Ali Marshall’s Post

In a time when leadership integrity seems to be in short supply, it's refreshing to think about those in positions of power who truly listen to their constituents. We need more leaders who prioritize the genuine needs of their communities over the influences of lobbyists, bureaucrats, and profit-driven corporations. Unfortunately, there's a critical conversation to be had about the role of black elected officials and government bureaucrats. While holding positions of power, they continue to face criticism for not effectively advocating for and advancing the communities they represent. This issue isn't new; nearly two decades ago, analyses were already pointing out the shortcomings in the political efficacy of black leaders in government. The lack of progress in black communities has often been laid at the feet of the Democratic Party. However, a closer examination suggests that the real issue may be with black officials who have not leveraged their power to prioritize and uplift their own people and neighborhoods. Other ethnic groups have demonstrated that when they come into power, their communities benefit as they put their interests at the forefront. It's time to reevaluate and reinvigorate the mission of our black elected officials. It's essential that they reconnect with their roots, listen intently to the voices of their constituents, and wield their power in a way that brings tangible, positive change to the communities that have entrusted them with their votes and their hopes.

Members of our Employee Resource Group, VIBE, shared with us what #BlackHistoryMonth means to them. Here is what they said. Video Description: What does Black History Month mean to you? “We get to take some time to put a spotlight on those fearless leaders, inventors, activists, and change makers that have made it possible for us to take our cause to the next level.” - Tabathia Floyd, Quality Assurance Senior Analyst. “A great opportunity to reflect and celebrate the achievements and history of Black individuals; while also understanding the struggles faced and the progress made in the pursuit of equality and justice.”- Martin Hairston, Rollover Education Specialist. “A chance for purposeful reflection and taking the time to think of where I am today.”- Michael Vieira, Manager, PFS New Business Support. “A time when I get to reflect on the achievements of Black leaders and community activists who took risks, organized, and dedicated their lives for change.” - Janell Akoi, Executive Assistant.

Reminder: If you haven't kicked off your Black History Month planning, start today! Don’t copy and paste last year's approach. Sure, non-work related events are fun (and necessary!) But how about making a tangible impact for Black employees? I've put together a checklist to get companies started. It’s not all not exhaustive but it’s a great way to start internal conversations. I’m interested to know what your company has in store for Black History Month? Share below!

I once received a job description stating, "this role is reserved for a Black candidate." You can't make this stuff up. This from a business owner trying, in his clumsy way, to make space for Black talent. Obviously we declined working the role. In the wake of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor's murders, our world felt like it was on fire. Companies rushed to support Black Lives Matter, and DEIA efforts surged. Overnight, LinkedIn profiles transformed, with many suddenly claiming a decade of DEI experience to land those coveted roles. New positions were created, events launched, and corporations loudly professed their commitment to diversity. Recruitment agencies with a history of discriminatory practices started hiring Black and Brown talent and boasting about their DEI expertise. We even faced competition from an agency known for discriminating on behalf of clients, all because they spun a tale about being experts in placing diverse talent. The vultures were out in full force. Fast forward to 2024: Companies now claim they lack budget for DEI but still wanted Black speakers for Black History Month—for free. Here's the bottom line: DEI is not a passing trend or a marketing tool. If your company truly cares about DEI, it will commit to it, even when it's not convenient or profitable. Real change requires real commitment.

With Black History Month around the corner, I want to address something that happens every year. Many organisations will soon be reaching out to people in the Black community, asking us to share our knowledge, our stories, our experiences for FREE. Let me make this clear: **that’s not okay.** Our expertise, insights and lived experiences have value and it’s high time we stop being expected to offer them up without compensation. The days of exploiting Black labor and knowledge for free are over ***slavery days are DONE.*** You want to have meaningful discussions about Black history, culture and diversity in your workplace? Great. But if you truly believe in equity and inclusion, that starts with paying us what we’re worth. If you’re not budgeting for it, then ask yourself if you’re genuinely invested in progress, or if you’re just ticking a box to look good for the month. Here at the Self Made Speakers Academy, we’re committed to showing our mentees how to get paid their worth and how to find clients who truly value them. Because *equity* means being recognised and compensated for the value we bring not just in October, but *all year round.*" ♻️ Repost, like & comment if you found this interesting 

The experience of being a black individual in a leadership role can be uniquely difficult due to a range of historical and systemic factors. Racism, discrimination, and bias can manifest in subtle and overt ways, making it harder for black individuals to succeed and progress in their careers. Structural inequalities also play a major role. For example, black individuals may face more limited access to educational and professional opportunities, which can create a disadvantage when trying to climb the career ladder. Stereotypes about black individuals can also create barriers, perpetuating the idea that they are less qualified or capable than their peers. Furthermore, the lack of representation of black individuals in leadership positions can be a self-perpetuating cycle. When there are few black individuals in positions of power, it can be harder for others to imagine themselves in those roles or to find mentors and support networks. To overcome challenges, everyone must work together. We can change policies and promote diversity to level the playing field and judge people based on their skills, not race. Creating an equitable society benefits all.

