Banfield Pet Hospital’s Post

This Black History Month, as we celebrate the achievements and resilience of Black individuals and communities across America and Canada, I find myself reflecting on the unique intersection of my identity as a Black woman, an autistic individual, and a motivational speaker. I stand at the crossroads of multiple dimensions of diversity, championing not just the cause of racial equality but also the acceptance and support of neurodiversity within our communities. Being Black comes with its own set of challenges, yet being Black and autistic, or Black and LGBTQ , introduces a complexity that often goes unrecognized. It’s a reminder that our fight for equality must be inclusive, embracing all facets of identity. As a motivational speaker, I draw upon my personal journey to empower others. My message is one of perseverance, vision, and the power of dreams. Like Martin Luther King Jr., I too have a dream. It’s a vision that plays over in my mind like a cinematic masterpiece, a future where my children and my community thrive, unencumbered by the judgments of society. My “power base,” as many have inquired, stems from my ‘why’—a deep connection to this vision. It’s what motivates me to bridge the gap between where we are and where we aspire to be. Inspired by the words of Napoleon Hill, “Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve,” I advocate for the power of belief and vision in overcoming obstacles. This month, let us not only celebrate the richness of Black history but also commit to supporting all members of our community, including those who are neurodiverse. Let’s challenge the stigma, embrace our differences, and work together towards a future where every dream has the space to flourish. As I continue to navigate my path as a Black, autistic woman raising two beautiful boys with autism, I am reminded of the strength that lies within our stories. They are not tales of sorrow but of immense strength, resilience, and hope. My dream is not just for me but for all of us—to live in a world where our children can dream without limits. This Black History Month, let’s celebrate every part of our identity and support each other in our journeys. Because when we lift each other up, we all rise. #BlackHistoryMonth #Neurodiversity #AutismAwareness #Empowerment #Dreams #Vision #MotivationalSpeaking

As we celebrate Black History Month, we at the Foundation affirm our commitment to dismantling a belief in a hierarchy of human value, with a focus on racial equity. Our work to create a just and equitable Minnesota where all communities and people thrive starts within our organization. "If you ever want to know if an organization is authentic in its equity work, the people you should talk to are those who have historically been sidelined, such as BIPOC, LGBTQIA and disabled communities," says Chief Operating Officer Nadege Souvenir. "For me, it's significant that our BIPOC staff feel a sense of belonging and see themselves in our work; it reflects all the work that we've made over the last few years. I think it is one of the strongest markers of our DEI progress." We recently spoke to Nadege about how the Foundation works to ensure that equity is not just a buzzword but a way of operating that extends to every corner of the organization. Read our Q&A with Nadege ➡️ https://hubs.ly/Q02kHlZx0 #BlackHistoryMonth #AdvocatingForEquity #DEI #equity #WorkplaceDEI #WorkplaceEquity #OperationalizingEquity

🎤 MIC CHECK..IS THIS THING ON? Its official, #TheCookout webpage is LIVE on the Swarm Strategy website to highlight my #BlackHistoryMonth program offerings coming at you this February: https://lnkd.in/ek7aZ6VZ If my recent posts about honoring Black History Month by centering Black voices, telling intersectional stories and rooting in the power of grassroots Black History have resonated with you, I encourage you to checkout the workshop & speaking engagement offerings I have put together for you all. This is some of my best work yet, and I am really excited to invite you all to The Cookout to experience it. The Cookout reimagines what Black History Month can be by intentionally celebrating Black joy, uplifting grassroots Black community and provides your team with engaging and educational content designed by me – a Black educator with specific training and experience in teaching Black History to a variety of audiences – from high school students to corporate tech leaders. When a Black person invites you to The Cookout it is an act of love, it is saying "come join me at this table that was built for us and by us, but we can't do this work alone". 🍽 Ready to grab your plate and join The Cookout? 📧 Send me an email [[email protected]], or a LinkedIn message, to schedule a free consultation meeting so we can figure out which dish (aka workshop/speaking engagement offering) works best for your team. Maybe its a little Breaking Bread 🥖with Baldwin to talk about Black LGBTQ Lives Maybe it is a little bit of lemonade made out of the 🍋's that Black people are always given to discuss pushing back against Anti-Blackness Maybe you want to Pass the Mac to cultivate authentic allyship and connection across your team Or you like it Southern Fried and want to discuss the power and impact of Black Southern history from Reconstruction to 2024. Either way we have a seat saved for you at The Cookout. 🔗 LINK TO BOOKING INQUIRY DIRECTLY: https://lnkd.in/eJEf8QHq {Image below: Me very focussed on the grill for a 4th of a July cookout} #TheCookout #blackhistorymonth #blackhistory #blackhistory365 #blackvoices #DEI #diversity #equity #inclusion #inclusiveleadership #peopleandculture #ERG #HR #learninganddevelopment #racialjustice #racialequity

It definitely goes beyond having Black owned and Black-led businesses, especially when employees are not supported in those spaces. Feeling emotionally safe at work is not a given just because you share the same ethnic background. Organizations and leaders have to be invested in the mental health of their employees. #mentalhealthmatters #DEIA

In business, numbers and statistics drive decisions. This is a business platform, and these are numbers and statistics. What decisions will come of this?

