Stop Talking. Start Doing.

Angela Solomon • June 7, 2020

`If there was ever a time for corporate America to wake up to the systemic racism that infects our society and company culture, that time is now. 


It’s difficult to find words that feel appropriate and meaningful and new to add to conversation that has exploded in the wake of George Floyd’s murder. I want to say something that will inspire not just my people, but all people—I feel now more than ever the profound need for unity. 


But where can I possibly begin? The weaponization tools used to keep black people “in our place” that not only belittle, shame, and doubt us, but literally keep us down and strip us of life has shaken my faith in humanity. To live in a time of COVID-19 and witness the systematic racism again and again—of which George Floyd is another member of an ever-growing list—has tipped the scales of fragility. I’ve tried to watch the footage, my heart dropping into my stomach and tears streaming down my face. I think of my own children, of all the black children in America today who so easily could be the next victim. I think of Emmit Tills, Rodney King, Eric Bell, Amadou Diallo, Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, Eric Garner, and the countless others murdered. I am both thankful for the smartphones that capture injustice and also curse the heart-wrenching, eye opening footage that tears us apart again and again. This footage still more often than not, leads to cop acquittal, sometimes the loss of job(s), or maybe the state paying out lawsuit money to families, but it isn’t enough! No amount of money can ever be enough! If there was ever any doubt, the current climate in the United States has shown beyond reasonable doubt just how bad race relations are in this country. 


And while I applaud the many corporations that have come forward in solidarity, condemning systemic racism, many of these same companies still fail to employ black people at the c-suite level. And, use 'not being able to find enough black talent' as a crutch to justify the lack of black and brown people at these levels. Black representation matters! Let me say it again: Black representation as leaders matter at U.S. corporations! In fact, according to a CNN Business article titled After years of talking about diversity, the number of black leaders at US companies is still dismal by Jeanne Shadi, "There's growing awareness of the need for diversity at all levels of the workplace... Yet numerous studies show the number of black professionals on boards and in C-suite roles range from not great to dismal." This article speaks of the culture of promotion that excludes black employees from the various networks white professionals use to vet tomorrow's future CEOs. And, although there seems to be a big percentage of black professionals at the Chief Human Resources officer (13%) and Chief Administration Executive (43%) positions levels thats not the track to CEO. This is all very telling.


The coronavirus pandemic and the killing of our men has really placed a huge spotlight on the levels of social and economic disparities as it affects black people. As many U.S. corporations have become vocal and, mourn publicly with us about repeated murders of black men by the cops, these same companies have rolled back their D&I initiatives, like it’s an elective course rather than a mandatory one! These corporations have laid off chief diversity officers and diversity specialists like they were temporary roles. Talk is cheap. These actions show me that despite what these corporations say, there seems to be little if any, level of seriousness whatsoever when recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and working towards better inclusion of black people into their workspaces. 


I implore corporations more than ever to eradicate all areas of institutional racism, bias/prejudice, and rebuild inclusive workplaces that allow black people to truly thrive!


Now more than ever black people should be at the forefront of hiring plans. 


Now is the time to roll out firm-wide diversity plans and actions that exclude ‘cultural fit.’


Now is the time to ensure that hiring managers aren’t flexing their privilege and treating black people people as ‘less than'.


Stop talking, and start doing. #HireBlack #BlackLeaderRepresentationMatters #BlackBrilliance


We are better together!

I AM someone who sees incredible potential in places most people don't think to look. As a black woman, small business owner of a diversity staffing boutique, my team and I walk alongside our Clients in creating professional environments that are truly for ALL. I believe in our interconnectedness as a human race and strive every day to use my gifts to empower the workplace’s invisible and powerless. I rarely bet on certainty and always root for the underdog because, after all, those are the best stories to tell.

