Youth Guidance’s Post

You Don't Want To Miss This Event Join me and other local, national, and state representatives, future leaders, businesses, and community leaders at the National Policy Alliance conference and the inaugural Medgar & Charles Evers Award Reception! We will discuss relevant topics that focus on the Future of Black America! Join me in the conversation on Building Wealth & Equity and Minority Owned Businesses: The Attack on Equity & Inclusion.

The lawsuit that has been brought against Fearless Fund in Atlanta, which has opened doors and provided capital for Black women start ups and entrepreneurs is deeply unsettling for me as a Black female entrepreneur. The case is led by the same folks who went after affirmative action in higher education. https://lnkd.in/eymS8J4F This course of action is vile. They are aggressively and maliciously going after all that we have created in response to deep seated inequities with the intention to improve immediate and direct access to capital and the resources we need to develop our financial independence as a people. Particularly, when you see the other ways they are coming for us in education and public policy. It is an attack. One that is strategically designed to keep us from flourishing. So many of us start businesses to serve our people, to make a difference and to find freedom that felt stifled working at or for institutions that have and continue to cause us harm and injury. We are fighting for our lives in ways that I think we never imagined we would have to. Greenwood Black Girl Ventures National Black MBA Association Black Wall Street The Greater Durham Black Chamber of Commerce U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. The African American Chamber of Commerce: Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Aviatra Accelerators Paloozanoire All-In Cincinnati MORTAR United Way of Greater Cincinnati Black Enterprise Magazine

Poll Alert! I need your input! Every room, table or space I'm invited to is an opportunity to center equity and the needs of the communities that intersect with my identity and those I care most about. Next week I will be moderating a learning session for Middle TN Donors Forum on the importance of trusting & investing in Black leaders. We recognize that this 90 minutes will only serve as an entry point for honest & candid understanding between funders and community leaders. What radical shift would you like to see between funders & impact organizations that directly impacts Black nonprofit leaders? A. Leaning into trust-based philanthropy B. Commitment to more multi-year funding  C. Additional feedback & upskilling for un(der) funded proposals D. Invest in collaboration/relationship building vs transactional engagement E. Flexible funds for professional development & planning

By 2026, the HBCU Transformation Project hopes to support a positive change in life trajectories for 22,000 Black Americans. Education is a key driver of social and economic mobility in the US. But opportunities for higher education haven’t always been accessible for all Americans— particularly for Black, Latinx, and low-income communities — because of systemic racism and other barriers. By supporting and expanding inclusive, accessible pathways to higher education, we move the needle toward a more equitable future. Our collaboration with Thurgood Marshall College Fund, UNCF, and Partnership for Education Advancement aims to strengthen operations, fundraising, performance management, and technology infrastructure at 40 participating HBCUs, with an end goal of maximizing their potential impact and the ripple effects of their successes within surrounding Black communities. https://lnkd.in/d72AY9AM

🌟 Celebrating a Pillar of Entrepreneurship and Community Development: Herman J. Russell 🌟 This Black History Month, we honor the remarkable legacy of Herman Jerome Russell, a visionary entrepreneur whose influence has been instrumental in shaping Atlanta's skyline and community. Born in 1930, Russell's journey from his beginnings in his father's plastering business to founding H.J. Russell & Company, one of the most successful Black-owned construction and real estate firms in the United States, exemplifies dedication, innovation, and leadership. 🏗️ Building Atlanta's Future Russell's profound impact on Atlanta includes iconic projects like the Georgia Dome, the expansion of the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and contributions to the MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) rail system. His work extended beyond constructing buildings; he built opportunities for the Black community in construction and real estate, laying a foundation for future generations. Russell also served as the first black member, and later president, of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce! 🌱 A Legacy Beyond Buildings Beyond his business achievements, Russell was a committed philanthropist and civil rights advocate, supporting educational opportunities and striving for economic empowerment within the Black community. His leadership and advocacy efforts made him a central figure in Atlanta's progress toward equality and justice. 🔗 Inspiring Future Generations Herman J. Russell's story is a powerful reminder of how vision, entrepreneurship, and commitment to community can create lasting change. As we celebrate Black History Month, let's honor Russell's legacy by aspiring to impact our communities positively, just as he did through his life and work. To learn more about Herman J. Russell, we suggest his book: Building Atlanta: How I Broke Through Segregation to Launch a Business Empire Paperback https://lnkd.in/dTheZgTM #BlackHistoryMonth #EntrepreneurialExcellence #HermanJRussell #AtlantaLegacy #CommunityDevelopment #Innovation

