Two Chairs’ Post

DEIB News: BLK’s Desert Retreat Helps Black Men Tackle Loneliness https://buff.ly/47ODUHB - 💼 BLK's Desert Retreat: BLK, a networking organization for Black professionals, hosts annual retreats in the desert to address loneliness and isolation among Black men. - 🗣️ Addressing the Stigma: The retreat creates a safe space for Black men to openly discuss loneliness and overcome the stigma associated with it. - 🌍 The Importance of Representation: Seeing others with similar backgrounds and experiences fosters a sense of belonging and understanding. - 🌐 DEIB Analysis: The article emphasizes the need for initiatives to consider diverse intersecting identities for comprehensive inclusion. - 🏢 Practical Implications: U.S. companies can apply concepts from the article by creating Employee Resource Groups, Employee Assistance Programs, and Mentorship Programs. - 👥 Conclusion: BLK's Desert Retreat demonstrates the importance of inclusive spaces and community-focused programs to combat loneliness among underrepresented groups.

Intersectionality, ok so what is it really? "Intersectionality is a metaphor for understanding the ways that multiple forms of inequality or disadvantage sometimes compound themselves and create obstacles that often are not understood among conventional ways of thinking." (Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw in 1989) Understanding your own intersectionality will provide so much clarity on why life can feel harder than it should...or why others don't seem to experience what you experience. Understanding the intersectionality of others is key to creating a truly inclusive and considerate workplace, and will help to further deconstruct our societal and business systems, created in the image of straight, white men. Organisations, systems, procedures etc should be continually reviewed, ideally using co-design (Human Centred Design) and through the lens of intersectionality to help deconstruct these systems and help build these again, in the image of everyone. Have a read and glimpse into some of the experiences of those who experience layered, compounding and multifaceted discrimination.

I have been feeling the weight of anxiety at work lately. The pressure to meet unrealistic goals is taking its toll, even causing chest pains. But what's worse is the fear of speaking up about valid concerns. As a black woman, there's this constant worry about being labeled as aggressive or argumentative. It's like walking on eggshells, knowing that even expressing passion could be misconstrued as a problem. #WorkAnxiety #BlackWomenInWork #SpeakUp #Bebetter #buildbetter #OrganizationalChange https://lnkd.in/gvpRJPYm

Today is World Mental Health day, and it's also Black History Month. Mental health is a human right, and I have seen first hand how being marginalised, overlooked and unappreciated can affect someone's mental health, among other factors. I haven't made a BHM post yet on here, so I wanted to post something linking to both. The BHM theme of 'saluting our sisters' is a great one that really allows us to show love to black women who have made positive and substantial contributions, and who are just inspirational in any and every way. I wanted to take some time to salute Nykeba King, one of the most inspiring people I have met. She may not realise it, but she's probably one of the most popular/famous people at The Body Shop, and this is because she embodies every single value that the company stands for. She is a coach, an ally, an activist, a leader and most of all, she is radical! People are at the heart of what she does, namely marginalised people. Nykeba fights for the people, and sees them when so many others do not. As the Global Director of Inclusion, Belonging and Wellbeing, Nykeba has played an instrumental role in implementing #OpenHiring at TBS and getting it launched across our UK, Australian and North American markets. The impact of the programme continues to grow day in day out. So many people, who were suffering from poor mental health due to being rejected time and time again, have been given an opportunity, a chance, and in some cases, an identity. The programme would not be where it is without Nykeba's leadership and passion. The 4,600 lives that have been changed through Open Hiring would not have changed without Nykeba's resilience through the years. So I salute you Nykeba King, today, this month, and every day 💚

