Lydia Smith, MBA

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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By 2036 the United States is projected to face a shortage of up to 86,000 physicians. As a telehealth platform, Ask Me Your MD, Inc. (AMY MD) doesn’t just connect you with a doctor… AMYMD’s model turns one doctor into 10. While also reducing cost for the patient and insurer PLUS reducing the time It takes to see a specialist. The symptom = lack of access to a physicians/specialists. The root cause = we don’t have enough doctors. <—-AMY MD. It’s been a pleasure to see the fruits of Patricia Kelly Marsh, MD labor. …and that non-dilutive funding just hits different 😎 lol ✅ P.S. if you’re in town for the gener8tor healthcare conference next week, stop by for our dinner and showcase to learn more about Ask Me Your MD, Inc. (AMY MD) RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/dJvBecVB Prosper HealthTech Accelerator 🕶️ a vision of Prosper 🔋powered by gener8tor

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The Untold Pressure: Black Professionals in a White-Dominated Workplace Discover the untold pressure that black professionals face in white-dominated work environments. Gain insights into the challenges they encounter and the need for organizations to understand and address these issues. #BlackProfessionals #WorkplaceDiversity #InclusionMatters #EquityAtWork #CorporateCulture #MinoritizedVoices #RacialEquality #WorkplaceChallenges #DiversityandInclusion #EmployeeAdvocacy

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🙌🏾 Big shoutout to @NickyGibson for offering her invaluable perspective on the significance of #Juneteenth! This is a moment for us to acknowledge history, honor the struggles and triumphs of the past, and leverage the knowledge gained to forge a unified path toward a brighter future!   Learn more about #LifeAtMcKesson and our commitment to building an inclusive culture built on care, meaning, and belonging: https://bit.ly/McKCareers3

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Today, as we celebrate Juneteenth, I'm reminded of its significant stature in our history—𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆. It marks the day when news of emancipation finally reached enslaved African Americans in Texas, over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. This delay tragically prolonged the denial of freedom and justice, underscoring the importance of transparent and timely information.   To me, Juneteenth serves as a painful and profound reminder of the essential pillars of education, empowerment and ethical engagement – to learn from the past and pave a way for a more equitable, just, connected and prosperous future. Luminaries like Opal Lee (an activist, educator and the “grandmother of Juneteenth"), whose relentless resolve led to Juneteenth being recognized as a national holiday, illustrate how we can preserve that history while progressing and persevering through ongoing challenges of equity, empathy, awareness and access.   I remain committed to using my platform to express the perspectives, experiences and ambitions of diverse and underserved communities. And to honor #Juneteenth, I encourage you to educate yourself and your networks about our shared history and its significant impact on the current state and future possibilities of our country. If you're looking for somewhere to start, check out this informative article: https://lnkd.in/eXqyf-TM

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Day 4 of our 5-Day DEI/A/B Challenge was FULL. Thank you to everyone who joined us today as we explored the roadblocks of implementing a successful DEI/A/B journey. We no longer see DEI/A/B as a program or initiative but as a journey that requires new strategies and tools to help you complete the journey. Today we introduced our Stage Zero Online Training platform as one strategy and tool to help you on your DEI/A/B journey. We call this "the work that makes the work work". If you want to learn more check out some of our training in the links below. https://lnkd.in/gq-_Xede https://lnkd.in/gQtxRvQq Join us tomorrow as we wrap up our 5-Day DEI/A/B Challenge To Reimagine. Register below if you haven't already to get in on our Challenge only discounts. See you tomorrow at 12:00PM CST. https://lnkd.in/gHihdw8W #DiversityandInclusion #DEILeadership #EquityinAction #InclusiveWorkplace #CulturalCompetence #SocialJustice #InclusionMatters #EqualityNow #DEIConsulting #DiverseTalent #BelongingAtWork #Intersectionality #DiversityTraining #Equityforall #InclusiveLeadership #DEIAdvocacy #RepresentationMatters #InclusiveCulture #BiasAwareness #DEIStrategy

