Hillside Family of Agencies’ Post

"Honoring John Lewis: A Legacy of Good Trouble: Today, we honor the legacy of John Lewis, a civil rights icon whose message of "good trouble" continues to inspire us all. His unwavering commitment to justice and equality has left an indelible mark on our nation. John Lewis believed in the power of peaceful protest and the importance of standing up against injustice. His courage and dedication remind us that one person can make a difference, and that we all have a role to play in creating a more just and equitable world. Here are a couple of lessons from his legacy to consider: 1. Stand Up for What is Right: Even when it's difficult, stand up against injustice. Use your voice and actions to advocate for those who are marginalized and oppressed. 2. Promote Unity and Equality: Strive to bring people together and work towards equality for all. Recognize the value in every individual and fight for a society where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Let's continue to honor John Lewis by embodying these principles in our daily lives. Together, we can carry forward his legacy and make the world a better place." #JohnLewis #GoodTrouble #CivilRights #Equality #Justice #LegacyOfChange -- Stuart Lord

Here's a short blog that I've written for Cordis Bright as part of Pride Month.

The true measure of leadership is how well you look out for the rights and well-being of the people you serve

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day when approximately 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas to deliver the news that more than 250,000 enslaved Black people were free by executive decree. This is a day for celebration and reflection on our nation’s history, but it’s also a day that we can recommit ourselves to promoting equality. Hoffman is committed to creating a more diverse construction industry because we believe social equity and inclusion make us better builders. Ensuring a diverse workforce is a core component of every Hoffman project – regardless of contract requirements. We have long-standing relationships with programs and organizations that promote diversity and inclusion in the construction trades. We actively engage the subcontracting community to help optimize opportunities for minorities on our projects. We also take a skill building approach to increasing diverse participation in our industry. While it’s good to help a firm get work on a project, we think it’s even better to help them gain the skills that will allow them to grow and prosper over the long-term. We have outreach specialists who provide technical support and mentorship to minority-owned firms. We make sure everyone has a chance to work on our job sites and that firms grow in scope and capacity from experience. Today we celebrate and honor this important day in history, and we reaffirm our company’s commitment to supporting equity and inclusion in the construction industry. 

This is an incredibly powerful and moving celebration of resilience, compassion, service, and human dignity. You elevate those who have persevered through trauma to become catalysts for positive change, using their pain to make the world better. Applauding individuals who find fulfillment in giving back and creating opportunities for others, despite enjoying personal success, is so inspiring. Your recognition of the struggles of young, single parents giving their all; fathers staying present despite adversity; individuals refusing to be defined by past mistakes - it exalts the extraordinary strength and grace found in ordinary lives. Celebrating ethical businesses, employees persisting through toxicity, and all those choosing service over self-interest is a poignant reminder of the heroes among us. But perhaps most profoundly, you celebrate the human ability to find light in darkness - the poor embracing joy, the rich building bridges, and all those making "much of King Jesus" through humble purpose rather than ego. An incredibly beautiful appreciation of the capacity for human dignity and resilience in the face of any circumstance. In a world often focused on division and negativity, your vision lifts up what is most noble and uplifting in the the human spirit. A perspective that makes space for empathy, nuance and the sacredness in everyday perseverance. An immensely powerful and hope-giving outlook that I deeply resonate with and aspire to embody. Truly a must-read for anyone seeking a restored faith in our vast potential for good.

The Power of Representation Representation matters. The underrepresentation of Black individuals in leadership roles perpetuates a cycle of non-inclusivity and lack of awareness. A mere 3.2% of executive or senior-level positions are held by Black professionals, a glaring disparity that undermines the effectiveness of diversity and inclusion initiatives. "Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance," says Vernā Myers, VP of Inclusion Strategy at Netflix. Organizations must actively elevate Black voices in decision-making roles to dismantle systemic barriers. This includes implementing mentorship programs and leadership development initiatives and ensuring diverse perspectives are present at the table. Dive into our blog post, "Unmasking the Barriers: The Journey of Black Americans with Disabilities in the Workplace" Part 2 of 5, https://lnkd.in/g73x_ZYr At Baker Consulting, we understand the complexities of creating accessible and inclusive workplaces. Our READI2B framework is designed to help organizations navigate this journey with empathy, courage, and strategic vision. We work closely with businesses to assess their current practices, identify areas for improvement, and develop comprehensive plans that prioritize the needs of marginalized communities, including Black Americans with disabilities. Reach out to us today to learn how we can support your organization in dismantling barriers and embracing equity. #DiversityEquityInclusion #DEI #EquityForAll #InclusionMatters #Accessibility #Equality #Disabilities #WorkplaceCulture

