Virginia Alves

Despite the DEI myths being circulated, investing in women of color is the best economic decision an organization can make. Your ROI is golden and the innovation, creativity and energy that comes with a significant increase in your bottom line is unmatched. Goldman Sachs is getting it right and other organizations in the corporate and nonprofit space should take note. #diversityequityandinclusion #leadership #nonprofits #economy #corporatesocialresponsibility

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Hi All! I am working with a Black female CEO who wants to discuss how the attack on DEI is affecting Black female executives. I just want to formally state that I have been given permission to post about clients/work on LinkedIn during work hours. So, does anyone here have a DEI podcast? If so, I’d love to shoot you an email with more details about the CEO I mentioned above. I’ve found that reaching out in Slack groups and on LinkedIn can be more effective than cold emailing. If you have a DEI podcast or publication please DM me or email me at mayarichardcraven@gmail.com. I hope to hear from some of you soon! #blacklinkedin #dei #diversity #equity #inclusion #csuite #executiveleadership #corporate #comms #linkedincommunity

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Four years ago today, when we decided to engage in Hold The PRess, we knew that true change in the #PRindustry would require radical #transparency as a first step. When we called on agencies and firms to openly share their #diversity data in the way we specified, it was because we recognized a harsh reality - most weren't even tracking that information, let alone prioritizing the creation of safe, #equitable spaces for Black talent. Frankly, our industry has long been guilty of offering little more than lip service when it comes to supporting Black professionals. This is a reality drawn from the lived experiences of myself and so many of my peers, and the numbers we uncovered only confirmed it. Transparency was necessary because we knew that until agencies, firms and industry organizations were forced to confront the stark realities within their own walls, true progress would remain elusive. The backlash we've seen to efforts like ours in recent years has only underscored the vital importance of this work. Those who seek to undermine it reveal the depth of the challenge we face. But we remain undeterred. We know that creating equitable, inclusive workplaces is not optional - it is an absolute necessity. In the four years since our initial call to action, we've made some progress, but there is still so much more to be done and it has to be done together. If you're interested in being a part of or supporting our efforts, sign up via the interest form here: https://lnkd.in/e5wUdgTp

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📣 Calling all Black and Brown creators in finance! 🌟 I’m on a mission with CHIP (Changing How Individuals Prosper) to build a comprehensive database that celebrates the voices of Black and Brown creators in finance. ' 🌟 If you know the brain or you're the brain 🧠 behind a financial podcast, book, Financial wellness program, YouTube Channel, or TikTok that focuses on empowering our communities, I want to hear from you! We're looking for content that shines a spotlight on the positives - from estate planning and financial coaching to the scarce yet impactful realm of CPAs and financial counseling. 🌟 So far we have 200+ but we are still missing work! 🌟 🌟 Here are some eye-opening insights from the FINRA Foundation’s 2021 NFCS Investor Survey regarding investors of color in the U.S.: 🌟 A significant uptick in non-white investors is reshaping the market, with a marked increase in Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian American/Pacific Islander participants since 2015. 🚀 🌟 Younger demographics dominate among Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino investors, with many under the age of 35. 👶🏽💼 🌟 A considerable chunk of Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino investors aim for both long-term gains and short-term profits, revealing a dynamic approach to investing. 💡 🌟 Surprisingly, 32% of Black/African American investors manage portfolios valued at less than $5,000, underscoring the urgent need for accessible financial guidance. 💼💸 🌟 Social media platforms, particularly YouTube, emerge as a pivotal source of investment information for over two-thirds of Black/African American investors. 📱💡 🌟 In light of these findings, the need for diverse financial voices has never been more critical. If you or someone you know is making meaningful contributions in this space, please drop your details below! 📩 🌟 Together, we can foster a community that not only understands the value of financial literacy but also appreciates the richness of diverse perspectives in building wealth. #InvestingForAll #FinancialEmpowerment #BlackandBrownFinance #WealthBuilding https://lnkd.in/eNsyef5i

