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National Black Caucus of State Legislators Elects Rep. Laura Hall (Al) As New National President
The National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) elected Representative Laura Hall to serve as the 15th National President.
The elections were held during the NBCSL 46th Annual Legislative Conference on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022 at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nev., according to a press release.
“As I prepare to take the helm as President of NBCSL, I will continue to advance this organization forward, making sure we remain focused on the communities we represent, said newly elected NBCSL President Rep. Hall, “Ensuring our voices as Black state legislators are heard and we are indeed the ‘Voices for the States.’”
NBCSL holds elections every two years to select new leadership. Along with the election of the new president, other Executive Committee officers–Rep. Harold Love (TN), President-Elect, Sen. Raumesh Akbari (TN), Vice President, Rep. Vivian Flowers (AR), Secretary, Rep. Toni Rose (TX), Financial Secretary, and Sen. Gerald Neal (KY), Parliamentarian.
“I am extremely proud to pass the torch of leadership to my dear friend and colleague, Rep. Laura Hall,” said current NBCSL President Billy Mitchell, “I know that she will take this organization to even greater heights under her leadership. I want to also congratulate the members of the newly elected Executive Committee. I look forward to the work that each of you will do.”
Representative Hall will officially take on the role as NBCSL President in January of 2023. Under her leadership, she plans to continue work on protecting voter rights, women’s rights, and increasing the engagement of NBCSL members and corporate partners.
About National Black Caucus of State Legislators
NBCSL is the nation’s premier organization exclusively serving the interests of African American state legislators. With more than 700 members collectively representing over 60 million Americans, NBCSL serves as a national network, advocate and catalyst for public policy innovation, information exchange, and joint action on critical issues. Visit nbcsl.org to learn more.
Why Giving Back Is Good for You and Your Business This Season (and All Year Long)
Disclaimer: This story has been republished with permission from Entrepreneur.com.
It’s the most demanding time of the year. Entrepreneurs are easily overwhelmed during the holidays. Product-based businesses run sales and move more volume, but even companies that go quiet often spend this season working on big-picture strategies. Add to that: staffing shortages and personal obligations. Many entrepreneurs I work with have complicated family dynamics, magnified by the pressure of holiday travel and ambient festive stress.
You might be surprised at my advice to improve your mental health this season. Entrepreneurs, consider doing even more — but for others. Add “giving back” to your holiday checklist or New Year’s resolutions. Think of it as a gift to yourself.
The case for giving back
Entrepreneurs are good at many things; we are not known for taking care of our mental health. And the odds are not in our favor.
As a demographic, entrepreneurs are prone to depression at much higher rates. Colder weather, shorter days and holiday hustle can exacerbate these issues. If you run an early-stage startup, you might wire in before sunrise and shut down after sunset.
Some of my clients became entrepreneurs to lean into work, avoid complicated personal situations or gain independence — even escape dysfunctional family patterns. It’s often easier to hold those boundaries without holiday-induced guilt. Now, your work commitments might be challenged by friends and family with the retort, “But it’s Christmas!” A craving for independence, on the flip side, can come with loneliness.
Researchers have found that acts of service can help alleviate stress. Giving is good for your physical and mental health, with studies suggesting “pro-social spending,” including donations to charity, is associated with a boost in happiness, whereas buying new stuff is not. More tangibly, giving is linked to lower blood pressure, reduced levels of depression and increased self-esteem. This “helper’s high” might be caused by feel-good brain chemicals released with good deeds, including serotonin and the relationship-fusing oxytocin. Humans are inherently social creatures, and volunteering fosters human connection. For this reason and others, group volunteer activities are also great for team-building.
How to find your cause (and get your business involved)
Besides making the world a better place and improving your health, there’s more return on your pro-social investment when your company gets involved. A staggering 82% of shoppers want brands to align with their values. Giving back might secure customers and boost loyalty among young workers seeking jobs with greater purpose.
For better brand integration, consider a cause that complements your core offering. A tech company might run a free coding workshop, for instance, or even a simple Facebook or smartphone tutorial at a seniors’ center. Be sure to take these outings on workdays (consider it a great alternative to icebreakers and the forced fun of team retreats).
Sometimes an act of service means aligning your unique specialty with your community, and sometimes it’s more loosely tied to your work. Many of my clients are solopreneurs who prefer to volunteer for more personal causes. One client, Chris, sits on the board of several non-profits to offer budgetary advice and help set strategic goals. His business expertise is helpful to small charities, which are often understaffed and under-resourced. While his company isn’t involved, he’s using his skills.
