Ijeoma Nwatu’s Post

If you followed the issue earlier, here is the outcome.

I’m tired of people attacking the integrity and intelligence of Black leaders in ways that are rooted in anti-Blackness. We can ask questions and be reflective without leaning on or trafficking in antiBlack harmful stereotypes. I recently watched an interview featuring Norm Finkelstein where he questioned Ibram X. Kendi’s scholarship, intelligence, and stewardship as the Director of the Center for Antiracist Research. In that same interview, he dismissed the value of Black American Studies. Finkelstein and others should answer for their baseless attacks against Dr. Kendi. American (and Western) academia is known for antiblackness and for suppressing Black academics. This is part of the reason why many intelligent Black Americans choose not to pursue doctorates or enter academia. This has to change. Today.

I had the absolute pleasure of attending the Black Insurance Industry Collective webinar today on Breaking Barriers: Black Women and Intersectionality within the Insurance Industry this morning. It was a great presentation. The panelists, Trina Bowser Sonja Teague, CPDM, ARM, AIC, Robyn Covington-Charles, CSP, @Linda Boye of QBE, and moderator @Nyreese Arzu were phenomenal and all shared nuggets of information that we can all apply at any and all stages of our careers. Here are a few that were impactful to me and that I plan to ensure that I am implementing in my journey: *Appreciate the value of executive coaching *Secure mentors in your profession and in industries that you wish to be a part of *Hard work is not enough *Building relationships is an integral part of your success *Expand your network beyond people who look like you *Spend time looking within your organization for decision makers, make sure they know who you are and how you benefit the company. *Implement the PIE theory-Performance, Image, and Exposure *Ask for what you need to be successful and hold your partners/leadership accountable *Don't sit in your gratitude for being at the table, be present, it's okay to push back, and to ask questions *You deserve to be there This was such a wonderful program. So many nuggets in just 1 hour. I look forward to the next webinar. #YaSheakaCWilliams #williamsworkcompwednesday #BlackInsuranceIndustryCollective #BreakingBarriers

Presumption of Whereabouts Authority It is reflexively constructed in the social DNA of white Americans, triggering a panther-like hunt instinct, to question the presence of Blackness. Much has been written about the white gaze, the need to whistle Vivaldi to comfort whiteness, professionalism and more to highlight the dynamic of whiteness (subject) and Blackness (objective). This objectification, embedded in the core identity of a plutocracy historically rigged for elite white men, persists into the present. 📣 As an alert to white Americans for our own redemption and for the viability, security and competitiveness of a USA, the sustainable order of democracy (justice, then liberty, then peace, then prosperity), as an aspiration, will never be fully realized until this whiteness instinct to hunt prey is extinguished. I write about the "Presumption of Whereabouts Authority" in 🌟 Twelve Steps for White America: for a United States of America. (William Watson, 2023, Cognella Press) “Legacies of plantation economy persist to this day. As long as there has been a White majority, rigged advantage could masquerade as compatible with the American ideal [of democracy]. With demographic realities on the horizon heralding a new era for America’s future, rigged advantage must rely on plantation legacies structured in our operations, particularly minority rule. A plantation could not exist without the control by a minority. Overt and covert violence held the system intact. On a continuum into the present that started before the fugitive slave act, the Presumption of Whereabouts Authority (PWA), persists as an entitlement of Whiteness. An essential part of slavery on plantations was absolute authority over the whereabouts of enslaved people who were legally considered to be the property of the plantation owner. Violent retribution was the price to be paid if a slave was found out of bounds. Fugitive slave patrols were legally sanctioned. Whites in free Northern states were legally required to cooperate. A minority (the owner and employees such as an overseer) ruled over the majority (the enslaved people who in most cases outnumbered the owners and employees).” The hyper-scrutiny of Dr. Kendi’s leadership illustrates the entitlement of Whiteness to control the whereabouts of its property. It operates automatically as a background application until Blackness triggers its functionality to preserve a status-quo plutocracy. Dr. Kendi (and all Black Americans regardless of wealth and achievement) will unfortunately be subjected to this kind of “where you sposed to be, boy” theatrics and demoralizations until race no longer predicts outcomes in a United States of America. Ibram X. Kendi NAL Speaker's Bureau Center for Antiracist Research Boston University #12swa #highereducation #diversity Khafre Jay (He/Him) Ashani Mfuko (She/Her) Ernest Crim III, MA Dante D. King, MS, M.Ed, CHRM

