Karnell McConnell-Black, Ed.D.’s Post

Hello Monday… we meet again! As we embrace a new week, I'm taking a moment to reflect on the highs and lows of the past week. It's been a journey of growth, learning, and inspiration, especially highlighted by my attendance at Black Tech Night in Seattle. Being surrounded by such inspiring black excellence, particularly during Black History Month, was an experience that filled me with pride and motivation. The event was a showcase of talent, innovation, and wisdom, with Trish Millines Dziko, Monique L. Thompson, and Joshua Donaldson as panelists. Their insights and stories were not just enlightening but also a testament to the strength and resilience within our community, especially in the tech world. It was an honor to witness such powerful examples of leadership and success. A particular high point for me was the opportunity to receive advice from Monique. Her guidance was invaluable, offering perspectives that I will carry forward in my own journey. The wisdom she shared has left a lasting impact, inspiring me to aim higher and push harder towards my goals. Of course, like any journey, there were lows - moments of doubt and challenge. Yet, these were overshadowed by the overwhelming positivity and encouragement I received throughout the week. The experience has reinforced my belief in the power of community and the importance of lifting each other up. 📣 I’d love to hear from you! Share your highs and lows from the past week in the comments below. Your stories are a source of inspiration and learning for me and many others in our community. Let’s continue to support each other and push toward excellence TOGETHER. #LinkTech #DEIB #DEIBRecruiting #BlackinTech #ShareYourStory #MotivationMonday #HelloMonday #BlackTechNight #TechCommunity #BlackHistoryMonth #Community #Leaders

Tonight, seize the opportunity to transform your tech career! Whether you're just starting your tech career or currently in middle management,  it’s never too early to plan your strategic move up the corporate ladder. Join us tonight for an exclusive panel featuring successful Black male 👨🏾💻 executives who have shattered barriers, overcome obstacles, and risen to the top of their fields. It’s your chance to connect with the tech industry's most accomplished Black male changemakers and gain invaluable insights to help you chart your path to executive success. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to empower your career and connect with a community of ambitious Black professionals in tech! Act now and join us tonight! 🎫 Reg link: https://bit.ly/3JXx9ZK 📆 June 4, 2024 6:30 PM ET ✨ What’s in it for you? ✨ 📍 Mentorship and Job Leads: Secure invaluable mentorship guidance and job leads from those who have successfully navigated their path through the industry and earned their seat at the upper echelons of the C-suite. 📍Diverse Perspectives: Sharing insights with other Black men in tech allows you to gain diverse perspectives on the industry, helping you develop more innovative solutions and inclusive products. 📍Economic Impact: Take a step closer to gaining economic growth and freedom by learning hacks and strategies from experts who have acquired top-earning tech positions. #BlackTechExcellence #Leadership #CareerGrowth #TechIndustry #DiversityAndInclusion Speakers: Khambrel (Kham) Ward, BLK Men in Tech Kevin Burch, BCivilized Solutions Moderator: Jimi Ogunwunmi, Obsidi® Host: Cher Jones, Socially Active Training

Accelerate Your Career With Our Latest Action Masterclass! Embarking on a tech career as a Black woman is more than a job—it’s a revolution. We’re here to shake up the status quo and bring our invaluable diversity to the cutting edge of innovation. As companies hustle to meet diversity targets, the spotlight is ours to claim. Let’s redefine what it means to be a Black Woman in tech. 💻✨ Yes, stepping into tech might feel like a giant leap, but guess what? You’re not stepping in alone. We’ve got your back with mentorship, support, and all the resources you need to thrive. Whether you’re into coding, data science, product management, or something else, there’s a space just for you. Don't miss this chance—join our latest Action Masterclass with the phenomenal Faith Ida, GRCP, MBCS Ida, a nominee from The Voices In The Shadow and begin your journey into tech! Register here - https://lnkd.in/dPB8eCGQ #BlackWomenInTech #TechDiversity #Innovate #Empowerment #TechCareerTransition

