"5 Inspiring Books by Black Authors for Black History Month"

✍🏾 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀. 📚 We need more Black authors in ABA. At The Thought Exchange during the BMBA Summit, Kirk Kirby issued a powerful call to action: 🗣️ “I want to see more Black professionals publishing books, putting out literature, and writing our stories into history.” This is bigger than ABA. It’s about 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗰𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱. 💡 When Black professionals publish, they don’t just share knowledge — they create history. 📺 Watch the full discussion in Episode 33: https://lnkd.in/exA3CZFH #BeyondTheScience #BMBASummit2025 #TheThoughtExchange #BlackExcellence #RepresentationMatters #BlackAuthors #DiversityInLiterature #Leadership #BehaviorAnalysis #LegacyBuilding

Why should Black educators obtain their Doctorate? Black educators should pursue their doctorate not just for the title, but to reshape education itself. A doctorate gives us a seat at the table, opens doors for leadership, and allows us to create theory that reflects our lived experiences. When we build theory, WE name our reality, challenge inequities, and provide frameworks that guide schools and teacher prep programs toward true equity. Representation matters—not only in practice but also in the knowledge we leave behind. Fred Bonner Tomikia LeGrande, Ed.D. Beverly A. King Miller, PhD Aashir Nasim, Ph.D. Angela Branch-Vital, Ph.D. Prairie View A&M University

It’s Black History Month ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽 This year’s theme, “Standing Firm in Power and Pride”, feels special. I wrote an article this week reflecting on what that means for Black founders, not just as participants in business, but as leaders shaping culture, the economy and the future. Power and pride don’t come from waiting for validation. They come from owning the story and amplifying it with conviction. Being one myself, I wanted to spotlight the resilience, creativity and influence of Black founders building their own lanes and rewriting the rules. 👉🏾 You can read the full piece here: https://lnkd.in/eW_N5kBA #BlackHistoryMonth #Founders #PersonalBranding #StandingFirm #BlackHistoryMonthUK

What does this year's #BlackHistoryMonth theme, "Standing Firm in Power and Pride", mean to you? #LinkedInNewsUK The theme “Standing Firm in Power and Pride” deeply resonates with me, both personally and professionally, through my work leading the ASPIRE Programme(Accomplished Study Programme in Research Excellence). ASPIRE was created to address the systemic underrepresentation of Black students in doctoral education. It provides personalised mentorship, coaching, and leadership development that empowers Black scholars to see themselves as capable of belonging, leading, and thriving in spaces where they have historically been excluded. To me, standing firm in power means creating environments where Black excellence is recognised not as an exception but as a norm; where confidence, intellectual curiosity, and authenticity are nurtured. Standing firm in pride reflects the courage to centre Black voices and lived experiences unapologetically, even in the face of global inequalities, racial injustice, and the persistent underrepresentation that still exists in higher education. In an increasingly complex and challenging global landscape, ASPIRE continues to embody this theme by building a community grounded in Ubuntu and the Omoluabi values of integrity, compassion, and collective responsibility. Through ASPIRE’s mentoring and anti-racist training, we are cultivating a generation of scholars and academics who are not only proud of their identity but also equipped to lead transformative change with power, dignity, and purpose.

Excellent way to start the day! Major shout-out to my coauthors Dr.Shona G. Smith, Ph.D., Dr.Jamila S. Maxie, Ph.D., and Dr.Erica M. Johnson! In this research article accepted for publication at Journal of Business Ethics, we examine the problematic relationship between authoritarian leaders and Black people. What many people do not understand is that authoritarianism operates as a form of racial oppression in the American context. This is because authoritarians have historically supported the enslavement of Black people and Jim Crow laws. Currently, authoritarians oppose any effort to make society and organizations more equitable and inclusive of Black people. Across three studies, the results demonstrate that authoritarian supervisors create unwelcoming environments for Black employees (i.e., evidenced by Black employees’ low evaluations of psychological diversity climate at work). In turn, unwelcoming environments significantly decrease Black employees’ evaluations of thriving at work. In summary, if society and organizations truly want Black people to thrive, individuals whom possesses authoritarian tendencies should not be entrusted to lead and manage Black people. However, the reality is that individuals who seek to oppress Black people are often promoted and elevated in American institutions, organizations, and society. Human Capital Management & Leadership Miami University Farmer School of Business Miami University The PhD Project Management Faculty of Color Association (MFCA) Relando Thompkins-Jones Social Justice Origin Stories #diversityequityinclusion #DEI #research #scholarship #management #leadership #BlackEmployees #Racism