There is something so tiring about being a Black woman in the workplace, especially in healthcare. It's never being able to openly advocate for yourself. Always feeling like you need an ally, witness, or paper trail so you don't come across as the "angry Black woman", the "agitator", the problem, aggressive or having attitude. It's the mental gymnastics of being assertive but restrained, friendly but not too kind, firm but not aggressive, and ambitious but not expectant. It's thinking of expression, colloquialism, always keeping a piece of yourself back so it's not used against you. It's being better than everyone in the room and not taken seriously. It's constantly putting in 2-3 times the effort for 5% of the recognition and lack of consideration for new opportunities. This has been a theme of mine through my career and it's gotten better but the work is not done. It's never done, it takes time, the process feels imperceptible some days but the work continues. I am proud of who I am and choose to be a part of this work towards change. Some days it makes me cry but I think of the nurses who did this work for me to be where I am, so I rise and continue. I have incredible mentors and allies that remind me how important the work is even on the hardest of days. I've been honored to serve on many nursing and critical care DEIB, DEI, and DEIJ committees. I am grateful to see, and be a part of this change not just for HCW and patients of color but also for LGBTQIA patients and HCW, and those with health conditions or use of mobility aids. #healthcareonlinkedin #nursesonlinkedin #diversityandinclusion

🌟 Empowering Workplace Well-being for Black History Month! 🌟 Hello HR Professionals, Happy Black History Month! 🎉 Let's kick off February by spotlighting something essential: Mental Well-being. At MH3, we're on a mission to build health equity, merging insights from 50 experts with data outcomes. Today, let's dive into how we can champion mental health in the workplace. 💼 Check Out Our Workshops: Ally What? Empowering Allies & Advocates in the Workplace Mental Health Disparities of Black Communities: Addressing it in the Workplace How Supporting Co-Workers of Color Helps Us All What is Racial Trauma? Addressing & Healing from Racial Trauma Stigmas of Mental Health in the Black Community Our workshops aren't just about recognizing history; they're about sparking change now. Mental health & well-being are key players in overall workplace success, and we're keen on addressing the unique challenges faced by Black communities. Photo credit: Disability: IN This month, let's move beyond celebration to actionable steps. Explore our offerings at mh3.co/contact and discover how MH3 can help nurture a mentally healthy and inclusive workplace. #BlackHistoryMonth #MentalHealthEquity #InclusiveWorkplaces #MH3 #WorkplaceWellbeing 🌍

Amplifying this post by Dr. Carey Yazeed on the need to support the health of professional Black women. It was this sentence that really struck me: “Data from research studies conducted by myself and others, show that when Black women don't talk about their workplace concerns and the negative treatment they endure, this can lead to health issues like, anxiety, depression, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, or worse- death.” It reminded me of conversations I have had with Dr. Debra Furr-Holden at NYU School of Global Public Health and others about the need for more visibility/dialogue/action on this topic - not just by and among Black women, but with allies and advocates as well. The need is too great for the current solutions, and while I love the way Carey is creating a resource, we need so much more investment to address this crisis. Do you hear me corporations, foundations and politicaI leaders? I can also say it louder for those in the back: Don’t just celebrate Black History Month —- make Black futures by investing in #mentalhealth in the Black community. #blackwomeninbusiness

I can't tell you the amount of rage I feel when my Black and Brown friends and colleagues tell me about their struggles with the spectrum of #microaggressions to overt #racism in the #workplace. I have no tolerance for it. I will always try to meet hate compassionately but know I do not and will not tolerate it. Learn more about the very real problem of #racisminnursing and how to meet it here >> https://lnkd.in/gVTxtbJf #nursesonlinkedin #healthcareonlinkedin

I love the idea of creating more safe spaces for Black women. We do have to protect ourselves. Over my three decades of service as an Ombuds, I realized that more Black women who were exhausted from the struggle are visiting me for comfort, support and strategies to move forward. I strongly believe that most businesses should provide an Ombuds for their employees and I’m working to develop more programs. But that’s gonna a a minute and people are suffering now. Very shortly, I will offer ombuds services for people who don’t have access now. It’s a space where you can take off your mask, speak up, and be validated instead of gaslit. Where you can safely consider options without fearing consequences. Like my friend Gillian and Dr Carey, I want to see a change in the world and I’m willing take action to make it so. If you’re interested in visiting with me, or know someone who can benefit, dm me. #speakuppowerfully #employeeexperience #workculture #helpishere #ombudsareessential #emotionalresilience

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