Youlanda Gibbons, Ph.D.’s Post

As we honor Juneteenth, let's create meaningful celebrations and foster an inclusive environment in our workplaces. Here’s how leaders can lead the way: 1. Educate & Empower: Provide resources and learning opportunities about Juneteenth's significance. 2. Support Employee Resource Groups (ERGs): Encourage and uplift ERGs focused on Black employees. 3. Red, Black, & Green Day: Celebrate with colors that symbolize African American heritage. 4. Support Black Businesses: Promote and partner with Black-owned businesses. 5. Volunteer Together: Organize team volunteer activities in support of Black communities. 6. Reflect & Discuss: Host discussions to reflect on the importance of Juneteenth and ways to support racial equity. Let’s make Juneteenth a meaningful celebration in our workplaces! 📲 Follow us for more tips and resources on Diversity & Inclusion. #Juneteenth #InclusionMatter

🌟 Today, on Juneteenth, I want to take a moment to applaud the companies and organizations that not only acknowledge this important day but truly embody its spirit year-round. It’s easy for businesses to post about diversity and inclusion, but it’s another thing entirely to live those values every day. Let’s celebrate the companies that prioritize equity, diversity, and inclusion not just in their messaging, but in their actions and policies. To all the organizations fostering environments where every employee feels valued, seen, and heard—thank you. Your commitment to making meaningful change is what moves us forward as a society. On this Juneteenth, let's continue to amplify Black voices, celebrate Black excellence, and work together towards a future where every day is a celebration of freedom and equality for all. #Juneteenth #DiversityandInclusion #Equity #CelebratingExcellence #SocialChange

Juneteenth - a day to celebrate freedom, resilience, and the enduring spirit of Black Americans. A day steeped in history, a reminder of the ongoing fight for racial equality and a call to action to keep pushing for a more inclusive future. Juneteenth - a catalyst to take action – to educate ourselves, amplify Black voices, and dismantle systemic barriers. As an HR leader, I'm committed to fostering inclusive workplaces where everyone feels valued. We can create spaces that celebrate diversity and empower everyone to be their authentic selves. I'm so grateful to work at a company that celebrates and recognizes the importance of Juneteenth, but let's be real, not all companies are there yet. Let's use Juneteenth as a springboard for progress. We can all contribute to a more equitable future by advocating for racial justice in our workplaces and communities. Here's to dismantling barriers and fostering a more inclusive future, one where everyone feels valued and respected!! ✊🏾❤️🖤💚💛🖤✊🏾 #Juneteenth #BlackHistory #DiversityMatters #BuildinganEquitableFuture #Buildinginclusiveworkplaces #Blackexcellence #blackgirlmagic

⭐Building an inclusive culture to support our staff and residents ⭐ As part of our Black History Month celebrations, we were honoured to be joined by diversity and inclusion experts, Kirsten Doherty and Roger Thompson, for an insightful session with our team on building more inclusive cultures. 🙏 With Kirsten’s guidance, we explored: 👉🏿 Understanding diversity in the housing sector and addressing our residents' unique challenges 👉🏿 The erasure of Black contributions through history, and reintroducing the Black narrative into everything we do 👉🏿 Tangible actions to becoming allies, such as challenging racism and supporting differences to create lasting change 👉🏿 Ways in which organisations can become allies, such as by building community partnerships, ensuring inclusive policies, and amplifying diverse voices. To close, Kirsten challenged us to commit to an actionable next step to becoming better allies, empowering us to build a more inclusive and equitable environment for colleagues and residents alike. A huge thank you to Kirsten for facilitating such a meaningful session. By proactively challenging biases and fostering inclusivity, we can create a workplace and community where everyone has a vital sense of belonging.  #BlackHistory #Inclusion #Diversity #HousingSector

🌟 Celebrating Juneteenth! 🌟 Today, we honor the day in 1865 that President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation reached the last enslaved peoples in Galveston, Texas, ending slavery in the United States. As we celebrate Juneteenth at Modo Labs, we stand in solidarity with our Black and African American colleagues, recognizing the victories of the past while acknowledging the challenges of the present. We are committed to building a more equitable future for all, especially Black Americans. Here are some ways to honor Juneteenth in the workplace: 🌍 Establish or Strengthen a DEI Employee Resource Group (ERG): Having an ERG is vital for fostering inclusivity and diversity within the organization and amplifying the voices of our Black and African American colleagues. 🛍️ Support Black businesses and organizations: Encourage your team and community to shop at Black-owned businesses, consult Black professionals, and dine at Black-owned restaurants. While it is a time to celebrate, Juneteenth is also a call to action. Let’s continue to educate ourselves, uplift our Black and African American friends, family, and colleagues, and strive to nurture a more inclusive and equitable future. #Juneteenth #Diversity #Inclusion #CelebrateFreedom #Equality #Community