Please come in here with some sense this Black History Month. It's only Feb. 7th and we've already seen racist critiques of Jay-Z for calling out the racism during the Grammy's...can we be more thoughtful for the rest of the moving forward? It should go without saying that February should not be the only month your company chooses to acknowledge the accomplishments and history of Black Americans. Instead of approaching the month with the intent to only increase awareness or provide visibility to Black people, challenge yourself to go a step further and use Black History Month as a time to dream up new ways you can shift the lived experiences of Black people at your company. While programming and other special events might be ways to engage employees and build community, you can also take steps to improve the experience Black employees have year-round, including: 1. Invest in Professional Development Opportunities specifically designed for Black folks. 2. Address the Ways White Supremacy Culture is Showing Up because it's there, we have never been in a post racial society. 3. Ensure the Intentionality Doesn’t End in February Black History Month can be both a time to demonstrate a reverence and respect for the experience of being Black in America, and to plant seeds for a future in the workplace where Black people are valued, and given the space to have joy and peace. Schedule a consultation with ShiftEd Consulting today to begin your journey! Make sure you're signed up for our blog where we dive more deeply into 1-3. #shiftedconsulting #readytoshift #blackhistorymonth #blackhistory365  

Great callout Samantha! There is an urgent need for us, as a society, to do so much more - "to make DEI a norm and not something we strive towards." Having a policy in place and a web-page dedicated to DEI is simply not enough. Yes, by all means, allocate a budget for initiatives/talks that contribute to educating and raising awareness among employees. But why stop at employees and recruitment? 1. Procurement / Sourcing Teams can be encouraged (and even rewarded) for onboarding minority-owned local vendor partners or providers who have an established DEI culture. 2. In Canada, I was surprised to see that many employers still require job applicants to write cover letters highlighting their suitability for a role. Perhaps recruiters/ hiring managers should insist on a Diversity Statement as well (especially for people leader positions)? 3. Schools / Universities must consider including DEI as part of the core "life skills/ foundation" curriculum for ALL study streams. 4. Industry Associations can look at how they can integrate and highlight this topic in various conferences and exhibitions etc. 5. Of course, we can have federal and provincial legislations but these often lack teeth and are ineffective on their own. What other initiatives can you think of? I (and a lot of other folks out here) would love to know.✌️ #dei #diversity

Today is the final day commemorating Black History Month 2024 and as it draws to a close, I’m reflecting on the ways in which Black history is American history, and American history is Black history.   Our monuments and progress have been fueled by Black people and their ingenuity. Black artists have shaped our culture, and influenced those around the globe. Black activists have driven change across our society.   And yet our country must do more to support Black people, honor Black humanity, and invest in Black futures.   In the legal community, we celebrate and support Black lawyers who continue to make our profession better and more inclusive through their advocacy to empower the next generation of Black leaders to realize a brighter future. But our work cannot stop here.   We must start by building pipelines and demolishing the roadblocks of bias and systemic inequity, which have impeded our progress. We must build stronger network of partners guided by the data that tells us what’s effective and what’s not. At MCCA (Minority Corporate Counsel Association), we are invested in this work to ensure our partners know better, do better, lead better, and transform our sector and society.   Transformation is no easy task. But we are inspired by the power and persistence of Black leaders and luminaries throughout history who acknowledged openly the challenges and injustices they faced, then tackled them with determined optimism.   In his famous poem, "Let America Be America Again," Langston Hughes paints a vivid, devastating picture of the ways in which, in failing to live up to its lofty ideals, “America never was America” for Black Americans and for so many others as well. His work is not a lament but a manifesto and a reminder of what determination can achieve, and we join him in his powerful pledge:   "America never was America to me, And yet I swear this oath— America will be!" If you want to be part of the solution, join MCCA. We need all of you to make our vision a reality. #BlackHistory #BlackFutures #AmericaWillBe See link to full poem by Langston Hughes: https://lnkd.in/ec9TrPUv

Happy Black History month! ❤️💛💚 Celebrated every year in the US in February, so we can all reflect on the accomplishments of Black Americans and consider the ongoing struggles of inequality in our country. “Black history is essential to our past, present and future” Our community aims to positively impact the future of Customer Success through our work. Supporting Black professionals, increasing diversity and inclusion in the industry in February AND every other month of the year! ✨ How being Black has influenced your customer success journey? ✨ What does it mean to you to be Black and in CS? ✨ What are the unique gifts and superpowers you bring to the profession? As an ally, what are some ways you are honoring and celebrate Black professionals in CS? We will spotlight some of the answers from our members throughout the month. Let’s hear yours in the comments ⬇️ ____ Need a speaker 🎤🎙️for an online or in-person event this month? Hire a SIB speaker! SIB has a speaker bureau with a range of talented speakers. Send ‘SIB speaker’ a in the DM for more details #BlackHistoryMonth2024 #successinblack #customersuccess