The Ekta Network’s Post

🌟 Exciting Announcement 🌟 Partner with a Black Owned Diversity Consultancy like mine and be part of the change! I founded Inclucive to drive meaningful change. My mission? To cultivate inclusive cultures within organisations, fostering environments where individuals from marginalised backgrounds can thrive authentically. Many of you already know me and understand my unwavering pride in my heritage. As a British-born individual of Nigerian and Trinidadian descent, I am a proud black woman leveraging my platform to ignite change. Every day, I'm committed to expanding the circle of allies and accomplices because their voices - YOUR Voices are crucial in effecting positive transformations. I recognise the challenges that individuals like myself encounter in navigating the corporate landscape. Hence, I collaborate closely with organisations, championing Awareness, Education, and Action. While I typically refrain from talking about the positive feedback I receive, I've decided it's time to change that. So, here I am, sharing the impact Inclucive is making. If your organisation is seeking passionate consultancy services centred on Allyship and Anti-Racism, consider partnering with a black-owned consultancy like mine. By doing so, you're not just embracing change – you're initiating it. Let's embark on this journey together towards a more inclusive future. Reach out today, and let's make a difference, one step at a time. #InclusiveCulture #DiversityandInclusion #Allyship #AntiRacism #ChangeMakers #BlackOwnedBusiness #Consultancy #InclusionMatters

The Theology of Systemic Barriers: Obstacles for Black Female Executives What are systemic barriers? Systemic barriers are deeply rooted obstacles within our social, economic, and political systems that hinder access to opportunities and resources, particularly for women. The Problem: Systemic barriers prevent leadership teams from reflecting on the racial diversity of our communities. As the Ghanaian proverb goes, "I am because we are." What resources are Black female executives limited to? * Financial literacy and competency * Limited leadership opportunities due to racial disparities * Lack of access to developmental challenges that prepare individuals for advancement * A lack of knowledge and mentorship * Unwillingness by policymakers to include diverse voices at the decision-making table Ways to Overcome Systemic Barriers: 1. Networking: Build meaningful relationships and invite yourself to decision-making tables. Consider serving on boards to gain insight and contribute to decisions that reflect the needs of African American executives. 2. Diversity & Inclusion: Attend or host D&I conferences, join cultural competency teams at work, or get involved with local chambers of commerce and community groups. 3. Visibility: Be authentic and unmask yourself so others can truly hear the challenges faced by Black female executives. 4. Reframe & Share: Once you've gained access to resources, shift your perspective and pass those opportunities on to others in your community. 5. Undress Yourself from a Negative Mindset: Let go of limiting beliefs and embrace the power of a growth-oriented mindset. Shed the negativity that can hold you back and create space for the success you deserve. Remember, you're not overqualified—you're exactly what your company needs. Let’s break down these barriers and build a more inclusive future. #DiversityMatters #Leadership #Inclusion #Iambecauseweare #BlackWomenInLeadership #MindsetShift #womenempoweringwomen #selfcare #renewedmindset

During Women's History Month, let's take a moment to consider the powerful contributions of Black women in leadership roles. How are Black women supported in academic leadership, and what are the unique contributions they bring which might benefit the university? How are those contributions helpful in not only diversifying the talent pool from which we draw, but also the powerful draw they bring as women and students of color see new possibilities through their contributions? The Misogynoir to Mishpat (M2M) Research Network

Share Your Experiences https://lnkd.in/eEt9KMuh Help Shape the Future of Black At Work We are building a platform to support Black professionals facing underrepresentation, bias, and isolation at work. Your feedback will help us create something meaningful for you and many others. What You'll Help Us Achieve: Community Building: Connecting Black professionals, allies, and experts to share experiences, learn, and grow together. Black Representation: Improving the visibility of Black professionals and growing their presence in leadership roles and at conferences. Bias Interruption: Creating tools that help professionals navigate bias and build inclusive workplaces. #BlackAtWork #WorkpaceInclusion #WorkplaceDiversity #Diversity #Inclusion #BlackRepresentation #WorkplaceExclusion

Black women are grossly underrepresented in leadership roles in corporate America and are consistently overlooked when filling positions of authority. Black women comprise less than 1.5% of senior and executive leadership roles in the top Fortune 500 companies. Once the rare Black woman secures a leadership role, she is often the only Black female in the room leaving her feeling hyper-visible; but at the same time, “socially invisible”. In other words, their underrepresentation makes Black women highly visible in their workplace; and yet they report greater isolation and difficulty being perceived as credible; having very limited power, authority, control, access to resources, and fewer opportunities for senior management sponsorship. This is #theinvisibleelephant phenomenon, being hyper-visible and ignored as if invisible, simultaneously. I am here to encourage Black women project managers and leaders and let you know that you are not alone; you are not invisible. Sometimes just knowing you are not alone in your situation can help you to persevere. Let’s support and encourage each other. If you, like me, have ever felt like or witnessed the invisible elephant, leave a 👍, ❤️ , or an ‘amen’ in the comments. 

