Chad Owens, SHRM-SCP

Last week, I had the privilege of attending the National Black MBA Association Conference in Washington, D.C., and it was extraordinary! It was a week filled with professional development, meaningful networking, and events by and for Black professionals, all centered on "Driving Excellence, Empowering Transformation: AFFIRM 2024.” Standout moments:  ✨ Connection – While our careers grow through hard work (and luck), the relationships we nurture along the way are just as critical. It's clear that the power of connection goes beyond business—it's about community. 🎤 Entrepreneurs pitching their ideas in a competition was a true reminder of the innovation and brilliance in our community. 🖤 The richness of Black culture and the affirmation of Black history, traditions, and contributions were celebrated at every turn.  🧠 Workshops on strategic thinking and self-care offered practical tools to empower us to be intentional about our growth, both personally and professionally. Key takeaways: ✨ Maintain intellectual curiosity and always “know your stuff.” ✨ Be clear about who you are—don’t blend in; stand out with authenticity. ✨ Affirm yourself - your knowledge, expertise, and unique strengths matter. ✨ Never shrink yourself - your authentic self is enough, and your differentiators are your superpowers. This experience was a beautiful reminder to never give up what makes me unique. I am “built different,” and that is my strength. I'm excited to take these lessons forward, continuing to grow, inspire, and lead with authenticity and purpose.   #NBMBAA #BlackExcellence #Leadership #Authenticity #StrategicMindset #ExecutivePresence

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In June, I took the SHRM-CP exam and failed. I was 10 points shy of passing! 😫 I spent 6 months studying within the SHRM learning system and STILL failed. I felt ashamed, dumb, and questioned whether HR was the path I should be taking. I cried and cried the weekend following my exam. I ultimately decided that, yes, HR is my niche and I realized that I don’t need a certification to tell me whether I know my stuff. I do plan to re-take it because… 10 friggin points!!! Why am I sharing this? Because I’m not the only one who has failed. I know I’m not the only one who sat in that exam room and felt like they weren’t answering the questions correctly or like they hadn’t studied at all. I want others to know that they are not alone and that they should take time to grieve that failing score. Anyone else not pass their HR certification exam on the first try? #SHRM #TalentDevelopment #HR #HumanResources #HRCertification #Business #Learning #Certifications #Human #Leadership #Failure

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Are you prepared for the new FLSA overtime rule effective July 1, 2024? This crucial update requires immediate action to ensure compliance. Review your employees' salaries, as those earning under $844/week may become overtime-eligible. Plan ahead for the January 1, 2025 increase, when the threshold jumps to $1,128/week. Remember, job duties remain a factor in determining exemption status. It's essential to update your payroll systems, revise policies, and train managers on these new requirements. Don't risk non-compliance – start your preparations now. Unsure of where to start or how to take action? We can help! Contact us today to get started. For detailed guidance and resources, visit the DOL website here: https://buff.ly/4eJHyGo

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This right here

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Yesterday, on Black Women's Equal Pay Day, SHRM announced that it would remove Equity from DEI and instead focus on Inclusion. As a professional organization for HR practitioners, SHRM should be leading from the front, yet this decision seems tone-deaf and regressive. Announcing this shift on Black Women's Equal Pay Day demonstrates a lack of awareness, confirms that SHRM is out of touch, and exemplifies how established institutions can fall behind when they fail to embrace innovation and evolving perspectives on workplace equity. Removing "Equity" from the acronym, even while claiming it remains a priority, sends a problematic message and appears to prioritize pandering to those resistant to DEI initiatives rather than advancing meaningful progress. It contributes to HR's often-criticized reputation for superficial changes that don't address core issues. So, what should we do when these institutions fail to meet the people's needs? We can look to history for clues. The power belongs to the people. And our new HR SaaS product launching soon will aid in returning it there and issue in a whole new world....of work. #shrm #HR #innovation #startup

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HR Haunts in recent news.....phew. 😱 😧 Dwight Jackson, a qualified Black man, says he was ghosted 👻 by a Detroit hotel Shinola Hotel after applying for multiple positions. But when he reapplied with a "Caucasian-sounding" alias - (John Jebrowski), bam - interviews galore 🙊 ! A 2023 National Bureau of Economic Research study found that resumes 📜 with Black-sounding names received up to 30% fewer callbacks than those with white-sounding names. This isn't a glitch ; it's a systematic issue. Is your Applicant Tracking System 💻 (ATS) unknowingly perpetuating racial bias? Spill the tea 🍵 ! What are your experiences with name bias? ⚖️⚖️⚖️? What are your best tips for BUILDING a more inclusive hiring process? Share your thoughts in the comments🗣! P.S. Stay tuned ➡️  for my next HR Haunt series dives into another HR doozy you won't want to miss.  And the link to the article in case you want to read more: https://lnkd.in/gE5cxSdn #HRHaunts #NameBias #UnconsciousBias #BlindHiring #InclusiveHiring #EqualityintheWorkplace #TalentOverLabels #OldHRisDead #ModernHR #BreaktheBias

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When mastering professional etiquette, there should ALWAYS be considerations given to verbal and non-verbal communications. I had the pleasure of facilitating a very energetic conversation about this topic with college students from several different colleges during UNCF's Leadership Conference this year. One thing we as black people hear alot - yall always look angry. Most often times we are not aware of our facial expressions and how others could perceive it. I mean honestly, who cares what other people think right? Wrong... We absolutely should care when the situation does not warrant such expression - especially in professional settings. Read that again. Being approachable is key to success. It is apart of being professional especially in leadership roles. Check out their reaction as I share my experience with being corrected by my husband on several occassions. You had to be there to catch the full vibe though!! I love this environment and I'm looking forward to speaking with many more college kids! What professional etiquette tips would you give to the up and coming leaders?? ~Alisha B. "The Workplace Doctor" Diagnosing Problems, Prescribing Solutions #careerdevelopment #speaker #hbcu #collegestudent #alishadbrown #adbrownconsults #professional #humanresource

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