Category: Diversity - E B O N Y S P E A K E R S

Labor Day Special Pricing On The November 2nd Multicultural Conference

9/4/2017

By Carole Copeland Thomas, MBA, CDMP, CITM

You Are Cordially Invited To Register And Attend
The November 2nd Multicultural Conference
"Women, Work & Celebrating Self Worth"

Special Conference Labor Day Pricing Ends On September 5th More details at: http://bit.ly/2gx2EPD

Bring your managers, supervisors, staff, and colleagues to the premiere diversity conference of the region. This is the 11th conference since 2008 and will deliver the resources, toolkits, and answers you've been looking for. In addition, the networking opportunities will connect you to some of the movers and shakers who are committed to the advancement of multiculturalism throughout the marketplace.

Our theme is "Women Work & Celebrating Self Worth." It's an opportunity for BOTH women AND men to attend an exciting day long exchange of keynote addresses, roundtable discussions and panel presentations all focused on the value and opportunities of women in the workplace.

The Multicultural Symposium Series is the only African American led conference series in New England. Founded by African American social entrepreneur Carole Copeland Thomas, the initiative will deliver value, substance and new insights for you and your team.

Register during Labor Day Weekend and SAVE.

We'll See You On November 2nd!

-Carole Copeland Thomas
Complete Information at www.mssconnect.com.

Roots 2016: Unpacking The Emotions of Race and Slavery of the American Past with Dr. Lynda Parham

7/2/2016

By Carole Copeland Thomas, MBA, CDMP, CITM

It’s powerful, gripping and moving. It will bring tears to your eyes, while driving you to celebrate through the pain. That sums up my thoughts about the television miniseries“Roots” that aired on the History Channel in May/June 2016. For some it’s an unnecessary reminder of our past. For others it’s a troubling account of the strength and resilience of Black people who endured and survived the brutality of American slavery.

On today’s Blab show we’ll unpack the wide range of emotions with my special guest, clinical psychologist Dr. Lynda Morris Parham. She’ll help us examine why this miniseries is impossible for some to watch…while helping others to understand why race is still a thorny issue in this country.

I vividly remember getting my young family squared away at bedtime before watching every installment of Roots back in 1977. Now some 40 years later I rearranged my own personal schedule to watch this newer version that’s equally as powerful and painful at the same time. Join our conversation of our past, our present and our future through the Roots of our ancestor’s legacy.

Multiculturalism vs. Diversity: Defining And Understanding Their Value

2/11/2016

By Carole Copeland Thomas, MBA, CDMP, CITM

Multiculturalism Vs. Diversity
Multiculturalism represents the landscape of our community as human beings. It’s a bigger concept than diversity because its very meaning requires an open platform for embracing multiple cultures, ethnic groups and ideologies within a society. Multicultural means many cultures operating in the same space. America, like other countries, is multicultural because different cultural groups maintain a meaningful co-existence within the span of 50 states. Even though there are decades of history where oppression, racism, discrimination and legislative restrictions affected one ethnic group over another, the cultural coexistence remains a vital link to our identity as Americans.

Multiculturalism demands that you coexist with others. In a truly multicultural society, one cultural group does not dominate another. The abundance theory is the prevailing rule, where society’s output is big enough for all of our cultures and ethnicities to be represented in an equally respectable manner.

We seem to fully embrace multiculturalism in food. Food seems to be one of the few cultural centers that stands on its own. Visit any mall or shopping center in any city or town and the food courts are populated by people of all walks of life. From soul food to cajun cooking, to Chinese cuisine to Indian vegetarian dishes, a typical food court presents the best argument that cultural pluralism can yield good value to any consumer’s taste buds.

On the other hand, some aspects of multiculturalism are closely guarded and tolerated only to a point. It’s fascinating to watch professionals in the workplace celebrate the worthiness of multiculturalism on the job. One would think that the level of commitment to cross cultural causes would get packed up and taken straight home to share, just like that leftover shrimp fried rice gets taken home after the party at work has ended. Instead, far too often you witness the reinforcement of cultural silos as employees head to cars, buses and trains to take them back to their neighborhoods that are all White, all Black, all Hispanic, or mostly Asian. The social conformity of our neighborhoods provide the greatest opportunity for us to breakthrough our comfort zones, venture out, and live among other cultures. It represents one of the central frontiers of true multiculturalism.

