Nneka M. Craigwell

I’ve been watching the reactions to Teyana Taylor at the Oscars - shoved by security, then praised for her “grace,” and dragged for celebrating others “too loudly.” This is not new for Black women in “upper echelon” spaces:  🚩Set a boundary and you’re “escalating.” 🚩 Show joy and you’re “doing the most.” 🚩 Show up fully and you’re told to shrink to fit someone else’s comfort. Professionalism is a construct, not a compliment. It was built around white norms and weaponized to reward code switching and punish Black women’s expression, emotion, and self‑protection. The data is clear: code switching boosts “professional” ratings while draining our mental and emotional bandwidth. Teyana’s Oscars night isn’t just entertainment news; it’s a live demonstration of how Black women are policed at work every day. I break this down in my new article and why it’s time to interrogate “professionalism” itself, not Black women. 🔗 Full article: https://lnkd.in/eEp-sTy5 If your definition of “professional” requires Black women to make themselves smaller to be seen as credible, the problem is your design, not our behavior.

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UNCF, the United Negro College Fund, known as the United Fund, is a philanthropic organization that funds scholarships for Black students and general scholarship funds for 37 private HBCUs. UNCF was incorporated on April 25, 1944, by Frederick D. Patterson, Mary McLeod Bethune, and others. UNCF is headquartered in DC. In 2005, UNCF supported approximately 65,000 students at over 900 colleges and universities with approximately $113 million in grants and scholarships. About 60% of these students are the first in their families to attend college, and 62% have annual family incomes of less than $25,000. UNCF administers over 450 named scholarships. UNCF’s president and chief executive officer is Michael Lomax. Past presidents of the UNCF included William H. Gray and Vernon Jordan. Though founded to address funding inequities in education resources for African Americans, UNCF-administered scholarships are open to all ethnicities; the great majority of recipients are still African American. It provides scholarships to students attending its member colleges and to those attending other colleges. Graduates of UNCF member institutions and scholarship recipients have included many Black people in business, politics, health care, and the arts. Some prominent UNCF alumni include Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Alexis Herman, Spike Lee, Samuel L. Jackson, General Chappie James, and Dr. David Satcher. UNCF adopted as its motto the maxim “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.” This maxim has become one of the most widely recognized slogans in advertising history. The motto was notably mangled in an address to the organization by VPOTUS Dan Quayle, who stated: “And you take the UNCF model, that’s what a waste it is to lose one’s mind or not to have a mind is being very wasteful. How true that is.” The motto, which has been used in numerous award-winning UNCF ad campaigns, was created by Forest Long, of the advertising agency Young & Rubicam, in partnership with the Ad Council. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

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The Black Promoters Collective (BPC), the largest Black-owned live entertainment company in the U.S., is on track to gross over $100 million in 2025, driven by the success of its “The Boy Is Mine” tour featuring Brandy, Monica, and other R&B stars. Known for centering culture and community, BPC has produced major events like Hot 97 Summer Jam, Rock The Bells Festival, and the Millennium Tour. Leaders say their authenticity-first marketing strategy builds not just ticket sales but lasting brand trust and cultural impact. https://lnkd.in/gRz3XDKe

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Our founder LeRoy Jones and President of PIDC, Jodie H., sat down for an amazing conversation about black leadership, perseverance, and what it means to be a black executive in 2025. Check out the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/gxjcY5Dw

