U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Post

Despite our challenges, Americans are optimistic AND they believe in business to help bring us together. As leaders, job creators, and problem-solvers, employers are a beacon of credibility and possibility. How is your organization working to elevate civics knowledge, skills, and disposition? We'd love to talk to you about where to start and how employers of all sizes can strengthen communities and our country through civics.

And the fifth challenge that education and nonprofit leaders face is that these other four challenges (increased stress, under-developed leadership skills, nonexistent leadership development opportunities, overwhelmed supervisors) disproportionately impact leaders of color due to the racial discrimination they experience on a daily basis in their roles and the structural and interpersonal racism they experience daily. Some concrete examples include:  🔹 Applicants for roles with white-sounding names received, on average, 50% more callbacks for interviews than equally qualified applicants with Black-sounding names. The researchers estimated that just being white conferred the same advantages as an additional 8 years of work experience, which is a dramatic head start over equally qualified Black candidates. (Bertrand & Mullainathan 2004)  🔹 Leaders of color experience racial inequities at work frequently, which can lead to racial trauma with mental health symptoms such as anxiety & depression and physical health symptoms such as stomachaches, headaches, and rapid heartbeat. (SHRM 2021) 🔹 Black women in the nonprofit sector report unsupportive work environments, overwhelming workloads and experiences of microaggression. Additionally, they report overwhelming exhaustion, chronic stress, and burnout as they navigate their roles. (Washington Area Women’s Foundation 2023)  🔹 The above is all in addition to the challenges outlined in my previous four posts that impact all education and nonprofit leaders.

During Women's History Month, let's take a moment to consider the powerful contributions of Black women in leadership roles. How are Black women supported in academic leadership, and what are the unique contributions they bring which might benefit the university? How are those contributions helpful in not only diversifying the talent pool from which we draw, but also the powerful draw they bring as women and students of color see new possibilities through their contributions? The Misogynoir to Mishpat (M2M) Research Network

💫 Owning your brilliance isn’t just a goal; it’s a necessity in today’s demanding corporate world. Too often, Black women leaders are left navigating challenges alone, feeling unheard, or burning out while trying to make an impact. 💥 This is why I created the Brilliant Colours™ Circle—to ensure you don’t have to walk this journey on your own. Inside, you’ll find monthly coaching, hot seat opportunities, and mentorship panels. This ecosystem empowers Black women leaders to rise above obstacles and lead with confidence. No one should have to dim their light to fit in. You deserve a community that lifts you higher. Because when you rise, your impact ripples beyond the boardroom. Let’s start this journey together. The link to learn more is in the comments. Join us today and start leading boldly.

In 2023, Social Innovation + Change Initiative at Harvard Kennedy School launched a pilot for a new executive education program, "Power, Innovation, and Leadership." This program emerged from the intention to combine Co-Founder of Black Voters Matter Fund LaTosha Brown's grassroots organizing skills with Julie Battilana's expertise in leading SICI. The two collaborated to create the program, which brought together participants from various sectors to enhance the leadership skills of people managing programs for Black women and girls in the South. For more on the program's origins and growth, read USA TODAY's article: https://lnkd.in/eRxB9xvW.

🚨 Racial justice is under attack—and organizations face unprecedented external pressures to stay silent. From overturning Affirmative Action to dismantling DEI programs, the powerful forces opposing equity work are louder than ever. But silence isn’t safety—it’s complicity. Leaders, it’s time to rethink how we approach racial justice. Articulation isn’t just “talk”—it’s action. Clear, bold communication anchors accountability, aligns teams, and builds resilience in the face of backlash. Without it, even the best intentions can crumble under pressure. In my latest piece, I explore: ➡️ Why articulation in racial justice work is foundational, not optional. ➡️ How external pressures shape (and threaten) organizational commitments. ➡️ The risks of silence—for your mission, staff, and community trust. ➡️ Practical steps for leaders to speak boldly and act consistently. This isn’t the time to soften your stance. It’s time to double down. Read the full article here: 👇🏾

