John Hancock’s Post

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  

This Black History Month NAC is looking at how we can be better allies in our workplace. 💙Look out for racial gaslighting and make sure that we don’t refute people’s lived experience. 💙Respond to racism in the moment by challenging, questioning, or calling out what is happening. 💙Don’t penalize victims in the process of resolving issues. Make sure to center the victim in your response. 💙Interrupt bias in evaluations by working through your company’s practices and determining lingering bias in standards for employees. 💙Move to skills-based hiring practices instead of degree based and create more equity in hiring practices. Each day brings a new opportunity for us all to be better allies and create a better workspace for everyone.

Today marks the commencement of Black History Month; however, I must emphasize that supporting and empowering Black individuals is a year-round endeavor that permeates every aspect of my firm, A. Solomon Recruits and Coaches. Whether through diversity, equity, and inclusion recruitment efforts or career empowerment coaching, my ultimate goal is to foster sustainable transformational growth and bolster self-assurance in securing fulfilling employment and navigating a rewarding career trajectory. #angelasolomon #asolomonrecruits #asolomoncoaches #Blackwomanownedbusiness

Unlocking the Power of Rest: A Black History Month Imperative In the hustle and bustle of modern life, the value of rest often gets overlooked. However, during #BlackHistoryMonth, it's crucial to pause and reflect on the significance of rest within the context of the Black experience. In our latest report, inspired by the insightful article from Restful Leadership titled 'It's Black History Month: Prioritize Rest,' we delve into the profound importance of rest as a tool for resilience, self-care, and empowerment within the Black community. This article not only highlights the systemic challenges and historical injustices that have disproportionately affected Black individuals but also celebrates the resilience and strength found in prioritizing rest as a form of resistance and self-preservation. Through compelling narratives, data-driven insights, and practical strategies, we explore how embracing rest can foster personal well-being, amplify productivity, and ultimately contribute to the collective advancement of Black communities. Join us in recognizing the intrinsic link between rest and social justice, and discover how prioritizing rest during Black History Month—and beyond—can pave the way for a more equitable and empowered future for all. Read here: https://lnkd.in/gep2AeDU

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.

During #BlackHistoryMonth we asked colleagues from our VIBE Employee Resource Group to share what the month means to them. Here is what they said. Video Description: What does Black History Month mean to you? “A chance for purposeful reflection and taking the time to think of where I am today.”- Michael Vieira, Manager, PFS New Business Support. “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. “Black history to me is a vital part of human history… it frames my view to live with a measure of hope that we all recognize acceptance as the key to making definitive progress.” - Candice Caines-Francis, AVP Strategy, Global Inforce Management. “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.

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

As we step into Black History Month, let's take a moment to reflect on the immeasurable contributions and achievements of the Black community. This month serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience, innovation, and strength that have shaped our world. The stories of trailblazers who broke barriers and paved the way for generations - from inventors and leaders to artists and activists - were and always will be an integral part of our shared human narrative. By acknowledging the diversity of talents and perspectives, we enrich our workplaces, communities, and the global landscape. The stories of our ancestors contribute not only to cultural heritage but also serve as catalysts for positive societal and economic transformation. Studies consistently show that diverse and inclusive workplaces outperform their counterparts. By championing diversity in our teams and leadership, we foster innovation, creativity, and resilience. Embracing the talents and perspectives of the Black community isn't just the right thing to do; it's a strategy imperative for sustained organizational success. Beyond the workplace, supporting Black-owned businesses and initiatives is a powerful way to drive economic empowerment within communities. Investing in these enterprises contributes directly to job creation, economic development, and financial stability, creating a positive ripple effect for society at large. This #BlackHistoryMonth let's elevate the dialogue on the intersection of #BlackCulture, #SocialImpact, and #EconomicEmpowerment.

As political debates, conflicts and confusion continue around the real and perceived concepts of DEI, Black History Month encourages us to examine the data. Pew Research Center and McKinsey (https://lnkd.in/emN7UxC) reveal the depth of some of the challenges facing Black workers. These data points in our view, create a continued call for action from organizations, leaders, individuals, and communities. At inQUEST, we’re kicking off Black History Month with the aspiration of demonstrating recognition, respect, and more inclusive representation in our own and in our client partner workplaces. #BlackHistoryMonth2024 #InclusiveRepresentation #FactsAndResearch Image Description Infographic honoring Black History month, titled ‘Exploring the Limited Presence of Black Workers’. The image and bulleted text underscore the lack of presence of Black workers in managerial positions and their absence in high-growth industries.

Black History Month ends today, but that doesn’t mean being an ally ends for you. Being an #ally is a daily practice. It requires sustained, intentional effort every single day of your life. And because #allyship isn’t a one-size-fits all exercise, you can customize your allyship to align with your values, and practice allyship in a way that is meaningful and authentic to you. So what does every day allyship look like? It looks like ~Committing to a lifelong journey of learning and continuing to educate yourself on the true historical and present-day lived experiences of Black people ~Calling in or calling out your coworkers, friends and family for their blatant and subtle racism, biases, and prejudices ~Decentering yourself and instead centering Black people ~Removing your “comfort level” as a way to prevent and end truthful conversations ~Ensuring you’re creating an inclusive, psychologically safe, and culturally competent work environment for your Black colleagues and employees ~Rejecting generalizations, wrong assumptions, negative stereotypes, and harmful biases about Black people ~Stretching your network and increasing your interactions with Black people to create genuine connections and learning opportunities ~Supporting Black-owned businesses all year long Remember, your Black colleagues don’t stop being Black tomorrow, and you shouldn’t stop being any ally tomorrow either. #blackhistorymonth #ally #allyship #dei #inclusiveworkplace #representationmatters