March is Women’s History Month, and this year, I’m challenging my readers to honor women in a different way: by joining the fight to end hair discrimination.
About four years ago, a private school in Louisiana sent home an 11-year-old Black girl for wearing hair extensions. While many were shocked and appalled by this story, it was no surprise for women of color who are still living these moments well into adulthood. According to The CROWN Coalition, over 20% of Black women between 25 and 34 years of age have been sent home because of their hair.
In Simply Good, learn more about the CROWN Act, sign the petition, and complete a specially-curated suite of LinkedIn courses (which also features my course, Diversity Recruiting). As a Women’s-History-Month bonus, each of the courses in this learning path are taught by women!
Sadly, hair discrimination is only one casualty of the biases we carry unconsciously. That’s why it’s so important for us to be aware of the preconceptions that shape the way we see and treat others. My Unconscious Bias LinkedIn course is a great step towards that self-awareness and is currently free for LinkedIn learners. Leaders, this is also a great way to start conversations about bias in your organization.
If you are nervous about broaching those conversations in your workplace, know you’re not alone. Many leaders are wary of saying or doing anything for fear of saying or doing the wrong thing. In Simply Diversity, I address this growing problem and encourage leaders not to allow their anxiety to paralyze them from taking action.
Finally, join me this month for my webinar, Addressing Unconscious Bias as an Everyday Leader, produced by the Professional BusinessWomen of California. Check out What’s Happening for more details.
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