Dewey Norwood Jr.

According to a report from The Executive Leadership Council, strong CEO leadership is crucial for success with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. In a survey of 180 Black executives, 73% of those who rated their companies as strong DEI performers credited their CEOs with driving DEI strategy. Companies with robust DEI initiatives also showed high rates of job satisfaction and retention. Despite pushback and legal challenges, sustaining and improving DEI programs remains important. Executives highlighted positive business practices, clear role responsibilities, alignment with company values, and equitable compensation as key factors. To drive DEI goals forward, leaders should communicate about DEI’s impact on business performance, provide equitable access, and enhance corporate culture.

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Today, as we commemorate Juneteenth, we not only celebrate the emancipation of enslaved African Americans but also acknowledge the enduring journey towards freedom and equality. This day serves as a poignant reminder of the progress made, a reminder of the future progression needed, and the continuous efforts required to achieve true inclusivity in our society. Let's celebrate the culture, contributions, and resilience of the African American community, and let's pledge to keep pushing forward, together, towards a more equitable future. #Juneteenth #DiversityandInclusion https://accntu.re/4chSCbU

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A very insightful and relatable perspective. The load is quite heavy.

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Solidarity Required Attacks by racists are not new Or surprising The way forward has been articulated over and over again. These are not new or open questions and when the response centers the views of women racialized as white, it is not particularly inspiring. As the lollipop woman said in 2017, we’ve been telling y’all for a long time. Here is a comprehensive research study with an action agenda that provides root cause analysis and ways to move forward. For those interested in actually making change not talking about skirmishes. https://lnkd.in/eym2tDQx

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The U.S. economy is leaving $16 trillion on the table by ignoring Black-owned companies. That’s the national conversation now underway, thanks to the newest story on the issue from Fortune leadership editor Ruth Uhmo. She intreviewed Moses Harris, head of the Black/African American segment at Wells Fargo Commercial Banking, which funded the first-ever focused research with the National Center for the Middle Market on Black-owned companies with $25MM-$500MM in annual revenue. (Download free report here: https://lnkd.in/gGmHaMq8) Moses told Ruth: “We don’t really ask white people, ‘What has racism stolen from you?’ And I think unequivocally, as American citizens, we can say that this cost us all $16 trillion due to the lack of inclusion for diverse businesses… It’s better schools, better roads, better transportation. It’s all the things we can do with all that extra capital. That’s why this matters.” https://lnkd.in/gtzA6w7F Kristy Williams Fercho Matt Hurwitz Ruth Jacks Jud Murchie U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. Minority Business Development Agency - U.S. Department of Commerce National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) Doug Farren Kim (Roseler) Barnhart The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business

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Learn from Ms. Valerie!

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Calling all Corporate and Non-profit sectors to join forces. In our ongoing efforts to close the racial wealth gap and amplify the impact of our work, we must explore innovative approaches. Drawing from my experience in Corporate America at Citizens Bank and Bank of America, I've seen firsthand the power of a Shared Services Model for cost-saving and efficiency. However, the non-profit sector, particularly grassroots organizations, often operates with limited funds and tight budgets. One area where this limitation is keenly felt is in communication and marketing efforts. Many organizations require PR and marketing support but may not always justify a full-time hire. That's why I'm proposing exploring a shared services model for communication and marketing. By pooling our resources and expertise, we can collectively leverage professional communication and marketing strategies at a fraction of the cost. With a shared services model, organizations could access PR and marketing professionals as needed, ensuring that our messages are effectively communicated and our impact stories reach the right audiences. Team RIBBA is eager to discuss this concept further and explore how to make it a reality to support the non-profit sector meaningfully. Would you be interested in joining the conversation? Thanks for considering this initiative. We're the change-makers! Let's disrupt the status quo of doing business, as it often holds many small organizations back from reaching their fullest potential. Together, let's break down barriers and create new pathways for success. Please DM me with any initial thoughts on this idea. Together, we can make a difference. #change #success #leadershipmatters #doers #sharedservicemodel #bold #impact #leaders #partnership

