The Great Exhale

Rest, sis. Rest. 🙏🏾💚🙏🏾

Our forever FLOTUS is on some new energy, and we're here for it! #WeAreNotGoingBack

Nothing to add. She said what she said.

💰 $50,000 Partner Grant + 4-month Mentorship Program 💰 amika and My Innovation Studio have teamed up to launch the “Rooted in Growth” Grant Program – designed to uplift and empower startups in the hair and beauty industry + foster equity and innovation. 👉🏽 Apply Here: innovationstudio.org/amika ⏰ Deadline to Apply: Friday, August 16, 2024 What You'll Receive: ✅ $50,000 Grants: Four professional hair founders will each receive a $50,000 grant to fuel their business growth. ✅ 4-Month Mentorship: Gain invaluable insights from industry experts in finance, marketing, branding, and more. ✅ Networking Opportunities: Connect with the amika team and key industry leaders in the hair and beauty sector. ✅ Travel and Accommodations to Brooklyn, NY, for the program kickoff in October 2024 plus an industry tradeshow in February 2025. Eligibility Requirements: ✅ Must be an early-stage entrepreneur in the hair and beauty industry with less than $2M in annual revenue. ✅ Must have a prototype in the market, along with a clear vision and potential for growth. ✅ Applicants must be legally residing in the United States. ✅ Willingness to actively participate in the 4-month mentorship program and engage in networking opportunities. 👉🏽 Apply Here: innovationstudio.org/amika ⏰ Deadline to Apply: Friday, August 16, 2024

💥 Kamala Harris vs. The Glass Cliff: How Black Women Leaders Face Unfair Judgments many Men never Will 💥 "Approximately 10.4% of Fortune 500 companies are led by women CEOs. But Black women hold just two of those positions: Thasunda Brown Duckett, CEO of TIAA, and Toni Townes-Whitley, CEO of SAIC. This means Black women represent a mere 0.4% of Fortune 500 CEOs, despite Black women making up about 7.7% of the American population. These barriers are indicative of the struggles faced by Vice President Harris in this year’s presidential campaign. As she navigates a landscape marked by glass ceilings and glass cliffs, her journey mirrors that of Black women in corporate America and the challenges we encounter. And I believe this underscores the need for systemic change to ensure that Black women can also rise to leadership positions. Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton sent letters to 51 law firms and 10 recruitment firms urging them to step back from engaging in DEI initiatives. In May 2024, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds banned DEI in state universities. In fact, 85 anti-DEI bills have been introduced in 28 states and in Congress, as tracked by the Chronicle of Higher Education. These retreats by purported allies are harmful to the advancement and support of Black women and other marginalized groups, who know that the systems in place were not built with us in mind." https://lnkd.in/embbPYcu by Amira K.S. Barger, MBA,CVA,CFRE The need for active and vocal allyship has never been more critical. Silent allies and the backlash against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives threaten to reverse the progress that has been made toward creating a more equitable society. This is a pivotal moment to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their background, have the opportunity to lead and succeed. Critiques of VP Kamala Harris often focus on superficial aspects, such as her speaking style or how often she smiles. These criticisms, when examined closely, reveal biases that have little to do with her capabilities as a leader. It's essential to move beyond these superficial judgments and recognize the substantive qualities that make her a strong and capable leader. We must advocate for a future where leadership is not determined by outdated stereotypes or biases. This moment calls for collective action to ensure that everyone, regardless of their gender, race, or background, can reach their full potential and contribute to a more just and inclusive society. Gillian Marcelle, PhD Mike Green Joe Cardillo Samantha Katz Dr. Venessa Marie Perry Shari Dunn Dr. Tana M. Session Richard Venegar L C De Shay Allison Byers Rhett Buttle #Blackwomenlead #Glassceiling #Glasscliff #Blackstoriesmatter