Diversity is an important byproduct of multiculturalism. It speaks to the segmentation of our societies and frames the very categories that define who we are as individuals and members of specific groups or cultural components.

I define Diversity from this perspective:

Diversity is understanding, appreciating and ultimately managing difference and similarities at the same time.

The emphasis is on the word AND. Diversity looks at both difference AND similarities, with one not being more important than the other. That’s where most people make a mistake by focusing on either one’s difference or one’s similarities without realizing that BOTH are in operation at the same time. For example, as an African American female, when speaking at conferences and meetings, I am accustomed to being “the only one,” that is, the only person of color either attending the meeting or speaking at the meeting. To focus on my difference from the rest of the conference attendees is only embracing half the experience. The other half recognizes that there are personal values, educational experiences, regional interests and industry issues that I share as similar points of intersection with those attending the same meeting. To just focus on my ethnic difference cancels out the rich value of those similarities of which I share in common with others.

Okay, let me explain it another way. Some years ago I traveled to Kenya for the first time. It was the trip of a lifetime for me. The minute I stepped off that airplane, pulled out my American passport and presented it to the customs officer at the Nairobi, Kenya Airport, my differences AND similarities were on full display with every other American on that plane. Some of the passengers had Black skin like mine. My travel mates (now known as the Kenya Sistahs) were also African American female. Some of the passengers were White Americans. Others were Hispanics while other were Asian Americans. There were Europeans, Asians and Africans on the plane, too. So the differences were on full display from ethnicity, gender and socioeconomic class. However, the similarities also represented this collection of travelers. I held an American passport, as did many others on the plane. And meeting other Americans on that maiden voyage trip to mother Africa was so very exciting, since we were all thousands of miles away from home, and it was comforting to connect with other ex-patriots from the States.

In diversity work, the similarities are as important as the differences.

Similarities are on equal footing with differences. That is so important to remember since there is an incorrect assumption that diversity is polarizing because it only focuses on differences at the expense of similarities.

You see it in families all the time. Brothers and sisters with the same biological parents, yet their values and opinions are as different as night and day. I see it in my own adult daughters, Michelle and Lorna. Their political, spiritual and economic opinions are very similar. However, their work habits, approach to preparation and personalities completely different.
The same is true for extended families, members of associations and corporate colleagues. The differences should be valued with the same level of importance as the similarities. They represent a different slice of the diversity equation.

Take advantage of the countless situations that can frame your multicultural and diversity points of reference. It can become a lifelong opportunity for you to enhance your knowledge base while building cross-cultural relationships that can have a positive impact on your life.

Carole Copeland Thomas has been a diversity professional speaking, training and consulting on global diversity, multiculturalism and inclusion for 29 years.

Click Here For More Information About Carole

Multicultural Conference Highlights

12/6/2015

By Carole Copeland Thomas, MBA, CDMP, CITM

It was nonstop interaction about multiculturalism, global diversity and inclusion at the 9th Multicultural Conference held on Thursday November 5th at the University Massachusetts Boston Campus. Guest speakers from Chennai, India to Boston informed, educated and inspirited the audience about the new trends, key issues and challenges facing global diversity around the world. From Keynote Speakers to our State Street Corporation Distinguished Panel Presentation to our ever-popular Roundtable Sessions, there was something for everyone interested in advancing the cause of multiculturalism. Enjoy the photos and videos (coming soon) and join us for the next Multicultural Conference scheduled for Thursday November 3, 2016.

-Carole Copeland Thomas

Click Here For Photo Gallery Highlights

Seven Steps For Developing A Better YOU!

9/3/2014

By Nancy J. Lewis, MS, PHR, RCC

In this fast paced, ever changing world where we must learn to do more with less, we must be grounded in who we are. To cope with the changing world of work, diverse customers and employees, the generational divide, rightsizing, downsizing, whatever the term used, we must have a strong sense of self.

Developing a better you requires recognizing that everything begins from within. We must remind ourselves of the unique gifts we possess that make us special. Too often, we focus on our failures and forget the successes we have had in life. Our failures help us grow because they challenge us to find a way to persevere until the victory is won. Our successes propel us forward to continue to run the race before us because we have what it takes to succeed.