When I released my book on grieving and loss, I channeled my passion for circus arts into the launch event. I hosted a circus show in my hometown of Minneapolis to benefit the local chapter of NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, in honor of my late brother. Our community of artists offered free tickets to a local BIPOC circus organization, Vivid Black Paint, and the Minnesota chapter of Motherless Daughters, a support group for women and girls who have lost mothers.
For entrepreneurs, altruism means thinking critically about who should be in the room and who is often missing. We have the skills and resources to clear obstacles and open doors. For many, that takes the form of mentoring, teaching entrepreneurship workshops at community organizations or taking part in a high school’s pitch day. Or maybe you’d prefer to break from the business while you give back to a cause that fuels a personal passion for the arts or environmental preservation.
For entrepreneurs, altruism means thinking critically about who should be in the room and who is often missing. We have the skills and resources to clear obstacles and open doors. For many, that takes the form of mentoring, teaching entrepreneurship workshops at community organizations or taking part in a high school’s pitch day. Or maybe you’d prefer to break from the business while you give back to a cause that fuels a personal passion for the arts or environmental preservation.
Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee, Two-Time Olympic Gold Medalist Lynette Woodard, Returns to Harlem Globetrotters as Special Advisor
Keith Dawkins, President of the Harlem Globetrotters and Herschend Entertainment Studios, announced today at the organization’s annual Training Camp, that Lynette Woodard, the first woman to ever join the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters, returns to the team this winter as a Special Advisor to the President.
Ms. Woodard, is also a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, a former WNBA great, and a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and the first female player for the Harlem Globetrotters. She will support efforts to increase the representation of women athletes within the organization, help deepen the organization’s connection to former Globetrotters, and partner to bolster its global Goodwill Ambassador Initiative which focuses on doing work with partners in the areas of Education, Health & Wellness, Community Empowerment while continuing to grow the game of basketball across the world.
“This is a critical time for the Harlem Globetrotters as we look ahead to our upcoming 2023 World Tour, our 100-year anniversary in 2026 and the overall growth of our business,” said Dawkins. “To have an American sports icon like Lynette Woodard return as a Special Advisor at a time when we just increased the number of women athletes on our roster to largest in the organization’s 96-year history, is seismic!”
(Image: (left to right) Cherelle ‘Torch’ George, Arysia ‘Ace’ Porter, Mia ‘Mighty’ Hopkins, Mia ‘Ice’ Castaneda, Kayla Gabor, Fatima ‘TNT’ Lister Bottom: Lynette Woodard / PR Newswire)
For the upcoming 2023 World Tour, the six women will include new players:
Arysia ‘Ace’ Porter – Harlem Globetrotters – St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, Texas (Guard)
“I’m living proof that lightning can strike twice and it did with my return to this team that I have loved all my life,” said Woodard. “A seed was planted when I became the first female to join the Harlem Globetrotters. Now I can see the fruit of my joy with the largest group of women athletes to be celebrated in the team’s history.”
(Image: (left to right) Lynette Woodard, Arysia ‘Ace’ Porter , Mia ‘Mighty’ Hopkins / PR Newswire)
Lynette Woodard became the first woman to ever play for a men’s professional basketball team when she signed with the Harlem Globetrotters in October 19851987. The six-foot guard was a four-time Kodak All-American (1978-81) and two-time GTE Academic All-American at the University of Kansas, where she averaged 26.3 points per game during her college career. Woodard is also the all-time leading scorer in women’s college basketball with 3,649 points.
Woodard captained the 1984 United States Olympic team that captured the gold medal in Los Angeles, CA. She went on the play in the inaugural season of the WNBA for the Cleveland Rockers during the summer of 1997 and was selected by the Detroit Shock in the 1998 WNBA expansion draft. Woodard was presented with a Harlem Globetrotters “Legends” Ring in 1996. She went on to be a twice inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, first with the Harlem Globetrotters team in 2002 and individually in September 2004.
Dr. Eli Joseph Redefines Academic Comeback from Rejected PhD Applicant to Impactful Professor
On Sunday, Dec. 11, the New York University School of Professional Studies conducted a University Commencement ceremony for the Summer and Fall Class of 2022 graduates at the NYU Skirball Center.
Dr. Eli Joseph, an instructor in the Business and Systems Department, attended the commencement ceremony to celebrate the accomplishments of the students, faculty and staff members throughout the uncertain year. This is a bittersweet moment for Joseph, who was able to turn his rejection into succession. Back in 2016, Joseph was rejected by the New York University Tandon School of Engineering. Fast forward to today, Dr. Joseph is currently teaching graduate students at the same institution that initially rejected him.
In an Instagram message, Dr. Joseph shared the introspective mindset behind his journey, according to a release. In this post he states:
I wasn’t cool enough to be a Ph.D. student at New York University (@nyuniversity) in 2016 but it feels so cool wearing this size 7 tam and 71” doctoral gown as a faculty member at New York University! A message to every graduating student who currently feels overlooked: Appreciate the underestimating process before they try to overrate their expectations of you while depreciating your future accomplishments. Congratulations to our Class of 2022 and 2023 graduates at the School of Professional Studies!
