SPECTRAFORCE’s Post

"Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced." - James Baldwin 📚 This summer, I delved into the works of James Baldwin, one of the most eloquent voices in literature and trailblazer from the Civil Rights Movement and LGBTQ+ rights movement. His quote above words serve as a timely reminder that addressing Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) may seem daunting, complex, and perhaps even a minefield. However, sidestepping these topics only fortifies the barriers to develop within our organizations. Even if you don't see them, they exist for others. But here's an opportunity for you! Become familiar with the diverse experiences and perspectives within your team, and actively solicit feedback. This Act Of Inclusion bolsters your inclusive leadership skills. Though change won't be instantaneous, the newfound insights and perspectives will lay the groundwork for transformation. Let's turn your D&I ambitions into measurable business results. Inclusive Matters🌍 #inclusiveleadership #INCMAT #JamesBaldwin #DEIstrategy

If I have had one original idea for the DEIB field, it’s the Mosaic. The Mosaic is a cross-organizational super-ERG composed of constituent ERG’s; the Mosaic would be composed of one elected member from each individual ERG (e.g., Black Empoyees Group, LGBTQ+ Employees Group, Differnelty-Abled Employees Group, etc.). This super-ERG would serve as a de facto Diversity Council and work to inform the organization’s mission on an executive level. Effectively, it is a larger, more inclusive group helping organizational leaders to incorporate grassroots social justice concerns into dynamic, future-forward, C-level decisions. Feel free to use the Mosaic. I’ve successfully implemented it in both SME’s and global enterprises.

Throughout May, I'm going to be embarking on a daily journey to spotlight LGBTQIA+ Asian-American and Pacific Islander icons. These are the vibrant individuals and pivotal moments that challenge the status quo, shedding light on the rich tapestry of history often overlooked. It's a celebration of resilience, creativity, and activism—the very essence of what some would prefer to erase. From literary pioneers to trailblazers in the arts, from advocates for justice to voices in politics, the contributions of LGBTQ+ Asian-American and Pacific Islander figures resonate profoundly, shaping global discourse and redefining the boundaries of identity, democracy, and American ideals. Join me on this exploration, and share your thoughts and reflections in the comments each day as we honor and amplify these important voices together. #LGBTQIA+ #AsianAmerican #PacificIslander #LGBTQHistory #Activism #Diversity #Inclusion #Equality #SocialJustice #LGBTQRights #AsianPride #PrideMonth #Community #RepresentationMatters #History #Intersectionality #Empowerment #Awareness #Visibility

Did you know that October is LGBTQ+ History Month? 🌈 This is a great time to uplift, and center, the lived experiences, expertise and voices of Black transgender people. In the ongoing battle for full lived equity, Black transgender people are frequently left out of the conversation, despite the fact that our community faces disproportionate harm, violence and economic injustice. This LGBTQ+ History month I encourage you to reach out to a Black trans person, be in community with transgender people and most importantly hire & pay trans people! 💰 Contrary to popular belief there are so many of us out there doing the work, and who have been doing the work for years and even decades in some cases. The likes of: Dr. Van Bailey E.C. Pizarro III Kylar W. Broadus, Esq come to mind when I think about just a few of the brilliant Black transmen who I have had the pleasure of working alongside, and learning from. Throughout my career I have served on the boards of national LGBTQ+ organizations, been a Point Foundation Scholar and mentor, built leadership programs for QTPOC people, have been named a top workplace leader by Gusto, LinkedIn, SHRM and other major agencies, spoken at New York City Pride and consulted with some of the biggest brands in the world like Fenty and Microsoft. In many of these instances I have been the only trans person in the room, or the only trans person of color in the room. Having a seat at the table and representation is just the starting point when we are talking about equity & inclusion. Remember that Black trans excellence is all around you, and LGBTQ+ History month is an opportunity to name this with intention. Interested in learning more about LGBTQ+ History month? Looking to book a speaker who can come to your company and organization and provide you with historical context, storytelling and tangible takeaways to support your LGBTQ+ colleagues? Let's chat as I am open to engagements this month and beyond - you can comment below or DM me to connect. #LGBTQHistory #LGBTQ #Pride #TransLivesMatter #Transgender #DEI #Diversity #Equity #inclusion #diversityequityinclusion #Trans #inclusiveleadership

