Rachel Peace’s Post

🚨‼️OPPORTUNITY ALERT: Applications are now open to become a Hazel M. Johnson Fellowship partner organization for Summer 2025! This Summer at our end of fellowship retreat our talented cohort of early-career professionals enjoyed a weekend of environmental connection, fun, unity, and belonging. Grounded in nature, fellows reflected on their summer where they worked full time internships at top companies in the climate sector, enjoyed career development programming, and built life long communities at a retreat marked by joy, adventure, and optimism. We are excited to come back next summer even bigger and better, as we grow the cohort and collaborate with more partner organizations. Share this video with your favorite climate and environmentalist organizations! BGE’s historic Hazel M. Johnson (HMJ) program launched in the Summer of 2024 to attract, support, and sustain the critical voices missing from the environmental movement. Why? Despite people of color bearing the brunt of the climate crisis and making up nearly 40% of the U.S. population, an industry ‘green ceiling’ remains, with people of color only making up 12-16% of the workforce. Within academia, the same, systemic issues are apparent. In 2021, a mere 138 Bachelors Degrees in Environmenal Science were awarded to Black women in the U.S. That’s unacceptable. Black women and gender-expansive environmentalists are crucial to ideating and implementing the innovative, holistic approaches we urgently need to solve our shared, triple planetary crisis. That’s why BGE is building a Black, ‘green’ workforce pipeline by providing HMJ fellows with paid environmental internships, dedicated mentorship, and ‘green’ career retention strategies. And we’re more passionate than ever about continuing and expanding this career program by and for Black Womxn environmentalists to benefit our community, our movement, and our planet. Decision maker? Apply to become a host organization: https://lnkd.in/eSszt5-q Register to join our info session on 10/09 at 6 pm EST: https://lnkd.in/eBHRFhZQ

A picture is worth a thousand words, but what happens when those words remain unspoken? The Silent Suit. The Silent Suit campaign, is about giving voice to the inner power of young Black professionals. This campaign goes beyond showcasing striking portraits; each image serves as a powerful narrative, offering a glimpse into the rich, multifaceted reality of being Black in today’s world. It’s a call to move beyond superficial stereotypes and embrace the depth of the individual behind the lens—their aspirations, challenges, triumphs, and undeniable brilliance. By celebrating these stories, I hope this inspires a broader understanding, sparks meaningful conversations, and honours the humanity and potential of the Black community that continues to shape the future. A big shoutout to Rae Philip for envisioning this campaign and bringing it to life with passion and creativity. I’m so proud to have played a part in sharing these powerful and beautiful stories through The 10,000 Interns Foundation. The 10,000 Interns Foundation has launched the careers of over 7,000 Black university students and graduates across 35+ industries since 2020. By Summer 2025, we aim to empower 10,000 to embark on rewarding career journeys across all sectors – but we need your help to get there. Your support will fund 3,000 more internship opportunities, comprehensive training and mentorship, and offer financial assistance to prospective interns in need, ensuring everyone has an equal opportunity to participate. Donate today to invest in a future where everybody wins. https://lnkd.in/ezAaZtQC ‘The Silent Suit’ - A 10,000 Interns Foundation campaign #TheSilentSuit #Giving #Diversityandinclusion #CHRISTMAS 

If ever your company events, conferences, or speaking engagements feel lackluster, forgettable, and flat... I have the antidote: Eduardo Placer. Check out the powerful anecdotes in his post below, and I'll leave you with this: "🕺 If your company is looking for someone to INSPIRE, MOTIVATE, and ENERGIZE your team for Hispanic Heritage Month or National Coming Out Day, please DM [Eduardo]."

