Black Executive CMO Alliance (BECA)’s Post

Embracing the legacy, celebrating the future. As we kick off Black History Month, the National Black MBA Association honors the resilience, brilliance, and achievements of Black leaders who pave the way for excellence. 🌟✊🏽 #NBMBAA #TheBlackMBA #BHM #BlackHistoryMonth #blackhistory #blackhistory365 #blackexcellence #blackhistoryisworldhistory #blackleaders #blackculture #blackinnovators

This week, Verizon hosted a special webcast to celebrate Black History Month - and the fact that our Black Originators Leaders and Doers (BOLD) employee resource group turned 40! I was so excited to be in the live audience at our Basking Ridge campus, listening to Christina Schelling, Clarence Otis, Shellye Archambeau, and Rodney Slater share their insights on the importance of Black History Month, and why taking the time to reflect on our journey is so important. The theme for 2024 is BOLDer Steps Together: Tomorrow is Built Today. It was a sentiment that resonated strongly with the audience, with the conversation turning to the role every person has - as a member of the community or as an ally - to build a collective future for us all. Beyond that, the discussion highlighted some simple but powerful insights. Shellye made the point that the number one job of a leader is to develop more leaders. She said that you do this by being intellectually curious, communicating clearly with your teams, and ensuring that people know you care. I couldn’t agree more with this philosophy, and with a point she made about intentional allyship being a crucial part of any leadership approach. Then Wendy Taccetta closed the event. Wendy is one of the most inspiring speakers I know, and one of the people I know I can have meaningful conversations with thanks to her skill for always creating a safe place for any conversation. So hearing her wrap up the event was a wonderful moment. I love how she talked about the way Black History Month is a time to have courageous conversations about what we’ve accomplished and how far we still have to go. She also challenged us all to be better learners by listening to people who have had a different lived experience, and to be “creators”: people who create opportunities for others. Some great thoughts to take into the weekend and to inspire conversations long after Black History Month ends.

HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH // As we honor Black History Month, Lead My Heart (LMH) proudly celebrates the vibrant tapestry of Black leadership, entrepreneurship, and cultural richness. Celebrating Black Leaders: We recognize and uplift the extraordinary achievements of Black leaders across various sectors. Their vision, resilience, and spiritual fortitude continue to inspire and drive transformative change in organizations and communities globally. Empowering Black-Owned Businesses: We acknowledge the pivotal role of Black-owned businesses in shaping a diverse and inclusive economic landscape. Their entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to excellence set a powerful example for aspiring leaders and innovators. Embracing the Black Experience: The unique perspectives and experiences of the Black community enrich every facet of society. We celebrate this diversity as a source of strength, creativity, and unity, understanding its vital contribution to collective growth and success. We are committed to nurturing environments where Black voices are heard, valued, and empowered to lead with purpose, passion, and power. Together, we are Black History in the making. #BlackHistoryMonth #LeadMyHeart #ElevateLeadership #MaximizeImpact #CelebrateDiversity

✊This Black History Month, we we honor the rich and enduring legacy of Black Americans who have shaped history and inspired change in every facet of society. From innovation to entrepreneurship, Black leaders are playing a significant role in shaping the industry's landscape. Join us as we honor their achievements and highlight their impact on manufacturing: 🔧 Trailblazing Innovators: From Garrett Morgan, inventor of the traffic signal, to George Washington Carver, pioneer of agricultural science, Black innovators have revolutionized manufacturing processes and technologies. 👩🏭 Inspiring Leaders: Black entrepreneurs and executives have shattered barriers and paved the way for future generations in manufacturing leadership roles. Their vision, resilience, and determination have propelled companies to new heights of success. 🌟 Hidden Figures: Behind every groundbreaking invention and manufacturing milestone are countless unsung heroes whose contributions have often gone unrecognized. This Black History Month, we celebrate their vital role in driving progress and innovation. 🤝 Commitment to Diversity: As we celebrate Black History Month, let us recommit ourselves to building a more inclusive and equitable manufacturing industry. By embracing diversity and fostering an environment of belonging, we can unlock the full potential of our workforce and drive greater innovation and prosperity for everyone. Join us in honoring the legacy and contributions of Black individuals in manufacturing this #BlackHistoryMonth! Together, let's celebrate diversity, promote inclusion, and continue striving for a brighter, more equitable future in manufacturing. ✊🏭 #ManufacturingExcellence #DiversityandInclusion #InnovationLeadership #MassMEP #MEPNationalNetwork #together

