Black Ballad’s Post

The Black Women's Networking & Empowerment Circles are always popping with conversations about the impact on us as Black women from others perspectives. Oftentimes, this leads into conversations about situations and circumstances in health or housing, out in the community or in places of work. This piece in Inside Housing a couple of weeks back, reflects on how Black women are perceived in social housing, as both tenants and staff. Change is long overdue. The social housing sector must confront and redefine the internalised narratives about Black women tenants and staff. #DefinitionRedefined #SoulPurpose360 #ChangeIsComing #TimeForChange #ChangingNarratives #ReclaimingNarratives #BHM2024 #HearOurVoices

Hi LinkedIn, It’s been a while! As we continue to evolve and define It Takes A Village Collective, we wanted to reintroduce ourselves and highlight some exciting ways you can work with us in the coming months. Our mission remains steadfast: to ensure that by 2028, 1 in 5 people in adland will be a Black woman. If you are an organisation who is here for positive change and supporting the success of Black Women in Adland here’s how you can support and work with us: 💬 Book a call to find out about our Consulting Services: At It Takes A Village Collective, we empower agencies and brands to transform workplaces by supporting, recruiting, and retaining Black female talent. Our consultancy services are designed to provide data backed insight to support your organisation in both setting and achieving objectives for the Black female experience at work as well as the talent pipeline. Get in touch to find out more: 💬 Book our founder, Chloe Davies, for workshops & speaking engagements: As we celebrate Black History Month, this year we are aptly focused on Reclaiming Narratives. Chloe is available to speak at your events, offering her insights and expertise on how we can continue to drive change and create spaces where Black women thrive. 🌍 Citizens Membership for Corporates (launching 22/10/2024): We’re excited to announce the upcoming launch of Citizens—our membership program designed to connect, empower, and equip Black women in adland. We have Corporate rates available for organisations. Contact citizens@simplymschloe.com for rates. 🙌🏽 Partner with us: If you are an organisation who would like to connect and provide exclusive offers, services and experiences to our members; by collaborating with us, you'll have the opportunity to connect with a vibrant community of Black female professionals and contribute to championing our vibrant network. Contact citizens@simplymschloe.com to discuss collaborations. Together we are shaping adland into a space where Black women have agency, leadership and thrive on their own terms. For more information or any questions, feel free to comment below, DM us, or email at: contact@simplymschloe.com. #BlackWomenInAdland #ITAV

🌟 Happy Black Women in Sports Day! 🌟 Today, we celebrate the incredible contributions of Black women in the world of sports. From athletes and coaches to entrepreneurs and innovators, Black women are making significant strides and breaking barriers every day. As a proud co-founder of ExSATA, sports tech agency, alongside my sister Mikekena B. Richardson I'm thrilled to share our journey in the sports tech industry. We’ve developed a patent-pending software that analyzes athletes from video footage, revolutionizing how performance is evaluated and improving athlete-to-organization matching methodologies. Learn more about our invention [here](https://lnkd.in/edyeaWfh). Did you know that only about less than .02% of U.S. patents are held by Black women? Yet, despite these odds, we continue to push forward and innovate. Moreover, Black women own just 1% of all sports businesses in the U.S., making our presence and contributions even more significant. Let's continue to support and uplift each other, celebrating the achievements of Black women in sports. Together, we can inspire the next generation of leaders, innovators, and champions. #BlackWomenInSports #WomenInTech #SportsTech #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #BlackExcellence #WomenWhoLead

Today we had a powerful conversation on the Black Cliff/Ceiling and what's next for Black women. Some of my takeaways: Black women need safe spaces and places where they can show up authentically. Being a Black woman shapes how we experience everything. Ways we can support each other and ourselves as we navigate these challenging environments. How YT supremacy is pervasive and often influences negative behavior within our community and how to heal from those wounds. Rest as a form of resistance. How capitalism has shaped us. Joy isn't about chasing the bag. Learning to be and rest can be a form of luxury. Unlearning and rethinking the way our family raised and influenced us. Redefining professionalism. Not adhering to constructs that no longer fit us. Stay tuned for the next session! #blackwomen #blackwomenlead #mentalhealth #wellbeing #glasscliff Sherrae Lachhu LaTonya Davis, JD Cecelia Thomas Eunika Smalls,CPA, SPHR, CWDP, CME, HCCP, HDFP, CEA Dr. Paula Anderson, LCPC, NCC Tychelle Graham-Moskowitz, MSW, CDP® Sabrina A. Townsend, Ph.D.