Brown University Center for Career Exploration and the Careers in the Common Good program, in collaboration with the Swearer Center for Public Service, invites civically engaged students to this day-long training to prepare for sustained long-term civic participation and action and building skills and knowledge for internship, jobs and careers that involve organizing and building power. This training will teach skills and best practices for campaigning, examine concepts of power and how it has historically been used in the U.S. and discuss how individuals and groups can operationalize it to advance social change. 🗓️ September 29, 2024 ⏰ 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM 📍Kobliner Conference Space, Center for Career Exploration Useful for students interested in: • Building key skills and frameworks for civic engagement. • Advancing social justice at the grassroots and community level. • Developing Organizing 101 skills and empowering others. • Learning more about the structures and history of power in the U.S. • Developing and sharing the story of self. • Discussing values and your vision for what you want your community, Brown and the World to be in 10 years. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/eVBZt_-i

Chevalier T. Thomas Elizabeth College for Women (CTTE) CTTE College integrates workshops, conferences, internships, and research opportunities to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world applications. The institution provides platforms for students to take on leadership roles, and enables a student-centric learning environment. Students are encouraged to participate in various clubs. Faculty members and industry experts mentor students, offering guidance on career choices and personal development. The college has an inclusive environment where women from all backgrounds can thrive. Events celebrating diversity and heritage promote cultural understanding and unity among students are conducted. The college puts strong emphasis on holistic development. Professional counselors are available to address students’ emotional and psychological needs, ensuring their well-being. The institution works closely with industry leaders to align its programmes with market demands, ensuring students are ready for the workforce. We give equal importance to prepare students for higher education, academic jobs and government jobs. Lots of emphasis is given to reading habits, arranging regular conferences, and helping students write research papers and chapters in books. Our education aims at women empowerment. It is guided by core principles of values, knowledge, skills, quality and lifelong learning. Efforts and initiatives are integrated into class room teaching to instill these principles.

We all need someone in our corner. Especially when starting out. A 2022 BYP Network article, "The Importance of Mentorship in Career Development Opportunities for Black Professionals," underscores the vital role mentorship plays in empowering Black professionals. At the 10,000 Black Interns Foundation, we couldn't agree more. Mentorship is woven into our programme's DNA. Every intern receives a dedicated mentor, providing invaluable support throughout their journey. Why is mentorship so critical? • Guidance: Navigating a new professional environment can be challenging. Mentors offer support and help interns overcome obstacles. • Connections: Mentors expand networks, opening doors to new opportunities and valuable connections. • Confidence: Mentors provide encouragement, boosting interns' self-belief and helping them reach their full potential. • Skill Development: Mentors offer insights and advice on essential workplace skills, from technical expertise to leadership. • Career Advancement: Mentors help interns define career goals and create a roadmap for success. Mentorship is a cornerstone of the 10,000 Black Interns programme. We believe it's crucial for creating a holistic and supportive experience, empowering interns to thrive in their roles and beyond. We urge all organisations to prioritise mentorship. Investing in the development of Black talent fosters individual growth and builds a more diverse and successful workforce. Read the full BYP Network article here: https://lnkd.in/eCTc6JGz Ready to make a tangible difference? With 20,000+ applications, we've implemented rolling allocations to maximise placements. Pledge to hire an intern today and be part of the change. ➡️ Pledge to hire an intern: https://lnkd.in/grkbYwYE 📩 Contact company@10000blackinterns.com for more info

We are advocates for smart spending. ↳ Year-end financial rush is costly. ↳ Skills development can be expensive. ↳ Last-minute training isn't effective. But there's a better way: ↳ Formalize your informal training. ↳ Create an INTRATERNSHIP program. ↳ Save money and get better results. Don't wait until mid-December. Here are 6 reasons to start an INTRATERNSHIP program now: 1. Learning Culture: Build a culture where everyone teaches and learns. 2. Efficiency: Share internal knowledge that only a few know about. 3. Continuity: Ensure knowledge transfer even if key people leave. 4. Industry Standard: Lead your industry with certified internal training. 5. Cost-Effective: Save money compared to external training programs. 6. Quality Control: Maintain high standards of training within the organization. INTRATERNSHIPS are inclusive and beneficial for all employees. Plus, there's a Black Economic Empowerment benefit: Each INTRATERN is a CATEGORY C Intern. This means their salaries are considered skills spend. Attract 16 points on the DTICs generic BEE scorecard if you include disabled black employees. Reach out to us now. Save money and build a strong learning culture. Email: info@ownershield.co.za Contact: 087 164 6660 P.s. Full link to the article in the comments below.