Apple (Tim Cook) Dow (Jim Fitterling) Land O'Lakes (Beth Ford) Macy's (Jeff Gennette) According to Investopedia, there are currently four publicly traded companies in the United States with CEOs who identify as LGBTQ, out of a total of 58,200 publicly traded companies worldwide. This represents a mere 0.07% of all publicly traded companies. LGBTQ people make up an estimated 5-10% of the population, so it is clear that they are underrepresented in the CEO suite. What are your thoughts on the current representation of LGBTQ CEOs? Do you think four is enough? How do you think we can create a more inclusive workplace for all backgrounds? Way to lead the way Apple, Dow, Land O'Lakes, Inc. and Macy's! #LGBTQCEOs #DiversityAndInclusion #WorkplaceEquality #RepresentationMatters #InclusiveLeadership #Apple #Dow #LandOLakes #Macys

🌈 Kick Off Pride Month with EARLY PR! 🌈 This Pride Month, EARLY PR reflects on the rich history and significant impact of the Black LGBTQ+ experience and Black Queer Feminism, a praxis that EARLY PR considers foundational to our company values. Icons like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, pivotal in the Stonewall Riots, inspire us to continue advocating for LGBTQ+ equity. Black Queer Feminism, championed by scholars like Audre Lorde and bell hooks, reminds us to honor our roots and champion our successes. At EARLY PR, we believe in the power of brands that care about building an equitable society, and this is reflected in our clients' work. We are committed to using our platform and expertise to support and amplify the voices of the Black LGBTQ+ community and all those striving for a more inclusive world. Join us in honoring Pride Month and standing up for inclusivity and equality in every aspect of our work and lives. Together, let's create a world where everyone can thrive. 🌟 #PrideMonth #EARLYPR #Diversity #Inclusion #Equity #Community #LGBTQ+ #Empowerment #BlackLGBTQ #BlackQueerFeminism #Marketing #PublicRelations #InnovativeSolutions

A Month of LGBTQ+ Icons: George Takei As a queer person of color and an iconic figure in queer culture, George Takei's influence surpasses his on-screen presence as a star actor in Star Trek. Takei's unwavering openness about his identity not only sparks crucial conversations about LGBTQ+ representation but also sheds light on the intersection of race and sexuality. His journey from experiencing discrimination to becoming a prominent advocate underscores the importance of creating inclusive workplaces that honor diversity in all its forms. Takei's resilience and advocacy offer profound lessons for embracing diversity and fostering belonging in professional settings. His courage to speak out against prejudice and promote understanding has paved the way for greater inclusivity in the workplace. Takei's ability to infuse humor into his activism reminds us that championing diversity can be impactful and enjoyable.

Pride is just about here and my team can help you wherever you are on your LGBTQ+ inclusion journey. My team is awesome, diverse, with great energy. I’m super proud of what we’ve built and how many orgs have trusted us, including many global companies. I’ve gotten used to 4am keynotes. Here’s the rundown of our offerings (and I also love to moderate panels): 🏳️🌈Over the Rainbow: our unique take on LGBTQ 101 that’s super comprehensive and also actionable 🏳️⚧️Blurred Lines: our version of Trans 101 that builds empathy and gives concrete tools 🌈 I Will Survive: intersectional LGBTQ history with some great trivia. 👋🏻 Born This Way: my high energy keynote about our marginalized identities as a leadership asset ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you’ve been following, you know I like to bring some fun into this work. Everything I do is engaging and actionable, which makes it fun. Which helps people learn, which is the whole point. ♐️ More details and info on my team at the link in the comments. #pride #lgbtq #ERG

Crowley's business resource group, Stronger Together, has shared this course as a way to support leadership development. So I thought I would share it with my network, too. It's called: “Understanding and Supporting LGBTQ+ Employees” by Rhodes Perry! Check it out: https://lnkd.in/eErdmjSC #lgbtq #allyship.