Black women have long been socialised to prioritise harmony and avoid conflict—especially in the workplace. Why? Because we’ve been conditioned to fear being labelled as "aggressive" or "angry." I know I played it safe for a long time → Smiling through discomfort. → Nodding even when I disagreed. → Swallowing my frustration to avoid the stereotype. But it all came at a cost. The constant pressure to suppress my true feelings completely drained me I wasn’t showing up as me, and it impacted my confidence and how I saw myself. And this is the reality for so many Black women in the workplace. We often feel like we have to retreat within ourselves just to survive. But there comes a point when we need to stop just surviving and start thriving. That’s where intentional change comes in. If you’re ready to stop hiding who you are and step into your fullness, join me for a special workshop - Step Into Your Future: Aligning Your Vision with Your True Self on Wednesday, 23rd October at 7 PM. This free event will help you create a personal vision statement that aligns with your values and strengths so you can lead with confidence and authenticity. But here’s the thing- this workshop is exclusively for members of The Confidence Club. So, if you want to attend and join an empowering community of ambitious Black women, now’s the time to join. Don’t miss this opportunity to invest in your growth and your future. See you inside the club https://buff.ly/3zqjGYQ Nic ✌🏾❤️ —---------------- Hi I'm Nicola, a confidence and leadership coach who helps amazing ambitious introverted Black female leaders gain the skills and confidence to shine their light and receive the recognition they deserve🤩

Are you one of the few—if not the only—Black woman in your college or university’s administration? Do you feel exhausted, if not outright overwhelmed by the challenges of the current higher education environment? Do you yearn for more support, meaningful mentorship, or professional development, but because Black women are underrepresented in your administration, you don’t have someone who shares your experiences, or whose career path you can emulate to turn to for growth opportunities? If you said YES to any of these questions, then you could be a good fit for Shield.ed, the leadership institute for Black women in higher education that I started with my colleague, Yohlunda Mosley. My unique partnership with Yohlunda combines our insights into institutional structures, leadership dynamics, and systemic challenges as well as our nuanced understanding of the emotional and mental well-being of Black women. We aim to create innovative solutions that address both the external barriers and the internal struggles faced by Black women in higher education. Through a comprehensive approach that integrates professional development and counseling, with mental health development infused into every aspect of programming, Yohlunda and I strive to cultivate an environment that uplifts Black women and ensures their success without compromising their well-being. If you’re a Black woman struggling to find your footing in higher education and Shield.ed sounds like it could provide relief and support, I hope you will reach out to me. I can share more of my experience, and what the leadership institute can offer you. Discover more information about Shield.ed in the comment section. #blackwomeninhighered #blackwomenineducation

As Massachusetts' only state-certified MBE lobbying firm, the Delaney Policy Group sees this as a troubling indicator of current local, state, and national dynamics. It's not that there's a lack of Black (or other minority) talent capable of operating at the highest level. It's that organizations that aren't founded or grounded in communities of color are quick to retreat to the comfort of old, outdated models of leadership and conceptions of what constitutes a leader. The "oh well, we tried" approach isn't sufficient for our current times. Shirley Leung and Boston Globe Media point out correctly that this is a time to rigorously assess and courageously embrace the kind of leadership that we need. As we approach the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding, we need to move forward to face current conditions, not retreat. #mass250 #leadership #mapoli #bospoli #blacklobbyist #racialequity #socialequity #economicdevelopment Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts NAACP Office of Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce New England Council Massachusetts State Senate Massachusetts House of Representatives The Boston Foundation United Way National Black Professional Lobbyists Association Congressional Black Caucus Foundation BLACK AND LATINO CAUCUS The Black Chamber of Commerce of Massachusetts SRGE Harvard University Andrei M. Black on Beacon Hill https://lnkd.in/eKXJYCCN

"As a Black woman who frequently discusses issues of race and racism, I’ve seen this pattern play out repeatedly. These reactions aren’t unique to me; they’re a common experience for many Black women who navigate online spaces or engage in public discourse. They highlight a broader challenge in conversations about privilege: the difficulty some have in hearing critiques without taking them as personal attacks. In Jewish tradition, we are taught the value of tochecha—rebuke given with the intent to improve and heal. Again not about blame or personal attack but about holding one another accountable to higher standards of justice. Similarly, cheshbon hanefesh, an accounting of the soul, reminds us to reflect on our role in systems of inequity, even if it’s uncomfortable. These practices teach us to listen, learn, and grow, rather than deflect or center ourselves. The goal of all of this is to foster growth. Growth requires humility, self-awareness, and the willingness to engage with discomfort. Listening without defensiveness is an essential first step. It creates the space needed to reflect on systemic inequities and begin dismantling them." https://lnkd.in/eFUiPT4T