(Image: Courtesy via Black PR Newswire)
Though Joseph experienced a plethora of rejections from various firms and institutions, he has overcome these challenges and used his failures as fuel for motivation to succeed. He recently delivered two TEDx talks this fall entitled “Time Is Your Biggest Competition” and “No Trace, No Case”
In addition to teaching at NYU, Eli Joseph serves as a faculty member at Columbia University and UCLA. Joseph is also a partner at ExamOne, a Quest Diagnostics company. He is the author of the book entitled The Perfect Rejection Resume.
Holiday Cheer Spreads as Boys and Girls Clubs of America Alumni, Brand Supporters Continue Efforts to Help Youth Achieve Great Futures
This holiday season, dedicated supporters continue to join forces to support Boys & Girls Clubs of America as they work together to provide safe spaces, caring mentors and life-enhancing experiences to over 3.6 million youth at nearly 5,000 Clubs across the nation, on Native lands and U.S military installations worldwide.
A lifetime supporter and former Boys & Girls Club kid, Shaquille O’Neal decked the halls of the Shaquille O’Neal Boys & Girls Club of Henry County as he shared holiday gifts and joy with hundreds of Atlanta-area children from kindergarten to 12th grade at his annual Shaq-A-Claus holiday party, according to a release. Through the Shaquille O’Neal Foundation, the basketball legend continues his 21-year tradition of brightening the holidays by providing thousands of toys, clothing, meals, and more to deserving kids and teens across the country.
Smiles and holiday cheer spread to California, as Knorr and Boys & Girls Clubs of America enlisted two-time Emmy-winning television host and Boys & Girls Club alumni, Mario Lopez, to unveil the first kitchen at Boys & Girls Club of Burbank. At this event, Mario co-lead a live cooking class alongside a Knorr chef teaching participants how to make delicious and nutritious meals for under $4 per serving, such as the Knorr Chicken Tacos recipe. As Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Alumni Ambassador of Fitness, Mario advocates for youth and their families to be equipped with the essential skills and education for a healthy lifestyle and holiday season.
Additionally, this giving season, JLo Beauty – a beauty and lifestyle brand founded by Jennifer Lopez, donated $40,000 from the brand’s holiday sales to support Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s mission to help all young people reach their full potential. JLo Beauty partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs of America through the brand’s “Glow It Forward” campaign, which is dedicated to paying it forward to causes that provide opportunities to shine. Club professionals provide resources, support and opportunities to help young people shine every day. Reflecting on a successful career in entertainment, beauty and more, Jennifer Lopez, a National Spokesperson for Boys & Girls Clubs of America, credits the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club for providing her first stage “shine” in performing arts, so the funds will be dedicated to this location.
“As we continue to honor the moment of this festive season, express gratitude and embrace the possibilities available for today’s young people, we are honored to have the support of so many influential industry-leaders, celebrity alumni supporters and corporate partners who share our belief that every child has what it takes to achieve a great future,” said Jim Clark, president & CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Today, nearly 5,000 Boys & Girls Clubs provide safe spaces where young people can learn and grow. We believe every kid and teen deserves access to experiences and opportunities that change their lives for the better and are committed to doing whatever it takes to support youth on their path to a great future. In fact, according to Youth Right Now – a recent survey providing insights on America’s young people, 95% of Boys & Girls Club kids feel they have the skills needed to be successful in a job, while 89% similarly say their Club prepares them to persevere when things get hard and 78% of Club alumni are satisfied with their career, compared to 65% of adults from the general population.
This year, Boys & Girls Clubs of America is honored to team up with like-minded partners who have strengthened their commitment to youth through giving campaigns, in-store activations and opportunities to round up at the register. These efforts include:
adidas
adidas retail stores will invite customers to round-up or donate to support Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
ALDI
This holiday season, ALDI continues its partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America providing Clubs with resources surrounding programs like Healthy Habits, DEI and Trauma- Informed. ALDI is committed to supporting Children’s Health and Wellness to make a difference in their communities. Together ALDI and Boys & Girls Clubs of America are sharing resources that lead to positive youth and teen Club experiences not only through the holidays but throughout 2023.
