pressure to diversify, driven by initiatives like NASDAQ's Board Diversity Rule, but progress remains slow, with only a small percentage of BIPOC women holding corporate board seats. ⁠ ⁠ The lack of diversity stems from systemic issues, including limited opportunities and connections for Black and brown women in senior positions, starting from early in their careers. ⁠ ⁠ To address this, efforts must begin early, fostering confidence, leadership skills, and connections for BIPOC girls from middle school onwards, while mentorship and sponsorship from successful BIPOC adults are crucial for paving the way to diverse corporate leadership in the future.

Today, for the inspiring stories of women founders, meet 🌟 Felicia Fonrose 🌟: the visionary behind Felicia's Promise, an organization with a mission to assist girls of color from underrepresented communities to develop marketable skills, attain higher education, learn about career opportunities, and become financially self-reliant. 🎯 Felicia shares her wisdom for young leaders: “Reflect on your purpose, because purpose becomes passion and if you work within that purpose and passion, you can manifest all that you aspire to achieve. I emphasize the importance of belief in oneself, the dedication to put in the necessary work, and the power of manifestation. So envision your goals, work hard, and believe in your ability to achieve them. This is the mindset to manifest your dreams into reality.” Read about Felicia’s journey to leadership and her continued dedication to making an impact in the lives of girls of color in the community  - https://lnkd.in/eg_piXKs #amplifyherfoundation #ifshecanmakeithere #womensleadership

We often get asked how the award-winning Leaders Plus Fellowship is different to other career development courses. Find out more about the programme here: https://lnkd.in/eJSBEqNK There are many reasons, but here are just a few: ✨ International: Since we launched in 2018 we have supported over 400 working parents from across the globe. ✨ Action-driven: Our programme promotes actionable change for individuals and organisations. ✨ Life-changing: We externally evaluate the impact for each cohort which means we know it's working! Our Fellows describe the programme as ‘life-changing’ and ‘world class’. ✨ Movement for change: This isn't just a 'course' - we aim to challenge the root cause of the gender pay gap and promote gender equality in leadership roles. ✨ Career progression: From our most recent cohort 63% were promoted or took on more senior responsibility since completing the Fellowship. ✨ Well-being: Finding a way to balance work and parenthood - without compromise or guilt - is key to our well-being and the aim of our Leaders Plus Fellowship. ✨ Not a women's issue: Whilst barriers for working parents overwhelmingly affect mothers, our programme is open to all genders and family set-ups with caring responsibilities for children up to the age of 18. That's because this is not a women's issue, but a social justice issue which we are all responsible for. If you're passionate about progressing your senior career whilst being present for your family - and supporting other working parents to do the same - then apply before 20 March. #WorkingParents #WorkingMum #WorkingDad

It’s incredibly inspiring to hear from these young future leaders, sharing their stories of how they’ve realized their potential and begun making an impact. The Goals for Girls program is designed to build up strong, confident young women by providing them with the tools, mentorship, and support that many of us wish we had access to at their age. By empowering these future leaders, we’re helping shape the next generation of change-makers. What advice would you give to your younger self? How would you encourage her to recognize and embrace her full potential?

Empowering women by coaching them will not only shatter glass ceilings but also enrich them in their chosen industry with diverse perspectives, fostering a culture of excellence. Women need coaches and not just mentors; they will become trailblazers and inspire generations, proving that leadership and expertise are not defined by gender but by skill, dedication, and passion. The presence of women in leadership roles challenges stereotypes, breaks down barriers, and paves the way for young girls to dream bigger, showing them that they too can lead and excel in any field they choose. Investing in women through coaching is investing in the future of generations. Their unique insights and approaches bring invaluable diversity to the world, driving innovation and inspiring many others to reach new heights. On International Women's Day, we celebrate the women who work with courage, lead with conviction, and inspire with action. Their impact extends far beyond their homes, shaping a more inclusive and equitable world for all." Get a woman in your team today by getting an experienced woman to mentor them. Happy International Women's Day

"𝘞𝘢𝘪𝘵 -- 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 1000 𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 500 𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘴?" It was a big decision to make, but I have been reflecting on the growth of the community, and after consulting with others, it feels like the right decision, and here's why... 1. 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐲 - we care deeply about monitoring the community and the genuine connections created within our space. This can only be achieved by limiting our memberships. 2. 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 - within our first 100 days of launching, I personally onboarded over 100 women. This left me exhausted. As a mom of 2, I want to thoughtfully build a community that has sustainable, not extreme, growth. 3. 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲 - this community is not for everyone... and while it is for Asian American female leaders, those leaders need to show a growth/abundance mindset vs. scarcity mindset. Supporting and uplifting each other instead of narcissism. And exhibit a desire for peer partnership/mentorship instead of going at it alone. As of this month, we're over 200 members and will likely fill all of our 500 spots before the end of 2025. I share this with you because it will resonate with those women who are looking for this type of community and support and will continue to share it in hopes that it reaches those women. Want to join us before we raise pricing this fall? We'd love to have you join us! Apply now: https://lnkd.in/exy_2y63 #community #support #exclusive #asianamerican #professionalwomen #leadership #business #growth

By analyzing seven generations of women, the findings show that sports equip girls with essential traits like teamwork, resilience, and pressure management, which translate into leadership roles in adulthood. With nearly half of women crediting sports for their leadership development, the report underscores the need for equitable access to youth sports programs, making them essential for fostering future female leaders across all industries. Investing in girls' sports isn't just beneficial for individuals—it's a societal win! #WomenInSports #FutureOfSports #FutureIsFemale

You need a professional community OUTSIDE your current workplace. Especially if you belong to a historically excluded group. You need a circle of people who are on your side, who can provide an objective point of view on your situation, and who also understand your lived experience. Your work bestie might be too close to the situation -- or it might be hard to be completely open with someone who's currently a colleague. Fix The Broken Rung graduates tell us that the # 1 benefit of our leadership accelerator is the community they build. Speaking of community, I had a great conversation with Kim Crowder on how important it is for women of color to build a network of allies. Check out the clip. *************** 🪜 Fix The Broken Rung partners with organizations to accelerate the advancement of women of color and immigrants. Our mission is to help one million women of color get promoted.