Larry Roth CPA, JD’s Post

We come together from different backgrounds, perspectives and expertise, making Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) part of everything we do. Senior Consultant, Savannah Miller, recently spoke at University of Southern California, on how Qvest incorporates DEI into our culture. During the DEI Recruiting Panel, Savannah shared these key insights: ✊ Celebrating differences. Employees are encouraged to join pods and employee resource groups (ERG) aligned to their interests. Whether planning events through the culture pod or making a social impact through the pro bono pod, there is something for everyone. If not, we’re encouraged to start our own. ✍️ Combating socioeconomic disadvantages. Qvest addresses socioeconomic disparities through the New Hire Boot Camp. The new analyst class meets for a week of programming to prepare for life in consulting. This ranges from how to effectively present to conducting stakeholder interviews to pitching proposals. 🤝 Making mentorship multidimensional. Our mentorship program matches new hires with a mentor of similar background or interests. Our Black Leaders and Doers ERG, recently started another mentorship program to provide black employees with support from people with shared experiences. Learn more about upcoming campus events and open positions at https://lnkd.in/gmGKKptH. Applications close April 1st! #LifeatQvest #campusrecruitment #diversity

Make sure you check out the latest edition of Directorship Magazine for insights and wisdom from some of the top minds in corporate governance.

Measuring our impact has always been a sticky challenge—one that defies easy quantification. How do you measure something as intangible as the experience of not quite belonging, but not quite knowing why? I joined the 10,000 Interns Foundation in 2021 with a mandate to answer this question. My task was to author our first ever impact report, assessing whether we were meeting our mission as an organisation. It took me four years to get there. Why? Because the last four years have been dedicated to building an organisation that could support over 50,000 applicants, 1,000 participating organisations, and an alumni community of over 7,000, alongside an unstoppable team.  But more importantly, because the only people that can truly speak to our impact are those affected by our work, and that wasn’t my story to tell in 2021. We’re now finally at a place where we can understand our impact beyond the numbers. Where we can offer a space for people to tell their own story. The result? Pages upon pages of rich insight, personal stories of empowerment, courage, fear, and ultimately, change. So, if you want to know whether we’ve met our original mission of offering improved access to entry for Black talent, you can finally read our first ever impact report. If you want to know what the workplace looks like for Black talent, and what we’re going to do about it over the next 10 years, you can find that in there too... A big thank you to those that trusted me with the the task of pulling together our story, and those of the candidates, interns, and organisations that have engaged with our work. To those that have made this all possible Rebecca Achieng Ajulu-Bushell, David Hutchison, Q5 and Daniel Levy, ClearView Research, Dr. Kenny Imafidon MBE, Dr. Elsa Zekeng, Michael Barrington-Hibbert Wol Kolade Dawid Konotey-Ahulu, Jonathan Sorrell, Faye Woodhead, Stuart Breyer, and the whole 10K team! Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/eDytyh7m

With #BlackHistoryMonth underway, we’ll be celebrating throughout the month by highlighting our Black colleagues from Insight. Meet Nonso Ogbonna. We asked Nonso about his experience at Insight and to share some words of wisdom: ❓ What do you do at Insight? (Nonso) I lead the Business Solutions Engineering team at Insight Partners, made up of product managers, software and data engineers, and solutions architects. We are responsible for delivering scalable enterprise solutions that empower different business teams at Insight to efficiently run, scale, and innovate their functions. Our solutions span the investment, portfolio management, portfolio value creation, investor relations, and firmwide operations business functions. 🧠 What is one thing you wish you had known when you began your career? (Nonso) When I began my career, I wish I had known the power of storytelling and how to use the art to actively promote my work. Staying heads down and merely focusing on doing a great job isn't sufficient to advance your career, as your work may not always speak for itself. You should continuously sell your ideas, validate them with users and stakeholders, and craft compelling narratives about the value you are creating. However, it's important to strike the right balance while doing this so that it feels authentic and not forced. 🤝 Talk about a significant mentorship moment in your life (Nonso) In my professional life, I've been lucky to have not just mentors, but two notable sponsors who believed in me and helped me succeed at different stages. Very early in my career at Goldman Sachs, I was fortunate to have worked under the leadership of Bob Naccarella. During a period of uncertainty regarding my path forward, he gave me an opportunity to switch to a tech strategy and consulting role in his organization, which paved the way for what would become an accelerated career trajectory. I was also fortunate to have met Lisa Opoku mid-way through my career. She gave me numerous opportunities to learn, to showcase my talent, to create value, and to be recognized within the Engineering organization. I am forever grateful to Bob and Lisa for their guidance, support, and advocacy, and I am committed to paying it forward in any way that I can.