I had such an amazing time attending and speaking at the Stanford Pride Summit this past weekend! It was my first time back to speaking on stage in person, and my first time attending a conference with real, live humans, in nearly five years, and I’m still buzzing from (and, to be real, recuperating from) all the excitement! Here are a few of the best things I learned and re-learned, preparing for and attending this delightful event! 🌈 The essence of CREATIVITY is MAKING UNEXPECTED CONNECTIONS Folks were stoked about the new, TED-style short talk I wrote for the event, “Everything I know about leadership and career growth, I learned in queer leather relationships,” bringing together some spicy queer community history, how I learned to navigate consent and community leadership as San Francisco Dyke Diva 2002, and how I now help my clients make bold, confident decisions in their careers. These might not sound related, but they are absolutely related, because both are my experience; being able and willing to make and share those unexpected connections helped my audience see and discuss their own career and consent challenges in a new way. 🌈 Leading with vulnerability opens the door to deeper connections I was so honored that my new friends on the Stanford Pride board asked me to be the “cold open” and set the tone for the day by talking about topics that are usually NOT considered “professionally appropriate” but that are integral to how we approach our professional and personal choices! Many of us had not been “out and about’ in a few years, and starting “deep” helped us go deep with each other and be less fearful about sharing our real struggles, joys and concerns. 🌈 Intergenerational connections are The Best Thing Ever Our peeps showed up, from class of 1975 through class of 2021 (and maybe more)! It was amazing to connect with each other and see how much we still have in common, how much things are still the same, how much things have changed. 🌈 Join a club! Belonging is underrated. When you feel it, feed and water it. 🌈 DM me if you want to hear more about my company's new #SelfLeadership Club, and get on my mailing list if you want an invite to hear a redux of this spicy new talk live, for subscribers only!

Accelerate Your Career With Our Latest Action Masterclass! Embarking on a tech career as a Black woman is more than a job—it’s a revolution. We’re here to shake up the status quo and bring our invaluable diversity to the cutting edge of innovation. As companies hustle to meet diversity targets, the spotlight is ours to claim. Let’s redefine what it means to be a Black Woman in tech. 💻✨ Yes, stepping into tech might feel like a giant leap, but guess what? You’re not stepping in alone. We’ve got your back with mentorship, support, and all the resources you need to thrive. Whether you’re into coding, data science, product management, or something else, there’s a space just for you. Don't miss this chance—join our latest Action Masterclass with the phenomenal Faith Ida, GRCP, MBCS Ida, a nominee from The Voices In The Shadow and begin your journey into tech! Register here - https://lnkd.in/dPB8eCGQ #BlackWomenInTech #TechDiversity #Innovate #Empowerment #TechCareerTransition

What a great month January has been! I realize that I don’t typically share or celebrate my accomplishments (like most of us) so I wanted to take the time to reflect on my month and share the cool and positive things that have happened. I’d also like to encourage you to share in the comments one of your accomplishments for this month. Who knows, maybe we can make this monthly celebration. Here we go: 🥳 1- as you may know, I began working at Plug In Ventures as a Program Manager. Check out my previous post to learn more about what I’ll be doing in this capacity to support black and brown entrepreneurs. 🔌 2- I became a volunteer mentor and advisor at RevHubOC - The Orange County Center for Innovation & Social Enterprise. This organization supports business growth and development for social enterprises and other types of businesses. I’m ready to put my social entrepreneurship masters degree to use helping founders solve for local and global challenges making positive social, environmental, and financial impacts. People, planet, profit! Thanks for the opportunity Joe Padilla. 🌍 3- I’m now a member the ForbesBLK community! (Just in time for Black History Month!) ForbesBLK is a global community of and for entrepreneurs, professionals, leaders, and creatives offering opportunities for mentorship, networking and events throughout the year. I’m grateful for these new opportunities I am embarking on and look forward to the knowledge and community that I’ll be able to support and gain access to through these endeavors. If you have any questions about any of these organizations, reach out, and I’m happy to help. Don’t forget to share your January accomplishments in the comments. I’m excited to celebrate with you! ✨ P.S. Happy (early) Black History Month! #newbeginnings #socialentrepreneurship #ForbesBLK #CommunitySupport

