Lakshmia Marie’s Post

"Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not." A breakdown of how 10,000 Black Interns built the fastest growing pipeline of Black talent in the UK. Addressing significant underrepresentation and systemic inequality in the corporate landscape. This is a speculative observation from an external perspective. A lot of value can be derived from the charity's meteoric growth to inform talent acquisition, employer branding and DEI strategies. TL;DR: → Start small then iterate → Leverage personal brands → Bring on allies for credibility → Implement good governance → Media coverage for amplification → Modern marketing via social media → Make top leadership hire to drive mission → Address lateral issues i.e. 10,000 Able Interns → Solid operational infrastructure + team effort I spent a lengthy Midlands train journey putting this together. So a like would be nice, comments are welcomed and a repost if you are feeling generous. Mentions: Dawid Konotey-Ahulu, Michael Barrington-Hibbert, Wol Kolade, Jonathan Sorrell, Jacob Nomafo, Rebecca Achieng Ajulu-Bushell, Sami Dar

Thrilled to share that as a co-lead of MasterClass’ Black ERG, Melanin, we've worked on a MasterClass partnership with Black Tech Pipeline, in order to support our organizations' DEI and Recruiting teams' goals of fostering diversity. I'm passionate about Black tech equity. I love sharing my experience as a non-engineer professional, dispelling the misconception that the tech industry is designated only for individuals who can code or who have engineering degrees. Orgs like Black Tech Pipeline help break down barriers in tech, linking Black professionals to companies committed to inclusion. This equitable focus is so relevant and mission-minded as our world becomes entrenched in tech and AI. Black Tech Pipeline increases opportunities for Black talent, opening doors to competitive salaries. We can also make the case for increasing Black talent in tech because studies show that diverse companies perform better, driving innovation, profitability and improved decision-making. So whether you're a Black technologist, engineer, marketer, entrepreneur, innovator, publicist, graphic designer, or sales professional like me, there is a path for you in tech! And it can start at MasterClass! Check out the positions listed here: https://lnkd.in/eu9JegKc #Blackintech #MasterClass #DEI #techequity

A few weeks ago I attended Black Tech Fest for the first time, and it was such a great event. For one, I have never seen so many black professionals in one room. I saw a few familiar faces, but also so many new ones. The speakers spoke on a variety of topics, but main my takeaways were: ✨ Companies need to reinvest in their talent pipeline through early careers. The key is to get involved as early as possible, from Secondary school to A-levels, to uni etc. Early placements require investment, but the ROI will be strong ✨ Companies need to better utilise apprenticeships to retrain existing employees in skills that will be needed in the next few years ✨ Clear learning pathways are needed to build individual and collective skills for the future ✨ We need to be curious! Research and utilise online tools to better anticipate disruptive trends ✨ Companies NEED a diverse powerhouse. It isn't enough to have diversity at entry level ✨ It's important for inclusive organisations to have a presence at events curated for marginalised communities, to be involved in creative space for them and allowing them to truly be seen The detail that the organisers paid to everything, from the food vendors, to the DJ, and even to the products lefts in the bathrooms for people to use (as referenced in the video clip). It was so obvious to see that black people were involved with the planning and running of the event, and it was very well done. In the Black History Month theme of 'Saluting Our Sisters', I want to give a massive shout out to my family Folayemi Adebayo and others involved in putting this together. It was a really well planned and run event. Looking forward to attending again next year

Cultivating Black Excellence in Tech Every success story begins with an opportunity. In the tech world, it's crucial that we actively create those opportunities for young Black individuals who aspire to make their mark. By establishing initiatives that focus on mentorship, skill-building, and networking, we're building a strong foundation for the next generation of Black tech leaders. As we celebrate the achievements of Black trailblazers in tech, let's commit to paying it forward. Let's invest our time, resources, and expertise into shaping an environment where everyone can flourish. Together, we're not just shaping the future of technology, but also nurturing a culture of inclusivity and excellence. #BlackExcellence #TechOpportunities #MentorshipMatters #EquityInTech

One of the best things about my role is meeting the superhumans making a difference on the biggest social and environmental issues 💚 This just dropped on OnHand • the impact app: Bite-size talk with Michael Barrington-Hibbert, CEO of Barrington Hibbert Associates and Co-Founder of 10,000 Black Interns. If you're a customer, go listen to: 👊🏾The tragedy that inspired 1000 Black Interns 📈 The huge success Michael and team have had 🖤 Why representation matters 💥 What you can do to support racial & social-economic diversity 👏 How hope and change is real Absolute privilege to speak with those superhumans out there 🙏