“What are you doing for Black History Month?” For starters, being Black. So same ol’ sh*t really! People expect these elaborate celebrations for BHM. But that’s all unnecessary in my view. Because what are we really celebrating? DEI being viewed as a money waster DEI teams being made redundant DEI being labelled as harmful Black people are more or less being CANCELLED. There is nothing to celebrate, respectfully. Apparently, this year’s theme is #reclaimingnarratives Newsflash… A history lesson is not reclaiming narratives FREE panel talks is not reclaiming narratives Food stands in the office is NOT reclaiming narratives You know what IS reclaiming narratives? Equitable access to opportunities for the community. Quantifying impact on how many people helped. Celebrating the present wins. Ultimately creating history for the future 🫡 This is what I am working on ALL YEAR ROUND. Through my agency Beyond Education (BE)   Long story short, BHM is just another day for me. Doing the same ol’ sh*t. Rant over ✌🏾 PS: If you want to book me for a panel talk, please have money cause me & Stephanie have bills to pay. Thanks management x - - - Apply for Finance & Tech Internships in… Sheffield, Birmingham, Manchester etc. Access applications here: https://lnkd.in/eb7Kx3HC Access insight events: https://lnkd.in/ebdGYVPN

At BrainTrust, we take great pride in highlighting the achievements of our members, and today, during Black Business Month, we're excited to celebrate four of our outstanding Black Business Owners. These women are not just running successful businesses; they are disrupting their industries with innovative ideas. Let’s meet them: Kimberly Evans, Just Her Rideshare , Charlotte Hub Just Her Rideshare, Inc. is a rideshare and CMC (community mobility company) made for women by women where women's safety, comfort, and empowerment are prioritized. The company was started in 2020 and is based in Charlotte, NC. Kimberly started this company so that women like herself could have an option to choose how they experience riding with others. The Erica Battle , Life Changes in Progress Educational Consulting, Nashville Hub Schools and organizations look to Erica Battle and her company, Life Changes in Progress Educational Consulting to offer guidance and support when it comes to delivering high-quality data-driven instruction. Her organization is able to offer a neutral lens and uncover the gaps that exist in the teaching and learning continuum. It is through this neutral lens that Life Changes in Progress is able to offer support in the areas of literacy instruction for all content areas, how to address the Social and Emotional Needs of Students, identifying bias and how it affects instructional delivery and decisions, and how school culture contributes to student success. Domonique Townsend, LSSMBB , We Optimize Work , Nashville Hub We Optimize Work an organizational design and operations consulting firm for companies in the manufacturing industry. They help companies solve the biggest challenges in employee engagement and avoid multimillion-dollar losses in turnover and productivity costs. They do this by helping leaders engage their teams in developing strategic approaches that support company objectives. Jacqueline Hayes, MBA, PCM® , Crayons & Marketers, Nashville Hub Crayons & Marketers is a full-service marketing company building results-driven marketing programs for firms looking to see a good return on their marketing dollars. Unlike more conventional marketers, Crayons & Marketers creates agile 90-day marketing plans that are goal-oriented and results-driven, with a strong emphasis on thought leadership and content marketing. These plans help guide marketing campaigns that are centered around tactics that make sense for your business: from digital to traditional, online to print. Paid advertising to public relations.

Good morning Canadian advertising and marketing, on this first day of Black History Month. Please say hello to Barry Alexander. Barry is Chief Marketing & Diversity Officer for the Canadian Marketing Association (CMA). He has two decades of industry experience as a strategy leader and brand marketer. After investing his energy (and university course load) in finance, Barry happened to take a strategy and marketing analytics course in his 3rd year. He discovered that developing relationships between people and brands to build business challenged and energized him. He decided on a career in marketing. On graduating, Barry began working at HJ Heinz, still one of his favourite marketing roles; he hasn’t looked back. His career has given him experiences he never thought possible in his youth and the chance to meet others with interesting stories. As a BIPOC professional, Barry faced unique career challenges, navigated microaggressions and bias and even saw his resume and credentials questioned simply because of his background. Like many other BIPOC marketers, he never had a BIPOC mentor and now knows the socio-economic rationales for it. But he also believes the hurdles he and others faced are being gradually removed for future BIPOC marketers in Canada. In his current role, Barry engages with industry DEI stakeholders and partners, something he didn’t think possible a decade ago. It’s one of the most exciting parts of his job. With the collective commitment of countless allies, leading organizations and BIPOC leaders, Barry believes that active and energizing change is underway. He quotes data from CMA’s 2023 DE&I study; 90% say their companies aspire to (or have) diverse and more inclusive leadership. Employees in those companies are reporting positive experiences. Career opportunities in underserved communities have grown year over year. “There is a long way for us to go, but the community that has assembled to help at each step will ease the journey,” Barry says. Barry takes a personal approach to mentorship. He loves how incredibly bright and driven early career marketers are and how they dream big. “The opportunity it presents is exciting,” says Barry, “not only for them but for all of us. Their insights are worth investing time in. I hope my insights provide half the return I’ve received from their stories.” He offers anyone he mentors three guiding principles from his career: - Focus: develop the skills you need to demonstrate for your career’s current AND next chapters. Make sure where you are in the moment always serves that growth. - Effort: do your utmost to make the most of the moment. You may not win just now, but you will consistently be better equipped for the next challenge. - Attitude: it’s the difference between being overwhelmed and finding unexpected blessings in tough situations. Keep consistently positive. Always think about what you can learn from the moment you’re in and how to use it to make an impact. #BHM2024 

