A Message from Jacqueline Twillie

2020 has been a year of rapid change for us all. Just as we thought we'd created a path to operate for the next year in a global pandemic we were faced with a reckoning of our country's race relations. Leadership teams quickly gathered via video calls to discuss, how to respond. 

As a black woman, I'm no stranger to racism and have far too many stories of being a victim of discrimination than you could imagine. I recognize that many are trying to find the right words and "do the right thing" to respond. In the words of the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle "the only wrong thing to say is to say nothing."

"the only wrong thing to say is to say nothing."

I know this period of history will show us that we must face our biases whether conscious or unconscious and let our actions speak louder than any post on social media. As with any problem that has many contributing factors there isn't one cause and there isn't a singular solution. 

we must face our biases whether conscious or unconscious and let our actions speak louder... ~ JVT

There are many ways to engage, to listen with openness, and take action. Most of my community on LinkedIn are leaders, in positions of hiring authority and I encourage you to be honest about your hiring practices and inclusion surrounding black people, specifically black women. I encourage your leadership teams to do more than donating to an organization that supports the black community and consider dismantling processes within that may be perpetuating discrimination. 

be honest about your hiring practices and inclusion surrounding black people, specifically black women.

I have a number of executive coaching clients, who are black women in leadership positions across the globe, and one common heartbreaking theme that reoccurs daily is that companies want a D&I professional to organize events that look good for marketing but, they don't want to enact change. 

companies want a D&I professional to organize events that look good for marketing but, they don't want to enact change. 

It's sad, it's heartbreaking, and it's true. The past few weeks have taught us that turning a blind eye is not the solution. We are stronger together and now is the time to put action behind our black squares (a reference to #blackoutTuesday). 

We are stronger together.

If you need a company to help guide you through this time, email me [email protected] my company, ZeroGap.co can provide consulting. 

~ Jacqueline Twillie