Tampa Bay Chamber’s 17 TH Annual Women of Influence Luncheon w/ Dr. Shirley Davis
This time last week, I had the distinct honor of keynoting at the Tampa Bay Chamber’s 17 TH Annual Women of Influence Luncheon, where I spoke to a captive audience of over 600 leaders on “Cultivating Cultures of Inclusion and High Performance”. To say that this event was amazing would have been an understatement. It was a high-energy, electric day filled with leaders, both men, and women, who are pushing the envelope on leadership development, trailblazing for change in workplace culture, and empowering the next generation of leaders to do the same. This year’s record-breaking, sold-out event saw CEOs, elected officials, board members, project managers, doctors, and leaders from every industry mingling, connecting, and uplifting one another in the name of diversity, equity, and inclusion. I shared my personal story and my professional journey through the jungle of corporate America where I faced discrimination and setbacks as a woman, a woman of color, and a single mother. Throughout my 30 year career, I experienced toxic cultures, bad bosses, systemic -isms, and everything in between. Many of those moments diminished my self-worth, self-confidence, identity, value, and life vision—I wanted more and knew I was destined for more but had so many “what if’s” weighing me down. It wasn’t until I took my life, career, and destiny in my own hands and begin living beyond my what if’s that I saw my life change for the better. Many of the women at the luncheon could not only relate but felt relieved that there was a way forward. My keynote was a personal career testimony and a strategic session for all 600 leaders on how we can improve ourselves, which will in turn, improve our organizations. First, I gave tips on how to get beyond your personal “what ifs” to live the best version of your life. Second, I provided practical strategies for how organizations can foster cultures of belonging, inclusion, and acceptance so that all talent can thrive and operate at their greatest potential. Lastly, I challenged every attendee to spring into action by identifying 1-2 key actions they will commit to take over the next 90 days to cultivate a culture of inclusion in their organization. Overall, I felt blessed. I felt energized. I felt fulfilled. Walking in my purpose and leaving the doors and windows open for others to walk behind me is the true meaning of life to me. This year’s Women of Influence Luncheon was a personal highlight and an event I hope to make an annual staple. Thank you again to the phenomenal ladies of The Chamber who coordinated this luncheon and worked seamlessly with my team to ensure that my message, my passion, and my work was handled with care.
Oprah Daily – Featured Article “Building Unity Is Their Family Business”
Oprah Daily Article Oprah Daily – Featured Article “Building Unity Is Their Family Business” A promise she made to herself and God has led to a shared purpose and career passion for this writer and her daughter. Twenty-eight years ago, on Mother’s Day weekend, my daughter, Gabrielle Victoria (Tori), was born. While she was the greatest gift of my life, at the time, I was going through one of the worst periods of my life. I was in the midst of a divorce, buried in debt, and facing the frightening reality that I was now a single parent. As a Black woman mothering alone, I was now in the minority-one-parent-household statistic, and terrified that I’d make mistakes in parenting that would lead to my beautiful, innocent baby girl becoming a statistic, too. I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders. In front of others, I put on a facade of confidence and surety, but I was stressed-out, losing weight, and feeling hopeless and alone. I even tried to fool myself into thinking I had everything under control at times, but one day, when Tori was 6 months old, I became present enough to notice her looking up at me with those big, beautiful eyes. In that moment, I was reminded of just how dependent on me she was, and just how broken I was. I no longer wanted to pretend that everything was okay. I prayed desperately, “Dear God, if you get me out of this debt and pit of despair, I promise I’ll never get into it again.” I also promised Tori that she would enjoy a life as full as any child with two involved parents and that I would be someone she could look up to as her shero. For me, this meant going back to school at night and on weekends in pursuit of my master’s and doctorate degrees, which I did while working a full-time job in human resources. I also committed to getting counseling and figuring out how to become debt-free. As Tori grew bigger and stronger, so did my desire to be the protection and example she needed in life. She started to experience things that I would have given anything to shelter her from. In kindergarten, unspeakably hateful words were spoken to her because of the color of her skin. She started to see the jagged edges of the world and began asking heart-wrenching questions about race that no child should be forced to ask. Simultaneously, I was facing my own battles with racism and prejudice at my job. The more my career in HR progressed, the more I began to experience inequities as a woman, a person of color, and a single mom. I was overlooked for promotions, had insensitive comments directed at me, and was made to feel invisible. I would sit in meetings and come up with sound ideas to implement that were ignored, yet 20 minutes later a white male colleague would utter the same words and be applauded. I had been told many times that I wasn’t qualified enough—yet asked to train people, even my new bosses! There came a point in my career when I entered into diversity and inclusion but quickly felt like I was the token Black. An interaction with a former employer all but confirmed this, and it was a crushing setback to my career. I was making so many sacrifices to be able to provide for Tori and had spent more than seven years obtaining my degrees and multiple certifications to take away the excuses of why I wasn’t worthy. I lost my sense of self and was miserable. Weeks later, when the hurt and devastation subsided, I got mad and purposeful. Even though I thought I wanted to be done with DE&I, I felt in my soul that if something didn’t change, my daughter would experience this same type of prejudice and racism when she entered the workforce. Although traumatic, this experience fueled my resolve and I forged ahead with my inclusivity work at a different company. After an intentional conversation about my career with Tori, who was now 14 years old, her passion for diversity and inclusion began. In the two years that followed, she became the first African American in Montgomery County, Maryland, to be a titleholder in the Miss America Teen Pageant, with a platform of “Eliminating Hate, Bias, and Prejudice in Our Society.” This led to her being selected as an ambassador for the National Youth Leadership Conference (hosted by the Anti-Defamation League) and working with Invisible Children, an organization that partners with local peacebuilders across central Africa. Her role was to educate people about the atrocities that children in Africa were enduring, and she was part of a team of youth ambassadors that raised over $10,000 to contribute to that cause. My daughter was following in my footsteps and picking up on the example I set out to be for her when she was a baby. I could not have been more proud. It’s been 30 years now, and I am still loving HR and DE&I work. The darkest moment in my career was ultimately one of my greatest lessons. I am now coaching thousands on how to step over racism and biases to realize their dreams, and I run a global consulting firm that helps organizations transform their work cultures. Last year, I was asked by Wiley Publishing to write the first-ever Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Dummies book, available on Amazon. I’ve kept my promise to God and to my daughter. Our purpose has now fully aligned, and last year, Tori made the decision to become part of my firm, working alongside me to help organizations build cultures of inclusion, equity, and belonging. It gives me no greater pleasure than to leave a legacy for my daughter, and together, we are making life better for those coming behind us. Shirley Davis, PhD, is the author of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Dummies, available everywhere.
How To Set Yourself Up With Less Stress In 2022 According To The Experts
Women are stressed to the max, but there’s a good reason. Stress is a feminist issue, according to Dr. Michele Kambolis, a mind-body health specialist, registered therapist, meditation teacher, and acclaimed author and speaker who has been practicing for more than 20 years.
Why You Procrastinate and, More Importantly, How to Stop
That work project that you’ve had an entire month to complete is due tomorrow. You planned to spend the whole day focusing on it — but Facebook is just so much more appealing today. You promised yourself you’d work out this morning but, wait, aren’t there new episodes of your favorite show out?
President & CEO Of SDS Global On WUSA9
Dr. Shirley Davis, a recognized authority on the global workforce and Master of Reinvention talks to Chris Leary and Markette Sheppard about megatrends and business implications that will shape the workforce of the future.