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Paid Parental Leave — and the Messages We Send   In 2015, when I served as Commissioner of HR for the City of Atlanta, we became the first municipal government in the metro Atlanta area to offer paid parental leave. At the time, it was part of a national effort to “Lead on Leave” — encouraging public and private sector employers to adopt policies that genuinely supported families. The first person to use the benefit was an attorney caring for his recovering spouse after the birth of their child. The policy was intended to be used. That’s why we created it. It was Progressive - Supportive - and Family-Focused. This weekend, as multiple reports surfaced about the surprise decision to part ways with the GM of the Minnesota Vikings, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, I was struck by multiple articles revisiting his decision to take two weeks of paid paternity leave in 2023. The articles didn’t explicitly state that his use of leave contributed to his departure — and yet, nearly three years later, they we’re opining on how that decision ran counter to the narrative of leadership within the sport. In contrast, I watched the introductory press conference of the newly hired Head Coach of the Buffalo Bills, Joe Brady, where he spoke candidly about the toll his career had taken on his family — including missing the birth of one of his children due to a game. Same industry. Both leaders operating in high-pressure environments. Very different reactions. In one case, a senior leader used the paid leave provided — and it was framed as radical, even potentially disqualifying. In the other, a senior leader was praised for the sacrifices he made by not being there. So, what’s the lesson? Use the leave — and your commitment is questioned. Visibility becomes synonymous with availability. What message are you sending when employees are penalized for using the leave you promote? Paid parental leave with unspoken consequences isn’t a benefit — it’s a contradiction. When caregiving partners return to find themselves sidelined, passed over, or quietly labeled as “less committed,” the message is clear: Take the leave — but not really. And employees are paying attention. Especially working parents. Especially partners who step up as caregivers. Especially those trying to model equity at home — only to be punished for it at work. So, which should employees follow — what you say in your policies, or what you reward in practice? Because culture isn’t built on benefits statements. It’s built on how leaders respond when people actually use them. 💭 If your organization offers paid parental leave, are all caregivers truly safe using it — without career penalty? — Yvonne Cowser Yancy CEO, YSquare Advisors Transforming business strategy through people. Trusted advisor to leaders driving impact and trust.

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10 Skills All Black Women Should Have: ➡️ Delegation 🧠 Continuous Learning 📝 Storytelling 📊 Data Interpretation ✨ Personal Branding 😊 Self- Advocacy 🛠️ Stress Management 🖌️ Creative Problem Solving 🫂 Boundary Setting 💰 Salary Negotiation Whether you work in corporate America, nonprofit organizations, or freelance— these skills are a must and should be pretty transferable for any niche or business. Comment below if you think I missed anything⬇️ . #Skillset #CorporateChristmas #Nonnegotiable #NonprofitNoel #HolidayHashtags #31DaysofPosting

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I had the pleasure of attending the SHRM Howard County (formerly Howard County Human Resources Society) 2025 Conference last week, and it reminded me why spaces like these matter so much for HR professionals. The theme, “Workforce Reimagined: Find, Train, and Keep the Talent You Need,” couldn’t be more timely. In every session, one message stood out loud and clear: retention is the new recruitment. We can hire all the talent in the world, but if we don’t invest in culture, development, and recognition, our strategies will fall flat. I especially appreciated the focus on HR as more than compliance keepers; we are change agents and culture shapers. April Perry, SHRM-CP shared "workforce development architect" as a reframe I can appreciate. The conversations reinforced that while strategy sets the direction, it’s culture that keeps the workforce engaged enough to walk the path with us. What I valued most? The opportunity to connect with peers who are equally passionate about shaping the future of work. Sharing stories, challenges, and wins reminded me that we’re not in this alone as we are building it together. My biggest takeaway: When we reimagine the workforce, we’re not just solving today’s needs; we are laying the foundation for tomorrow’s success by looking at a "self-sustaining local workforce by focusing on what we each do best to create a dynamic workforce that meets business needs." I will end with a nugget from the conference: "Turnover is the enemy of momentum, and retention is everyone's responsibility".

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Maggie Lena Walker was the first Black woman to charter and lead a bank in the U.S., proving Black women have always been financial leaders.#blackgirlmagic#blackhistorymonthfacts Source: Smithsonian Institution

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MacKenzie Scott has fundamentally altered the landscape of modern philanthropy, with her approach and pace of giving often contrasted with that of other billionaires. Since 2019, she has donated over $26 billion to more than 2,500 organizations. Her "give-away-the-safe" philosophy and high-trust method have earned her praise from the nonprofit sector for enabling real, systemic change, contrasting with other billionaires who may prioritize establishing perpetual foundations or publicizing their philanthropy. MacKenzie Scott makes all other billionaires look lame by comparison. Lifetime Impact: She is one of the top four most generous philanthropists in the U.S., with only Warren Buffett and Bill Gates having donated more in total. 