How Organizations Fail…and Succeed Reexamining The Value Proposition of The Black Non-Profit Organization   As in ecology, organisms tend to expand and dominate the more powerful they become, human systems are very much the same. The organization superimposes power structures around capital, information, and opportunities — that’s what it’s all about.   The common characteristic found in the book’s research highlights that authentic and capable leadership is responsible for good outcomes.   It is simply illogical and void of any applied intelligence and evidence that detaching Black entrepreneurship from mainstream entrepreneurship will somehow close the racial wealth gap. In an ever-increasing intelligent technologies-driven world, globalization has added tremendously to the hyper-competitive environment and the complexity of doing business. So isolating Black nonprofit organizations to lead in a profit-oriented world, is plain stupidity!    A data-driven decisioning framework must be articulated to provide a foundation for identifying challenges objectively and setting priorities. We must move to democratize these organizations, and intelligent technologies can assist greatly — with digital technologies in abundance this will be easy to do.   The goal must be to select organizational leadership, strategies, and genuine processes, from the bottom up.   So if we decide after careful examination and re-imagining that we still want Black organizations like the BBPA to represent us, we must build strategies and systems that will facilitate and promote authentic leadership, growth, and good governance. https://lnkd.in/gxiXYdj5

This Black History Month, we pay homage to the trailblazing contributions of Lewis Latimer, a true pioneer whose impact resonates through generations. Lewis Latimer, born in 1848, was a brilliant inventor and a beacon of inspiration for black technologists, including our very own Luke Cooper. It's incredible to reflect on how Latimer's legacy continues to shape the landscape of innovation and entrepreneurship. Growing up steps away from the project housing in Bridgeport, Connecticut, where Latimer lived, Luke has drawn profound inspiration from his predecessor's resilience and ingenuity. Latimer's groundbreaking inventions, such as the carbon filament for the light bulb, laid the foundation for modern lighting and technology, paving the way for countless innovations that followed. At Latimer Ventures, we are honored to carry forward the spirit of innovation that Lewis Latimer embodied. Our commitment is to foster technological advancements and champion diversity and inclusion within the tech industry. We recognize the importance of amplifying underrepresented voices and creating opportunities for aspiring black technologists to thrive. As we celebrate Black History Month, let's reflect on Lewis Latimer's indelible mark on the world and use it as a catalyst for positive change. At Latimer Ventures, we're dedicated to creating a future where every individual, regardless of background, has the chance to contribute to the next wave of technological breakthroughs. Join us in honoring Lewis Latimer's legacy and shaping a future where diversity and innovation go hand in hand. #BlackHistoryMonth #Innovation #DiversityInTech #LatimerLegacy

So excited to be joining Associated Black Charities for a transformative experience at the Associated Black Charities' 2023 Equity In Action Conference: "The Movement Continues..." This groundbreaking event is tailor-made for corporations, organizations, community leaders, advocates, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and workers who are dedicated to advancing equitable opportunities for Black people. Help ABC ignite change and be a part of the momentum at this inaugural event where insightful workshops will empower you to drive real progress! There will be workshops and learning experiences for Corporations, Organizations, and their Leaders around learning how to foster a workplace environment that not only values diversity but also actively redistributes resources and power to promote true equity challenging traditional norms and learning how to reshape your organization's culture to reflect genuine inclusivity and equity the pitfalls of performative diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, and discovering how to drive authentic change that leads to lasting impact shaping the future of work by defining and cultivating truly equitable workplaces that celebrate diversity and ensure fair treatment for Black professionals looking to explore strategies to break down barriers, create professional alignment, and foster collaborative growth within the Black community gain resilience and connect with others who share similar experiences in navigating predominantly non-Black spaces develop self-assuredness and authenticity to leverage skills and competencies to make a meaningful impact in the workplace for Black entrepreneurs who want to uncover pathways to overcome financial obstacles and gain access to essential capital, paving the way for Black entrepreneurs and businesses to thrive explore the dynamic landscape of Black entrepreneurship and gain insights into the future of Black-owned businesses learn how business accelerators can propel ventures forward and provide a launching pad for success with Master Classes on embracing the power of creativity as a valuable asset and exploring innovative ways to turn cultural expression into economic opportunities understanding the significance of circulating economic resources within the Black community and exploring strategies for fostering sustainable economic growth discovering the secrets to building a compelling and impactful personal and professional brand 

Celebrating Reginald Lewis on the First Day of Black History Month As we embark on Black History Month, it's only fitting to express my gratitude to the trailblazing Reginald Lewis. Last month, my focus was immersed in reading his timeless and inspiring classic, "Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun?" The title, provocative even in today's society, speaks volumes about the challenges he faced back in the early 80's and 90's. Reginald Lewis wasn't just a businessman; he was a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) change agent ahead of his time. His philosophy strongly advocated for non-discrimination, and he dedicated his life to dismantling the barriers that hindered progress. In the face of micro-aggressions and racism, he turned ignorance into an advantage, consistently triumphing through numerical strength and outreach. Finishing his book yesterday, I realized the striking parallels between his principles and my own philosophies. I've been incorporating his principles in my journey to raise funds for my venture. Reginald's tenacity, though cut short with his passing at the age of 50 in 1993, left an indelible mark. He accomplished what he set out to do and paved the way for countless diverse business owners to secure their seats at the table. Reginald Lewis serves as a timeless example of how economic development, education, and access to opportunities can reshape the business landscape. Even in his absence, his legacy continues to motivate generations, including my own Gen Z cohort, proving that his impact is enduring and his vision lives on. Here's to a month of celebrating remarkable individuals like Reginald Lewis, who have left an indelible mark on history. 🙌🏽🖤 #BlackHistoryMonth #ReginaldLewisLegacy #Inspiration #GenZTrailblazers