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Four years ago today, we issued a call to action in response to the performative solidarity shown across the PR industry. While firms and organizations made public commitments about their support for Black talent, the reality told a different story. In the years since we've seen attacks on #DEI efforts seep into every industry, including our own. The vital work of creating #equitable, #inclusive workplaces has faced backlash, but this only reinforces its necessity. Now, we're putting the PR industry on notice - you have one year to get your houses in order. True change requires sustained commitment, accountability, and transparency when it comes to uplifting, cultivating, hiring, and promoting Black talent. This can't be done alone. We'll need the ongoing support of our industry colleagues and allies to drive meaningful progress. Expect to hear and see more from us in the coming year. If you're interested in being a part of or supporting our efforts, sign up via the interest form here: https://lnkd.in/e5wUdgTp #HoldThePRess #BlackinPR #PRDiversity

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I cringed through 2 hours of Back to Black so you don't have to, and The Conversation let me write about it! (If you want to read more about the media treatment of Amy Winehouse, keep an eye out for my forthcoming book Pop & Postfeminism: Female Dandyism in Popular Music, which features a chapter on Amy's work and reception.) https://lnkd.in/e7J9FdJE

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Why I love LinkedIn… As a public relations executive, I have realized that PR doesn’t have to be forceful or destructive. Instead, it’s about rebuilding, repairing, and revamping… Sustaining even favorable systems for the better. Public relations is all about #postivity- building and maintaining good relationships. It's not about tearing others down to make yourself look better. Healthy competition means growing without harming others. This is why I love #linkedin LinkedIn is like the good PR practice It allows professionals from all fields to grow in their own space. It's a place to learn, feel inspired, and foster both healthy competition and admiration. Why do you love LinkedIn? Let’s have yours in the comment section. Thank God it’s Friday. I’m already anticipating the weekend 💃🤗 #clarioncommunicate #publicrelations #healthycompetition #professionalgrowth #linkedIncommunity #positiveengagement #inspiration #learnarow #professionalnetworking #careerdevelopment

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Went to NYU, majored in Journalism and PR. Learned from the best in the biz, small and big agencies. Only one taught me about raises. The view was to plan for raises, budget for raises, reward with raises. It was smart business to keep the best, brightest and experienced. It cost so much more to find, teach and get new people up to speed. By the time employees ask for a raise, they have usually dealt with stress, anxiety, not wanting confrontation, even anger. By the time they ask, many times it's almost late, they have thought of exit strategies. Smart agencies and smart business is to reward people before they ask, invest in them, and thus the business. And budget for it, just like everything else. It's not a business expense, it's an investment in the future.

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My three-part series about how phenomenal Black entrepreneurs in beauty built, scaled and funded their businesses rolls out today. Check it out: #blackbeauty #blackentrepreneurs #blackbusiness

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💡 Tip 3: Continuous and Tailored Professional Development 💼 Representation and relatability are essential in your professional journey. I found myself longing for (and finding) a Black woman mentor during the toughest moments of my financial services career. Despite being an eager learner who absorbs insights from diverse sources, I lacked a peer who truly understood the intricacies of navigating leadership as a Black woman. It's crucial to acknowledge that traditional women leadership programs often fell short in addressing my specific challenges. Let's prioritize tailored development opportunities that resonate with the diverse experiences of all women in leadership. Together, we can foster environments where every voice is heard and every journey is supported. #ProfessionalDevelopment #RepresentationMatters #DiversityinLeadership #blackwomenleaders

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How is #GenAI impacting modern #journalism?🦾💪🏻 Great question - thanks FleishmanHillard for asking it and inviting me to a recent talk in NYC to dig into this topic. Senior leaders at ADWEEK, Axios, Business Insider, Harvard Business Review and POLITICO shared that today’s newsrooms are integrating AI to complement the core human elements of journalism - but #transparency and #trust are everything. Here’s how the experts are approaching this: 👁 Continue to be 💯 percent transparent about how AI is being used to enhance storytelling strategies 🖇 Always couple AI with human intelligence 🕸 Ensure training, processes, guardrails and ethical considerations remain at the forefront A few examples of how newsrooms are putting GenAI to work: headline generation, transcribing podcasts, helping with research, summarizing complex reports or bills / itemizing content, digesting meeting notes or building decks. ..sounds a lot like how my team and our agency partners are using GenAI - what about you? Share your experiences and tips below👇🏻

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Well, yes. Crisis Management isn’t just theory. It’s hard to teach. It’s a fine balance between updated and modern theoretical knowledge, data and the right amount of experience to understand how theory and data works in the real world. So engage a specialist.