1. Believe in yourself.

You must know that you are unique and decide to validate yourself. You must have positive self-talk and recognize that failure is not final, merely a steppingstone to greatness. Commit to measuring yourself with yourself and not someone else. I once read you can be a first rate you or a second rate somebody else. Affirm today, I am confident, courageous, and capable.

2. Surround yourself with positive people.

People with negative attitudes are energy draining and when your energy is zapped, you have to go and get recharged. Is it always easy to have positive people around? Absolutely not! We must continue to help others by suggesting sources of inspiration such as self-help books, motivational tapes, and spiritual literature. Then we must challenge individuals to be willing to take charge of their life and the things they can change. Often, you will find yourself spending less time with persons because you can see they really do not want to change. These negative people are often dream busters and if you let them, they will chatter your dreams. Be careful who you share your dreams with and do what you must do for yourself to remain focused and positive. Each you must decide to embrace life with an attitude of gratitude. Affirm today, I will focus on the positive things in life.

3. Visualize success.

In order to visualize success, you must see your dreams and goals with clarity and have a plan. Steven Covey states you must begin with the end in mind. The Bible states where there is no vision the people perish. Is it so important to have a blueprint to guide and direct your path as you work towards achieving your dreams and goals in life. Commit to developing a plan for the dreams and goals you have set for yourself in your personal and professional life. Affirm today, I will take one positive action that will lead me one step closer to reaching my goals.

4. Welcome and embrace change.

How many of you love change? Most of us resist change because of uncertainty and the risks it brings. The only constant in life is that things will change. Our ability to cope with change will help us reduce the stress change often brings. Many of us our currently facing some form of change in our lives, empty nesters, taking care of aging parents, family crisis, jobs being downsized or eliminated, mergers and acquisitions and the list goes on and on. It is vital we find ways to embrace and welcome changes that will take place on our personal and professional lives. Change allows us the opportunity to expand our boundaries and grow. Affirm today, I will welcome and embrace change.

5. Celebrate successes everyday in your life.

When you achieve a major milestone in your life, how do you reward yourself? Start a happy file, smile file, or success journal today. When someone sends you a note, an e-mail message, or a letter that lets you know they appreciate you, put it in that file. Start to focus on the nice things people say and do for you and help them begin their happy file by sharing with them in written form, a note of appreciation. When you start recognizing the successes and strengths of others, it is amazing how much more people start to recognize yours. What you send out to others returns to you. Begin the habit of rewarding yourself for the milestones that move you closer to your goals. These milestones may be big or small. It really doesn’t matter the size only that you recognize them. The important thing is to celebrate because small successes lead to big successes. Affirm today, I will start my happy file.

6. Love Yourself.

What kind of self-talk goes on in your head? What do you say about yourself to others? Learn how to look in the mirror and declare that you love the reflection you see. There is no one else like you in the universe. You are special and always remember that. Love you for the wonderful person you are. Affirm today, I value and love myself.

7. Maintain a winning attitude about life.

Life may not always deal you the hand you want, but learn how to play the hand you are dealt with a winning disposition. Maintaining a winning attitude means that when challenges come, you recognize there is a miracle in your struggle. When you are able to maintain a winning attitude about life, you draw people and circumstances that will be a blessing to you. In life nothing happens by chance, everything is divinely orchestrated. So go forward and keep your winning attitude about life and watch your garden of greatness grow. Affirm today, I will maintain a winning attitude about life.

Nancy J. Lewis is the president of Progressive Techniques, Inc. based in Fayetteville, Georgia where the theme of her company is
“Developing a Better YOU."
Nancy can be reached at (770) 964-5533 or email: nancy@progressivetechniquesinc.com or website: www.progressivetechniquesinc.com.

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Your Comments Are Welcome.

Steps To A Happy Office

8/13/2014

By Debra W. Gould, MS

I work for a company that is doing good things for people. I have a contract opportunity with a good balance of independence and teamwork. I’m working on projects that help to move the business forward. Then it hit me. I was happy in my business endeavor, and I wasn’t used to that feeling.

There are three important ways to keep employees happy in their jobs:

1. Recognize even routine jobs.

Employees are motivated when they can see the impact of their work. It can be as simple as email recognition to the team member who is always the first to the office or even the employee who cleaned out the coffee pot in the break room. People like to be recognized and feel valued.

