The Stephen James Partnership’s Post

It's black history month! Our team at POCAM - People of Colour in Advertising & Marketing will be telling stories of black professionals in marketing. Today, I'd love to introduce you to Ozioma Nwabuikwu. Ozioma is a writer and a storyteller. That’s what drew her to advertising. The ability to tell a variety of stories from different verticals like finance, tourism, fashion and healthcare, to her current job of content strategy and freelance writing in the music and entertainment industry. She loves the intersection of culture, community and communications, and her work and writing reflects that. Ozioma has been in content creation for the past five years, as she was dealing with “homesickness and disillusionment with academia as an international student”. She was appointed head of marketing for the African association on campus and it helped her find her passion, and how much she loved to bring people together. As a newcomer to Canada, Ozioma had many odds stacked against her. She worked to understand our systems, our culture, and our student job programs that prioritize Canadian citizens or other degrees. She worked hard to create opportunities for herself and it was this tenaciousness that got her an internship in the Strategy department at Cossette. She was able to successfully break into the industry due to a combination of hard work, networking, and self taught skills, it’s been harder to maintain regular work in our industry due to our current economy. “It feels like there are fewer companies willing to invest in training, mentorship, and retain younger, diverse talent.” This lack of opportunity hasn’t stopped Ozioma from finding freelance work as her greatest accomplishment has been wharf work as a journalist, content strategist in music and entertainment; a great way to merge her love for writing, photography and culture. Ozioma would love to see our industry offer more long-term and intensive internship for diverse folks in an effort to be more inclusive, “Four months isn’t enough time to develop valuable skills and more mentorship should be embedded in internship programs.” Also an effort to transition people from internship to full time, so it doesn’t feel like company’s are checking off a “diversity box”. Her advice to young black talent is to look for those internships, continue networking, and know the experience you’d like to gain in order to work your way to that. This is how Ozioma has built her career, including knowing what her advantage is before taking on opportunities. She knows what she brings to the table, her unique perspective and skillset, and marries that with passion for her work, and the people around her. See more of Ozioma’s work here: https://lnkd.in/g9RbMk6T This POCAM BHM 2024 profile was written by Aleena Mazhar Kuzma, SVP, Managing Director, Partner of FUSE Create and a member of the POCAM - People of Colour in Advertising & Marketing board and steering committee.

Coming back from the holiday season with family and friends, I’m sure I broke the world record for explaining what admission as an attorney is and how one gets to that point. Given how no one has offered to gift me a Mont Blanc pen for admission, they clearly did not understand me. Anyway, it got me thinking about how we do not know how people attain professional certification in their respective fields. That is when my creative juices got flowing. Imagine a Netflix/Showmax series based on the journey of 4 South African graduates who are pushing for professional certification who happen to be roommates in a posh apartment in Jhb North. The four characters will be: Lwando - a Candidate Attorney working at a big law firm, who after a night out wakes up next to someone trying extort money from him. His arc will be trying to sort out the matter while surviving articles. Ntombi- a medical intern at Helen Joseph Hospital, who has toddler she had from her high school who lives with her family in KZN, Her arc will be balancing motherhood and black tax while surviving her internship. Tamsin - a mining engineering intern for a big mining company. Her arc will be based on an investigation over a scandal involving sexist trade unionists, that took place when she was overseeing a blast onsite while working towards certification. Nikola - a trainee accountant working towards being a CA(SA), she is a former Miss SA who is trying to carve a professional career independent of her fame. Her arc will be trying to navigate articles with her fame and the romantic involvement with one of the hotshots in her firm. Outside the dramatic arcs, the series will focus on their daily lives in their jobs, as they learn their trades, struggle and prepare for exams and overall showing what it takes to get there. Just thinking out loud on a Friday night. 🫣😂

I believe Career Services is still useful despite resources like resume examples and interview tips being a search engine away. This combined with declining trust that higher education=job and the lack of urgency students feel toward career readiness and the stress that can come with career decision making, Career Services has to be done differently. A workshop in a centralized location with pizza isn't getting the students. We have to reimagine where and how career readiness happens. With my student worker taking the lead, this evening we are having a Black History Month game night with a popular student organization on campus. Embedded in the Family Feud style game are questions about our office's resources and scattered throughout the program are details of upcoming programs and information on micro-internships. From this students can build relationships (and trust) with our office and be reintroduced to our resources. We asked what they wanted to eat, they said hot wings, we got hot wings. This feels like meeting them where they are.