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I’ll never forget holding space for Black women leaders at Sisters in Commercial Real Estate (SICRE) this month. Kimberley Jackson-Hagwood CPM Natalie Tyler-Martin, MBA, RPA Shaina Talbert Tia Scott Candace Hight My session, Presence Is the Hack™: A Leadership Reset for Black Women Navigating Rooms That Weren’t Built for Us, was deeply personal. For two decades, I’ve lived that story — carrying the weight of being “the only,” navigating unspoken expectations, and finding ways to lead in spaces that weren’t designed with us in mind. What made this moment powerful was not just sharing my journey, but transforming that pain into practice — reclaiming presence, clarity, and power alongside women who understand it in their bones. Because when we root ourselves in presence, we don’t just survive those rooms. We shift them. 💬 To my sisters navigating rooms not built for you — what’s one strategy, ritual, or reminder that helps you stay grounded in your brilliance? #BlackWomenLeaders #PresenceIsTheHack #LeadershipReset #WomenOfColorInLeadership #ClarityAndCapacity #MindfulLeadership #LeadWithImpact #BlackExcellence #ConsciousLeadership

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Dear HBCU Alumni & Students, Landing employment is easy. But only if you have the right strategy. To attract your next employment opportunity in this economic climate you must develop these 3 things: 1. Your Mindset 2. Your Skillset 3. Your Network Here is a 5 part strategy that will help you leverage all 3 to land employment in less than 4 weeks. 1. Invest in a copy of the following 3 books and read them immediately: • The Magic of Thinking Big • Think & Grow Rich • Collaboration Creates Currency 2. Ask yourself these 3 questions: • What Are My Gifts • What Are My Gaps • What Are My Greatest Results Gift are skills that come easy to you but are difficult for others. Gaps are the challenges or obstacles that prevents you from reaching your goal. Greatest Results represents the impact you have made upon previous employers. When asking yourself these questions, make sure to write down the answer on a sheet of paper. 3. Determine which industries are best suited for the Results you are able to produce. List of industries include: • Mining • Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting • Arts, Entertainment and Recreation • Finance and Insurance • Administration, Business Support and Waste Management Services • Manufacturing • Utilities • Construction • Real Estate and Rental and Leasing • Wholesale Trade • Transportation and Warehousing • Accommodation and Food Services (Hospitality) • Educational Services 4. Identify the Industry Association for your area. Say you’re in the Hospitality Industry and just relocated to Orlando, Florida. You could tap into the following associations: • Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association (CFHLA) • Orlando Hospitality Alliance 5. Connect with leaders within the association(s) you identify and request a personal introduction to members of the association who are hiring. Give a 👍🏾 if this was helpful. Give a 👎🏾 if this was a waste of your time. #employment #employmentopportunities #jobseeking #jobseekingtips #CollaborationCreatesCurrency #YBConnects #HBCU

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BLACK FATHER DAUGHTER LEGAL LEGACY IN MOTION WHEN GENERATIONS BUILD, HISTORY SHIFTS A Black-owned law firm led by a father and daughter being named the Best Law Firm of 2024 is more than recognition — it is documented progress. Congratulations to Zulu Ali and Whitney Ali, Esq. a vision for success through succession. For most of American history, Black attorneys were excluded from major firms, elite legal networks, and judicial influence. In 1950, fewer than 1% of lawyers in the United States were Black. Even today, Black attorneys make up only about 5% of all lawyers nationwide, despite representing a far larger share of the population. The problem has never been talent. It has been access. When a father builds a foundation and a daughter expands it, the narrative changes. Ownership replaces dependency. Strategy replaces limitation. Legacy replaces survival. This achievement represents disciplined preparation, intergenerational transfer of knowledge, and the power of family-led enterprise. It affirms that the courtroom is not reserved for a select few — it belongs to those prepared to master it. Black excellence is not accidental. It is structured. It is studied. It is earned. Supporting Black-owned firms strengthens economic circulation, increases representation in legal advocacy, and builds long-term community stability. History shows that when families control institutions, they control outcomes. The future belongs to those who build it — together. Author: Dr. Ken L. Harris, Ph.D. #BlackOwnership #LegalLegacy #EconomicSovereignty #FamilyEnterprise #BuildTheFuture National Bar Association Ashley Upkins

