Ronke Lawal’s Post

It’s time to shift the narrative. Black women are too often viewed through the limited lens of being a "DEI hire," which overlooks their vast leadership potential and capabilities. This article by Chief entitled, "Black Women Are More Than a 'DEI Hire' and It’s Past Time to Make Space for Them as Leaders" highlights the need to go beyond tokenism and genuinely empower Black women to step into leadership roles across all industries. Black women bring invaluable perspectives and innovative thinking—key qualities for navigating today’s rapidly evolving business landscape. Yet, they continue to face significant challenges, from being underestimated to being passed over for leadership roles. Inclusion in diversity initiatives isn’t enough; we must actively create space for Black women in decision-making roles where they can effect real change. This involves not just acknowledging their contributions but also advocating for equitable access to leadership development, mentorship, and career advancement. https://lnkd.in/eyhu_aCF #Leadership #Diversity #Equity #Inclusion #BlackWomenInLeadership #DEI

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

Relationship building is key to Black women advancing in the workplace. 🙏🏾 Despite their talent and hard work, Black women remain significantly underrepresented in senior leadership roles, with only 1 in 16 C-suite leaders being women of color. As Shelly Lombard, founder of Schmooze.biz said, "Nobody advances into top jobs based on brains or performance alone. Relationships are the thing that can close the gaps between where women are in their careers and where they want to be." 🙌🏾 Take a look at this story from 21Ninety to learn more about the power of relationship-building and how it can propel your career forward: https://lnkd.in/gq-Qnc-Y How have supportive relationships impacted your career journey? 💼 #CareerJourney #BlackWomenLead #BlackEntrepreneurs #CareerAdvice

"To be a Black woman in leadership is to be undermined and underfunded, while people continually question the excellence that put you in the rooms where your voice is never quite good enough to convey the final word. Senior, Director, Head of, the title doesn't matter. Heads swivel towards us to explain racism and sexism, but our voices are less valued later." If you've yet to read this article currently published in this month's edition of EBONY ENTERTAINMENT LLC, and you'd like to gain insight into Woman Leadership at the intersection of race, please click below. If you read the article and feel moved to at least take one small yet impactful action - comment below with a quote from the article that resonated with, enlightened you, or made you curious to learn more; share it forward with the same hashtags - this will amplify the shared lived experience of Black Women Leaders; and/or ask a Black Woman Leader in your network, organization, or circle this question: What can I do to amplify your voice as a leader? #WomensHistoryMonth #WHM2024 #EBONY #leadership #allyship #impactEDI #impactthatmatters #everyonesincluded https://lnkd.in/efVsQbmc

Introducing When We Gather Consulting! When We Gather Consulting is a pro-Black, women-led organization dedicated to ensuring that Black women feel whole and powerful. We know that Womanist leadership is not only possible—it’s essential. We prioritize the needs, experiences, and ancestral knowledge of women of color because we acknowledge that we are inherently valuable, and our liberation is a necessary step toward the collective freedom of all. When We Gather Consulting supports the co-creation of identity-affirming and culturally sustaining workplace systems. Whenever we gather to create freedom spaces, our collective power is enough to cultivate and nurture innovative responses to address the challenges of systemic oppression within organizations. We invite you to connect with us and share within your networks, as we work to build inclusive and equitable environments where Black women can truly thrive. #HealingCenteredLeadership #BlackWomenLead #WhenWeGather

"To be a Black woman in leadership is to be undermined and underfunded, while people continually question the excellence that put you in the rooms where your voice is never quite good enough to convey the final word. Senior, Director, Head of, the title doesn't matter. Heads swivel towards us to explain racism and sexism, but our voices are less valued later." If you've yet to read this article currently published in this month's edition of EBONY ENTERTAINMENT LLC, and you'd like to gain insight into Woman Leadership at the intersection of race, please click below. If you read the article and feel moved to at least take one small yet impactful action - comment below with a quote from the article that resonated with, enlightened you, or made you curious to learn more; share it forward with the same hashtags - this will amplify the shared lived experience of Black Women Leaders; and/or ask a Black Woman Leader in your network, organization, or circle this question: What can I do to amplify your voice as a leader? #WomensHistoryMonth #WHM2024 #EBONY #leadership #allyship #impactEDI #impactthatmatters #everyonesincluded

Black women in leadership are my main focus. I enjoy speaking about how we can show up authentically as who we are in the workplace. How do we become comfortable in different roles within a company? And how can we get past the fear of being treated unfairly in these roles? Black women should know that it’s okay not to be perfect and that within these roles we are still human and make mistakes.   

These powerful words remind us of the incredible strength and resilience that lies within every woman. We are capable of achieving anything we set our minds to, no matter the obstacles we may face. As Black women, we possess a unique blend of strength, determination, and creativity. We are leaders, innovators, and trailblazers, shaping the world around us. However, navigating the workplace as a Black woman can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. We've faced unique challenges in the workplace, often feeling undervalued, overlooked, and even discriminated against, making it difficult to feel empowered and confident and hindering our progress. But let's remember: our voices are powerful, our stories are important, and our potential is limitless. Download our toolkit, "Navigating Crossroads: A Black Woman’s Guide to Career Transitions and Leadership," to learn how to harness your power, overcome challenges, and achieve your career goals. 👉 https://lnkd.in/eJiijpnS #AudreLorde #FemaleEmpowerment #BlackWomenLead #ReclaimYourNarrative #SuccessfulWomen #CareerTransition #SuccessfulLeaders #WomenInLeadership #CareerDevelopment #ReclaimYourNarrative #LeadershipGoals #CareerNavigation #CareerSuccess #Femalelnspiration #BlackWomenInBusiness #BlackWomenEmpowerment #BHM2024 #BlackHistoryMonth

It’s time we shine a light on an important issue that continues to impact the career trajectories of Black women in the workplace. 💡Did you know that Black women in leadership positions earn an average of 15-20% less than their white counterparts? This disparity not only reflects systemic inequalities but also highlights the urgent need for change in how organisations recognise and value diverse leadership. As we work towards a more inclusive environment, it’s crucial for companies to: ✅ Assess and address pay disparities within their organisations. ✅ Implement equitable pay structures that reflect the contributions of all leaders, regardless of race or gender. ✅ Foster mentorship and sponsorship opportunities for Black women to help them navigate their careers effectively. Let’s commit to creating equitable workplaces where all leaders are compensated fairly for their invaluable contributions. Together, we can pave the way for a brighter future where diversity and inclusion are at the forefront of leadership development 💫✨. #Leadership #DiversityAndInclusion #Equity #BlackWomenInLeadership #PayEquity #Solaris