Yesterday, our office celebrated an exciting new addition. Our President and Founder, Ryan Wood, CFP®, ChFC®, and his wife, Miranda Wood, revealed the gender of their baby. They will be welcoming their daughter, Ryleigh, in November of this year!
Confidence is tough to come by sometimes, but Dolly makes it seem so matter-of-fact, so natural. The question is, why doesn’t it seem so natural to everyone? More often than not, we’re standing in our own way when it comes to being confident and self-assured.
We allow others to have power over us with their words and actions.
We hear what others say and allow their voice to be louder than our own.
We begin to question ourselves, our skills and knowledge, our actions, our words… until our confidence is gone. Replaced by insecurity, doubt, imposter syndrome….
Take notes from Dolly! Failure is a learning experience. Be yourself. Make your inner voice sound like your own version of Dolly so it will drown out the rest of the naysayers and noise.
Through her journey, Myers exemplifies the resilience, determination and unwavering spirit of working mothers — proving that with faith, support and determination, anything is possible. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gJgBgpAJ
STLMade!
Shop Local at These 23 St. Louis Stores We Love in 2023
You have a lot of places you can shop this season, but when you love local you get uniquely different gifts that keep your spending right here in the metro. Check out this great local shopping guide from the @LadueNews for some ideas: https://bit.ly/3QPXsnG#stlmade
St. Louis receives perfect score in annual Human Rights Campaign equality report
St. Louis received a perfect score in the @HRC 2023 Municipal Equality Index for its support of the local queer community. The Index is a comprehensive nationwide assessment of LGBTQ+ equality in communities. More: https://bit.ly/40MxNAM#stlpride
Missouri Technology Corp. invests in 5 St. Louis startups, names new board chair
Five #stlmade startups are included in the latest round of funding from @MoTechCorp. The $2.4M in equity funding marks the fourth round of capital from a $95M allocation through the U.S. Treasury Department's State Small Business Credit Initiative. More: https://bit.ly/3SPsgaB
Four years ago, after the murder of George Floyd, corporate America made fervent promises to reform its workforce and earmarked billions of dollars for racial justice initiatives. Now, some of those same companies are under fire for the DEI policies they championed. Anti-DEI critics argue some of the initiatives amount to reverse discrimination and make the workplace less welcoming.
What do you think? Has the backlash impacted you? Do you think DEI programs are working in your workplace?
Fill out our survey at the link below -- or, if you prefer, send me a message with your thoughts: sfoxman4<at>bloomberg<dot>net
https://lnkd.in/evDunM-M
(A link directly to the survey is in the comments.)
We want to hear from you!
DEI initiatives are under attack — but are they working for you?
Do you feel you have benefitted or been harmed by DEI? What would you like to change about your company’s programs? Where is DEI working well within your company and where is it failing?
Jump directly to the survey in the link in comments below.
National CROWN day, celebrated annually on July 3, commemorates a pivotal moment in the fight for racial equity and the recognition of natural hair as a fundamental element of self expression.
This special day marks the inaugural signing of the CROWN act legislation in California in 2019, a groundbreaking law that prohibits discrimination based on hairstyle and hair texture in the workplace and public schools.
The Crown act, an acronym for “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural hair”addresses the systemic bias and discrimination, faced by individuals with natural hair, particularly Black folks, who have historically been subjugated to prejudice and limitations based on their hairstyles.
This legislation, born from the tireless advocacy of the Crown Coalition, a diverse group of organizations and individuals dedicated to eradicating hair discrimination, stands as a beacon of progress, ensuring that individuals can express their cultural identity and unique beauty through their natural hair without fear of judgment or exclusion.
National Crown Day serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing fight for racial justice and the vital importance of recognizing and celebrating the beauty and diversity of natural hair. It encourages continued advocacy and action to ensure that all individuals have the freedom to embrace their authentic selves, regardless of their hairstyle or texture.
The Unboring Sales Enablement Specialist 🌟 Sales Leader Creating Career Ready Champions Ensuring That Those New To Sales Have The Tools They Need To Have Long, Successful Careers Through Signature Unboring Workshops.
🏠✨ In the spring of 2023, I proudly became a homeowner as a single black mother, guided by a phenomenal black female real estate agent, and sealed the deal with a handshake from a fellow black man, in the community of the oldest continuously operating historically African American civic associations in New York State. 🙌🏾
But here's the kicker: the other night, while enjoying a peaceful dinner with my daughter, our tranquility was rudely interrupted by the incessant ringing of our doorbell. And guess what greeted me when I opened the door? "May I speak to the man of the house?" 🙄
Cue the eye roll! Needless to say, his sales pitch didn't quite land.
But here's the thing—I'm no stranger to this scenario. From landscapers to contractors, the astonishment at the idea of a single black woman owning her own home is all too familiar. It's almost comical, if it weren't so concerning. I find myself mentioning my nearby family almost reflexively, as if to ward off any potential threats.
It's reminiscent of my days behind the wheel, navigating a truck through the bustling streets of Metro NYC. (Yes, all this 5'2 energy was whipping around a trailer) Every time I backed into a loading dock, I'd inevitably be met with the same question: "Where's your partner?" 🤦🏾♀️
Well, newsflash—I am my own partner, thank you very much!
Interestingly, it's 'easier' for society to accept me as an entrepreneur than it is as a homeowner. But why should I wait for a husband to give me permission to invest in myself? As for those husband applications— let's just say it's not only open, but I'm eagerly awaiting the right candidate to fill the position! But hey, let's stay focused! 😉
Let's normalize the presence of black mothers in every aspect of life, from the boardroom to the living room. Together, we're rewriting the narrative and paving the way for future generations!
#BlackHomeownership#Empowerment#BreakingBarriers#NormalizeBlackExcellence 🖤✨
Oprah drove in a key message about her motivations which resonates keenly.
At All Things Black and Beautiful, we advocate for empowering our communities, inspiring future generations, and leaving a lasting impact. The money comes as we chase purpose.
So what's the “why" behind your hustle and what keeps you pushing boundaries?
Share with us in the comments.
#financialliteracymonth#blackexcellence#blackbusinessowners#blackempowerment#blackbusinessesmatter
International Speaker | Executive Coach
3moExciting new chapter for sure. Life changing. Congrats you two.