Award-Winning Attorney & DEI Leader; CEO & General Counsel; former Biglaw Partner/Director - Government Contracts, Contract Compliance, Supplier & Workplace Diversity
I am a CEO. I am a Lawyer. Both are “BLACK JOBS”. Anybody can do any job! Just give them training, an opportunity, support - and get the fu_k out their way. Many Blacks and women, like me, currently have and have had jobs that were intended for “others”….which seems to be the problem with diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). It encourages organizations to consider and hire women, Blacks, other people of color and disabled individuals for all employment and contracting opportunities for which we are qualified and/or capable of performing. Because high-level or so-called white collar and managerial opportunities are NOT considered “Black jobs”, there is a significant backlash against DEI. Those jobs are intended for others who now claim to be underemployed and are on a quest to make America great again. That’s why we do what we do at Ponder Diversity Group LLC, a legal consultancy (law firm) that’s committed to providing legal support, including DEI assessments, recommendations and training, to organizations that want to advance workplace and supplier diversity. Blacks should be considered for any and all jobs and contract opportunities - not just those that “others” do not want. If you really want to make America great, give all Americans an equal opportunity to succeed at whatever they want to do.🇺🇸 #Blackjob #LinkedIn #DEI #diversity #equity #inclusion #strategy #leadership #blackexcellence #blackprofessionals #blacklawyers #blackownedbusinesses #BlackLeadersWorldwide #lawfirm #legalservices #consultingservices
I try not to get political on LinkedIn but that particular comment by that candidate was disgusting as it was ignorant. And not terribly surprising given his record on matters of race. My view is a job is a job and any person should be able to hold it if their skills fit it. In terms of top jobs it’s no different - and not that I’m making any broad generalizations, I’m not, but one of my favorite bosses was an African American woman - smart as Hell, had guts, and most of all integrity. She also seriously had my back when I needed it. So when I hear this kind of nonsense from race baiting politicians I contemptuously tune it out.
That is why when I see people say that we are un-educated and do not want us to succeed it really hurts all of us. Together we can make young people be able to get that position, be able to look to a future ,in this country. A country that our ancestors died and were lynched and were Sold at auctions, like cattle , yet we are still fighting so that the dream that Martin Luther King, Jr ,had can come true if we will only stick together. We are doctors, Astronauts ,Astronomers, Attorneys, Finiancial Planners, Dentists ,School Teachers,Engineers, Professors Mechanics, Restaurant Owners, Athletes, Sports Anchors, Farmers, Limousine Drivers, Food Servers, School Principles, Senators, Vice Presidents of America,Congressmen /Congress women Supreme Court Justice , etc You get my point. TOGETHER WE ARE STRONG Our mother’s and fathers and ancestors got us here. Let us not disappoint them and not work together ,to make room for all of us. To God Be THe Glory From Whom All Blessings Flow. Use what The Good Lord has blessed us with. Strength, wisdom, love for one another and love of country Love of The Almighty God.
Trump provides existential evidence of the convoluted nature of racism. He and his followers detest DEI allegedly because it gives preferential treatment to people of color. He says this despite having no empirical evidence to support the absurd notion that whites are somehow being discriminated against because of efforts at full equality for all. Then, astonishingly, Trump makes a statement identifying jobs as specifically for blacks.Ah, there is no problem with DEI in the mailroom, the washroom and the kitchen. Those blacks supporting Trump are supporting his vision for them. That vision is a nightmare. He would be perfectly comfortable with all blacks serving coffee and shining shoes. Don’t get me wrong, all legal work is honorable and should be respected. What should not be respected in America is any attempt to limit someone’s possibilities solely because of phenotype. Identity politics? Trump could have said they are taking “American” jobs. He still would have been wrong, but at least blacks would have been acknowledged as full Americans.
For those that don’t know, here is what happened, per The New York Times: “Former President Donald J. Trump claimed during the presidential debate on Thursday that immigrants entering the United States illegally were taking “Black jobs” and “Hispanic jobs,” a claim with little basis that Democrats immediately seized on as evidence that Mr. Trump and Republicans were not serious about cultivating support from voters of color.”
Anybody can do any job! I agree. When I was 20 years old, as an intern at a large state agency, I remember thinking, “I can do any of these jobs.” The mindset that tends to distort the narrative in low-income Black and Brown communities, which I’m from, says that getting a six-figure job is nearly impossible. And the distorted narrative in mainstream society is that some segments are simply not talented and disciplined enough to succeed in six-figure jobs. A paradigm shift is needed. Because what you posted here is 100% on point!
Thank you for sharing this powerful message. Your insights on diversity, equity, and inclusion resonate deeply with me. As someone who leads a company dedicated to fostering opportunities and growth for all, I understand the importance of providing training, support, and equal opportunities to everyone, regardless of their background. It’s inspiring to see the incredible work Ponder Diversity Group LLC is doing to advance DEI in the workplace. At Arisworks, we share a similar commitment to empowering individuals and organizations through our consulting and support services. It's crucial to break down barriers and ensure that everyone has a fair chance to succeed in their chosen fields. Let's continue to advocate for a future where all Americans are given the opportunity to thrive in any job or role they aspire to. Together, we can make a significant impact and truly make America great by embracing and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Anita J. Ponder, Thank you for your very important post. Your leadership and mentorship is needed more now than ever and the entire legal industry needs to be more involved in promoting legal #BlackJob advancement. Yale Law School, Harvard Law School, Stanford Law School, Columbia Law School, University of Chicago Law School, New York University School of Law, Duke University School of Law, University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, Georgetown University Law Center, Cornell Law School, etc. Kirkland & Ellis, Latham & Watkins, DLA Piper, Baker McKenzie, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates, Dentons, White & Case LLP, Sidley Austin LLP, Clifford Chance, Ropes & Gray LLP, etc. Thomson Reuters, LexisNexis, Fastcase, Bloomberg Legal, LLC, Martindale-Hubbell, Wolters Kluwer, vLex, Oxford University Press, etc.
Hello!!! I think the former president’s racist comm went over many heads that night. We can only hope we all wake up.
“When people show themselves, believe them”
Award-Winning Attorney & DEI Leader; CEO & General Counsel; former Biglaw Partner/Director - Government Contracts, Contract Compliance, Supplier & Workplace Diversity
4dOUR VOTE IS OUR VOICE! Let’s make sure we vote in November to protect our democracy and support diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) for women, Blacks, other persons of color and persons with disabilities who seek a level playing field to compete for any and all employment and contracting opportunities, not just so-called Black jobs. “Our lives begin to end, the day we become silent about the things that matter”. (Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King).🇺🇸