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𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐩: 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐃𝐨𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬, 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡, 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲 🎬 I'm thrilled to announce the 𝐤𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐨𝐟𝐟 of our groundbreaking series, "𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐩," on 𝐍𝐁𝐂6 𝐌𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐢! 📺 This episodic health series is dedicated to shedding light on the critical issue of healthcare disparities within the African American community compared to their white counterparts. 🌍 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐃𝐨𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 Our kickoff segment features a robust panel discussion with Black physicians from various medical specialties. These inspiring doctors will share their journeys to becoming medical professionals, the unique challenges they face as Black doctors in the healthcare system, and how they overcome daily instances of racism and doubt. 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐚-𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 The segment will also explore a groundbreaking data study that reveals a critical link between Black physicians in Black communities and longer lifespans for Black patients. This data underscores the importance of representation and cultural competency in healthcare. 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 Our featured doctors are passionate advocates for health equity. They're grateful for this platform to share their personal experiences and ignite a conversation about closing the gap in healthcare outcomes for Black Americans. 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐔𝐬! Don't miss this critical series premiering on 𝐌𝐚𝐲 1 𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐍𝐁𝐂6 𝐌𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐢. Let's bridge the divide and create a healthcare system that serves everyone equally. #ClosingTheGap #HealthEquity #BlackDoctors

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Target buckling on what and how they will be displaying #lgbtqia merchandising is very telling of where their mindset lies on matters of the "community." For instance, the choice to only sell adult-sized clothing insinuates that our youth can't be part of the #queer community, and is quite frankly insulting. You (Target) are actually pushing the false right-wing grooming narrative, and are coming off kind of yuck! Bowing to the right-wing political pressures from a sect of the nation that would like to see the total demise of our "community" says enough about where Target morals and values lie (VERY VERY LOW). Just one more reason to buy local and avoid corporate weakness and BS. https://lnkd.in/ebTYT2Av

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The graduation ceremony was not just a celebration but a moment filled with immense potential for our future leaders. As my son crossed the stage, pride filled my heart, accompanied by a slight unease about their prospects in an unpredictable world. Reflecting on the current environment for early career professionals, I see a clear need for us to equip them more robustly. We must cultivate their leadership skills and resilience to navigate and shape a world full of uncertainties effectively. #FutureLeaders #GraduationDay #LeadershipDevelopment #CareerGrowth #InspiringChange #NextGenLeaders #YouthEmpowerment #EducationMatters #ProfessionalDevelopment #ResilientLeaders #drdeenaspeaks .

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124th National Black Business Conference Returns to Atlanta “We Are Together” Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the World Conference of Mayors. The National Alliance for Black Business (2022), co-founded by The National Business League ® (1900), National Black Chamber of Commerce ® (1993), and The World Conference of Mayors ® (1984), is thrilled to cohost the NBL’s 124th National Black Business Conference ®. Set to take place from August 21-24, 2024, at the Hilton Atlanta in downtown Atlanta, GA, this highly anticipated event coincides with Atlanta Black Business Weekend ™, promising an exhilarating gathering of the nation’s foremost Black business leaders and community luminaries.   Building upon the success of last year's conference, which commemorated the 30th Anniversary of the National Black Chamber of Commerce founded in 1993 and drew over 1,900 attendees, this year's event holds special significance as it celebrates the 40th Anniversary of the World Conference of Mayors. Established in 1984, The World Conference of Mayors serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of Black Mayoral leadership and economic empowerment within Black communities worldwide. This year marks a significant milestone, as it pays homage to 50 years since the Southern Conference of Black Mayors held its inaugural National Conference at the Hilton Atlanta Hotel. Notably, Daniel "Chappy" James, the first four-star Black general in the Air Force and a Tuskegee airman, served as keynote speaker, setting the stage for the remarkable journey of Black elected leadership in the years to come. The conference agenda will spotlight the profound impact of Black mayors in fostering entrepreneurship, economic development, and community growth, echoing the visionary principles championed by Booker T. Washington. In 1881, Lewis Adams (Town) and Booker T. Washington (Gown) joined forces to establish Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute, now known as Tuskegee University, in Tuskegee Institute, Alabama. This institution was surrounded by a historic Black settlement, conceived by Dr. Washington, which, though never formally incorporated, was assigned its own zip code: 36088. This collaboration between "Town" and "Gown" laid the groundwork for further partnerships in central Alabama.   Anticipated to attract hundreds of Black-owned businesses, professionals, and elected officials from around the globe, the conference will serve as a dynamic platform for networking, knowledge-sharing, and forging strategic partnerships with city, state, national, federal, and global resources, and leadership. The event is hosted by local, Black-led business institutions, including the Atlanta Business League, Greater Georgia Black Chamber of Commerce, and the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council. Join us as we celebrate the vibrant spirit of Black entrepreneurship at the 124th National Black Business Conference in Atlanta! Register Today: https://lnkd.in/eE5Did8a

