lollipop mentoring CIC’s Post

🚨🚨🚨 McDonald’s USA Joins Forces with Elaine Welteroth & Fashion Industry Experts to Elevate Emerging Black Designers To address underrepresentation of Black designers in the fashion industry, the Golden Arches will collectively grant $200K, provide industry mentorship and additional resources to help rising talent scale their brands and more McDonald’s USA is proud to introduce the Black & Positively Golden (B&PG) Change of Fashion, a game-changing program aimed at uplifting emerging Black fashion designers and equipping them with career-propelling mentorship, resources, and financial support that will accelerate their career trajectories. Although Black designers have made a transformative impact in shaping fashion – from zoot suits in the 1930s to hip hop tracksuits of the 1980s, their representation in America stands at a mere 7.3%, hindered by systemic barriers and racial disparities.[1] This imbalance allows the fashion industry to profit from Black culture while neglecting to embrace Black talent. Recognizing this disparity, McDonald’s USA, a brand embraced by streetwear icons and renowned designers, has launched the B&PG Change of Fashion program to advocate for industry-wide change. Building on the brand’s annual B&PG Change Leaders program, McDonald’s B&PG Change of Fashion program pairs five emerging Black designers with five Black industry experts to complete a year-long mentorship filled with access to valuable resources, education and national exposure to industry experts that will culminate with the launch of a capsule collection. https://lnkd.in/e9rdWzNf #fashionindustry #blackdesigners #fashiondesigner #businessdevelopment #governmentcontracting #smallbusinesses #businessowners #founders #nonprofits #entrepreneurs #sbe #dbe #mbe #wbe #lbe #mwbe #wosb #edwosb #veteranowned #womanowned #supplierdiversity #minorityowned #wealth #lgbtq #smallbusinessresources #small biz #grants #startups #disabledowned #funding

What's it like to create a 19,000+% increase in helping your clients reach clients? It looks a bit like this. Not every client starts big. Some start from 0. And, when we help create results like this, we celebrate — and track — what it means for their business. One of the things I learned in my Tory Burch Foundation Advisory call this last week from Gay Gaddis is that a secret to scaling is to get ALL the data. As a creative, that can be a growing edge. Thankfully, each of my team members thinks as strategically as we do creatively. We heard her advice and got right down to it. What wins are you celebrating this week? #brandingagency #marketingagency #aanhpi #womenfounder #womeninbusiness #marketingtips

Are you feeling unsure about what it takes to be successful in your new workplace? It’s not typical to get concrete answers, particularly if you’re a young Black woman who isn’t familiar with the mores and hidden expectations of corporate America. I spoke with Lauren W. Wilson, founder and CEO of ColorComm, Inc. and author of What Do You Need?: How Women of Color Can Take Ownership of Their Careers to Accelerate Their Path to Success, who shared five strategies that can lead to workplace success: https://lnkd.in/exjhDjgE #leadership #DiversityEquityAndInclusion #DEI #BlackWomen #WomenLeaders #management #diversity #inclusion 

Diversity isn’t a preference, it’s an expectation. With the rise of social media came the amplification of the voices for minority groups who have shared their stories of feeling excluded - and Gen Z are listening. 7 out of 10 Gen Z consumers value diversity and inclusion when making purchasing decisions, and they’ve become pretty discerning about what that means. For today’s youth, diversity and inclusion is a decision-made in the development of the product, not an afterthought in the marketing. Brands like Fenty Beauty and Dove are renowned for their campaigns, product lines and inclusion of minorities and this is one of the leading factors to their success. And it’s not just a case of the brands who do it right being recognised, the brands who get it wrong are called out and boycotted. Not every brand or product is for everyone, but your brand should feel accessible to those who want to use it; whether that be through wider product ranges, inclusive visuals or purposeful partnerships. Can you think of examples of brands getting it right? Or those who have missed the mark? Comment below 👇

This Forbes piece may be a year old, but it definitely has great tips that are still valuable and applicable during this #BlackHistoryMonth. Have a look at it to read up on tips to celebrate consciously and incorporate meaningful inclusion into your DEI strategy: https://lnkd.in/gAnCicYn

