Two Ways You Can Celebrate Black History Month *Today*

Angela Solomon • February 10, 2021

Black History Month should be a reminder to all of us that the work is not done. Diversity representation in C-suite jobs in corporate America is not where we’d like it to be and the undeniable fact is that in the vast majority of companies, the workplace is a radically different place for black and brown people than it is for white people. 

That being said, I wouldn’t have started a business as a diversity recruiter if I didn’t think that we are capable of getting there. But in order to get there, we need to be taking action—consistently and proactively. Let’s talk about how we can all be doing that.


Education:

One of the biggest myths about self-education around race is that only some people need to be doing it. I couldn’t disagree with this more. The way that race effects the daily lives of everyone in this country is both a personal felt experience and a sociological study.


As a white person, you simply haven’t seen and felt the effects of racism experienced by those who are subject to it. Education allows for you to hear about how racism plays out in ways that you may not have anticipated. It also offers information about how some of your good intentions may land in less-than-ideal ways. Education allows you to calibrate your intentions with your actions so that your efforts are effective, compassionate and informed. The goal is not to be perfect. The goal is to be committed to the process and to continue to improve. 

As someone who is the subject of racism, education gives you the confirmation that you are not crazy and you are not alone. It puts the power back in your hands and reminds you to remain committed to your identity, your community and your intuition.


For everyone, education about race provides historical context for the structural dynamics that created and perpetuate the ongoing oppression of black people. Resources that explore these topics uncover how racism is hard-wired into our society’s structures and culture. It is only from a place of fully understanding the roots of the issue that we can change it. 


Open Conversation:

Talking about race is considered taboo in our culture. I believe that we will not be effective in our attempts to uproot systematic racism until we learn how to talk about it. One of the main problems that I’ve seen in the workplace surrounding race is that we only talk about it once there has been a problem or a complaint. This assumes that the status quo for race relations is good enough as is. Let me tell you, it’s not. Minorities have learned to be silent and accept lesser or different treatment in the workplace. This has become normalized but it is not okay. 


If we want to truly cure racism, we can’t just treat the symptoms, we need to treat the illness. And this means having uncomfortable conversations: with friends, with family, with our coworkers, with our employees and sometimes even with our boss. We need to make room for these conversations in our daily lives and we need to be enacting policies and creating workplace cultures that encourage and protect uncomfortable conversations, feedback and group discussion. It will get easier the more you do it. So start today.


Join me. Start a discussion. Forward this article. Spread the knowledge. Happy Black History Month. Let’s make 2021 Black History Year. 

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A few of my favorite resources:

The 1619 Project is a New York Times podcast about slavery and how it laid the foundation for American society as we know it. This podcast is packed with historical information, research and insights and there is something in it to be learned by everyone.


So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo is a blunt but compassionate and self-aware foray into the most common topics and problems surrounding race relations. Each chapter focuses on a different hot-button race topic, allowing you to flip through and clear up misunderstandings surrounding these topics.


My previous blog posts, which you can find on Linkedin and on my website’s blog, unpack issues in concise and focused explorations of different topics surrounding race in the workplace. Read them, share them, ask me questions and use them to start discussions in the workplace.


What other resources have you found and love? Leave them in the comments below. Let’s tackle this 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.

The Evolving Landscape of Corporate DEI: Key Insights from Recent Reports

By Angela Solomon • October 10, 2024
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From Stale Bread to Fresh Ideas: The DNA of Today's Thriving Professional

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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