Insights from a Burgeoning Leader

From time to time our X-Factor Solutions blog allows us to hear from new voices!? Seeking input, advice, and counsel from others is a staple of my continuous personal leadership journey.

I recently had the opportunity to celebrate the college graduation of my son, Kellen, who received a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from Texas A&M University.? While there, he also received a minor in Leadership and a professional certificate in Agricultural Leadership Education and Development.? That study, along with his various positions as a student leader on campus, gives him a fresh perspective on how leadership skills can be acquired, developed, and applied.

So, this month, I asked Kellen to contribute to our blog by sharing his insights and perspectives on leadership.? I’ve been looking forward to his input but needed to wait until after all final exams had been completed and walked across the graduation stage.? Again, congrats.

Please welcome Kellen Moore…

Hi! I am Kellen Moore, a recent graduate of the Texas A&M class of 2024! Throughout my time as a college undergraduate, I took on a variety of different leadership positions and completed a minor in Leadership Education and Development. I’d like to talk about what I learned during my college leadership opportunities and how I plan to use my leadership skills in the future.

To read more about Kellen’s leadership journey and insights, head over to our blog.

Black Alumni Collective – Annual Conference

In late May/early June, X-Factor Solutions’ founder, Ahli Moore, attended the annual conference of the Black Alumni Collective , an organization he helped establish in 2018 when Black leaders across 10+ schools agreed that a collective voice is essential in moving our universities, alumni, and local communities forward.

Now with membership from dozens of schools from across the country and internationally, the Black Alumni Collective?unifies and empowers Black alumni individuals and groups through?civic engagement, economics, and advocacy. ?

The 2024 Black Alumni Collective National Conference was hosted on the campuses of Rutgers University and featured experts and thought leaders from a multitude of professional networks.? Of the numerous presenters, a few of the highlighted speakers included:

• Dr. Nyeema Watson, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Inclusion, and Dr. Jonathan Holloway, President of Rutgers University.
• Bruce Morgan, President of the New Brunswick Area Branch of the NAACP.
• Susan Robeson, author, producer, and granddaughter of Paul Robeson, Rutgers University distinguished alumni, valedictorian of the 1919 graduating class, world-renowned athlete, singer, actor, and civil rights advocate.?
• Dr. Randal Pinkett and Jeffrey A. Robinson, Ph.D., authors of “Black Faces in White Places: 10 Game-Changing Strategies to Achieve Success and Find Greatness”.?
• Alfred Edmond Jr., SVP/Editor-at-Large at Black Enterprise.

Atlanticus – Cultural Awareness Panel Discussion/Luncheon

Continuing our work with Atlanticus Holdings Corporation (Atlanticus) , in June we facilitated a company-wide “lunch-n-learn” panel discussion on Managing Generational Diversity in the Workplace, featuring representatives from the Baby Boomer generation, Gen X, Gen Y/Millennials, and Gen Z.

We know that generational diversity in the workplace presents both challenges and opportunities and that organizations MUST embrace this diversity to create a vibrant, inclusive, and productive work environment.?

Our panel and a subsequent open discussion were designed to help the employees develop/share relevant insights to leverage the strengths of a multigenerational workforce.? This included:

• Dispelling myths and stereotypes about the respective generation’s work approach.?
• Identifying factors that encourage professional growth per generation.
• Characteristics that each generation admires in the other respective generations.
• Things that panelists wish someone would have told them about how to navigate the workspace successfully.
• Best practices to leverage from the respective generations to incorporate into the collective workspace.
• Best practices to maintain an environment that is inclusive of all, regardless of age differences.

Inspirus (DEIB Training)

X-Factor Solutions continues to support Inspirus Consulting in the rollout of DEIB Training.? In June/July, we facilitated multiple sessions of a 3-hour DEIB Intro & Unconscious Bias workshop.? As with any good learning and education strategy, the training does not sit on its own.? This course is one of five workshops we will assist in facilitating, including Inclusive Leadership, Inclusive Interviewing, Working with Diverse Teams, and Cultural Competence.?

X-Factor Solutions is a strong proponent of comprehensive solutions to ensure sustainable organizational change. The entire client initiative is designed to be a holistic approach to organizational change.? Under Inspirus’ leadership, the work includes the establishment of a DEIB Council, the aforementioned training development and delivery, process improvement Initiatives to increase the pool of diverse applicants, the establishment of a DEIB Dashboard to measure progress against baseline data, and the opportunity for client team members to become certified in process improvement.

One-Day Strategic Planning for FSU BA

As part of his last responsibilities as President of Florida State University’s National Black Alumni (a network within the FSU Alumni Association), X-Factor Solutions’ founder, Ahli Moore, facilitated a one-day strategic planning session for the organization. Volunteers from across the state of Florida, as well as Georgia and Louisiana, convened to plan the direction of the network for the next 18 – 36 months.?

This included:

• Review of the Past Strategic Planning Effort.?
• Future?visioning exercise.
• Review, Revise, and Refresh the organization’s Vision & Mission.
• Develop Goal Statements aligned to the 4 alumni engagement categories (from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)).
• Add existing and new FSUBA Initiatives for each engagement category.
• Prioritization of initiatives.
• Determination of how will we measure progress.

Going forward, Ahli will continue to lead a few BA initiatives and assume a support role on many others. From Ahli: “It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve in the capacity of President for the past three years and as VP for the three years immediately preceding my presidency.? I hope that I have left the organization in a better place and have every confidence in the world that the incoming administration will take it to an even higher place!”

Omega Psi Phi Grand Conclave Delegate

In late June/early July, X-Factor Solutions’ founder, Ahli Moore, attended the 84th International Conclave of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity .? The biannual event brought together more than 30,000 members of the 113-year-old organization for 6 days of meetings.? As a delegate representing his local chapter, Ahli takes pride in participating in the voting and other meaningful aspects of shaping the organization’s future.

Until next time,

Ahli