Bridgestone
This holiday season, funds raised through Bridgestone Retail Operations’ Driving Great Futures program will provide 12 Clubs across the country with new vans and 20 Clubs with $20,000 Transportation grants to address critical mobility needs. Bridgestone will host van celebration events, with select Clubs receiving an additional $1,000 in holiday gifts, to unveil new vans to Club communities. Since its launch in 2015, the Driving Great Futures partnership has raised more than $20 million, providing Clubs across the country with van, transportation, and technology grants through customer and employee donations across its network of more than 2,200 stores nationwide. Annually (Jan – Dec), Bridgestone provides customers with an opportunity to give $1, $3, or $5 at the register to benefit Boys & Girls Clubs. To learn more about how to support this partnership visit Bridgestone Retail Operations partner page for details.
Cricket Wireless
For the third consecutive year, Cricket Wireless is launching its “12 Days of Cricket” holiday giving campaign to support Boys & Girls Clubs youth and their families. From Nov. 14 (in conjunction with World Kindness Day) to Nov. 30, Cricket surprised families across 17 markets (St. Louis, Atlanta, Boston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Hawaii, San Antonio, Phoenix, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Birmingham, Columbus, Sioux Falls, Dallas – Ft. Worth, Salt Lake City, Orlando) with gifts valued at over $140K. In addition, to help spread the holiday cheer more broadly, this year’s campaign includes a sweepstakes that will give Cricket customers nationwide a chance to win $2,000 and a Moto G Stylus 5G each week by scanning a QR code in 4,500+ stores beginning November 18 through January 5, 2023. This code will provide customers, who enter the sweepstakes, with an opportunity to donate to Boys & Girls Clubs of America. To learn more about how to support this partnership visit bgca.org/cricket for details. No purchase necessary. Sweepstakes ends 1/5/2023. Open to US residents; age of majority & older. Sponsored by Cricket Wireless LLC, 1025 Lenox Park Blvd NE, Atlanta, GA 30319. Void where prohibited. Visit http://www.cricketsweepstakes.com/12daysofcricket for Official Rules and details.
Forever 21
This holiday season, Forever 21 is offering many ways for consumers to give back. Customers will have the opportunity to round-up their purchase in-store to donate the rounded-up portion to Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Forever 21 has also committed to donating $1 to Boys & Girls Clubs of America for every item sold from their Cozy Collection. Additionally, customers will be invited to add $1, $3, or $5 donations to Boys & Girls Clubs of America to their online shopping cart at check-out.
Kohl’s
Now through December 31, 2022, Kohl’s will match individual donations to Boys & Girls Clubs of America, up to $1 million, to double the impact for kids.
Neiman Marcus
Neiman Marcus is partnering with Boys & Girls Clubs this holiday season to make their moments! Beginning October 24 through January 31, Neiman Marcus and Neiman Marcus Last Call customers will have the opportunity to donate to Boys & Girls Clubs of America while shopping online or in-stores and booking visits with Santa, supporting local Clubs in Neiman Marcus communities.
Parichute, The Coca-Cola Company and players of many Major League Soccer (MLS), National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and United Soccer League (USL) teams
The Help Kick Hunger Challenge unites the youth organization with players in many Major League Soccer (MLS), National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and United Soccer League (USL) cities, raising awareness and funds to provide meals to millions of young people across America. Additionally, now through December 31, The Coca-Cola Company will match all donations to Boys & Girls Clubs of America through the Help Kick Hunger campaign, up to $50,000, doubling the potential impact to keeping kids fed, fueled and focused on achieving their full potential. Click here to learn more and donate at app.parichute.com/project/help-kick-hunger.
Papa Johns
Feed a Shaq-sized family with the Shaq-a-Roni! This pizza with a purpose features eight foldable Shaq-sized slices loaded with extra cheese and extra pepperoni on each extra-large slice. For each Shaq-a-Roni sold now through December 24, Papa Johns will donate $1 to The Papa John’s Foundation, which has supported Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s youth leadership programs since 2019.
Wayback Burgers
On Giving Tuesday, November 29, Wayback Burgers celebrated the season of giving by donating 10% of all sales to Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
To learn more about how Boys & Girls Clubs of America invests in America’s future generation of leaders, innovators and problem-solvers, visit www.bgca.org. After all, they’re the only next generation we’ve got.
Many of us are still in shock after learning that Stephen “tWitch” Boss died by suicide.
When public figures die by suicide I often hear people make comments such as “They had so much to live for” or “They seemed really happy.” While I do not know the specific events that led to this unfortunate outcome for the Boss family, my experience working with people who are suicidal has taught me a few things. First, people who are suicidal are usually experiencing mental health struggles that are unnoticed and/or untreated. As a result, their judgment may be impaired and they often have a hard time coming up with other options to address their concerns. They often feel hopeless and do not see how things will improve or they feel that family/friends will be better off if they are not around. It is even more complicated with high performing people because they often think that other people have worse problems than they do or that they should know how to solve their problems alone. Also, they may worry about privacy concerns and public ridicule if they seek support. For Black men, mental health stigma and stereotypes about Black men can also serve as barriers to accessing support. Instead of seeking help, they wear a mask, concealing their emotional pain and pretending all is well, until it is too late.