You really should learn more about First Command…

Today, we recognize the enduring legacy of A. Philip Randolph. As a tireless champion for equality and justice, he brought a monumental shift in the workplace and paved the way for generations of Black workers. Black History In the Workplace: ✊🏽 A. Philip Randolph, a civil rights activist and labor leader, founded the first well-known Black labor union, the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (BSCP), in 1925. The union addressed the poor working conditions and low wages of the African American men who served white passengers aboard luxury railroad sleeping cars. ✊🏽 BSCP was the first Black union to be granted a charter by the American Federation of Labor (AFL). In 1934, Congress amended the Railway Labor Act to cover porters in sleeping cars. The new legislation reduced their monthly work hours and raised their wages. ✊🏽 Randolph's advocacy was instrumental in the forming of the Fair Employment Practice Commission (FEPC) and the Universal Military Service and Training Act, which desegregated the U.S. armed forces. ✊🏽 In 1963, Randolph organized with activist Bayard Rustin to spearhead the March on Washington, which paved the way for the 1964 Civil Rights Act. 💡Want to learn more about creating healthy and inclusive workplaces? Contact our team to discuss our workplace wellness training and assessments. https://bit.ly/4brpa3I 📷 The LBJ Presidential Library #TheLadipoGroup #ManagingWell #APhilipRandolph #Leadership #Diversity #Inclusion #BlackHistoryMonth

In light of the recent Executive Order signed by Governor Stitt, the Oklahoma Diversity Alliance welcomes the discussion around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the true value it brings to individuals across our state. The key thing to remember is that DEI does not promote, or advocate, discrimination. In fact, its purpose is to do the very opposite.   Oklahoma is stronger when we focus on building our economy and diversifying our businesses within the state. Oklahoma Diversity Alliance remains determined to enhance Oklahoma businesses through the hard-working Oklahomans that are the fabric of our great business community. We do this because it is proven that companies who embrace DEI are more profitable than those who do not.    No single person can know the culture, background, and experiences of another without exposure. Organizational leaders make decisions that affect a large number of individuals from all walks of life in our state, which is why it is imperative that they have the insights that DEI programs provide. Because of these facts, we will continue to advocate for the inclusion of diverse perspectives on decisions that impact Oklahomans and our business leaders.

As we say at Ford, be curious! As we celebrate Black History Month, everyone knows Detroit has a rich heritage of Black prosperity being the home to the auto industry. Did you know that years ago, segregation forced Blacks to certain parts of the city (Paradise Valley the Black business district, and Black Bottom, called this by the early French settlers, due to the rich black farming soil)? Both communities were downtown close to the Detroit River, generational wealth was created and these neighborhoods thrived. The national highway system I-375, displaced these types of neighborhoods in Detroit and other cities, erasing Black generational wealth for so many. Though still in the planning stages to help right some past wrongs, let's look at what the city and the state are doing to acknowledge this and work to drive inclusion in this new downtown development district being built where these neighborhoods once were. Go Positively Speaking Up, Go Standing on the Shoulders of Giants, Go Always Deliver, Go Outpace the Competition, Go, Ford, Go Engineering, Go EV Revolution, Go Customer Experience, Go Design and Software Teams, Go UAW, Go Strategy Team, Go Auto, Go All Industries! #innovationliveshere #aheadofthecurve #diversityandinclusion #careabouteachother #opportunities #strategy #manufacturing #EVs #Blueovalcity #professionalism #deliver #innovationneversleeps #changingthegame #relentleespursuitofperfection #newageautomotivehistory