Happy First-Generation College Celebration Day! To my fellow first-gen graduates: I see your resilience. The late nights studying, navigating systems without a blueprint, and carrying family hopes on your shoulders—your determination inspires me daily. You're not just changing your life; you're transforming generations to come. To employers: First-gen graduates bring unique strengths to your teams. We are natural problem-solvers who've mastered adapting to new environments. When you invest in first-gen talent, you're investing in proven resilience and fresh perspectives. Reminder Friends: Never let anyone diminish your educational achievements. While networking matters, as a Black woman, I know firsthand that credentials open doors that "knowing people" alone cannot. #FirstGenPride #HigherEducation #DiversityInBusiness #BlackWomenInBusiness #FirstGenGrad

Fear and rejection held me back. Year one passed by without engaging in many extracurricular activities. I saw comfort as my safest option. How could I fail? Failure meant I had lost. Failure meant that I couldn’t try again. Failure meant that I had reached my limit, and couldn’t advance beyond the ‘glass ceiling’ holding me back. So, what changed? Well, I would say that I took a step back, and began challenging these thoughts. Professionals call it ‘Socratic thinking’ – a way to objectively evaluate the evidence and reasoning behind one’s beliefs. You’d think that as a history student who comes across evidence everyday, I’d be an expert, but I was not. In my mind, I didn’t belong here. I stood out as a black student in a predominately white cohort. But why? I had received an offer to study here. I received an acceptance letter from Sheffield. I passed the entry requirements. So why did I think I didn’t belong here? This method of thinking made me realise that I did belong here. I was determined to maximise my time, and gain experiences that I wouldn’t regret later in life – so I became proactive. I spoke to Gavin Simpson-Smillie (A&H Faculty Employability Lead), James Zeller (HE Skills and Employability Consultant) and Tom Jones (A&H Employability and External Relationships Officer) about completing a placement year or year abroad, all of which helped me decide on the latter. I secured a two-week internship with the Civil Service at the DfE through Gavin Simpson-Smillie, where I researched, studied, and presented about the importance of HTQs, all under the insightful guidance and support of Corinne Austin (Higher Technical Education Strategy Advisor). I attended a roundtable discussion with Mems Ayinla (current Director of Student Influence, and former Parliamentary Clerk at the House of Commons) as the speaker and asked her a question about the “gap in the market”, regarding the lack of racial representation in spaces and how we can address this issue. I connected with Lavinya Stennett FRSA, founder and CEO of The Black Curriculum, who has inspired me to create my newsletter and piece of public history around important topics within history and the black community. I networked with Rachel Lane, Senior Service Designer at the Ministry of Justice, at a civil service event, where we had enlightening conversations about diversity within the public sector. So what changed between year one and two? I did something. I had questions, and went about finding answers. I intentionally connected with people who would pour into me and share their kindness, time, and knowledge. But to do this, I had to make myself uncomfortable. I had to take a leap of faith, embracing the changes that would make me feel temporarily uncomfortable in favour of long-term success. 

Your voice matters, and your words can inspire change. Yesterday, 10,000 Black Interns shared this message, and it resonates with me. I've always believed in the power of sharing our ideas and experiences to drive meaningful change. But what does that look like in practice? Here’s what I’m learning: 📍Engagement goes beyond words: It's about listening, learning, and applying what we discover. True change often starts with empathy, and I aim to bring that into every space I’m in. 📍Growth through community: The most impactful moments in my journey have come from collaborating with others. Whether we’re interns, new grads, or seasoned professionals, we all have something valuable to share and we’re stronger together. 📍Purpose-driven action: For me, a career is not just about a role but about contributing meaningfully. I’m committed to pursuing opportunities that align with my values and goals, like those that 10,000 Black Interns supports. Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue learning, contributing, and building a future that inspires others. #Inspiration #BlackInterns #CareerJourney #CommunityImpact #GrowthMindset