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I'm calling out the Black Community! Let's Break the Chains of Doubt and Seize Opportunities! 🔥 As a TA Partner for 8+ years and a proud African American man, I am passionate about fostering diversity and inclusion in the workplace. As Juneteeth approaches I want to address a tough issue that continues to hold our community back: the belief that certain opportunities are out of reach. Too often, our community suffers from imposter syndrome (including myself) "They don't want me," or "I'm not the right fit." Let me tell you something: You ARE wanted. You ARE qualified. And you DESERVE to pursue your dreams without hesitation. APPLY TO THAT ROLE! We live in a world where systemic barriers have historically hindered our progress. But now, we have the power to defy stereotypes and shatter glass ceilings. GE HealthCare and countless other organizations are actively seeking diverse talent like yours. Your unique perspective, skills, and experiences are invaluable assets that drive innovation and excellence. I understand the fear of rejection and the pressure to prove ourselves in spaces where we're underrepresented, but we can flip the script. To my fellow Black professionals......I challenge you to challenge the status quo. Don't let self-doubt hold you back. Apply for that job (make sure you meet the qualifications), reach for that promotion, and never settle for anything less than what you deserve. Rewrite the narrative! In conclusion, this is a journey of wins and losses. You are going to apply and may get that job, and sometimes you may not, but at least you put yourself out there! Keep applying and interviewing! As I always say, 'The best person gets the job.' You are Black Excellence! ✊🏾 Tag someone who needs this reminder, and let's empower each other to thrive. 💪🏾 #BlackExcellence #OpportunityAwaits #BelieveInYourself #Diversity #Inclusion

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Learn from Ms. Valerie!

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See T. Nicole's feature in Essence!

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A letter I sent to my team… Hello Everyone Happy Juneteenth! Juneteenth is the celebration of the day when the last enslaved Africans received news that they were emancipated. If you have Apple TV I recommend watching Manhunt to get an idea of the significance of emancipating the enslaved Africans was to this country and Black people as a whole. Choosing to recognize Juneteenth as a holiday is intentional. As the only Black owned employee experience software company in the nation it’s a reminder of how much progress we still have to go as a nation. The wealth gap between white and black families is increasing. The decline in capital to Black founded companies outpaces the decline in general startup funding. Yet, we persist. Our very act of existence is a form of protest. Yes, Black people can lead successful companies, build winning teams and develop award worthy software. When we win as a company we win for our community and we spark inspiration for those often overlooked and underestimated. We give them hope that “I can too”.

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We are positioned to make a difference. Let's rewrite the narrative. #blackleaders #coachingforblackmen #blacksuccess #blackleadership

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Unpopular opinion: I think integration was one of the worst things that happened to the Black community. 400+ years of slavery and we’re still living in a modern version of Jim Crow. We are not wanted. They do not want us to thrive in their environments and yet whenever we build our own things so we can support ourselves, they kill that too (Tulsa, Rosewood, Oscarville, Seneca Village, etc.) So what does it say about an environment that won’t accept you and won’t let you go? Where do we go from here? It’s giving pearls before swine every time we enter a glass cliff situation and I’m tired of wondering where we would be if we weren’t continuously wasting our best talents on trying to prove we belong in a system that clearly is not built for us to survive (much less thrive). There will never be a voluntary wealth transfer. Yes, I know that hurts to read, but honest question — what incentive does a ruling class that was built by (and has never atoned for) theft, slavery, brute force, and intentional inequality have for making this equitable? Who desires diminishing their money and power, especially when it serves to keep a status of domination? The system is not designed to let us build that wealth within their systems either. So where do we go from here? It breaks my heart every single time I see a sister or brother achieve a level of success only to see the follow up story of how they’re no longer part of that company due to a glass cliff situation. I just wrote about my own experiences in this type of situation where you’re either brought in to fail, or not given the tools needed to support your work and then dismissed. Aren’t you tired? We deserve safety, success, and power too.

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