A mental health crisis for Black men and boys
As society grapples with a global mental health crisis and a broken mental health system, racial inequities in mental health persist in the Black community. Suicide rates for Black youth are increasing and outpacing their White counterparts. A report submitted to Congress from The Congressional Black Caucus Emergency Taskforce, Ring the Alarm: The Crisis of Black Youth Suicide in America, highlights that suicide rates for Black youth ages 5 to 12 years are double the rate for their White peers and that the suicide death rate for Black youth is increasing faster than any other racial/ethnic group. In addition to our children/adolescents, suicide rates are highest among Black Americans 25 – 34 years of age and suicide rates for Black males (11.7) are more than 4 times the rate for Black women (2.6) (Suicide Prevention Resource Center).
While these suicide rates sound the alarm and create a need for urgent mental health services for Black men and boys, utilization rates tell another story. In the Black community, Black men have been socialized to keep their pain private. They are told that men should not talk about their feelings or their problems and that they should not share family business with people outside the family, especially people who represent power and authority. This leads to an unfortunate outcome with Black men walking around wounded and with bottled up hurt and pain. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI, 2015) shows that only 6.6% of Black men who have a mental health condition will seek therapy. That means that over 93% of Black men who are struggling with a mental illness will not seek treatment. With their actions, Black men are saying “therapy is not for me.” Why? One reason is that we do not have enough Black men in the mental health field. These alarming statistics are definitely sounding the alarm and spotlighting the need for more Black male therapists.
Lack of representation is a huge problem in the mental field, and it impacts people pursuing treatment or seeing a career in mental health as a viable option.
Bringing More Black Men into the Mental Health: It is Urgent and it Starts Young
Black men are significantly underrepresented in mental health careers. Pew Research data (2019) shows that Black men account for 48% of the U.S. Black population, but less than 1% of the psychology workforce. In fact, the APA Center for Workforce Studies data reveals that only 4% of the U.S. psychology workforce identify as Black and of these Black psychologists, only 8% were Black men (APA, 2022).
When we see headlines about suicide, we often turn our attention to the outcome and spend much of our time talking about what happened. As a society, we must recognize we already have what we need to stop these fatal outcomes for our Black men and boys, but we have to move further upstream with urgency and with purpose. We urgently need to diversify the mental health workforce because the low numbers of Black mental health practitioners are alarming; the low therapy utilization rates are astounding; and the high rates of suicide among Black men and boys are frightening. If we are truly committed to changing the mental health outcomes for Black men, then we must start with the following 4 priority areas:
Foster emotional literacy: We need to teach Black boys and men to name and express their emotions. Sharing feelings is not a weakness, it is actually a strength and talking about your struggles fosters connection, community, and support. It allows people to empathize with your situation and it helps you to communicate what you need. When you can identify your emotions, it helps you grow comfortable asking for help.
Teach mental health literacy: We need to teach Black men and boys how to recognize their signs of stress and the various ways that mental health conditions might manifest for them. We also have to teach them to recognize the early signs so that they can get support before the problem becomes severe. As part of mental health literacy, Black male youth need to know that a career in mental health is a financially sustainable career option. Dr. Kwame Dance, developed a youth program, Mental Health ACCESS: Advancement of Culturally Competent Education to Stop Stigma, that addresses mental health literacy.
Offer culturally responsive therapeutic approaches: We need Black men and boys to know that there are therapeutic approaches that resonate with their life experiences. Talk therapy is a standard therapeutic intervention, but given that many Black men have been socialized to bottle up their emotions, offering talk therapy as the only solution misses the mark. Therefore, promoting approaches that integrate music, songwriting, and dance such as Hip Hop therapy or social justice, sports, and faith can make the therapeutic process much more appealing.
Increase access to graduate school: We need Black men and boys with degrees in mental health. For too long, Black youth have been steered away from the mental health field due to the high cost, time needed to obtain an advanced degree, and negative messages about the field. Additional time spent earning an advanced degree means delaying earning money that can support a family’s immediate needs– a delay that some people cannot afford. Without a college degree and/or post-graduate degree, people often get stuck in frontline mental health roles (e.g., milieu counselors) with no path forward for obtaining an advanced degree or moving up in the organization or they leave the industry. Therefore, it’s time to elevate careers in mental health, provide coaching and guidance for people interested in entering the field, and increase access to scholarships.