Black professionals represent just 3.2% of executive roles and less than 1% of Fortune 500 CEOs, despite there being roughly 48 million people who identify as Black. To celebrate Black History Month we’d like to share some of our favorite Malcolm X quotes: ◾ “Without education, you are not going anywhere in this world.” ◾ “America preaches integration and practices segregation.” ◾ “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” There are a lot of educated Black leaders who haven’t had the opportunity to be integrated into higher roles. This needs to change. We got Dr. Felicia Guity, DBA Google’s Chief Operations & Executive Strategist to help us out! She’s going to be teaching Black leaders to navigate employment opportunities and advocate for their true dollar value. At the same time, she’ll teach those who want to improve their company’s health how to diversify their teams. https://lnkd.in/e-8yN_59 How diverse is your work environment? Tell us! 👇 #blackhistorymonth #blackhistory #blacklivesmatter #blackleaders #blackleadership

During Black History Month, we honor the remarkable achievements of black inventors like Garrett Morgan, whose inventions revolutionized industries. As we celebrate his legacy, let's also reflect on the importance of diversity in product management. By embracing diverse perspectives, we unlock innovation and create products that truly resonate with a global audience. Let's continue to champion inclusivity and honor the contributions of black innovators in product development. #BlackHistoryMonth #Innovation #ProductManagement 🚀

Black History Month Speaker! As we approach Black History Month, I am not only excited to celebrate and appreciate the amazing things that blacks have done in the world, but I still have dates available in February and would love to serve as a keynote speaker for your Black History Month Program next month! With so many things to share about when it comes to the accomplishments, success, impact, and excellence of blacks in the world, I have four signature programs for Black History Month that have been very impactful for students and professionals in years past. Those four signature programs are as follows: The Power of Black Excellence! – 5 Lessons of Success That We Can Learn from Black Excellence That Will Enable Us All To Thrive, Succeed, and Make A Positive Impact In Our Community, Nation, and World! Speak Black Man! – 4 Career and Leadership Lessons of Success from A Successful Black Man In America! A Call to Action! – Igniting The ‘Leadership Greatness’ Within Emerging Black Leaders To Make A Positive Impact In Their Community, Nation, and World! You Matter! – 4 Self-Care/Wellness Strategies That Will Strengthen, Re-Energize, Motivate, and Protect Black Leaders from Becoming Burnt Out Doing The Good Work For Our Community! To learn more about my style as a speaker, you can watch the virtual presentation that I did a couple of years ago for Black History Month entitled, "I am Because We Are". https://lnkd.in/eTCQ42G6

Started by Black students and staff at Kent State University in 1969, Black History Month became a United States celebration under President Ford in 1976. How can you help your organization move from simple commemoration to a Black History Month that matters? Here are a few ideas: Make it official: Include Black History Month in your internal and external communication plans, training schedules, and event calendars. Review your recent history: Black History Month is a great opportunity to reflect on your organization’s DEI goals. What can you celebrate? What do you need to keep working on? (Need help clarifying and/or reaching your DEI goals? Reach out; we can help.) Research your part of the story: What Black history makers (leaders, innovators, disruptors, mentors) have made a difference in your organization and your industry as a whole? How can you make this history come alive for your employees, customers, and wider audience? Listen: History is told one person at a time. Find ways for Black employees to share their stories. Seek out Black community members who deserve a louder megaphone. Amplify their experiences. How is your organization making an impact this Black History Month? #BlackHistoryMonth #DEI #HRImpact

In recognition of Black History Month, an annual celebration of the history, accomplishments, and contributions of Black individuals who have made an enduring impact on our society, ISS-Corporate examined trends in the representation of Black directors and CEOs across U.S. indices. Here are some notable findings: 🚀  The prevalence of Black/African American directors has surged since 2019 across all U.S. indices, notably doubling for lower market cap companies since 2019. 📊  Growth in representation of Black directors has outpaced that of Black CEOs: over the five-year period spanning 2019 through 2023, the number of Black CEOs in the Russell 3000 grew by less than 1.3 percent. 💼  In 2023, Utilities led all industries in terms of Black representation for both board seats and CEO positions. Flip through the slides for our full analysis. #BlackHistoryMonth #BoardDiversity #BlackCEOs 

This #BlackHistoryMonth, we’re celebrating exceptional Black leaders working to build a more equitable New York City. In our Black History Month Spotlight, we ask these leaders: “How does Black history and your own lived experience inform your work at your organization?” We begin our series by posing this question to our own Melissa A. Browne, Chief Development Officer at United Way of New York City. “Learning about Black history is one of my earliest memories,” Melissa says. “I was filled with stories centered on the incredible power and ingenuity of my people. My family, full of educators, were my inspiration, including an uncle who was a Black Panther, another who was a trailblazer as an openly gay Black man in the 60s, and my mother — a scientist who may literally know everything. Now, as a mother of a young Black son, the importance of fortifying the magic of Black history is even more important, especially in these fraught political times. One of the key reasons I joined United Way of New York City was its dedication to building and amplifying inclusive and diverse communities, which is reflected in the staff at UWNYC and how we break down barriers to success in Black neighborhoods. Too often nonprofits see their role as imparting knowledge or services. At UWNYC we know we can’t address these barriers without respecting and amplifying the voices in these communities.” #BlackLeaders #BlackLeadership