As we conclude Black History Month, we persist in honoring the invaluable contributions of Black Americans to our society, celebrating their legacy throughout the year. At Manufacturing Registered Apprenticeships, we recognize the profound significance of diversity and inclusion, not just during this designated month, but every day of the year. Our commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace extends beyond mere acknowledgment; it's ingrained in our values. As a Registered Apprenticeship Intermediary, we've witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of apprenticeships in opening doors to individuals of all backgrounds. As we transition into March, we're thrilled to announce our focus on celebrating women in apprenticeship. Throughout March, we'll spotlight the remarkable achievements of women in various apprenticeship programs, showcasing their unwavering dedication and the positive ripple effects they create within their respective fields. Join us in championing diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion – not just as a passing gesture, but as an ongoing commitment to progress. Together, let's continue to pave the way for a more equitable and empowering future for all. #BlackHistoryMonth #WomenInApprenticeship #DiversityandInclusion #EmpoweringFuture

I am more than pleased to share my wonderful experience at the Young Professionals Black Leaders of the Future Event in Leicester Square. This was a truly enthralling experience with began with 2 panel sessions. The first session truly gave me a confidence boost as panellist delved greatly into how I can ensure that I secure a good apprenticeship and the importance of having confidence in yourself and your skills (even when you’re the youngest person in the room). I also asked a question about whether those who do an apprenticeship feel left out of ‘the uni experience’ and I was greatly pleased with the answers I received. The second panel session saw speakers from large companies such as Fragoman, PWC, TLT and Bloomberg. These speakers gave me more insight into the importance of mentoring which had never been stressed to me before. Some of my key takeaways from the panel session were: 1. Think big, start small, move fast and dont be afraid to fail 2. One must take ownership of their education and career journey 3. Your barriers don’t define you, it’s how you overcome them that do and will ultimately determine if you’re successful. In the second half of the event, there was a networking session where I spoke to a plethora of people, however one of the things that stuck was with me were the “Solicitor big three” (technical confidence, team skills & client skills) and the insightful conversation I had with the Fragoman speaker about technological changes and the idea of the social borders. Overall this was an amazing experience which I would highly recommend.

🚀 Exciting News! To kick off our Black History Month celebrations, we’re thrilled to announce that Lloyd Mcleggon-Watkinson will be taking over our LinkedIn page for the next few days! 🎉 Lloyd, a dedicated member of the Science Apprenticeship Forum, will be sharing his personal experiences, insights on increasing diversity in science, and some of the incredible individuals who have inspired him along the way. 💡 Lloyd’s Top Tips for Employers on Promoting Diversity: "Encourage staff to share ideas while keeping in mind that not everyone is confident enough to speak up in large settings. It’s important to provide multiple ways for employees to have a voice. Not everyone is comfortable with open discussions, so make space for quieter conversations that allow interactions to be more accessible. These moments often capture the most unique and valuable ideas!" Great advice from Lloyd as part of our Black History Month takeover! 🌍 Every voice matters—let’s ensure every team member has the chance to contribute. Stay tuned, and be sure to follow along as he shares his journey and perspectives. Don’t forget to connect with him and show your support! 🌟 #BlackHistoryMonth #DiversityInSTEM #ScienceApprenticeships #RisingStar #DiversityInTheWorkplace #InclusionMatters #Leadership

All-In Cincinnati proudly partnered with our esteemed Core Team Member, Iris Roley, a distinguished Black woman community leader advocating for #justice and #racialequity. Under Iris’ leadership, the Policing Accountability and Public Safety Regional Conference convened community leaders, policymakers, and experts to foster dialogue on policing accountability and public safety. All-In Cincinnati continues to support Iris Roley's efforts, aligning with our commitment to promoting justice and racial equity in Cincinnati. 🎯 #GOALS - #3PsImplementation: Creating spaces and opportunities through paid apprenticeships #Paying, positive reinforcement of cultural identity #Pride, and identifying talents and abilities among young Black women #Purpose. - #CommunityEngagement: Collaborating with local organizations to develop policies that support holistic growth in safe, inclusive spaces. 📈 #PROGRESS - Participated in a comprehensive discussion at Cincinnati City Hall, mobilizing community support for effective policy change around safe third spaces. - Successfully collaborated with Iris Roley, by sponsoring and participating in the Policing Accountability and Public Safety Regional Conference. We engaged with #communityleaders and #policymakers in critical discussions on justice and racial equity for young Black women. 📣 #GETINVOLVED - Support young #Blackwomen by providing internships and apprenticeships that contribute to their personal and professional growth. Fill out our questionnaire https://lnkd.in/ebFgmvuy and better equip the #nextgeneration of leaders in our community. - Denisha Porter Sheryl L. Alicia Reece Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney, Esq. #allincincinnati #policyagenda #policychange #systemchange #YouthInitiative #celebratingsuccess #community #policeaccountability #publicsafety #collaboration