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How to Raise Money as a Black Beauty Brand - Sheena Butler-Young (The Business of Fashion) Black founders carry a markedly higher burden when it comes to educating investors on the value and viability of their business ideas — but there is an art and science behind knowing when your brand is ready and what kind of investors will be the best fit. There are many reasons driving the dearth of funding going to Black business — but chief among them, experts say, is that Black founders carry a markedly higher burden when it comes to educating investors on the value and viability of their business ideas.

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We stay talking about this at BIPOC Podcast Creators because we know it is true. We've always said, "The future of podcasting (and all digital media) is multicultural." It just is. Yet, it still feels like we are banging a drum in an empty room because the people who should be paying attention are not. Read this if you need proof: "As of 2021, their economic clout increased to $3.2 trillion in annual buying power. To put that in perspective, if Latinos were an independent country, their GDP would rank fifth in the world, ahead of the United Kingdom, India and France. Brands who fail to future-proof their bottom line by connecting to the cultural nuances of Latino communities with authentic insights; and those who fail to make Hispanic spend integral vs. ancillary to their core growth strategies, will find themselves hitting a brick wall with this powerful consumer constituency." https://lnkd.in/gu2wdKSg

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This is pretty interesting. Almost 3 years ago, Group Black announced a plan to distribute original Black content through Reach TV. I didn't see much come of that—although, it's quite possible it happened and I just didn't notice it all. But at the very least, I think I'm in the know enough to say the presser for that deal foretold more impact than the deal actually yielded. Now, Group Black's announcing a partnership with NBCU, on Peacock, borrowing their name from a linear stalwart as E!+. Obviously, it's great that NBCU is creating a hub for their Black content, catching up with just about every other streamer that already has this. What's illuminating here is the fact that Group Black will be responsible not just for the original content in this hub, but for its advertising sales as well (as they were in a previous deal with NBCU). So theoretically, we should be seeing some significant, original, Black content on Peacock in the months to come, coupled with advertisers supporting that content and its black-owned creators. Thus, I'm definitely looking forward to seeing how this plays out and seeing more Black voices get their due!

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Purpose builds trust, but knowing who you are and what you care about BEFORE a crisis hits will give you a clear North Star for how you respond. #PRWeekCrisisComms #crisiscomms #brandpurpose

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We need to stop suggesting youth audiences are impossible to reach. How Gen Z news media habits can inform your approach to designing and developing campaigns with and for youth audiences. https://lnkd.in/eqY7ejDE

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Aligning our purpose with our work and people we care about makes it more meaningful... Last week, I had the opportunity to go to the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Employee Connect Conference in Atlanta as a speaker and I have to tell you it filled my cup. Here are my highlights: - Connecting with colleagues and Internal Communication thought leaders. Shel Holtz, SCMP was the one I admired when I was joining the profession 30 years ago, and it was amazing to still learn from his wisdom today and be able to call him a friend. - Advita Patel and I delivered a session on making AI Inclusive. Our highlight other than being able to present in person together was going to the Civil Rights Museum which was a powerful experience. It reminded us why we strive to build inclusive cultures, how far we've come and how much more work there is to do. - It was amazing seeing the future of the profession. Meeting new colleagues like Agatha Milholland and Denisa Orlandea, CMP. New professionals passionate about the role of Internal Communication. What was amazing about this conference is that even though I have been doing this for 30 years, there is so many opportunities to continue learning. Internal Communication professionals don't pick their roles because they want to be front and centre (although they should be), they do it because they are passionate about the people who work for your organizations. We are here to turn words into action, values into behaviours, strategies into results, and brand promises into employee and customers experiences if you will let us. Whether it's working with me at Inner Strength Communication Inc. Strength Communication on your internal communication, change management and employee engagement needs or working with A Leader Like Me to help build inclusive cultures, we would love to help!

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