Jennifer L. Porter, MPH, MCHES’ 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

With statistics showing that nearly 50% of girls think speaking their mind will make them unlikable and only 1 in 5 girls ages 8-17 think they have the qualities to be a good leader, it’s no wonder that there is a glaring inequity of women in leadership positions across all levels and industries today, these perceived limitations so often begin in girlhood, as girls internalize the cultural biases, discouraging messages, and constrictive stereotypes that come at them from various aspects of the media and all corners of society. Join as we teach our youth the importance of leadership! #GirlsEmpowermentLeadership #WeWalkInElegance🌻

Gratitude doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel after completing the Women’s Leadership Academy. To the incredible staff who poured their hearts into every detail—from organizing transformative sessions to preparing meals that nourished us both physically and emotionally—thank you. To the phenomenal women I stood beside for the last 10 months: your support, resilience, and brilliance lifted me. To the inspiring speakers, mentors, and champions who illuminated the path forward: you’ve shaped the beginning of my leadership journey in ways I never imagined. To my amazing team: I embarked on this journey not just for myself, but for you—to lead with more kindness, empathy, and strength. And finally, to those who’ve reminded me that leading with kindness and empathy isn’t a weakness but a superpower, I carry your lessons with me. Even my 9-year-old son said something after graduation that touched my soul: “Mom, women are different—they care. Can I care too? Even though I’m a boy?” Yes, you can. Emotional intelligence isn’t reserved for one gender or group—it’s a human attribute, and it’s okay to have empathy. Here’s to the journey ahead, one that leads with heart and lifts others to do the same. Thank you, Women’s Leadership Academy, for showing me what’s possible. #WLA#Gratitude #LeadingWithEmpathy #EmotionalIntelligence #LeadershipJourney

We believe that when girls are empowered, they are inspired to break down deep-rooted stereotypes, become leaders, and to forge a more inclusive world for themselves. Our Your Time programme was designed to empower girls and young woman in exactly this way. The programme supports girls to become leaders in competitive sports in their schools. They choose the activities that inspire them, and how and when they want to take part. Taking ownership of their learning boosts confidence and teaches girls the leadership skills that are transferrable beyond education and into employment. Young girls look up to their peers and take inspiration from people like them. Through a mixture of peer-to-peer support, e-learning, and practical event delivery, girls can discover the barriers faced by their peers to taking part in sport, before creating their own event designed to tackle those issues and encourage participation. We want there to be thousands of Lionesses, Roses and young women making their mark in the sporting world up and down the country. Will you join us in this movement? Learn more about Your Time: https://bit.ly/3OYYgXa #IWD2024 #InspireInclusion

My published doctoral research on "The Lived Leadership Experiences of Black Women Professionals: A Phenomenological Qualitative Study of the Intersectionality of Race and Gender" challenges the "Strong Black Woman" schema. While this narrative celebrates the resilience seen in historical and contemporary Black women leaders, it often masks the complex challenges they face. In today's political climate, understanding the impact of racial and gender stereotypes on leadership is invaluable. My findings highlight the need to acknowledge the full humanity of Black women leaders - their strengths, vulnerabilities, and experiences of intersectionality in professional settings. How can we honor the Black women leaders while creating space for vulnerability and support? How can organizations move beyond stereotypes to truly empower Black women in leadership roles? #BlackWomenInLeadership #IntersectionalityAtWork #Inclusion #Leadership

In the wake of recent events, including a political landscape that feels increasingly resistant to DE&I efforts, the path for Black women in corporate America can feel more challenging than ever. For many, it’s a time of balancing professional ambitions with a heightened awareness of racial and gender biases that remain deeply embedded in our workplaces. While we may not be able to change these forces overnight, we can equip ourselves to navigate them effectively. Coaching can provide the support to foster resilience, develop powerful strategies, and create space to thrive in spite of the climate around us. If you’re feeling the weight of these challenges, consider partnering with a coach who understands the journey and can help you build strength and clarity to succeed on your own terms. #Leadership #Coaching #BlackWomen #Resilience #CorporateAmerica #ThrivingNotSurviving https://lnkd.in/ehmJYv4V

Be Bold Girls is thrilled to partner with the International Coalition of Girls' Schools to expand opportunities for girls to connect, collaborate, and lead on a global scale! This strategic partnership aligns two organizations committed to empowering young women as leaders and fostering a network of changemakers who will drive social impact worldwide. Through this collaboration, ICGS members gain exclusive access to the Be Bold Girls’ program -- designed to build confidence, innovation, and leadership skills. In turn, Be Bold Girls strengthens its mission with ICGS’s vast network, reaching over 350,000 students in girls' schools across 26 countries, empowering more girls than ever to make a difference. Together, Be Bold Girls and ICGS are creating a dynamic platform for young women to develop essential skills, network with like-minded peers globally, and turn bold ideas into impactful action. This partnership is a testament to our shared vision for a world where girls are empowered to lead and create change. Let’s inspire the next generation of changemakers! Learn about ICGS here: https://girlsschools.org/ #BeBoldGirls #ICGS #GlobalCollaboration #GirlsLeadership #Changemakers

The galvanizing force of a new national story will lie in its vision of the future. It is the easiest part of the story to tell because we need only to look at dynamic equity-driven movements and their leaders for a vision of a truly multiracial democracy. These leaders, among countless others, are creating models for collective action. They are translating the energy of movements into organizations, which can represent the durability and power of the work and sustain long-term action to build a robust multiracial democracy. https://lnkd.in/gCRZpxcx #MultiRacialDemocracy #ReimaginingDemocracy #Leadership

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

Yesterday was one of the most highly-anticipated WNBA season openings in the league’s history. 🏀🌟 This is largely thanks to Caitlyn Clark who has emerged as a symbol of empowerment and possibility. Her exceptional skills, media coverage, and public recognition represent what can be called “The Caitlyn Clark Effect,” a phenomenon, seen through the lens of behavioral science frameworks, suggests her visibility and success could potentially draw in a generational shift in attitudes towards women in sports, business, and leadership roles. Social Identity Theory and the Role Modeling framework in behavioral science illustrate how Caitlyn Clark’s success in a male-dominated sport boosts group pride among women and reshapes their perceptions of achievable goals. Every dribble, every point scored, and every game won by Caitlyn under the spotlight not only challenges gender biases but also expands what women see as possible across various domains. Aspiring female leaders can draw parallels between Caitlyn’s perseverance and leadership on the court to business, shifting the goalposts of expectations and influencing their career and leadership choices. The potential ripple effects of Caitlyn’s success can show how success in one arena can ‘Caitalyze’ far-reaching changes, paving the way for the next generation of women leaders. Join us in celebrating and supporting the rise of women in every field. Let's harness the power of “The Caitlyn Clark Effect” to drive change and inspire new heights of achievement. Throughline is proudly women-owned and dedicated to empowering future leaders. Together, we can challenge norms and redefine possibilities! #CaitlynClark #CaitlynClarkEffect #Basketball #WMBA #WomenInSports #Empowerment #WomenInLeadership #BreakingBarriers #RoleModel #WomenOwned #Inspiration #FutureLeaders #BehavioralScience #ChangingTheGame #FemaleLeaders #Throughline #ThroughlineStrategy