Welcome to the Black Excellence Fair 2024- Where Excellence Meets Opportunity! At Black Excellence Fair, we go beyond being just an event; we are a powerful movement designed to Uplift, Celebrate and Empower the Incredible diversity and Innovation of Black owned businesses and professionals. Our Mission Is Clear --- to make a significant difference in the lives of our community and beyond. We firmly believe in the transformative power of excellence. What to Expect at Black Business Fair 2024: 1. Products/Service Exhibition: Discover a wide array of products and services offered by Black -owned businesses. From fashion to technology, health and wellness to culinary delights, you'll find it all in one place. 2. Careers Expo: Explore exciting Career Opportunities, job openings and connect with companies committed to diversity and inclusion. 3.Training & Workshops: Gain Valuable insights and skills from experts in various industries through our hands -on workshops and training sessions. 4. Business Pitching: witness the ingenuity of Black entrepreneurs as they present their ground breaking ideas and innovations in our pitch competition. 5.Entrepreneurship Clinic: Receive Personalized guidance, mentorship and support to kick-start or scale your own business venture. 6.Networking & Matchmaking: connect with like-minded individuals, potential partners and investors to foster collaborations and growth. 7. Creative Industries showcase: Celebrate the artistic talents of the Black community, from visual arts to music and more. 8.Tech Festival: Dive into the latest in tech innovation, from start-ups to established tech companies. 9. Awards and Recognition: Join us in honouring those who have made exceptional Contributions to the Black business community. Black Excellence Fair 2024 is more than just a gathering; it's an opportunity to change the narrative, create lasting connections and empower excellence.

#6 Motivational Mondays - In honor of this being the First Black History Month “Monday”, let’s take a short quiz: Who was the first Black CEO of a Fortune 500 company (answer provided at end of post)? Being the first to do anything in life comes with pressure, but it also comes with pride. That’s why every day, I try to practice being first. The first to smile. The first to initiate a conversation. The first to ask someone a personal question. The first to admit a mistake. The first to listen. The first to compliment someone else. The first to admit when I am wrong. The first to laugh at myself. The first to apologize. We all want the same things at work. To be seen. To be appreciated. To feel valued. To be recognized. To feel connected to the larger enterprise. To have Fun! So take a minute this week and be the first to invite a colleague to lunch you’ve never dined with before. Be the first to send a co-worker a note complimenting them on a project they’re leading or recently completed. Be the first to introduce yourself to that colleague you’ve passed in the hallway 10 times and keep wondering who they are and what do they do? One of the main things I have learned throughout my working experience is that people want to connect with other people in the workplace. But many, if not most, are shy to be the first to initiate making that human connection. So be courageous, take the first step and be the first this week to create a new human connection. Circle back and share what was your experience like being the First. Answer to the Quiz: It wasn't until 1987 that an African American CEO became the head of a major Fortune 500 company. That year, Dr. Clifton R. Wharton, Jr. took the helm of what's now known as TIAA, one of the worlds largest pension funds holding assets of more than $1 trillion. Dr. Wharton later went on to become the Deputy Secretary of State under President Bill Clinton, the first African American to ever hold this post.  Have a great Black History Month and be sure to participate and support in your company’s celebration. 

Throughout Black History Month, we've been honored to showcase the remarkable individuals within our team. We shared their stories and insights driving innovation and progress at NYSERDA. In our final spotlight, learn more about Emara Lewis, Shared Services Manager, Central Business Services. ➡️ What do you do in your role at NYSERDA? I am the Shared Services Manager on the Central Business Services team. The Shared Services team provides administrative and operational support to multiple programs across NYSERDA. ➡️ What led you to work at NYSERDA/Clean Energy? I was inspired by NYSERDA's commitment to the environment and by the individuals who drive innovation and change within the clean energy sector. ➡️ What advice would you give to those who are looking to work in this field? Start by researching different career paths and identifying which ones align with your skills and interests. Consider different pathways to gain experience through nontraditional options. There are many opportunities that vary from finance, legal, operations, IT, and project management. ➡️ Who inspires you or has inspired your passion for clean energy? My passion for clean energy was sparked by working with dedicated groundbreakers who are driven to find and create solutions to the current energy challenges. They inspire me to keep learning and contributing to help build a more sustainable future.