With 38 nieces and nephews, many of whom are multiracial, Kim Wayans, actress, comedienne, writer, and producer, decided it was high time for children’s literature to reflect multicultural young people in a positive light. She and her husband, Kevin Knotts, have coauthored a series of children’s books called “Amy Hodgepodge,” about a young multiracial girl and her diverse group of friends.
Maya Angelou, featured in a recent issue of Diversity Woman, is a gifted speaker. I have had the opportunity to hear her speak and am always amazed at how her words and reflections can make people feel good about themselves, their lives, and their futures.
Words have meaning and power. Many of us realize that our ability to use words, conversations, and dialogues offers a way to educate and connect. Yet, we can be challenged by differences, our emotions, and our “lenses and legacies,” and sometimes are not as skilled in our communication as we would like to be.
Whether you’re operating at home or abroad, if you’re dining out with clients, bosses, or prospective employers, there’s a whole world of rules associated with the “business meal” that you need to learn. Gracing your way through dining protocol tells colleagues that you’re professional, reliable, and savvy—and this just may set you apart from the pack. Sloppiness or mistakes can put you in a bad light and even cost you a deal or a job.
Dear DW,
Like many people out there, I have a blog in which I write about things like my hobbies, favorite movies, political views, friends, and family—basically, my life. But a lot of my life takes place at work. So what is considered acceptable to write about regarding office life—and what postings could get me canned?
Signed,
Cautious Blogger
Three years ago, Shaherose Charania left Vancouver for Silicon Valley with two backpacks and no job contacts, just a passion for making a difference in technology. Now, at age 27, she’s doing exactly that as co-founder of Women 2.0, a networking group aiming to increase the number of female tech entrepreneurs. It holds monthly mixers, quarterly conferences, and an annual business-plan competition, all designed so that aspiring CEOs can mingle with other women in the industry.
Women 2.0’s other goal is to increase the stock of female role models, Charania says. “As a woman, how can you relate to Bill Gates? There are so many women who have great ideas but aren’t making them realities. To do that, they need capital and inspiration from peers.”
When Lisa Skriloff launched a niche business focused on diversity marketing in New York City 15 years ago, many of her potential clients didn’t understand what the term even meant. But they do now.
I have never liked the word networking when used in a business context. I am confronted by the image of someone with a pocket full of business cards, lurking through the halls of a convention center, eager to pounce on an unsuspecting conference attendee and make an acquaintance with a bone-crushing handshake, a deafening laugh, and an onslaught of questions, all in the hope of figuring out if there might be a business “connection.”
In the quest for concentrated expertise and efficiency, we’ve created a virtual labyrinth of knowledge sharing and developmental support for employees. There are intricate hidden passageways such as “unwritten rules” and tortuously high hedges, otherwise known as operating silos. But there is a way to cut through all the clutter—by integrating mentoring programs into the corporate operating structure.
Meet Shaunice Hawkins, an accomplished diversity executive who is is ready to take your questions.
Hawkins is the founder and chief executive officer of Evolutions Consulting, LLC, a business consulting boutique specializing in improving efficiencies, maximizing effectiveness, aligning strategies, promoting brand visibility and strengthening consumer engagement.
Having trouble adjusting to a new job or a difficult boss? Ready to make your side hustle your full time job? Get solutions now to your burning business issues in our new column, AskShaunice@DiversityWoman.com.
When you start at a new company—especially one based overseas—you expect to experience a learning curve. Ria Stern came to Korean fiber company, Hyosung, in 2005 as its North American marketing director, and since May of 2008 has been the global marketing and brand director. She is charged with selling such products as organic cotton and eco-friendly, recycled polyesters to apparel makers around the world.
Knowing which products will work best for different markets hasn’t been the biggest challenge for this New York City–area native, who graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in engineering, then earned an MBA in Georgia while working for Dupont. Instead, the 49-year-old Stern has gotten a crash course in the Chinese philosophy of Confucianism, and a hands-on lesson in the art of tailoring—not of pants, but of messages. Diversity Woman asked how she adapted to a corporate culture that often dismisses some of the qualities that American executives prize most.
