Amy Edwards Taylor’s Post

A recent report reveals a worrying trend of Black women vacating leadership roles due to hostility, health strain, and limited career progression opportunities. At The Impact Seat Foundation, our mission is to elevate women, particularly women of color, into business leadership. This report is a call to action for us to intensify our efforts. We must create environments that not only recognize but also support and nurture the leadership of Black women. It's time to change the narrative and build a sustainable support infrastructure that allows Black women leaders not just to succeed but to thrive. https://lnkd.in/gbKQgxR9 #BlackHistoryMonth #BlackWomenLeaders #WomenInLeadership #BlackWomenLead #changethenarrative

[Q&A] Cherese Ledet of YWCA Evanston/North Shore has three tips to help young professionals avoid some career pitfalls. Read that and more from the Women of Influence honoree in her profile: #cbjwoi #leadership #nonprofits #chicago #chicagobiz

The State of Black Women Leadership Is In Danger "We have observed a disconcerting pattern where Black women leaders are vacating their roles, with some leaving the non-profit sector altogether, citing hostility toward their leadership, strain on their health and well-being, unfair job expectations, and limited opportunities for career progression. While Black women leaders are at the forefront of innovation, they “are operating in unprecedented times, with mounting barriers and challenges to their leadership—driven by systemic inequities deeply embedded in sectors and systems” This is a powerful piece by Cyndi Suarez based on the Washington Area Women's Foundation report. Many of these key takeaways are not only relevant but also relatable in terms of the experiences and challenges that Black women in leadership face here in the UK. #Leaderhip #BlackWomen #Blackleaders #Blackwomeninleadership

So much of this article and the report, itself, resonates deeply. Both for myself and with so many other Black women leaders I speak with. As I'm making my way through the full report, "Thrive as They Lead" (link to full report in the comments below), each theme and the recommendations are things I've been dreaming about and wishing to see implemented here in BC. While there are quite a few of us Black women leaders here in BC, we're also unable to properly connect and find community, we're stretched incredibly thin, burnt out, exhausted, holding far too many roles and responsibilities, holding additional mentorship expectations, and also dealing with additional expectations, barriers, hostilities, and burdens that our white counterparts don't hold. We're also constantly facing the tiresome narrative that there are no Black people here in BC, which hampers the ability to maintain momentum and focus, and hampers the ability to secure necessary resources to focus on Black women's leadership needs. It has never been more challenging to lead and I'm concerned about how many women leaders are leaving (or been pushed out from) their senior/executive leadership roles and are increasingly joining what I've been calling, "The Never Again Club". It means we're losing incredible talent, and it also means it will be that much harder for the next generation of Black leaders. They will, likely, be pushed into leadership roles too soon and with wholly inadequate structures, supports, or compensation, and reporting to ill-prepared/inexperienced Boards. If and when they stumble, the fault and resulting trauma will land squarely on their exhausted shoulders. As one friend mentioned to me, she distinctly felt the moment when she turned from "pet to threat" in the eyes of her organization's executive leadership....for doing the work that her expertise (including her Blackness, frankly!) was recruited for. I wish I had the time and space to pore through this report (and similar ones) and to formally engage with leadership colleagues for the Vancouver, Lower Mainland, and BC context; and in order to address these issues here in BC. The need is great, the demand is great. And I'm hoping that the will to meaningfully address these issues is there, too!

🏆 2023 Women Who Mean Business — Who Do You Want to Nominate? 🌟 OK, Boston business community! It's vote time >> The Boston Business Journal is seeking nominations of outstanding women who've made a significant impact in their respective fields. Here's your opportunity to recognize the incredible achievements of women in public and private businesses, nonprofits, and startups who've not only excelled in their industry, but also have become invaluable community leaders making a true difference. Look around you. The women you nominate will be part of dynamic startups, seasoned veterans in business, or trailblazers in the non-profit world. They may also NOT be in the limelight, but have still make an incredible impact in their industry and community. Help the Boston Business Journal recognize these extraordinary individuals for their contributions. Here are the details: 🗓️ Deadline: midnight, September 17 📝 Nomination Criteria: Women who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, achieved remarkable business success, and made a tangible difference in their community. These women embody the qualities of resilience, vision, and determination that inspire others. 🌟 How to Nominate: Visit the Boston Business Journal's website >> https://buff.ly/3OzcnTo >> and complete the nomination form. Share compelling stories that highlight her achievements, impact, and community involvement. Your nominations will play a key role in recognizing these women and shine a well-deserved spotlight on their accomplishments. Join me in celebrating not just these remarkable women -- but ALL WOMEN -- who have paved the way for others and shattered glass ceilings. Women who have persevered, when it wasn't always easy. Who gave more than gave up. Nominate the women who have inspired you and let everyone know why. #WomenWhoMeanBusiness #BostonBusinessJournal #InspirationalLeaders