As we close out Black History Month, I'm reminded of the vibrant tapestry of stories and lessons that enrich our collective narrative. One such story that left a lasting impression on my team and broader organization was shared during my recent Fireside Chat with Daryl Hammett. This event wasn't just a conversation; it was a beacon of inspiration, shining a light on the significance of inclusion and leadership in shaping the future of tech. Reflecting on Daryl's journey, I'm drawn back to a personal moment of discovery. En route to the U.S. to embark on my MBA, I found solace and wisdom in the pages of "Cracking the Corporate Code" by Price M. Cobbs and Judith Turnock. The insights into the challenges faced by minorities in the corporate world resonated deeply with me, much like the powerful dialogue I experienced with Daryl. This Fireside Chat served as a poignant reminder of where we've been and the paths we aspire to forge ahead. Daryl's narrative and perspectives urged us to look inward and champion a culture of inclusivity and innovation within our teams. I am profoundly grateful for everyone who joined us, making this event not just memorable but transformative. Your engagement is the cornerstone of our journey towards fostering a learning environment rich in diversity and leadership excellence. Stay tuned for more enriching sessions. Together, let's continue to inspire, learn, and lead in the ever-evolving landscape of Tech. #InclusionInTech #Leadership #FiresideChat

I'm honored to be attending the 10th Anniversary of the Silicon Valley Culture Shifting Summit, an event designed to integrate social and financial returns in ways that drive both business success and societal improvement. Each summit has its own unique focus, and the Silicon Valley edition is the largest gathering of Black leaders in tech, innovation, and social impact. Its goal is to narrow the glaring inequality gap that persists in entrepreneurship, corporate boards, the tech industry, and the C-suite. I’ll be joining a powerful cohort of diverse tech executives, entrepreneurs, investors, and social impact leaders, while also delivering a three-minute lightning pitch highlighting our mission-driven products and their social impact. If you're attending this invitation-only event, please let me know so I can say hello in person. To those who suggest that diversity, equity, and inclusion undermine merit-based systems or create moral hazards, it's important to consider the data. Despite the historic commitments to capital aimed at reducing the equity gap, disparities persist—and in many cases, they're widening. For instance, in the third quarter of 2022, Black founders raised only 0.12% of all venture funding. In 2023, that number was about 1%, marking a decline from prior years. These figures starkly reveal the systemic barriers that still exist. Research consistently shows that diversity isn’t just good for underrepresented groups—it enhances society as a whole. Studies have found that more diverse teams outperform their peers by 35%, and companies with diverse leadership are 70% more likely to capture new markets. To address the global SDG 10 goal of reducing inequality, we must continue to dismantle systemic barriers and promote social and economic inclusion. It’s only through strategic partnerships and collaboration that we can ensure everyone, regardless of their background, has equal access to opportunities and resources. I'm truly honored to be a part of this impactful gathering, and I look forward to the critical conversations that will unfold. https://lnkd.in/gfeF-cvi #sdg10 #equity #blackfounders #reducedinequalities #justice #diversity #inclusion

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As we prepare to celebrate Juneteenth tomorrow, we've been thinking about a recent program with a global tech company. The program focused on honoring and discussing Juneteenth, and imagining how we can all, as individuals and organizations, contribute to a fair and just society. The participants explored Octavia Butler's "The Book of Martha" in small breakout sessions. After the discussion, one participant said: “We talked about how ordinary people are asked to do extraordinary things. That sticks with me as I think about my own commitment to action to drive equity and inclusion.” Learn more about how you can bring Reflection Point to your organization: https://lnkd.in/eWY4fbgb