Last week, I had the opportunity to attend the Black In Tech Networking Event hosted by Be Nimble Foundation and Mentors Of Color. I went with my friend Julius Choga and we both found the event to be outstanding. I want to extend a big thanks to the panel for providing invaluable advice suitable for both newcomers and seasoned professionals alike. As someone who enjoys taking notes when learning from those with advanced skills, I'd like to share some key takeaways: 1. Become a forward thinker: Think strategically and anticipate problems your company may face, proactively finding solutions before they arise. 2. Understand people's needs: Establish how others can rely on your strengths and expertise. 3. Embrace discomfort: Growth often occurs in challenging and unfamiliar situations. 4. Develop transferable skills: Strengthen abilities that can be applied across various roles and industries. 5. Overcome imposter syndrome: Reflect on your achievements and the steps taken to reach your current position. If you've earned your place, you are qualified. Most importantly, remember to keep learning, even if it's at a surface level. Don't hesitate to ask questions and always stay true to yourself.

It's my birthday month! We are preparing to launch practical courses to assist organisations in implementing data and lived experience recommendations. Two weeks ago, we were engaged in checking in with our Untapped Talent report recipients and webinar attendees. During the webinar, we delved into challenging funding norms that impact how Black and Multi Ethnic-led organisations are funded, over-scrutinized, and underfunded, diminishing their impact on complex issues. We also shared how we have made an impact through our work in our private company, where we directly engage with organisations and individuals to bridge the gap, provide practical solutions, and drive organisational change. Launching first is: 🌟Leveraging Untapped Talent: Strategies for Implementing Inclusive Recommendations. This course serves as a foundational resource to boost your action plan. It caters to those who: 💡 fear of making mistakes/ getting it wrong 💡are unsure where to begin 💡 need a framework to keep them accountable. 💡Do not have the budget to start We specialise in creating bespoke learning and implementing experiences, and now we are bringing it to you in shorter courses with the option to work with me directly.

Cultivating Black Excellence in Tech Every success story begins with an opportunity. In the tech world, it's crucial that we actively create those opportunities for young Black individuals who aspire to make their mark. By establishing initiatives that focus on mentorship, skill-building, and networking, we're building a strong foundation for the next generation of Black tech leaders. As we celebrate the achievements of Black trailblazers in tech, let's commit to paying it forward. Let's invest our time, resources, and expertise into shaping an environment where everyone can flourish. Together, we're not just shaping the future of technology, but also nurturing a culture of inclusivity and excellence. #BlackExcellence #TechOpportunities #MentorshipMatters #EquityInTech

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Did you know that? 1. Black Professionals hold only 3 - 7% of tech jobs in US & Canada. 2. Women hold only 25% of tech jobs and C-suite positions globally. 3. Newcomers to US & Canada typically move 1 - 3 positions down in their careers. These worrying statistics motivated us to start SkillHat. Our goal was to ensure more women and black professionals landed high-paying roles in tech, doubled their income and got more fulfilment from their jobs. It's been 3 years and so far, our alumni have now reached over $20 Million in annual income, with over 200 of them landing 6 figure jobs ($100K + salary)!🥳🎉 Isn't that amazing? Our unique 4-gap learning method enables anyone from any background to learn tech skills and change their lives within six months or less. In 3 years, we’ve: 🚀Successfully increased our alums income by $45,000. 🚀Utilized Canadian Government grants to train over 300 professionals in Web Development and Product Design (UI/UX). 🚀Lead a highly engaged community of over 36,400 people across all our channels. 🚀We’ve expanded our presence with offices and teams from Canada to the US and Nigeria. 🚀We’ve won prestigious awards, including the Black Product Innovator of the Year. It’s been a fulfilling journey and we’re excited to have you on this journey of impact with us. To commemorate our achievements, we are offering a special anniversary giveaway for anyone in North America looking to transition into tech and achieve their career goal. All you need to do is Book a call 👉🏽skillhat.ca/3years Deadline: July 31st Thank you for being part of our journey. Here’s to many more years of making an impact together!🥳