Walmart’s decision to roll back DEI efforts underscores a troubling truth: initiatives built on obligation (insert May 2020) rather than genuine commitment were always destined to falter. Their rollback includes training and workshops aimed at addressing racial equity—leaving the door wide open for increased racial microaggressions, macroaggressions, and overt racism that many have endured in workplaces. This moment calls for us to be intentional. Intentional about where we spend our money. Intentional about the spaces we create and engage in—professionally and personally. And intentional about how we hold organizations, schools, and institutions that we’re a part of to higher standards of accountability. We can’t let this conversation die. Instead, we rebuild with those who see this work as vital—not as the trend or grift of 2020. The stakes are too high, and our resolve must be even higher. Let’s be in conversation. #ralindaspeaks #lamade #consultant #leader #practitioner #educator #writer #culturewriter #identity #culture #justice #race #racism #dei #diversityequityinclusion #DEI #Accountability #Intentionality https://lnkd.in/gMvEZ2kW

It’s not enough to hire a racially diverse team. Research by Professor Elizabeth Linos and her team at Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education puts numbers to what Black women experience in the workplace: Black women are not only less likely to be promoted on time, but also more likely to leave roles, especially in teams with more white peers. We need transformative change, not just superficial diversity. At Bonsai Leadership Group, we won’t knowingly recruit Black, Indigenous and people of color into toxic nonprofit workplaces. We won’t. We partner with nonprofits to assess their cultural readiness and commitment to creating inclusive environments. We ask crucial questions like: 🌱 Tell us about a time you had to deal with a sticky situation related to racial diversity.  🌱 What’s something you’ve done to change your culture? What are you still struggling with?  🌱 What’s the retention rate of the Black, Indigenous and people of color on your team? What have you done to improve this over time?  These questions are not meant to judge, but to spark honest reflection and growth. In LaTresse Snead's words, “Messiness is meant to be part of the process.” Are you committed to building a truly racially diverse and inclusive workplace in 2024 – one that both includes and goes beyond recruitment? #nonprofitleadership #recruiting #racialequity #talentacquisition

A BCG report, "Diversity Wins: How Inclusion Matters," found that companies with diverse leadership teams generate 19% more revenue from innovation. Black women are powerhouse project managers - they bring a wealth of talent, fresh perspectives, and valuable experiences to the industry. Our mission at Black Women in project Management is to bridge the diversity gap and empower more Black women to thrive in the project management industry. Join hands with us in this journey. By supporting our mission, we're not only creating a space for Black excellence but also investing in a more innovative and successful future for all! https://lnkd.in/drFSTNtc

Over the past year, with the incredible support of Neil Yeomans, we’ve had the privilege of mentoring Black women, watching them grow and transform in remarkable ways. This journey has opened our eyes to a powerful truth: there are so many brilliant Black women who have the potential to soar but are held back by a lack of support and guidance. That’s why I created The Fearless Women Network—to close that gap and provide the encouragement, mentorship, and community needed to thrive. As someone who once chose a career based on earning potential rather than passion, I know firsthand the struggle of navigating life without a clear sense of purpose. Today, I’m on a mission to help other Black women discover their purpose and live fearlessly, unapologetically chasing their dreams! Does this resonate with you? Join us—for free—and be part of a community dedicated to empowering you. Our goal is to reach at least 50 more Black women by the end of the year, and we would love for your support. Whether you want to mentor or be mentored, there’s a place for you here. Click the link in the comments to join as a Mentor or Mentee, and check out our first impact report to see how far we’ve come. Together, we rise! Please share this post with someone in your network who could benefit from this community. #FearlessWomen #BlackWomenThrive #Mentorship #PurposeDriven #WomenSupportingWomen #BlackExcellence

There’s something truly special about the power of community—especially when that community is made up of Black women supporting, uplifting, and encouraging one another. 💼✨ As Black women in professional spaces, we often face unique challenges rooted in bias, oppressive practices, and micro aggressions. But when we come together, we become a force that’s unstoppable. Whether it’s through mentorship, networking, sharing resources, or simply offering a listening ear, building community creates opportunities for collective growth and empowerment. In these spaces, we can show up authentically, celebrate our achievements unapologetically, and lean on each other during tough times. It’s in this sisterhood that we discover new perspectives, challenge systemic barriers, and build confidence in spaces where we might otherwise feel isolated. Let’s continue to nurture these networks, create space for the next generation of leaders, and remind ourselves that when one of us rises, we all do. 🌱✨ Here’s to the power of community among Black women. Together, we thrive. #BlackWomenLead #WomenInLeadership #CommunityMatters #BlackExcellence #MentorshipMatters