By Angela Solomon October 10, 2024
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By Angela Solomon September 26, 2024
As a career coach and self-proclaimed lifelong learner, I’m always telling my clients, “If you’re not growing, you’re going stale—and let’s face it, nobody likes stale bread.” In today’s fast-changing workforce, it’s not enough to just show up anymore. Success now means adapting, learning, and constantly evolving with the world around you. The DNA of today’s working professional is in constant motion, and if you’re still running on yesterday’s playbook, you might just miss out on what’s ahead. Today’s workforce looks nothing like it did a decade ago. Tech is transforming every industry, and there’s a bigger focus on values like flexibility, inclusivity, and personal growth. People want more from their careers—they want purpose, not just a paycheck. The DNA of today’s working professional is all about adaptability, self-motivation, and being comfortable with change. So, let’s dive into how today’s professional DNA stacks up against the past: 1. Adaptability vs. Stability Today : Flexibility is everything. Whether it’s technology, business practices, or job roles, change is constant. Professionals need to be able to pivot and pick up new skills quickly. If you're not evolving, you're likely being left behind. Yesterday : Stability was the goal. You stayed in one job or industry, building deep expertise in a specific area. Specialization was the key to success, and change was something you tried to avoid. 2. Continuous Learning vs. Credential-Driven Success Today : Learning never stops. Whether it’s through online courses, certifications, or simply staying on top of industry trends, professionals are expected to keep their skills fresh. It's not just about what you learned in school—it's about what you keep learning. Yesterday : A degree, especially from a well-known school, was often enough to get you through your career. Once you had the right credentials, continuous learning wasn’t a huge focus. 3. Agility in Technology vs. Traditional Tools Today : Being tech-savvy isn’t optional. From automation to collaboration tools, technology is part of almost every job. You’ve got to be able to use these tools to stay relevant. Yesterday : Tools like spreadsheets and email were enough for most roles. Technology was there, but it wasn’t deeply integrated into non-tech jobs the way it is today. 4. Values-Driven Work vs. Hierarchical Loyalty Today : People want purpose, not just a paycheck. Employees are looking for work that aligns with their values, and companies that support things like work-life balance and mental health. It’s not just about loyalty anymore—it’s about feeling good about where you work. Yesterday : Loyalty to a company was a major factor. You worked hard, stayed loyal, and didn’t necessarily expect the company to care about your personal values. The focus was on putting in the time and doing the work. 5. Diversity & Inclusion as a Key Focus vs. Homogeneous Workplaces Today : Diversity and inclusion aren’t just nice to have—they’re essential. Today’s professionals expect their workplaces to reflect a wide range of perspectives, genders, and experiences. Everyone wants to feel seen and valued. Yesterday : Diversity wasn’t as much of a priority. Many workplaces were homogenous, and inclusion wasn’t discussed the way it is today. 6. Agile Leadership vs. Command-and-Control Management Today : Leadership is about collaboration and empathy. Today’s leaders are facilitators, mentors, and motivators. They encourage open communication and care about the people, not just the tasks. Yesterday : Leadership was more about control. It was top-down, with leaders making decisions and everyone else following orders. The focus was on managing tasks, not people. 7. Freelancing & Flexibility vs. Full-Time, Traditional Employment Today : Flexibility is the name of the game. Freelancing, contracting, and remote work are all becoming more popular as professionals look for control over their schedules and projects. Yesterday : Full-time employment with a single company was the norm. People worked their way up the corporate ladder and stuck around for the long haul. 8. Networking & Personal Branding vs. Quiet Expertise Today : Building a personal brand is important. It’s not enough to do great work—you need to make sure people know you’re doing great work. Networking on platforms like LinkedIn has become a key part of staying visible in your industry. Yesterday : You could quietly focus on your expertise. Long-term relationships and internal company networks were often enough to advance your career. 9. Emphasis on Soft Skills vs. Technical Mastery Alone Today : Emotional intelligence, communication, and collaboration are highly valued. You’ve got to be able to work well with others and adapt to different working styles. Yesterday : Technical skills were often enough to get by. Soft skills mattered, but they didn’t get the same level of attention as they do now. 10. Entrepreneurial Mindset vs. Following the Corporate Playbook Today : Whether or not you’re starting your own business, having an entrepreneurial mindset can make a difference. Professionals today take ownership of their work, innovate, and even pursue side projects. Yesterday : Following the established corporate path was expected. You worked your way up within existing structures, and entrepreneurship was considered a more niche career path. The DNA of today’s working professional is all about adaptability, purpose, and continuous growth. In contrast, yesterday’s professional valued stability, loyalty, and expertise in a more rigid structure. The modern professional thrives in a world that’s always changing, where technology and values shape careers as much as hard skills. Whether you’re freelancing, leading a team, or climbing the corporate ladder, the message is clear: if you’re not learning and evolving, you’re getting left behind. I empower the Invisible. I ignite Success. As a Black woman, small business owner, and advocate for inclusion, I’ve built my career around seeing potential where others may overlook. Through my staffing boutique and professional development/coaching service, I focus on creating real opportunities for marginalized communities, including women, LGBTQ+, neurodiverse, disabled, and veteran professionals. I root for the underdog because they have the best stories to tell—and the most untapped potential.  #CareerGrowth #AdaptabilityMatters #LifelongLearning #ProfessionalDNA #ThriveAtWork #FutureOfWork #EvolveOrFade #InclusiveWorkplace #LeadershipEvolution #TechSavvySkills
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