Listening to and uplifting Black voices is essential to our mission as a purpose-driven business. This month is Black History Month in the UK and, at Bright Network, we've been marking it through a series of initiatives aimed at raising awareness, fostering understanding and championing Black perspectives. It’s a meaningful opportunity to both celebrate progress and reflect on areas where we can improve, this month and beyond. Here’s what we’ve been up to: 📚 Culture spend: All Bright Network team members are encouraged to take part in our Black History Month Culture Spend initiative and invest in media that celebrates Black voices, be it through a book, film or a visit to an exhibition. This initiative is designed to deepen understanding and spark self-reflection around Black and racial identity - something that impacts not only us but also our members, employer partners and the wider community. 🤝 Lunch and Learn with Social Matters: We had the pleasure of hosting our friends at Social Matters for an insightful Lunch and Learn session. The team shared invaluable perspectives on Reclaiming Narratives, showcasing influential Black icons beyond mainstream culture and emphasising the importance of belonging and recognising intersectionality in the workplace. Key takeaways included actionable allyship tips, such as how to uplift Black voices and de-centre white voices to foster genuine inclusivity. 🎬 Sharing our recommendations: To help everyone immerse themselves further in Black culture, we've gathered a curated list of recommendations from the Bright Network team. Attached to this post, you’ll find suggestions for films, TV shows, exhibitions, books and theatre productions that celebrate and champion Black voices. Thanks to Lois Lawrence, Nathanielle Kumar Townsend, Josh Triggs and Anna De Pascalis for supplying some great personalised recommendations! We hope to inspire our community to find new perspectives and impactful stories now and all year round. It’s essential that we diversify the stories and perspectives we hear consistently, not just for the month of October.   Add your recommendations to our list using the comments below ⬇ Here’s to meaningful change and continued commitment. #BlackHistoryMonth #ReclaimingNarratives #BrightNetwork #Inclusion

While the history of Juneteenth is deep in the United States, it is still new as a federal holiday. As this article points out, "the work of DEI never stops. But the more we recognize holidays like Juneteenth as unifying opportunities, the further we can travel on this necessary journey." Juneteenth provides an opportunity for organizations to examine their diversity, equity, and inclusion practices and expand the conversation around how to create a more inclusive culture that elevates and honors the experiences, perspectives, and contributions of Black Americans. This Wednesday, we wish you a meaningful Juneteenth. https://lnkd.in/dqF8_pg #juneteenth #dei #diversity #equity #inclusion

Today, as we commemorate Juneteenth, we honor the end of slavery in the United States and celebrate the progress made towards equality. This day reminds us of the resilience and strength of the Black community and the ongoing journey toward justice and equity for all. At Hilton, we are committed to building a workplace culture that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion. We recognize that our strength lies in our differences and the unique perspectives each team member brings. In the spirit of Juneteenth, we reaffirm our dedication to: *Fostering an inclusive environment where every voice is heard and valued. *Supporting career advancement for underrepresented groups through mentorship and leadership programs. *Continuing education on racial equity and unconscious bias for all team members. We are proud of the steps we have taken but acknowledge there is more work to be done. Let’s use this day to reflect on our actions and to inspire one another to contribute to a more just and inclusive society. Join us in celebrating Juneteenth by learning about its history, supporting Black-owned businesses, and engaging in conversations that drive change. https://lnkd.in/eZ872tmW #Juneteenth #inclusion #diversity #DEI #travelwithpurpose

**Why Conversations Matter in the Black Community** Engaging in open, honest conversations is vital for the growth and empowerment of the Black community. These dialogues foster understanding, build stronger connections, and pave the way for collective progress. 1. **Healing and Support**: Conversations provide a space to share experiences, find common ground, and offer emotional support. This is essential for healing historical and personal traumas. 2. **Education and Awareness**: Through dialogue, we can educate ourselves and others about issues that affect our community. Knowledge empowers us to take informed actions and advocate for our rights. 3. **Breaking Barriers**: By discussing taboo subjects and challenging stereotypes, we can break down societal barriers and promote a more inclusive and equitable environment. 4. **Inspiring Change**: Conversations ignite ideas and inspire action. They are the starting point for initiatives that can drive meaningful change in our communities and beyond. Let's continue to engage in these critical conversations, uplifting and empowering each other. Together, we can create a brighter future for the Black community. #Community #Empowerment #BlackVoices #ConversationsMatter #Inclusion #Equity

🌟 Celebrating Juneteenth: Honoring Freedom and Our Commitment to a Better Future🌟 Today, we commemorate Juneteenth, a day of profound historical significance marking the end of slavery in the United States. As we reflect on the journey towards freedom and equality, we are reminded of the enduring strength and resilience of the Black community. At SMART Policy Group, we are dedicated to creating an equitable future for all. On this Juneteenth, we reaffirm our commitment to: 🤝 Diversity and Inclusion: Fostering a workplace culture that embraces diversity, promotes inclusion, and supports the growth and advancement of Black professionals in the policy sector. 💡 Innovative Policy Solutions: Championing policies and initiatives that drive development, benefiting current and future generations. Let us use this day to educate, reflect, and take action towards a more just world. Together, we can honor the legacy of Juneteenth by making impactful strides in our journey toward social justice. #Juneteenth #SocialJustice #DiversityAndInclusion #Equity #Equality #SMARTPolicyGroup