Allies - what is your organisation doing for Black History Month - October 2025? Black History Month Allyship Toolkit – 31 Days of Action I’m so excited to share this resource with you! Too often, Black History Month can feel performative – a guest speaker, some cultural food, and then business as usual. But allyship isn’t seasonal. It’s about consistent, intentional action that creates lasting change. That’s why I created the Black History Month Allyship Toolkit: 31 days of Learn – Reflect – Act prompts Each under 10 minutes a day Ready-to-use, plug-and-play resource for teams The toolkit is designed to spark conversations, encourage reflection, and support organisations in embedding allyship into everyday workplace culture – not just in October, but throughout the year. In the video below, I explain what’s inside the toolkit and how it can help your organisation mark Black History Month with intention and impact. If your company is still deciding what to do this October, this toolkit is a simple, practical place to start. #Allyship #BlackHistoryMonth #Inclusion #Leadership #Culture

Allies - what is your organisation doing for Black History Month - October 2025? Black History Month Allyship Toolkit – 31 Days of Action I’m so excited to share this resource with you! Too often, Black History Month can feel performative – a guest speaker, some cultural food, and then business as usual. But allyship isn’t seasonal. It’s about consistent, intentional action that creates lasting change. That’s why I created the Black History Month Allyship Toolkit: 31 days of Learn – Reflect – Act prompts Each under 10 minutes a day Ready-to-use, plug-and-play resource for teams The toolkit is designed to spark conversations, encourage reflection, and support organisations in embedding allyship into everyday workplace culture – not just in October, but throughout the year. In the video below, I explain what’s inside the toolkit and how it can help your organisation mark Black History Month with intention and impact. If your company is still deciding what to do this October, this toolkit is a simple, practical place to start. #Allyship #BlackHistoryMonth #Inclusion #Leadership #Culture

Black History Month 2025: Sharing black success stories #6 Layi Olanrewaju Layi was born and raised in Nigeria, where his journey began as a teacher and trainer of executives. With a background in Geography and Regional Planning, he later transitioned into Management Information Systems and now leads in digital health. Working with senior leaders early on taught him the power of strategy, innovation, and resilience—lessons that shaped his path when he moved to the UK. The transition was not easy. Adapting to new academic and professional systems meant he often had to prove himself against preconceived notions. Yet, persistence, self-belief, and values of hard work carried him through. In the UK, Layi’s passion for healthcare and technology deepened. He became fascinated by how Electronic Patient Records could transform patient care. During Covid-19, this focus became urgent. Out of that moment came one of his proudest achievements—his PhD research on Electronic Patient Record (sponsored by the University of Bradford) use in intensive care units. For him, it is more than scholarship; it is a symbol of resilience and a contribution to systems that save lives. Today, his story inspires others, especially younger colleagues and students, to break barriers and succeed internationally without losing their identity. For him, success is not just individual recognition but representation—ensuring Black voices shape the future of healthcare, leadership, and education. Layi currently lectures at BPP University where he inspires international students into the British value system. His advice to young Black talents is clear: believe in your worth, remain resilient, and pursue opportunities even when the path is uncertain. Seek mentors but also be ready to mentor others. Layi’s legacy is not only about research. It is about opening doors, creating opportunities, and ensuring that the collective story is one of progress, representation, and impact. His journey proves that resilience and vision can carry you anywhere—and that your story can light the way for others. Ifedapo Abdul-Azeez Jimi Olufemi Diran Oderinde Ph.D, AIFireE, GradIOSH

Black History Month isn’t just a moment to celebrate, it’s a moment to reflect. Reflect on what we centre. Reflect on what we teach. Reflect on how we lead. In early years, the stories we tell and the images we show matter. But so does what happens behind the scenes: – Whose voices shape our decisions? – Whose lived experiences are reflected in our leadership? – What do our children see when they look around their environment - and at the people in it? Anti-racism isn’t a policy. It’s daily practice. And for leaders, it’s not just about representation. It’s about responsibility. There’s still so much to learn, and unlearn. But Black History Month is a good time to ask: 🔍 What am I actively doing to build a truly inclusive culture - for team members, children and families? #BlackHistoryMonth #Leadership #EarlyYears #AntiRacismInPractice #CultureAndPeople #NFamilyClub

Black History Month Spotlight: Ikechukwu U. Mechanical Engineer at AtkinsRéalis , Ikechukwu is dedicated to supporting underrepresented professionals through mentoring and visibility. His message is powerful: the industry must move beyond mentorship to active sponsorship—where senior professionals champion Black colleagues for leadership roles and high-visibility projects. "Sponsorship combats obscurity, ensuring contributions are recognised while addressing unconscious bias." To aspiring engineers, he says: engage with CIBSE and CIBSE Young Engineers Network early, seek sponsors who advocate for you, stay curious about emerging technologies, and be visible about your achievements. Explore CIBSE's commitment to honouring Black History Month and the professionals driving our industry forward - https://buff.ly/cQIpAEf #BlackHistoryMonth #WeAreCIBSE #BuildingServices #Diversity