Giuliani's journey is an almost Shakespearean one. From the "America's Mayor" who rose to prominence in the wake of 9/11, he morphed into a staunch ally of Donald Trump, willing to engage in increasingly questionable tactics to bolster the former president's power. The once respected lawyer became a public spectacle, peddling misinformation, undermining democratic institutions, and ultimately facing legal repercussions for his actions. Giuliani's downfall is just one piece of a larger mosaic. He represents a troubling trend of individuals sacrificing their integrity and principles on the altar of political expediency. Others who courted and clung to Trump's power for personal gain are facing similar consequences. Lobbyists, advisors, and even elected officials, blinded by the allure of proximity to power, find themselves embroiled in scandals and legal troubles. What drives these individuals to gamble so recklessly with their reputations and careers? The answer lies in a potent cocktail of ambition, greed, and the intoxicating allure of power. The promise of influence, access, and personal gain can be a powerful motivator, blurring the lines between ambition and opportunism. In their pursuit of these ends, individuals readily abandon their moral compass and compromise their core values. The consequences of this Faustian bargain are often devastating. Not only do these individuals face personal and professional ruin, but their actions also erode public trust in institutions and damage the fabric of democracy. The blatant disregard for ethical and legal boundaries casts a dark shadow on the very notion of public service, creating cynicism and disillusionment among the public. However, Giuliani's fall also offers a glimmer of hope. It demonstrates that power, no matter how intoxicating, is ultimately fleeting. When wielded without restraint and guided by self-serving motives, it inevitably leads to a tragic downfall. His story serves as a stark reminder that true success and fulfillment lie not in the pursuit of fleeting power, but in upholding one's principles and serving a greater good. The Icarus myth remains relevant because it speaks to a universal human flaw: the tendency to overreach and lose sight of what truly matters. As we witness the unfolding consequences of unchecked ambition in the lives of individuals like Giuliani, we are called upon to critically examine our own values and priorities. Let his story serve as a cautionary tale, urging us to reject the sirensong of power and instead pursue a path guided by ethics, integrity, and a commitment to the common good. Only then can we hope to navigate the treacherous waters of power without succumbing to the tragic fate of Icarus.

🎉The doors are open! Be The First Progression for Black Lawyers is open for ENROLMENT. If you are a mid to senior level black lawyer and you want to progress your legal career, you'll want to apply now. This programme gives you everything you need to progress when you're the only one: ✨the 5 core skills that attract the support, the opportunities and the visibility you need to progress 🔥 a unique Progression Pathway that ensure you don't just learn what to do, you implement what you learn and get coaching on the obstacles that come up so you keep on going, all the way to your goal This is no ordinary progression programme. You won't just progress your career. You will leave this programme with the tools to succeed at every stage of your career. You'll shed the powerlessness of being the only one. You'll build the confidence to be the first. I've made this programme so clear, doable and easy to integrate into the demands of your day job you'll start progressing from your very first session. How it works: 🚀 We work together for 6 months 🚀 I teach you the skills 🚀 You implement what you learn 🚀 I coach you on the obstacles you meet along the way so you progress your career - measurably and sustainably - all the way to your goal. We get started the first week of September 2024. This is a group coaching programme for black lawyers. You get coached individually. You learn as a group. You go further, faster, with less stress and more fun. The fee is £3600. ❗️Enrolment closes 6pm (BST) on Wednesday 17th July, 2024. How to apply 1. Submit application form 2. Jump on a consultation call with me to discuss your progression goal 3. Receive your offer* of a place on the programme Click the link in the bio for full programme details and form to apply. P.S. Questions about the programme or application process? Reply to this email I'll be happy to answer. https://zurl.co/rwWc *offers are subject to eligibility, availability and terms. #bethefirst #blacklawyers #lawyers #attorneys #careerprogression #careercoaching #coachingprogramme #lawyercoach #lawyerlife #impostersyndrome #diversityandinclusion