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Only 2 Black women currently run Fortune 500 companies. I felt genuinely excited seeing Latriece Watkins named President and CEO of Sam’s Club because moments like this still feel… rare. Right now, women lead about 11 percent of Fortune 500 companies, and only 2 of those women are Black. It means we still have a long way to go. I know someone will read this and comment, “The most qualified person gets the job,” but if meritocracy actually worked, the C-suite would be far more diverse than it is today. Latriece worked her way up inside Walmart over decades, which is the part people should pay close attention to. We are often told to stay loyal, build credibility, and wait our turn, yet many women of color stall at the director or senior director level. A few years ago, when Nike appointed a CEO after 32 years inside the company, I remember thinking that same result for women and women of color. So when someone does reach the highest seat after building REAL enterprise experience, it feels like a crack in a very rigid ceiling. Sidebar: This is not about entrepreneurship, so feel free to skip this if corporate leadership is not your lane. As an executive coach who works with women preparing for VP and C-suite roles, this is sooooo reassuring to see. Keep climbing 🫡 Image Credit: Essence

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#justcurious what happened to the career ladder? it feels like advancement is less about growth and more about who you know, how agreeable you are, and how supporting you may benefit someone else’s title. 🫣 as a black woman navigating careers in atl, and coming from spaces where opportunity for people like me are far and few, i assumed the network here would be rooted in access and development for ALL young professionals. instead, it often still feels transactional. support often depends on proximity, visibility, and perceived value. at 25, i need space to learn, make mistakes, and lead with curiosity through shared experiences. but the only roles that offer accessible room for growth barely cover the cost of living. 🥴 so i keep wondering… where is the ladder we were told to climb?

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Lewis Adams’s advocacy for the founding of the Tuskegee Normal School was rooted in a commitment to self-determination, opportunity, and empowerment for Black citizens after Emancipation—securing not just education, but the resources and institutional support necessary to thrive. That foundational spirit is carried forward today in Tuskegee University’s advocacy for its faculty and staff, which focuses on ensuring fair compensation, professional development, inclusive governance, and a supportive work environment. Through offices such as Human Resources, Faculty and Staff Senate, and the Office of the Provost, the university works to address concerns, promote equity, and foster a climate where educators and staff can excel. The trajectory of this advocacy shows clear forward progress: evolving from informal support to structured policies, data-informed compensation strategies, enhanced benefits, and stronger shared governance. Moving forward, these offices aim to be the most effective and productive part of the institution by further integrating faculty and staff voice into decision-making, advancing diversity and retention initiatives, and aligning resources with Tuskegee’s mission—ensuring that the institution not only honors Lewis Adams’s vision, but sustains it through those who teach, research, and serve within its community. #TuskegeeUniversity #HumanResources #HREducation #Leadership #HigherEducation #TheRenaissanceEra #HonoringOurPast #InvestingInOurFuture #TheTuskegeeWay

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Michael Bloomberg, who donated $600 million in 2024 to support medical schools at four historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), has a new plan to back Black education: Funding K-12 charter schools on HBCU campuses. On Thursday, the billionaire former New York City mayor’s Bloomberg Philanthropies and the education nonprofit City Fund announced a $20 million initiative to fund two public schools in Alabama, one at Stillman College and one at Tuskegee University, that will create direct pipelines into HBCUs and promote career success. Check out the full story: https://lnkd.in/eEn43baW

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