2. Reward outstanding work.

Recognize those employees who do a great job or go above and beyond the call of duty. The employee will feel value and will set an example for coworkers to follow. So give kudos to the team member who went the extra mile to get an important RFP out the door. Please exercise caution against overemphasizing one employee though, as that can breed resentment, so be sure the spread the recognition around.

3. Understand what really matters to your employees.

Make sure those little feel-good perks actually hit home. Use surveys, focus groups and interviews to get information about the rewards that matter. For some employees, it's about money. Others are delighted by an evening out on the boss’s dime, or when they're treated to lunch. Earning a half-day off or the ability to have some flexibility in work time, when possible, can also be powerful ways to keep employees motivated to perform.

No work environment is perfect, but being happy at work isn’t so hard. It just takes some mental fine-tuning.

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Debra W. Gould, MS is the president of Debra Gould & Associates, Inc. based in New Orleans and provides management consulting and training services to commercial and government clients. Debra is one of the founders of The Ebony Speakers and co-author of the book, Real Women, Real Issues - Positive Collaborations For Business Success. Debra can be reached at: (504) 244-6576,
email: djgould@gouldassoc.com and
website: www.gouldassoc.com

Your Comments Are Welcome.

JSHOP: Developing High School Student Journalists

8/4/2014

by Carole Copeland Thomas, MBA, CDMP

Last week I had the privilege of working with seven remarkable young teenagers who participated in a FREE week long workshop called JSHOP. Sponsored by the National Association of Black Journalists. JSHOP transformed these students from curious young adults to working journalists in five short days.

The vision of veteran journalist Russell Lacour JSHOP is in its fifth year, with a goal of bringing out the best in student critical thinking.

The NABJ JSHOP is an opportunity for high school students all over the country to experience a hands-on journalism workshop in conjunction with the NABJ national conference.

Held in Boston between the Hynes Convention Center and Boston University the students crafted story ideas, were given deadlines and covered key events during the 39th Annual Convention of the National Association of Black Journalists.

At the end of an intense week, the students completed a newsletter and several video clips featuring their personal profiles and the convention's Town Hall meeting.

I congratulate Russell and his team of seven faculty members, the parents who encouraged their children to participate and the students themselves who worked long hours to complete their assignments. No one dropped out of the program. Every student graduated! It was indeed a joyous opportunity to shape the lives of student power in action.

Visit their website and read the student articles and learn more about JSHOP:

www.highschool.nabjconvention.org

To learn more aobut the National Association of Black Journalists visit:
www.nabj.org

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Your comments are welcome.

Savvy Speakers Sharing Strategies For Everyday Life

6/23/2014

L to R: Debra Gould, Nancy Lewis, Michelle Porchia, Carole Copeland Thomas

Click Here To Download The Webinar

By Debra Gould, MS

Ebony Speakers first successful creation was a book project entitled “Real Women, Real Issues: Positive Collaborations for Business Success” is a unique collaboration between four dynamic women coming together from many years of varied experience and from their mastermind group experience.

Out of that experience came the concept of communicating with other women on the importance of maintaining quality personal, professional and business relationships with other people who promote positive living.

Ebony Speakers is excited to announce that our second project was a recent webinar on Wednesday, June 18, 2014. It was just another example of the next level of connecting our audience to the powerful message of real women working in collaborations.

During one of our unique mastermind sessions we all determined that it was time to launch a webinar. We are blessed to have a technology savvy business woman like Carole Copeland Thomas to lead the way to address the program logistics to host this webinar series. Nancy J. Lewis agreed to take on the online registering process and it was onward to create the webinar entitled Savvy Sisters: Share Strategies for Everyday Life.

The day of the webinar Carole Copeland Thomas welcomed our guests to sharpen up their skills while moving forward in life. This important webinar will covered these topics.

Your Personal SWOT Assessment by Debra W. Gould

Taking Charge of Your Career by Nancy J. Lewis

Using INNOVATION to Get Things DONE by Michelle Porchia

Reinvent Yourself & Stay Relevant in Technology by Carole Copeland Thomas

Here are a few highlights of what we shared with our listening audience on June 18.

