Insight Partners’ Post

Every year before our career summit, The CLIMB, we deliberate intensely on the theme. In 2022, after much discussion, we landed on "Not a Trend, but a Takeover." The content aimed to reassure Black employees that the recent surge in company attention and resources wasn't fleeting—leaders recognized the lasting business value of investing in them. During a Black History Month conversation this year, I was asked if employees now feel it was just a trend after all. I shared that many Black professionals expressed frustration but weren't surprised that it was a trend. Companies and their leaders did exactly what they expected. What struck me most was their belief, based on what they experienced, that their companies are capable of real investment but choosing not to, and they had now come to a point where they, as employees, also felt confident to make the same choice. They didn't just have to sit back and accept the shift. What that looked like: A lot of hurt, distrust in leadership, a lack of credibility when leaders shared initiatives or made statements, disengagement, and overall negative feelings about the company, as well as actively looking for the next opportunity to leave. I've said it before: Employees are a company's best brand ambassadors. If they see your DEI efforts as performative, the cost of attracting diverse talent will continue to increase because you will be unable to leverage your greatest asset. 

This Black History Month, I’m taking a moment to acknowledge my mentors. You’ve had a lasting impact on me, filling me with optimism for the road ahead. Navigating corporate spaces as a Black woman hasn't been easy, but the support and mentorship I've received from you has been instrumental in my growth, providing a safe space where I’ve felt both seen and empowered. Jeanine Henry - You were one of the first leaders I had the privilege to work with, and your example set the bar high. Your empathetic and intentional leadership style showed me that there are countless approaches to leading effectively. Your impact was felt by our entire team. Courtney Andrews - Working with you taught me the importance of recognizing my strengths and knowing when to push myself beyond my comfort zone. Your encouragement to advocate for myself has helped me through my biggest transition to PMM. Chisom Obi-Okoye - Your confidence and belief in your abilities are truly inspiring. Your commitment to speaking up for what you believe in and natural ability to influence others has taught me how to lead with authenticity. Ayaan Roble - Your excellence in everything you do is amazing, and collaborating with you on inclusive product initiatives was a career highlight. You've shown me that it's not only acceptable but essential to incorporate our personal values into our work. Danielle Webb - Navigating career transitions alongside you has been so special, and your composed attitude when faced with new challenges has taught me a lot about resilience. You show the importance of taking moments to pause and reflect. Angela Smith - My mom and my very first example of what it means to be a working woman ❤️. Watching you run your own business as a kid was awe-inspiring. You’ve taught me the value of strong work-ethic while prioritizing balance with the things that make us fulfilled in life. The passion you put into every single thing you do continues to motivate me. I’m so thankful for the influence of these women! As we celebrate the last couple of weeks of Black History Month, give a shoutout to your mentors and their impact on you! #BlackHistoryMonth #BlackFutures

To celebrate Black History Month, we asked our people to tell us about some of the most extraordinary Black brand-side marketers they’ve been lucky enough to work with, and why they’re legends in the making. Our first legend is Tarshena Armstrong, Director of Diversity Marketing & Development at General Motors, where she leads the task of driving measurable business results for multicultural audiences in addition to human capital development initiatives to reskill marketing employees as modern marketers.   Tarshena joined GM in 2006 as a marketing intern with the Service Parts Operations, before working her way up to Business Planning Manager for GM’ Chair & CEO, followed by several critical regional and sales assignments before her promotion to Director of Diversity Marketing & Development in 2021. In 2023 Tarshena was named an honoree for The Michigan Chronicles - Women of Excellence and Black Enterprise 40 under 40. In 2022 Armstrong was appointed to the General Motors Inclusion Advisory Board, a participant in the Deloitte 2022 Rising Leader Collective, 2022 DBusiness Magazine 30 In Their Thirties, 2020 Michigan Chronicles “40 Under 40” Honoree and was featured in the Working Mother’s Magazine representing GM as the Best Companies for Multicultural Women. With a resume like hers, it’s obvious why Tarshena is a marketing legend in the making, but Nyron Fauconier, VP, Group Account Director, who works closely with Tarshena, put it best when he nominated her for this feature: “A successful Black woman in a male-dominated industry, Tarshena Armstrong is a strong, business-savvy professional who has accomplished a great deal during her career at GM,” says Nyron. “Tarshena expects nothing but the best from her team, believing that if we all do our jobs to the best of our abilities, we can accomplish anything. What people learn from collaborating with Tarshena is: One must strive for greatness to attain greatness. She is a true marketing legend in the making!” #BlackHistoryMonth #JackMorton #LegendsInTheMaking #BlackHistory #BlackMarketers #BlackTalent #BlackInAdvertising #BlackAtJack #DEIB #culture #Diversity #GeneralMotors #GM