🎉The doors are open! Be The First Progression for Black Lawyers is open for ENROLMENT. If you are a mid to senior level black lawyer and you want to progress your legal career, you'll want to apply now. This programme gives you everything you need to progress when you're the only one: ✨the 5 core skills that attract the support, the opportunities and the visibility you need to progress 🔥 a unique Progression Pathway that ensure you don't just learn what to do, you implement what you learn and get coaching on the obstacles that come up so you keep on going, all the way to your goal This is no ordinary progression programme. You won't just progress your career. You will leave this programme with the tools to succeed at every stage of your career. You'll shed the powerlessness of being the only one. You'll build the confidence to be the first. I've made this programme so clear, doable and easy to integrate into the demands of your day job you'll start progressing from your very first session. How it works: 🚀 We work together for 6 months 🚀 I teach you the skills 🚀 You implement what you learn 🚀 I coach you on the obstacles you meet along the way so you progress your career - measurably and sustainably - all the way to your goal. We get started the first week of September 2024. This is a group coaching programme for black lawyers. You get coached individually. You learn as a group. You go further, faster, with less stress and more fun. The fee is £3600. ❗️Enrolment closes 6pm (BST) on Wednesday 17th July, 2024. How to apply 1. Submit application form 2. Jump on a consultation call with me to discuss your progression goal 3. Receive your offer* of a place on the programme Click the link in the bio for full programme details and form to apply. P.S. Questions about the programme or application process? Reply to this email I'll be happy to answer. https://zurl.co/rwWc *offers are subject to eligibility, availability and terms. #bethefirst #blacklawyers #lawyers #attorneys #careerprogression #careercoaching #coachingprogramme #lawyercoach #lawyerlife #impostersyndrome #diversityandinclusion

How do you assess the year? As 2023 winds down, I've taken a moment for my annual reflection. It's more than just looking back over the past year – it's about setting the stage for the next one. This time helps me adjust my goals, dream up new ones, and reassess how I allocate my time. This year at The Glennon Law Firm, we’ve reached significant milestones: serving hundreds of clients, welcoming new team members, and successfully expanding to Buffalo, fulfilling a vision I charted years ago. Professionally, it’s been rewarding to navigate complex legal landscapes, from severance agreements to business litigation, underscoring the need for strategic foresight in our ever-evolving line of work. But beyond the legal victories and firm expansions, it’s the personal leadership experiences, client interactions, and community engagements that have truly defined my professional year. My travels for business, mentoring opportunities, and work with organizations like Honor Flight Rochester and The Rochester Rotary Sunshine Camp have enriched my perspective. They highlight the profound impact of service and the importance of community, equally as vital as any legal strategy. These diverse experiences have offered invaluable lessons in leadership, empathy, and the art of giving back. As I look to the new year, I am excited to build on these insights, balancing professional aspirations with community engagement. Here’s to embracing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Wishing you all a Happy New Year! #YearInReflection #CommunityService #LegalExpertise #PersonalGrowth

As Michael Petrie reflects on his journey to becoming deputy chief counsel of labor and employment, litigation, and real estate at BAE Systems, Inc., he says one of the major lessons he had to learn was "how to be patient with career." "You have to be motivated to figure things out, but also give yourself time to experience and learn what you like," he advises. "It’s not true for everyone, but when I was early in my journey, I felt a degree of impatience like I should’ve already arrived at my dream job. You need to make sure you don’t put pressure on yourself to be perfect on day one." #ModernCounselMag #WorkingWednesday #LaborLaw #EmploymentLaw #LegalIndustry #LegalProfessionals