When movements claim to support Black women’s leadership — yet punish us for leading: https://lnkd.in/eiXezKDz As I get messages from other Black and WOC, I am reminded that our leadership matters — and yet it can be one of the most vulnerable places to stand. Here are three leadership values I’m leaning into — and invite you to lean with me — to build spaces and cultures where Black women lead truly and safely. 1. Authentic Accountability — We show up with our full selves, we commit to our results, we ask for help when we need it, and we hold others to their commitments too. Authentic accountability means we don’t just tolerate Black women’s leadership when it’s pleasing or performative — we expect it, defend it, and honour it. 2. Radical Equity in Practice — It’s not enough to say “we value Black women’s leadership.” We must build policies, power-structures and resource flows that safeguard our advancement — not punish or undermine it. As my blog shows, anti-Blackness wears progressive language. Equity means proactively scanning for the moments we’re being demeaned, marginalized or silenced — and intervening. 3. Resilient Self- & Collective Care — Leading in spaces that don’t fully value you takes emotional, physical and spiritual labor. My blog shares what happens when that labor goes unaddressed: “Two stress-induced miscarriages… a diagnosis of hypertension… suicidal ideation.” My commitment: to name and set boundaries, to lean on peer support, to advocate for restorative practices — not just for ourselves, but for every Black woman in the room. What you can do now: -If you’re in a leadership role, ask: How many Black women are at the decision-making table? Are they being treated as cheerleaders — or change-leaders? Commit to one policy or practice in your organization: e.g., confidential check-in process for senior Black women leaders, an accountability partner system, or a board/investor review to scan for hidden “punishment” behaviors. -Lean into your networks: Share space. Elevate Black women’s voices in meetings and funding decisions. If you hear a Black woman silenced, interrupted, or excluded — call it. Name it. -For Black women leaders: create your “safe circle.” A peer group where you can speak freely. A mentor (or mentee) you support. One boundary or practice you will set this quarter with no exceptions. I believe our leadership is not just essential — it’s transformative. When we build ecosystems that protect and propel Black women’s leadership, we build organizations that are more just, more innovative, and more resilient. I’d love to hear from you: What’s one leadership value you’re leaning into right now to support equity for Black women? What’s a small action you’re committing to? Let’s hold each other in this work — not as allies from the sidelines, but as co-leads in building something better. #BlackWomenLead #EquityInAction #LeadershipValues
Supporting Black Women's Leadership: 3 Values to Lean Into
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Black women are done being approached as access points instead of people. Everybody wants Black women's dollars, but too many still hesitate to pay us ours. They want our audience, our language, our cultural fluency, and the credibility that comes when Black women co-sign something. They want the reach without the retainer, and the vibe without the value. Black women create trends, shape strategy, and drive growth across industries. Our ideas fund entire ecosystems. We're not leads. We're leaders.
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This week’s #MotivationalMonday quote is a reminder that confidence and authenticity are key to driving change – especially in spaces where women are still underrepresented: “𝑰 𝒅𝒊𝒅𝒏’𝒕 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒆𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒂𝒏 𝒐𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒐𝒏. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒌𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝑰 𝒕𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎.” – Ursula Burns, former CEO of Xerox Ursula Burns is the former CEO and Chairwoman of Xerox, and the first Black woman to lead a Fortune 500 company. A respected business leader and advocate for STEM education and workplace diversity, she continues to champion inclusive leadership worldwide. As the first Black woman to lead a Fortune 500 company, she has long advocated for the power of speaking up – and the importance of making your voice heard in rooms where it matters most. Her story reminds us that representation begins with courage, and progress begins when we refuse to stay silent. Read more about Urrsula Burns: https://lnkd.in/eMumV6QA To find out more about CEPIS & the DiversIT Charter visit: https://lnkd.in/dzktWvu #diversityandinclusion #diversitymatters #diversITcharter #MotivationalMonday #WomenInLeadership
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