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Centuries to parity for Black Americans “The nation’s suburbs and exurbs have the highest overall Black outcome scores. They come out on top or as runner-up across seven of our eight aspirations, leading in metrics such as median household income ($79,000), workers in management roles (36 percent), life expectancy (78 years), and bachelor’s degree attainment (29 percent). But less than 12 percent of Black Americans live in the urban periphery, five percentage points lower than the share of the total US population in this community profile.” McKinsey does not do normative analysis but we do and so do hundreds of scholars and policy wonks. The way to improving the situation for Black people in America is not opaque and unknowable. We need to get to work. Link to the Levers of Change in the comments and the McKinsey Juneteenth newsletter

Just read an insightful article on workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion! It captures the full breadth of DEI work. Highly recommend checking it out! 🌈 #DEI #InclusionMatters

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Today I had the honor of being on a panel entitled - Embracing Culture: The Strength and the Challenge at the SHRM #ExecNetwork experience at the #SHRM24 Conference. My fellow panelists were: John Ferguson, SHRM-CP, PHR of NASCAR DeRetta Cole Rhodes, PhD of Atlanta Braves Beth Goldstein served as our amazing moderator! As the Global Head of Belonging, I recognize that culture is the bedrock of our identity—it influences every facet of our organization. Yet, the journey through cultural landscapes is not without its complexities. In our session, we will confronted the "culture paradox," examining its influence on leadership, collaboration, and personal growth. We explored strategies for enhancing employee engagement, refining team dynamics, and fostering a culture that is both positive and inclusive. Participants hopefully departed with a strategic blueprint to harness the distinctive power of our organization's culture. If you were in our session please comment below on your own takeaways! #Belonging = #Inclusion * (#Diversity + #Equity) ^ #Accessibility

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Is The Time Right? Will the world be able to hear this poignant and brilliant message? Being rendered invisible and constantly questioned is the fate of Black women in leadership. That is for the average performer. High fliers and creative change makers like Nwamaka Agbo, MPA would face more direct aggression as she represents a threat to the ways things are meant to be. The not for profit sector is unexceptional but performs this violence in specific ways. Koritha Mitchell in her Know Your Place aggression offers theoretical perspectives. In the Levers of Change project, we provide root cause analysis and an action agenda to tackle this including by empowering change agents, producing conceptual frameworks and building movements. Black women leaders should take comfort that we are not alone and have a community to draw on. • Theresa M. Robinson, ABD Lisa Hurley Tara Jaye Frank De-Dee Loftin Davis Cathy-Mae Karelse, PhD Anne Elaine Price Gwendolyn Hampton VanSant

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A national conversation about overlooked Black owners of middle market companies has begun: Savoy -- the nation's leading African American lifestyle and business magazine -- is reporting on the first-ever research focused exclusively on Black owners of middle market businesses. The report -- "2024 Insights and Perspectives from Black Leaders in the Middle Market,” published by the National Center for the Middle Market at The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business -- was commissioned by Wells Fargo. Download it here: https://lnkd.in/gGmHaMq8 Savoy quotes Moses Harris, head of Wells Fargo Commercial Banking's Black/African American Segment: “This is the beginning of a journey. A journey to uncover the overlooked ― owners of Black middle market companies. We’re doing this to elevate their stories, to expand their access to capital and customers, and to support their overdue, equitable participation in the global economy. Stories, coupled with data, have the power to change systems, unlock product innovation, and design better policy benefitting generations to come.”   National Black Chamber of Commerce National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Minority Business Development Agency - U.S. Department of Commerce National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) Jud Murchie Doug Farren Kimberly (Roseler) Barnhart The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business Matt Hurwitz Cynthia Sugiyama Lauren McDonald Lori Beecher Sam Arenson Jennifer Doll Vanessa Meacham-Cherry Karen Kistenmacher Angelica Favela Trina Shepherd Sanders Adu Caroline White Nicole Goodkind

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Check out my conversation with Charlotte Hughes MS, CDP, SHRBP, CPLP of Inclusive Leaders Group - Why Companies Should Rethink & Reframe their Approach to DEI – a Conversation With Fields Jackson, Jr.  https://lnkd.in/e4ShcHBU

