AAF-Houston’s Post

At Calpine, our ASPIRE values guide our every step. From fostering accountability to nurturing respect, these principles drive us toward our shared vision of excellence. Learn more about how we embody these values: https://bit.ly/3X9DN4K

🏳️🌈Pride is almost here, and I am really curious: How's your organization planning to celebrate Pride Month this year? Comment below!

"We aren’t perfect. But we are committed to taking our best step forward. All I can ask is that others do the same. I hope you’ll join me." As PAN prepares to observe Juneteenth, our CEO Philip A. Nardone, Jr. highlights the importance of actively supporting DEI efforts, emphasizing that recognizing Juneteenth goes beyond a historical event; it's about understanding its ongoing impact on our society and workplace. At PAN, we continue to take proactive steps to ensure our DEI commitment is unwavering and fosters a richer, more inclusive environment for everyone. Read more from our CEO here ➡️ https://bit.ly/3VMsRe9

In case you missed it, check out our #BlackHistoryMonth series featuring 9 Black environmental leaders who are spotlighting important conversations about #sustainability and #climatejustice—and join the conversation. Who are the environmental leaders that you are following on social media?

As we embrace the vibrant hues of Holi, the festival teaches us invaluable lessons in leadership and personal and professional development. This festival, celebrated across diverse cultures, symbolizes the victory of good over evil, the importance of love and forgiveness, and the joy of spring's arrival. It encourages us to break down barriers, fostering inclusivity and unity, much like a leader who builds strong, cohesive teams. In the realm of personal development, Holi inspires us to let go of past grievances, akin to the practice of burning Holika. It's a reminder that forgiveness and moving forward are essential for growth. Professionally, this translates into resolving conflicts and nurturing positive workplace relationships, essential for teamwork and collaboration. The playful exchange of colors represents diversity and the acceptance of different perspectives, crucial for innovation and creativity in any field. It teaches us to appreciate and leverage diverse skill sets and viewpoints, driving collective success. Moreover, Holi's communal celebrations highlight the significance of building strong connections, underscoring the importance of networking and community in achieving personal and professional goals. As we celebrate Holi, let's imbibe these lessons into our leadership style and personal development journey, striving for inclusivity, forgiveness, diversity, and strong community bonds. Here's to a colorful and successful year ahead, filled with the spirit of Holi!

Celebrating Juneteenth: More Than a Day, It's Our DNA🧬 Today, as we commemorate Juneteenth, we can't help but notice how many companies are painting their social media profiles in red, black, and green. They post, they recruit, they brandish hashtags like it's a seasonal trend. But at Whatley PM IT, diversity is who we are. It's in every heartbeat, every decision, every day of the year. 🖤✊🏾 We embody African American culture, not just on Juneteenth but 365 days a year. We don't have the luxury of treating diversity as a box to check off; it's our reality, our essence.🌍 Here at Whatley PM-IT, diversity isn't a buzzword; it's our business strategy, our guiding principle, our everyday norm. We don't need a special occasion to remind us of our roots and our commitment to inclusion. Every choice we make, every policy we implement, is steeped in the rich heritage and resilience of our community. 🌟 So, as we honor this pivotal day in history, let's remember: Juneteenth is not just a moment for us—it's a movement. And while others might borrow the colors and the message, we carry it within us, always. Join us in celebrating freedom, culture, and the unwavering spirit of African American excellence—not just today, but every day. 🏆 #Juneteenth #BlackOwned365 #DiversityAndInclusion

With four and sometimes even five generations in the workforce, it is important to be open to understanding that someone's lived experience can be quite different than your own. The world, sometimes for better and sometimes for worse has changed significantly over the past seventy years. There is a lot be learned and gained from exploring the experiences and perspectives of all generations. How do organizations balance all of these varied experiences, needs, desires, fears, challenges and working styles across generations? This is particularly challenging with respect to GenZ, as their experience has been considerably different than that of generations that came before them? At RJ Wronski Associates, Inc we are helping organizations explore questions such as: When is it appropriate or advantageous to accommodate the needs of the individual when those needs may seem to be at odds with the needs of the organization (i.e. culture, processes, values or work expectations)? How do we turn the many differences (and the similarities that do also exist) into opportunities for both the individual and the organization as a whole? How do we prepare our organization for the generational shift upon us? Collaborating with the LDP Connect Enterprise Council last week on these questions, as they relate to early talent development programs was greatly rewarding. Thank you Dan Beaudry for bringing this topic to the forefront for the LDP Connect community.

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending the 12th annual Corporate Equity & Inclusion Roundtable (CEIR) conference, Going the Distance: Confronting New Challenges to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Duquesne University, an initiative of the Black Political Empowerment Project (B-PEP). One of the highlights was a heartfelt and energizing speech by the Honorable Ed Gainey, City of Pittsburgh Major. His inspiring words emphasized the crucial need for our city to prioritize and actively work toward increasing equity, inclusion, and diversity in all aspects of our community. Mayor Gainey's passionate message set the tone for a transformative event focused on creating positive change in our region. The incredible day-long event brought together brilliant minds and influential leaders from our region. The engaging program featured a variety of formats, including intimate fireside chats, thought-provoking presentations, a captivating keynote speaker by Audra Bohannon, impactful videos, and interactive exercises that kept attendees engaged and inspired throughout the day. Here are some of the key takeaways that resonated with me: 📣 Embrace discomfort and step out of your comfort zone 📣 Always bring your best self to the table 📣 Diversity, equity, and inclusion are non-negotiable principles 📣 Foster an inclusive environment through honest performance feedback 📣 Don't let fear hinder progress 📣 Collaborate and climb together, rather than compete 📣 Speak up, speak out, and take action to create meaningful change I left the conference feeling heard, seen, and compelled to share my story to advocate for a more equitable and inclusive Pittsburgh. It is our collective responsibility to make our city livable for ALL! Now is the time for us to be bold, fearless, and authentic in our efforts to build a stronger, more vibrant, and more inclusive community. We must confront challenges head-on, have difficult conversations, and take decisive action to ensure that everyone in our region has the opportunity to thrive. I invite you to join me in this essential work. Let’s chat! www.mccg.info/contact #diversity #equity #inclusion #Pittsburgh #community #leadership #collaboration #empowerment