Y’all know what time it is! 😁😁 It’s #FootwerkFriday and we’re dancing into the weekend! 😁🎊💃🏾 A sister-friend of mine reached out to check on me the other day. So grateful. 🙏🏾💕🙏🏾 She said she hasn’t “seen” me on here in a while and wanted to make sure I’m ok. Deeply grateful to her and everyone who has checked in. There’s nothing like being surrounded with the right people; folks who truly have your back just because you’re you, and not because they want something from you. This is how good it feels. This is how much it lifts one’s spirits. I’m still here, kind of. Been going through some stuff, and keeping pretty quiet while I heal. More on that later, but in the meantime, enjoy a likkle dancey-dance to elevate the vibes. 😁🎊💃🏾 Happy Fri-yay!! Have an awesome weekend. 😊 🎥 afrodance.1 on TikTok

Sometimes, something said within a conversation gives you pause and confirms the shift already occurring within.  This was one from the incomparable Lisa Hurley. 🎁 "You gotta be light to fly high." 🎶 bars 🎶 ** When thinking about your next level, how do you envision it happening? Will you use the same tools that got you here to get you there? What's required for your ascension to go to that next level? Will you continue carrying the same baggage or lighten your load? Soaring to the highest altitudes requires that you ditch weight:  🙅🏾♀️ limiting beliefs 👎🏾 disorganized workspaces 🙅🏾♀️ messy homes 👎🏾 inconsistent mental or physical wellness practices ** Over here? We’re stripping off layers, and it’s both exciting and scary as phuck! But it is essential for this next season. ** How high can you fly if you release some layers?  #Coaching #PersonalDevelopment #ProfessionalWomen #AlexisMobley #iMatterCoaching 👸🏾 Connecting audacious Black Women to what matters most - full stop - is what we do here at I, Matter! Coaching & Consulting.  How can we connect you with what's most important to you?

The power of networks lies in their ability to bring people together, amplify voices, and drive significant change. For Black women entrepreneurs, strong networks and support systems can be the key to unlocking new opportunities and achieving remarkable success. As a Doctor of Business Administration student at Pepperdine Graziadio Business School, I am conducting research on the unique performance factors of Black women-led firms. My study focuses on how business networks and social support systems contribute to the entrepreneurial success of Black women. 🔍 Why is this important? The strength and influence of Black women’s networks showcase our ability to mobilize resources and achieve significant goals. It is a timely reminder of the collective power we wield and the importance of our support systems. 📢 Call for Participation: I am seeking Black women entrepreneurs to participate in my research study. Your insights and experiences will be invaluable in understanding how networking and social support can drive business success. By participating, you’ll be contributing to a body of knowledge that aims to empower and uplift our community. How You Can Get Involved: Share Your Story: Participate in an interview to share your experiences and insights. Spread the Word: Help us reach more Black women entrepreneurs by sharing this post. Connect: If you know someone who would be a great fit for this study, please tag them or reach out to me directly. Together, we can harness our collective strength to support each other’s entrepreneurial journeys and create lasting change. 🌟 If you are interested in participating or want to learn more about the study, please contact me via LinkedIn or email at dejuan.price@pepperdine.edu. Let’s make history together! #BlackWomen #Entrepreneurship #Networking #SocialSupport #Research #DBA #PepperdineUniversity #Empowerment #Leadership

You’re Invited 🎉 Promotion is a process that allows individuals to advance. HOWEVER- When I learned my colleague was getting paid $20,000 more than me, I decided to promote myself. I quit. My decision came with 8 offers that year for Leadership Roles making more $$. As a Global DEI Leader, I am known for auditing, bringing aligned solutions and shifting organizational change. It is a daily fulfilling experience. BUT- The promotion cycle is filled with inequity by people who have the capacity to completely change it. Is there a check and balance for- ✔️Promotion Cycle audit ✔️Promotion HR audit ✔️Promotion Manager audit ✔️Promotion Slate audit ✔️Promotion Policy Audit Like I said- If there are Black, Hispanic, Native American, Asian and some White women compared to men sitting in a promotion que for 2 or more years, it’s not just a systemic problem. It’s a people problem. 👋🏾Join me this week to discuss DEI and approaches to leading outcomes. #diversityandinclusion #hiringandpromotion #education #thoughtleadership

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