Over the past 16 years I have provided clinical supervision to over 30 students pursuing a degree in mental health. Only 6 of these students were men and only 3 (10%) were Black men. I started InnoPsych to address racial inequities in mental health by increasing access to therapists of color and by educating communities of color about the importance of mental health. Black men and boys need to know that there is a place for them to express their emotions and people they can talk to about their struggles. This is a call to action for each of us to do our part to promote mental health and to ensure that our loved ones know how to get support during tough times.
We need our Black men and boys to feel safe sharing their emotions and asking for help.
We need our Black men and boys to know that there are options other than suicide to stop their emotional pain.
We need our Black men to do more than survive.
We need our Black men to thrive.
We need more Black male therapists now, more than ever.
About Dr. Charmain Jackman
Dr. Charmain Jackman is an award-winning licensed psychologist and global spokesperson on BIPOC mental health. She has worked in K12 schools for over 17 years and served as the Dean of Health & Wellness at Boston Arts Academy from 2011-2021, where she led impactful initiatives to address adolescent mental health. Dr. Jackman is the founder and CEO of InnoPsych, Inc., a mental health tech start-up on a mission to disrupt racial inequities in mental health and to improve mental health outcomes for people of color. She also consults with schools and organizations on topics including emotional health & learning, racial trauma, burnout, and employee wellbeing. She has won several awards for her innovative work including the 2021 American Psychological Association’s Citizen Psychologist Award and City of Boston’s 2021 Innovator of The Year award. She has also been featured on global media outlets such as the New York Times, NPR, and the Boston Globe and is a regular contributor to the PBS Teachers Lounge.
6 Ways Companies Could Be Committing ‘Time Theft’ Against Minority Employees
Disclaimer: This story has been republished with permission from Entrepreneur.com.
Have you heard of the phrase “time theft“? If so, you may associate it with poor performance and work practices by employees at a company, like, for example, the employees who clock in early but only work part of the time. Or employees who extend their lunch break without telling a manager. The traditional definition of time theft is related to the modern “quiet quitting” movement in that it puts the focus of bad behavior on employees who “steal” time from businesses.
But, have you thought about the myriad of ways employers steal time from employees — particularly those who are working towards diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace? Are there ways employers and others take time and energy away from employees working towards a more just and equitable workplace? In this article, we’ll flip the idea of time theft on its head and discuss six ways employees, who spend time working on DEI issues, are often uncompensated, overlooked and undervalued by businesses.
It’s time theft when employees are asked to participate in DEI councils and working groups without compensation
I’m a huge advocate for DEI councils and employee resource groups (ERGs). They are great places for like-minded people to put their heads together and strategize on ways to tackle DEI issues in the workplace. However, when those councils and groups take hours away from workers every week, employees should be compensated for those hours.
DEI councils and ERGs are not “extracurricular” activities that employees do for fun while away from their desks. It’s hard, business-oriented labor that drives progress. It’s time theft for employees to do the brainstorming, planning and execution work that’s beneficial to a business’s DEI plans while not getting fairly paid or recognized for it.
Participation in councils and groups without proper compensation is stealing time from employees that could otherwise be used for their personal needs or to invest in other professional development opportunities.
It’s time theft when employees are constantly working to get buy-in on DEI initiatives outside of working hours
The amount of labor employees spend on getting buy-in on DEI initiatives within an organization can be massive. Related to being on DEI councils and ERGs, it takes time and energy to attend events before and after work to get more people on board with a DEI strategy or find cross-departmental support. Time theft comes into play when employees are constantly having to sell, resell, reframe and reinvigorate their colleagues and leadership about an initiative that’s beneficial to the business.
Employees who are passionate about DEI and have a fire to get buy-in on their initiatives spend so much time doing so that it eats into their bandwidth to accomplish other parts of their job. They need reliable support from other employees and leadership so that the burden doesn’t get saddled on the shoulders of a few.
Time spent getting buy-in on DEI initiatives should be recognized and compensated. It should be acknowledged by leadership as an act that supports the company’s development. All employees, not just those personally impacted by DEI, should put in the effort to get buy-in for DEI projects.
It’s time theft when leadership experiences analysis paralysis and keeps employees strung along without taking action
After participating on an unpaid DEI council, then having to run around getting people to sign onto an initiative with clear benefits for the business, some employees may get their hopes up by coming to leadership with a grand master plan. Leadership may ideologically appreciate the initiative, but it may take time to figure out how to implement it. Leaders may string along employees and tell them they’re working on it, but the result may be months of inaction and analysis paralysis.
Businesses shouldn’t rush to implement DEI plans without the financial and logistical pieces figured out. However, many leaders get held up by having a lack of data and stall progress because they’re looking for more information before taking action. I believe in data but sometimes waiting for the perfect amount of information, even after a DEI council or ERG has provided plenty, can be a crutch that steals time from employees who have worked hard for an initiative and are waiting for action.