On this first day of Black History Month 2024, I reflect on my journey as a CHRO and the unique humans who have left an indelible impact on my trajectory. The CHRO role transcends overseeing HR and writing policies; it cultivates workplace culture, fosters an employer brand that attracts quality talent, establishes an employee value proposition that appeals to the diverse needs and desires of an ever-evolving workforce, and serves as the epicenter where executives seek trusted counsel on all things people and all employees rely on a safe space to navigate workplace dynamics. These factors inform brand reputation and how customers and partners view companies in the marketplace. Drawing inspiration from high achievers, Gladys West and Ekpedeme “Pamay” Bassey—two pillars of intellect and innovation—I find a compass guiding the way in the works of trailblazers in whom I see myself, a Black woman when I see them. Gladys West is the visionary mathematician who went from valedictorian to programming complex calculations that laid the foundation for the GPS we rely on today. When I think of her contributions, it certainly motivates and keeps me on course at Oncourse. She is also the only Black woman to be inducted into the Air Force Missile and Space Pioneers Hall of Fame. Ekpedeme "Pamay" M. Bassey, Chief Learning and Diversity Officer at Kraft Heinz, champions learning as a superpower. Her transformative "365 Days of Learning" project inspired her book, "Let’s Learn Our Way Through It, Shall We?" – a testament to her commitment to personal and professional growth. She is one of the smartest, most in touch, and most thoughtful colleagues I know. As we celebrate Black History Month, let's honor Gladys, Ekpedeme “Pamay,” and others, shaping our present and paving the way for a future where intellect, inclusion, and high-performance reign supreme. #BlackHistory365 #RepresentationMatters #InnovationIcons #CHROLeadership #LegacyofLeadership

*Black History Month Tips* Although most DEI leaders have been planning BHM activities for months (possibly since Feb 2023), your company may not have a DEI leader. Or, maybe your leaders don't know how important it is to use culture months and moments to grow understanding, connection, respect, and trust across all demographics in the workplace (and beyond). To unlock the power of diversity at your workplace, understand the impact of inclusion and belonging - learn more about how it can boost respect, creativity, pride, retention, and productivity. Tools like the Senior Executive DEI Advisor newsletter are valuable resources for helping leaders, colleagues, and people managers plan ahead and proactively create opportunities to help their teams get smarter, stronger, and happier. Here are some great ideas for Black History Month 2024: https://lnkd.in/gYH3chQ7?

Let's talk about International Women's Day and #allyship. So many talk the talk but very few walk the walk when it comes to putting their money where their mouth is. Ronika Lewis is the real deal. She's all of that. She's sponsoring a few passes to NVIDIA GTC, THE tech conference of the year. I mean, who does that? Who the hell does that? Not the tech billionaires, not the so-called female 'angel' investors. Neither my boy Satya, not my man Sundar, much less Zuck is doing that. She's doing it. So before you dare call yourself an ally, ask yourself: What have I done to prove my allyship? Eligibility and instructions are simple:  If you are an UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), aka: - a woman and - an underrepresented person and - are in school (or self taught), or are a recent graduate that's unemployed or underemployed, you qualify. DM her to apply. And remember, responsible #ai = inclusive #ai. #internationalwomensday2024 #responsibleai #nvidiagtc #tech #responsibletech #allyship.