Today marks the last day of February and the last day of Black History Month. Now is an important time to remember that supporting Black and diverse-owned businesses is not our goal for a month, but year-round. We encourage our communities to continue making mindful buying decisions and contribute to the success of Black-owned companies beyond the month of February. Canteen will continue to seek out Women and Minority Owned Businesses for inclusion in our sourcing opportunities. To learn more about Canteen's commitment to diversity and inclusion, check out the link below: https://bit.ly/4bRBJW3 #BlackHistoryMonth #CanteenCelebratesBlackHistoryMonth #Diversity #Equity #Inclusion #DivsersityAndInclusion #EquityAndInclusion #ChooseCanteen

🌟 Honoring Black History Month with We Are HER! 🌟   As Black History Month comes to a close, the community We Are HER stands in solidarity with Black survivors. Black women in particular face unique challenges and barriers in accessing trauma support and resources. Statistics from the National Black Women's Justice Institute: ◼ Black women are disproportionately at risk of sexual violence. ◼ Nearly 1 in 5 Black women are survivors of rape, and 41% of Black women experience sexual coercion and other forms of unwanted sexual contact ◼ In school and out of school, Black girls report higher rates of sexual harassment than any other group. ◼ Black women are twice as likely to be fatally shot by an intimate partner than white women. ◼ We recognize the intersectionality of race and gender in the fight for justice and equality and reaffirm our commitment to amplifying marginalized voices. With the acknowledgment of these sobering statistics, here are some great organizations to follow and support this month: National Black Women's Justice Institute The Safe Sisters Circle Ujima, Inc: The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community Black Women's Blueprint, Inc. #WeAreHer #blackhistorymonth #survivor #racialjustice #empowerment #inclusion

Alt text : Vibrant image celebrating Black History Month with a central circle adorned in the colors of African heritage - orange, red, green, and golden yellow. The dates 'Feb 01 to Mar 01' encircle the central design, featuring the New York Association on Independent Living banner and the NYAIL house logo, embodying unity and diversity. 🌟 Inspire Together: Celebrating Black History Month & the Disability Rights Movement 🌈 Step into the heart of unity as we joyfully embrace Black History Month 🎉💙 Join us in celebrating the powerful connection between Black history and the Disability Rights Movement, weaving a tapestry of resilience and shared empowerment. 💡 Shared Empowerment: Within the intricate threads of Black history, we discover stories of triumph and justice. This month, let's unite to honor those who've paved the way for equality, creating a legacy of inclusivity that inspires generations. 🌍 Intersecting Journeys: The Disability Rights Movement, interwoven with Black history, showcases strength born from adversity. Explore the narratives of leaders like Harriet Tubman and Fannie Lou Hamer, proving that disability enhances, rather than diminishes, the call for justice. 🎤 Amplifying Voices: Join us in elevating stories often overlooked. By celebrating the achievements of Black disabled leaders, we amplify voices that inspire, educate, and foster understanding, creating a more inclusive society. 🌟 Why Celebrate Together? Because We Inspire One Another: This month exemplifies the power of unity. By celebrating together, we bridge gaps, challenge norms, and envision a world where inclusivity reigns supreme. Share your thoughts using #InspireTogether, turning this celebration into a collective experience. Together, we inspire one another because our stories, intertwined and celebrated, truly amplify the strength within each narrative. 🌟💚 #CelebrateUnity #InspireTogether #BlackHistoryMonth

Be Equitable invites leaders to move beyond programmatic efforts that center Blackness for just one month and move towards centering the Black experience every day of the year. Check out these five practices leaders can use to center Black team members all year long, based on the recently published article titled, "More than a Month: Strategies for Centering Black Humanity 365" written by our CEO, Michael Leslie Amilcar. Be sure to take a look at slide 7 that highlights some of the intersectionality of Blackness, which we will discuss at our LinkedIn Live Event TOMORROW. Be sure to tune into BE the Work LIVE: A Convesation on Black Women Being, Centering Our Humanity & Reconciliation. #BlackHistoryMonth #Humanity #InclusiveLeadership #Equity #Inclusion