Tonight! Join CFHJ for our March community event, "Dare to Lead? Supporting Liberated Black Women in Health-centric spaces." Join us as we reflect on the experiences of liberated Black women who are leading in health-centric spaces. To set the stage, we will watch some of the new Netflix film Shirley, inspired by the political career of Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, and reflect on some of the Chisholm's most powerful quotes from her book, "Unbought and Unbossed." 🟠 What does it look like to support the "Shirley Chisholms" in your circles? 🟠 Which #communication best practices can you use to be an #ally? You do not need to read the book/watch the movie beforehand to fully participate. 🔗 to register: https://bit.ly/3T9rSm7 #womensherstorymonth #anewkindofhealthcommunication

The Voices in the Shadow 4 was a resounding success, bringing together over 100 exceptional Black women for a day of inspiration, connection, and empowerment. Held at the Google London office, this event showcased the incredible strength and resilience of the Black community, especially women who often face unique challenges in the workplace. As the fifth installment in this series, The Voices in the Shadow 4 continued to build upon the momentum of previous gatherings, demonstrating the enduring impact of these events on the lives of Black women. By sharing their personal stories and experiences, attendees were able to learn from one another, forge meaningful connections, and feel supported in their professional journeys. This gathering also held significance in the context of Black History Month, a time to celebrate the contributions and achievements of Black people throughout history. By highlighting the successes and challenges faced by contemporary Black women, The Voices in the Shadow 4 provided a platform for recognizing their ongoing struggles and advocating for greater equity and inclusion. Investing in the next generation of Black women leaders is crucial for addressing the systemic issues they face. By creating spaces where these women can connect, learn, and grow, we can empower them to become influential figures in their fields and inspire others to follow in their footsteps. #BlackWomenInTech #DiversityAndInclusion #Empowerment #TheVoicesInTheShadow Yasmina PASSERI Mbombo Njoya @Blackwomenintech

In Phase 3 of our Black Women's Economic Mobility series, we learn that Black women are incredibly resilient. However, when they are raised to internalize the "strong Black woman" identity, many women learn that they are expected to attend to others' needs first, to put themselves last, and to sacrifice for others' comfort and needs. Learn more with us on our website. https://lnkd.in/gUFxRuNc

What does it look like to dismantle oppressive structures in academia by centering Black women’s ideas and intellectual contributions? As Black women founders of TSL, we recognize the critical importance of centering Black women. Our journey, challenges, and triumphs illuminate why elevating and protecting the intellect and contributions of Black women isn't just important—it's essential. This is why every Sunday we are dedicating the TSL platform to #CiteBlackWomenSundays, an initiative to celebrate, amplify, and protect the intellect and voices of Black women, who have historically faced, and continue to face, exclusion and appropriation in academic discourse. By highlighting their work, we not only acknowledge their invaluable contributions but also challenge the systemic biases that have marginalized their voices. Join us in this powerful affirmation and movement. 1️⃣ - 📖 Read Black women's work. 2️⃣ - 🌀 Integrate Black women in your syllabus, in the classroom and in life. 3️⃣ - 💡 Acknowledge Black women's intellectual contributions. 4️⃣ - 🎤 Make space for Black women to speak. 5️⃣ - 🌱 Nurture space and time for Black women's well-being. Learn more about #CiteBlackWomenSundays at https://lnkd.in/dYh9Ewzs

This is true for me. I've worked for a boss who didn't like people of color, I left. I worked for a boss who used derogatory language about when talking about all people of color, she was let go. I worked for a company that knew I was working on my education and let me go due to my "new schedule" that we mutually agreed upon. I worked for a company that was impacted my mental health so bad I began day drinking. I left. These are just a few examples of how some companies have poor management, and poor working conditions. I will never forget the emotional labor it took to make it through the days working for these people and these companies. But what I truly hope is for the people who are still working in these companies in leadership roles, I hope that they simply do better. It's time. It's beyond the time. I also hope that the Black employees who are working with these companies don't feel stuck due to skills, money, loyalty, etc. There are wonderful companies out there that know how to treat their employees. There are companies out there that are still working to get it right and not settling for less. There are companies and leaders out there who are not blaming their employees for their declining mental health, and instead are trying to learn how they can play a more supportive role.