Sharing this report from Washington Area Women's Foundation on the question: “What measures must be taken to provide Black women and Black gender-expansive leaders with the support, resources, and infrastructure they need to thrive as they lead?” It reports on disturbing trends of Black women leaving leadership roles across the public and private sectors, citing “unsupportive work environments, overwhelming workloads, and experiences of microaggressions—circumstances uniquely created at the intersection of racism, patriarchy, and anti-Blackness in the workplace.” What a waste of so many people's gifts, knowledge, and commitment to contribute. What can grow in response to this trend? The report names 10 themes. I've been in several conversations lately about the need to invest in the following ones, as a core part of how social change work is done: - Mentorship, community and support networks - Spaces where people can speak openly, be real, and process things (e.g., where it is safe to be vulnerable) - Resources and infrastructure for rest -- and working to change cultural norms that drive overwork and exhaustion. - Cohort leadership development programs And, as the report says, I honor that the experiences of Black women “deserved a focus, space, and strategy of its own” and “[t]hey want a space that was curated and convened for and by Black women."  https://lnkd.in/eg5-TW3B

The results are in for the Stevie Women in Biz awards in NYC this week🏆 I feel really honoured to have won three prestigious Stevie Awards: 🥈 SILVER: Best Female Entrepreneur - Business Products (10 or Less Employees) 🥈SILVER: Mentor or Coach of the Year - Business 🥉 BRONZE: Achievement in Women-Related Corporate Social Responsibility A heartfelt thank you to The Stevie® Awards judges for this incredible recognition and to everyone who has supported me from leaving my legal career in my forties to making a complete 360 degree turn around to set up my own purpose driven movement.  It’s been a long hard road made easy only by the fact that I absolutely LOVE every aspect of my work these days and wouldn't change what I do for anything. Getting acknowledged for doing what I'm truly passionate about — empowering leaders and women to champion their own dreams and infuse purpose into every facet of their lives — feels even more rewarding. It's a far cry from seeking approval by conforming to society's expectations of what I SHOULD or MUST do to be deemed successful. This recognition, rooted in authenticity and purpose, adds an extra layer of sweetness to the journey. THANK YOU The Stevie® Awards for recognising purpose driven businesses who are putting purpose and people at the forefront and showing that this too can be a success!! #StevieAwards #Gratitude #CelebratingSuccess #anjaniamriitspeaker #anjaniamriitmentoring #innerdevelopment #MindfulBusiness #GlobalImpact #DiversityandInclusion #Womensempowerment #workplacewellbeing #soulbasedbusiness #EntrepreneurLife #consciousleadership

If you’re leading for social impact and you’re not centering the voices of those you believe you’re serving in your decision-making, you’re doing it WRONG. The Women Empowering Nations board had our annual board retreat this past weekend and I facilitated our session on day one. As we unpacked our impact model for evaluation that we are building with JMC Consulting Firm, LLC, I opened the session bringing our young women from all over the world into the room. 🌍 Cohort members’ pictures, experiences, and testimonies were on the walls. 🗣️ They were speaking to the board through videos and survey data. 🪑 They held a seat at the table as we have a Girls Leading Our World alumna on our board of directors. The power of the voices of Black young women does not just live in our programming to develop them as global social impact leaders; it permeates throughout all levels of our organization as an essential core value. It’s easy for nonprofit organizations to fall into the category of helping without context and relevance to what the community truly needs and desires. Ask yourself: Is my target audience involved in the decision-making, ideation, and evaluation of our work? Why or why not? #nonprofitleadership #wenations #socialimpact #bethechange #blackgirlslead

As a wave of wealth and business transfers is happening across the country, the women in the next generation can have a unique journey to leadership. https://ow.ly/4Stu50R5XIo #transferofwealth #generationalwealthtransfer #successionplanning #ourfamilyoffice

UPCOMING EVENT: WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP: GROWING TOGETHER FOR STRONGER NONPROFITS Did you know that over 75% of nonprofit employees are women? Yet, only 22% of nonprofits with budgets of $50M+ have women CEOs. At the same time, research shows that: Nonprofits with women in leadership positions are more successful: # in realizing their mission # reaching their goals, and # ensuring that employees are more satisfied with the organization's overall performance. Having female leaders equally represented in nonprofits' top managerial, C-suite, and board roles is not just the right thing to do; it's the smart thing. That's why Nonprofits First has organized an event to bring together aspiring female leaders and supporters seeking to champion women's empowerment in the nonprofit sector. Join us on May 14th for a meaningful conversation:  Here is the link for registration and more information: https://lnkd.in/eD_Gj4MS