If leadership is hearing the same messages calling for action on racial, gender, sexual orientation or disability issues in the workplace, stalling on the action while others wait for results is time theft.
It’s time theft when employees from marginalized identities are constantly being asked to educate colleagues
Consistently tapping employees with marginalized identities to lead discussions or be spokespersons for entire groups is a theft of time and energy.
When colleagues are attempting to be better allies, it requires them to put in personal work to become educated about the issues. Instead of doing the work on their own, they often rely on those impacted to educate them. It can feel exhausting and triggering for some employees to be educators while they’re experiencing their own challenges in the workplace. Using an employee’s time to answer questions that can be a part of one’s self-education is an inappropriate and problematic request.
Employees and colleagues who are not occupying marginalized identities need to educate themselves and reduce the amount of time they spend asking those impacted to support them in their learning. It’s burdensome, exhausting and harmful to those who need to protect their peace and boundaries at work.
It’s time theft when employers ask marginalized folks to share their “lived experiences” but gaslight those individuals when it’s time for action
It can be incredibly frustrating for employees with marginalized identities to share their experiences and not be heard or taken seriously. Leadership may ask certain groups to share their lived experiences with the hope of finding an opportunity to create a DEI initiative that supports them. While that’s a good intention, when those individuals speak up and others discredit or gaslight them about their experiences, it can feel dismissive and like a waste of time.
When employers request information from marginalized folks, it needs to be serious and focused on solutions. When folks share their experiences with trauma, discrimination and social inequities at work, it’s important to believe their stories. When leadership asks for this information and then pulls employees with marginalized identities into conference rooms to discuss it, discrediting, doubting or denying their experiences is disrespectful and time theft.
It’s time theft when leadership encourages marginalized folks to work harder for advancement opportunities and then overlooks them for promotions
Many marginalized groups are familiar with the phrase, “you have to work twice as hard to get half of what others have.” This can be absolutely true in the workplace. Many marginalized folks who are on the promotion track can be told by their managers, “if you work harder” or “if you take on this project” you may be better positioned for a promotion. Perhaps the employee jumps through all the hoops and completes their work with flying colors, but when it’s promotion time, they’re overlooked while someone who’s “in” with leadership gets the nod.
As much as DEI practitioners try to even the playing field, we know that promotions and advancements are still bottled necked by those who are tight with leadership or represent the stereotypical recipient of promotions.
Too often, people who are a part of underrepresented groups are not considered for opportunities despite their hard work, above-average performance or consistency. It’s time theft to convince employees with marginalized identities to pour more time and energy into their work only to be left without recognition or reward. Women and people of color are often the first to volunteer to work harder but too often the last to get promoted.
Final thoughts
Time theft is a real issue for marginalized folks and those who are passionate about the work of DEI. Creating a more inclusive, diverse and equitable workplace can be seen as a “voluntary” or “extracurricular” activity that doesn’t need compensation. However, organizations need to reframe this work as business-critical and essential for growth and longevity.
Everyone should be involved in advocating for DEI and promoting its presence in the workplace. This shouldn’t sit on the shoulders of a few employees who occupy marginalized identities. If DEI were more integral in an organization’s work, there would be more of a push for self-education, fair compensation and equal opportunity for advancement.
Time theft occurs when groups, who are marginalized, overlooked and underappreciated have to carry the weight of educating, getting buy-in, leading and still surviving inequality in the workplace. It’s not fair for the burden to be carried by them alone without financial compensation or action taken by the leadership. It’s time to invest in DEI, to make it an integral part of a business’s values and to honor and give back the time and energy employees have spent by implementing their plans and taking action.
The Founder and Creator of Monytize, Terrell Samuels, Announces the Official Launch of the Highly Anticipated, Invitation-Only Monytize App
Terrell Samuels, the founder and developer of Monytize, has released the app by invitation only. Monytize’s altruistic and moral approach to conducting business in the entertainment industry can alter the public’s perception of the entertainment industry as a source of entertainment rather than a tool for positive change. Users contribute significantly to the enduring legacy that Monytize is establishing.
At the height of the pandemic, when spending on home entertainment increased by fifty percent because people were forced to stay indoors for extended periods to avoid the virus, Terrell had this brilliant idea. Not only did Terrell create a method for friends to communicate online, but he also enabled them to profit from playing and listening to their favorite video games, songs, and films. The majority of individuals believed that the social media platform would only serve as a typical social media platform; however, it also functions as a streaming platform.
Monytize is a social networking platform that allows users to maintain relationships with friends and family. However, it has additional advantages that eliminate the time-consuming wastefulness of social media browsing. Monytize aims to make social media profitable for both content creators and content consumers, going beyond the simple act of consuming information to also put money in their pockets. The network is intended to facilitate the sharing of videos, photographs, and other media content, all of which will be monetisable. This platform, which can only be accessed by invitation, enables users to construct their own networks however they see fit. For each new member they bring into the community, the user who invited them receives a monetary reward.