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I was DELIGHTED to attend the second annual Black Economic Alliance (BEA) Solutions Summit (the "BEA Solutions Summit") yesterday! The Black Economic Alliance is a non-partisan alliance of Black business leaders and allies focused on driving economic progress for the Black community through public policy, advocacy and engagement with government and business leaders. The BEA Solutions Summit underscored the importance of ACTION in critical areas such as housing, entrepreneurship, jobs, and workforce development. The discussions emphasized the need to transform Black economic opportunity from the EXCEPTION into the NORM. The speakers provided a wealth of INSIGHT, shedding light on ACTIONABLE strategies for promoting economic GROWTH within the Black community! The event featured DISTINGUISHED speakers including: #EricHolder, former United States Attorney General, #LetitiaJames, New York State Attorney General; MARC MORIAL, President and CEO, National Urban League; our very own -- Deloitte Chief Purpose and DEI Officer, Kwasi Mitchell; and many, many other OUTSTANDING LEADERS. The summit also featured Vice President #KamalaHarris in a special video message to the attendees. Additionally, the Summit served as a forum to address the ongoing discussions on corporate racial diversity initiatives. The dialogue revolved around the COLLECTIVE role we ALL play in REINFORCING the IMPORTANCE of diversity, equity and inclusion in EVERY business strategy. As we move forward, the insights from the BEA Solutions Summit will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping our strategies. The conversations were both COMPELLING and INSPIRING, REAFFIRMING the necessity and the urgency of the work ahead. I extend my HEARTIEST congratulations to Samantha Tweedy, CEO, Black Economic Alliance and the entire Black Economic Alliance team on organizing yet another OUTSTANDING event!! #BlackEconomicAlliance #BEA #SolutionsSummit #Deloitte #TeamNewYork

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Empowered at the Global Black Economic Forum Being in the room at the Global Black Economic Forum as this report was unveiled was empowering beyond words. Witnessing leaders come together to advocate for Black and marginalized communities was truly inspiring. The discussions underscored the transformative power of integrating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) into organizational strategies. Three Key Callouts for Leaders: 1. Empowerment and Accountability: Leaders must own DEI initiatives with clear goals and accountability. 2. Inclusive Innovation: Diverse teams fuel innovation and market access. 3. Inclusive Talent Systems: Design systems to support and retain diverse talent. #LeadershipDevelopment #Equity #GlobalBlackEconomicForum #Advocacy #Inclusion #Diversity #Transformation #DrDeenaSpeaks #PositiveImpact #dailybrew #kornferry

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Nonprofit Quarterly's Spring Issue on the state of Black women in nonprofit leadership is a must read. It’s the alarm, in a long series of alarms, we need to take seriously if we wish to secure our collective vision of an equitable and regenerative society. The series also grounds us in hope and possibility with stories of Black women leadership is paving a pathway for new futures. My colleague, Jennifer Swayne Njuguna, Esq. SHRM-SCP contributed to this collection in her piece “It isn’t Lonely at the Top - It’s Downright Scary: The Reckoning Needed for Black Women Leaders.” She writes: “Society has always relied on Black women’s labor but harbored deep fear and resistance to our power. There is an underlying assumption that our power will mean the same kind of power over, domination, and harm reflected in our country’s founding and current existence. Instead, Black women have shown that power can be with, it can be shared, and it is not based on a single, patriarchal hero. It is found in community and it can also be influential and used to get things done—things that would fundamentally change our world into one we have yet to know.” If we want to see the leaders featured in this collection and more find and stay in positions where they are able to shape the outcomes of a world we seek to all thrive in - we need to deeply invest in their leadership, as well as trust and amplify their power. https://lnkd.in/g7xKVE-N

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Several weeks ago, I accepted 1BusinessWorld CEO's personal invitation to speak at the Global #DEI 2024 Conference, which brings together leading DEI experts from around the world to discuss best practices as well as challenges, outcomes and impact. I am looking forward to speaking at 2:30PM (EST) on May 30 on my favorite theme, "Bridging the Home Ownership Divide." Please, click the link below to learn how you can join the important discussion on making everyone feel noticed, heard, valued, encouraged and supported to enjoy "life, liberty and pursuit of happiness." https://lnkd.in/g-zcty2R

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