As members of the dynamic Black professionals community in Australia, we know firsthand the immense value that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) brings to the workplace and our society. Yet the stark reality is that too many organizations still fall short when it comes to creating truly inclusive environments that empower underrepresented talent. This week, let's reflect on the critical role DEI must play in driving progress for Black Australians. It's about much more than just checking boxes - it's about dismantling systemic barriers, amplifying marginalized voices, and building a future where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. 𝗦𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝘁'𝘀 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝗗𝗘𝗜 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: ✅ Robust representation: Ensuring Black professionals are proportionally reflected at all levels of leadership and decision-making. ✅ Equitable access to growth and development: Providing targeted mentorship, sponsorship, and skills training to elevate Black talent. ✅ Authentic inclusion: Fostering a culture of belonging where diverse perspectives are genuinely welcomed and valued. ✅ Accountability for progress: Setting clear DEI goals, transparently measuring outcomes, and holding leaders responsible. The road ahead isn't easy, but the payoff is immense - not just for us as Black Aussies, but for our organizations and society as a whole. 𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙬𝙚 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝘿𝙀𝙄 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩, 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙨. Become a member of the Black Professionals Australia Community today 👉 https://lnkd.in/dwRfMZ3n So what matters most to you when it comes to driving meaningful change? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments! #DEI #BlackAustralians #InclusiveLeadership #BlackProfessionalsAustralia

Every woman should be free to climb the career ladder, yet biases hinder Black women from reaching senior leadership roles. Systemic racism, like poisoned water, affects opportunities, limiting Black women's upward progression. At WRC, we envision a world where Black women flourish, unencumbered by prejudice, leading with grace and power. Introducing our initiative, led by and for Black women, dedicated to fostering unity, ambition, and leadership across the UK. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/eqGpQ355

Black women, no matter their industry, are facing bullsh*t in the workplace everyday. When I left education to start my coaching business last year I focused on reaching Black women in the education sector. (mainly because this is what I knew) But as I continued to speak about my experiences Black women from different sectors began to reach out. All with stories similar to mine ►Difficult staff who they were struggling to manage ►Feeling invisible in the workplace ►Scared to stand up for themselves ►Frustrated from being overlooked. Like me at the beginning of my leadership journey, these women were exhausted Struggling in environments that didn’t see them Often shrinking themselves just to survive. The more I listened, the more I realised that the issues we face as Black women wasn’t sector-specific—it was universal ►Navigating bias, ►Being the “only one” ►Managing the pressure to prove ourselves constantly We share common struggles, yet too often we face them alone. This is why I created The Confidence Club. A safe space exclusively for ambitious, introverted Black women to 💜reconnect with their power, 💜build authentic confidence, and 💜grow in a supportive community. Here, we talk about the real issues we face, learn how to stand firm in who we are, and elevate each other. No more shrinking. No more silence. So if you're ready to be seen, supported, and uplifted by women who truly understand your journey, come and join The Confidence Club. https://buff.ly/3zqjGYQ See you there! Nic ✌🏾❤️ ♻️ Share this with a friend who needs to hear this today. --------------------- Hi I'm Nicola, a confidence and leadership coach who helps amazing ambitious introverted Black female leaders gain the skills and confidence to shine their light and receive the recognition they deserve🤩 Founder of The Confidence Club, a safe space for Black women to connect and thrive.

🌟 Excited to share this thought-provoking article from Nonprofit Quarterly: "The Impossible Dilemma of Black Female Leadership: The Tragedy of Nobody Seeing Us, Even When Everybody's Watching." In this insightful piece, the author delves into the challenges faced by Black female leaders in navigating systems that often overlook their contributions and struggles. It sheds light on the complexities of intersectionality, representation, and the need for genuine recognition and support. As we continue to strive for equity and inclusivity in leadership spaces, it's crucial to amplify voices that highlight these important conversations. I highly recommend giving this article a read and reflecting on how we can all contribute to creating more inclusive environments. Read the full article here: #Leadership #Diversity #Equity #Inclusion #BlackFemaleLeadership #NonprofitQuarterly #SocialJustice https://lnkd.in/ecXHNVQA

What The Numbers Say About DEI We can point to the rise of several prominent black leaders,from media figures like Oprah Winfrey,Robert Johnson,and Jay-Z to financiers Ken Chenault and Robert Smith and sports stars turned business people Serena Williams,Michael Jordan,and LeBron James. The number of African Americans earning bachelor's and graduate degrees continues to increase.And black people account for 12% of the U.S. workforce,close to their 13.4% representation in the general population. However in the words of leaders from the Toigo Foundation,a career advancement organization for underrepresented groups,such evidence merely gives us "the illusion of inclusion." Black leaders have struggled to make inroads in a variety of influential industries and sectors. #diversity #equity #inclusion #racialjustice