Monytize is used by notable celebrities such as actor and comedian Tiffany Haddish, actor Kenan Thompson, NBA player Duane Washington Jr., and actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson, among others, so that they can earn money while interacting with their fans.
Monytize is a streaming platform that enables users to obtain the latest music, videos, and games from their preferred content creators in a centralized location. This affords content creators an additional opportunity to monetize their work and earn revenue from each stream they receive. It is particularly advantageous if their followers join via the invitation links they provide. Terrell developed a business model to generate revenue for Monytize that donates a portion of each dollar to charitable organizations, needy communities, religious institutions, and any other part of the world in need of financial contributions. Users can also facilitate this model by inviting others to the platform, persuading them to spend money, receiving compensation for their efforts, and having a portion of their spending on Monytize donated to a charity of their choosing.
Monytize is the first and only platform of its kind, allowing the company, its users, and the general public to generate revenue concurrently. Monytize enables users to earn money through their participation in social media, fulfilling the hopes and expectations of a large number of individuals.
You will have access to a variety of features as a member of the Monytize community, including the ability to stream entertainment, participate in gaming, interact with your friends, family, and communities, and follow your preferred content creators, influencers, brands, and other entities. Members will be able to invite their networks via a unique invitation link, and for every dollar spent as a result of their influence, they will receive 20% of the total. Each member link keeps track of each transaction and ensures that the correct member receives credit.
Music From the Motion Picture ‘Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody’ Released by RCA Records
Ahead of the December 23 theatrical release of TriStar Pictures’ Whitney Houston biopic, Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody, RCA Records dropped the official 35-song soundtrack, serving as a musical memoir of the cinematic voyage. Listen here.
“This totally unique soundtrack album brings many of Whitney’s classics into 2023 and beyond. Contemporary, current and often scorching, if you love Whitney’s music, you must own this album!” says Clive Davis.
Featuring music spanning two decades of Houston’s legendary career, I Wanna Dance With Somebody (The Movie: Whitney New, Classic and Reimagined) includes nearly two hours of remixed and original versions of Whitney Houston songs, with special guest features byBeBe Winans, Clean Bandit, Kygo, Lucky Daye, SG Lewis, Samaria, Jax Jones, Leikeli47, P2J, Oxlade, Pheelz, and more.
“We are thrilled to be releasing the amazing 35-song soundtrack to the Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody film with RCA Records,” saysPat Houston, President of The Estate of Whitney E. Houston. “We think the fans will be excited to hear some incredible music they know and love, as well as some new never-before-released tracks, including ‘Far Enough’ and the incredible ‘Don’t Cry For Me,’ which ends the film.”
RCA announced the original soundtrack would include three rare versions of “Don’t Cry For Me” – a never-before-released a cappella, a full-length film version by Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, and a reimagined recording by record producer Sam Feldt. Houston’s iconic performance of the song was made famous after a striking rendition at the 1994 Aids Project Los Angeles (APLA) benefit concert – a moment that would stun the audience and go down in history as one of the most memorable performances of Whitney Houston’s illustrious career.
“I am extremely honored and proud to have been asked to reimagine a track made by all-time legend Whitney Houston,” says Sam Feldt.
“Being a key part of this unique movie’s soundtrack by turning this classic into a 2023 ready dance-pop banger is an absolute pleasure, and I can’t wait for the fans to hear it.”
“I’m beyond excited for the fans and the next generation of fans to experience the greatness of Whitney and what her voice meant and still means to all of us,” says Rodney Jerkins.
One of the most iconic and influential singers in music history, Houston sold over 200 million albums throughout her legendary career, to become one of the best-selling artists of the 20th century. Her self-titled debut album, Whitney Houston was one of the most acclaimed albums in modern recording history, spending 14 weeks at #1 on Billboard Top 200 and selling more than twenty-five million copies worldwide. The streak continued when Houston became the first female artist to debut at #1 on the Billboard 200 with her sophomore album, Whitney.
Together, the two albums spurred seven #1 singles with a catalog of hits that include, “Saving All My Love for You,” “How Will I Know,” “Greatest Love of All,” “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me),” “Didn’t We Almost Have It All,” “So Emotional,” and “Where Do Broken Hearts Go.” A run that would lead Houston to become the only Black artist to earn three RIAA Diamond-certified albums.
On February 10, Legacy Recordings, in cooperation with The Estate of Whitney E. Houston, will release the icon’s first two studio albums on vinyl, featuring the original album packaging and an exclusive Target edition – both available for pre-order here.