Many say culture and values are important… but be real: Is that truly what you want? I’ve hand-picked a list of companies known for their values, history, and culture. And guess what? I can sit down with you, strategize, and help target these companies. But let’s have an honest moment… We all know who the Black CEOs and founders are. So why haven’t YOU applied yet? 👀 Here’s one of the biggest reasons why we don’t always land those dream roles: Character traits. Most professionals struggle to focus, strategize, or take bold chances. And look, if your goal is to land a comfortable corporate job to fuel your lifestyle—that’s okay! (I can definitely help with that.) But if you’re aiming for those special opportunities, know this: It’s not easy. It takes resilience, patience, and a clear plan to bounce back from rejection. But if you can stay focused, strategic, and patient… ✨ You’ll thank yourself later! 🙌 If you want a curated list based on companies’ cultures and values, DM me “VALUES”

Yesterday, I had the unplanned opportunity to join a Black History Month event at work Barclays and it was an incredible experience. I was truly inspired by the diverse group of panelists, each bringing their unique perspectives to the table. The blend of cultures and stories reinforced the importance of representation and the beauty of our differences. One of the attendees asked a great question: "How can I be seen by my manager?" From my perspective, it’s all about adding value consistently and being proactive. Don’t wait to be noticed; create opportunities to showcase your skills and initiative. Speak up in meetings, take ownership of projects, and, most importantly, build a relationship with your manager through regular, open communication. Show them that you're invested in not just your role, but the success of the team and organisation as a whole. Hearing the panelists share their journeys, overcoming challenges and rising to leadership positions, was a powerful reminder that it's not about where you come from, it's about taking control of your life, staying determined, and pushing forward. A huge thank you to Oluwatosin Awe for the invitation and to Alex, who closed the event with a powerful reminder: "If you have to climb mountains, you've got to have muscles." Hopefully, this advice helps someone reading this! Keep driving forward! #BlackHistoryMonth #Leadership #Diversity #Inspiration #RepresentationMatters #CareerTips We also got cookies 👇🏾😁

As we honor Black Business Month, let’s reflect on the wisdom shared by Carla Harris: “People who repeatedly find career success learn to broaden their perspective and understand that there are always several roads to getting where you want to go.” This powerful insight reminds us that success is not a singular path but a journey with many routes. Embracing diverse perspectives and exploring multiple avenues can unlock new opportunities and drive innovation. #CarlaHarris #FinancialLeaders #BlackWomenInBusiness #BlackBusinessMonth

As we celebrate Black History Month, I find myself reflecting on my own journey – a journey marked by resilience, determination, and unwavering belief in the power of community. Recently, I faced an unexpected twist in my path on Wednesday. My entire position was terminated as Director of Operations, effective immediately, at a company with a powerful mission and a community full of underrepresented yet powerful women prioritizing their wellness. While there was a mix of emotions — fear because bills don’t stop, anger for the lack of notice, joy for feeling my work there had been done and I could move forward - for a moment, I choose to see endless opportunities. Today, I'm thrilled to announce that I'm shifting gears and diving headfirst into my own business while continuing to keep my options open because the limit does not exist. This journey isn't just about building a brand, landing a dream job (I do not dream of labor), or making a living – it's about embodying the spirit of entrepreneurship, forging my own path, and creating opportunities for myself and others who may have faced similar setbacks. I've always believed in the power of community, and I'm grateful to have a network of supporters, mentors, and friends who have rallied behind me during this transition. Your encouragement and belief in my potential have been a guiding light, and I'm deeply thankful for each and every one of you. As I embark on this new chapter, I'm committed to giving back to the community that has given me so much. I'm passionate about supporting fellow entrepreneurs, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, and creating opportunities for growth and success. So here's to new beginnings, to embracing challenges as opportunities, and to building a future filled with purpose and passion. I invite you to join me on this journey, no matter what chapter you’re in – after all, it’s the Year of Audacity in the Name of Good. Let’s lift each other up, celebrate our successes, and create a brighter, more inclusive future together. Thank you for being a part of my story and I can’t wait to see what’s next! #opentoopportunities #opentoconnect