Exploring Angus Malcome's Story: A high school graduate at the Australian International School in HCMC shares his experiential journey through an internship at a law firm. Many high school students face uncertainty when selecting a major for college or university. Practical experience can be an excellent method for making well-informed decisions about future career pursuits. Let us delve into Angus's article to understand how he explored his interest in law and how this hands-on experience contributed to his informed decision-making process 👉 https://lnkd.in/exYE_vd2 #juvenismaxime #careerexploration #lawcareer #secondary #experientiallearning #careerproject

According to research, diverse teams make better decisions 87% of the time.... Now in the midst of the last leg of the summer term for students, I am reflecting on the work we do at ACEN (African Caribbean Education Network) to help Black students envision life beyond GCSEs and A'levels and how we support companies to diversify their workforce. Having co-hosted an early careers event in Manchester this year alongside my colleague Aisha Sanusi, it was inspiring to experience the palpable desire to excel as over 100 students found the time on a grey, cold afternoon after a long day at school to attend an inclusive and engaging information event at one of the leading global professional services powerhouses - PwC. Partnering with PwC's Talent Engagement team spearheaded by Sarah Delaney, attendees learned about how, where, and when to apply for the array of early career schemes on offer. The real highlight was the highly interactive Q&A session paneled by newly employed Black undergraduates and school leavers who had successfully gained places on PwC's paid graduate or college leaver programs. Witnessing the enthusiasm and determination of those in attendance, it is evident that these initiatives profoundly impact both students and corporate partners. The opportunity for students to interact with professionals, gain insights into the corporate environment, and visualise their potential futures fosters a sense of possibility and motivation. For corporations, these events are a valuable avenue to engage with diverse talent early, helping to break down barriers and build a more inclusive workforce. A diversified workforce is not only beneficial for social equity but also drives innovation, enhances decision-making, and contributes to increased profitability. We invite more companies to collaborate with us at ACEN to continue this vital work. Our national network uniquely positions us to bridge the gap between able Black students who have valuable contributions to make to the economy and EDI-progressive firms seeking to expand their talent pipelines. Get in touch.

🎉 Celebrating Black History Month! 🙌✨ At Skill Builders Solutions, we want to recognize the remarkable individuals who have advocated for apprenticeship as a powerful training model. Join us in acknowledging these influential figures who have made a significant impact: 1️⃣ Bernard Harris: Dr. Bernard Harris, a former NASA astronaut, has been a strong advocate for apprenticeship programs in the STEM fields. Through the Harris Institute, he has championed initiatives that provide underrepresented communities with hands-on training opportunities and mentorship. 2️⃣ Leah Daughtry: As a political strategist and advocate for workforce development, Leah Daughtry has consistently promoted apprenticeship programs as a means to bridge the skills gap and create pathways to success for African Americans. Her efforts have helped empower individuals to thrive in various industries. 3️⃣ Wes Moore: A bestselling author, social entrepreneur, and advocate for education and workforce development, Wes Moore has been a vocal proponent of apprenticeships. Through his work, he has emphasized the importance of hands-on training and mentorship to equip individuals with the skills needed for success. 4️⃣ Carla Harris: Carla Harris, a renowned businesswoman, author, and motivational speaker, has been a strong advocate for apprenticeship as a training model. Through her speeches and engagements, she has highlighted the value of mentorship and practical learning in fostering professional growth and advancement. Let's celebrate these inspiring individuals and their efforts in promoting apprenticeship as an effective training model. Their advocacy has not only enhanced opportunities for African Americans but has also contributed to the overall advancement of diverse talent in various industries. 🙏💪 #BlackHistoryMonth #ApprenticeshipAdvocates #DiversityandInclusion