Debra's conversation on how can I use the SWOT Assessment to validate my strengths and opportunity to attack the guilty feelings every time I decide to take time for myself.

Nancy's conversation was discussed the difference between whining and winning and addressed the tough questions regarding taking charge of your own career.

Michelle's conversation discussed technology, tools, your game plan, and work boundaries.

Carole's conversation was on the rapidly changing world, connections, collaborations, and effectively using social media including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LInkedIn.

We realize seating was limited for this online registration at only $29.00 per person. If you missed out on June 18th due to meetings, business travel or whatever let me suggest a way to get you plugged into this informational, educational, motivational and inspirational webinar. Ebony Speakers still want to invite you to attend our exciting “special one hour” webinar held on June 18, 2014.

Here's how it will work:

First, register and purchase the webinar.

Click Here And Purchase The Webinar

Then...

1. Go to www.ebonyspeakers.com

2. On the top menu bar drop down the Savvy Speakers box found underneath the Webinar Series Box.

3. Our Savvy Sisters Webinar is a Password Protected webpage on our website.

4. You can also download the slides on this page

All I can say is WELCOME and get ready to explore your ability to excel, enjoy the webinar and thank you to our guests.

Lastly, we are in the process of scheduling future webinars by Ebony Speakers. From years of experience in training, human resources and corporate consulting Debra W. Gould, Nancy J. Lewis, Michelle Porchia and Carole Copeland Thomas have crafted a power-packed business guide for women and men of all ages and ethnicities. We hope you'll join us for future webinar discussions!

Topics in the webinar toolkit include:

•Global Diversity
•Career Transition
•Networking
•Relationship Economics
•Starting and Running A Business
•Working Through Difficulties and Challenges

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Debra W. Gould, MS is the president of Debra Gould & Associates, Inc. based in New Orleans and provides management consulting and training services to commercial and government clients. Debra is one of the founders of The Ebony Speakers and co-author of the book, Real Women, Real Issues - Positive Collaborations For Business Success. Debra can be reached at: (504) 244-6576,
email: djgould@gouldassoc.com and website: www:gouldassoc.com

Color Blind or Color Brave on Juneteenth 2014

6/23/2014

More Business Podcasts at Blog Talk Radio with CaroleCopelandThomas on BlogTalkRadio

Carole Copeland Thomas' Radio Program
Broadcast Live on June 19, 2014

On June 19, 1865, emancipation was finally granted to the remaining slaves in the rebellious state of Texas. Two and a half years after Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves in the confederate states, the hold out White plantation owners grudgingly and reluctantly gave in to the pressures of the US government, but held onto the racial hatred embedded in their hearts.

Fast forward to 2006, a short eight years ago, when Black financial tycoon, Mellody Hobson, was mistaken for kitchen help while in New York City on a campaign fundraising trip for Harold Ford. The manager who made that awful blunder needed to clean out the cobwebs and realize that Black people have significantly advanced since the rough-shod days of our Civil War past.

Mellody recently created a TED Talk about her experience, urging her audience to move from being color blind to becoming color brave. We’ll talk about this lingering issue with veteran consultant and former Chair of the National Black MBA Association Bill Wells, Jr.

It’s an American issue that simply won’t go away.

Your comments are welcome below.

Do You Struggle with Being Real at Work?

5/24/2014

By Debra W. Gould, MS

Working in this economy can be challenging. Most of us fortunate to have jobs must do more with less and take over roles our descriptions never called for. It can all leave you feeling like someone else!

Here are some suggestions to motivate you and a call to action:

- You must know yourself to make your job work for you and help you get things done.

- Engage in conversation with others and ask the question, “What it really means to "be real at work" and why 90% of working people struggle with this idea?”

- Find interesting opportunities to dialogue and ask others, “How to get through your day, everyday, positively no matter where you work (or who you work for)?”

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Debra W. Gould, MS is the president of Debra Gould & Associates, Inc. based in New Orleans and provides management consulting and training services to commercial and government clients. Debra is one of the founders of The Ebony Speakers and co-author of the book, Real Women, Real Issues - Positive Collaborations For Business Success. Debra can be reached at: (504) 244-6576, email: djgould@gouldassoc.com and website: www.gouldassoc.com