Chenae Erkerd, J.D., RACR’s Post

I’ll go ahead and say it. I was able to be admitted into law school because of affirmative action. It took me seven years to graduate from undergrad. ❇️ I didn’t have a college fund and had to work instead of attending school for many semesters. ❇️ I became a single mom before graduating from undergrad ❇️ And I didn’t know it then, but having bipolar disorder also resulted in some setbacks. When I decided to go to law school, I knew my GPA was good, but not “law school” good. I took the law school admission test (LSAT) anyway and did okay. I only had enough money to apply to a limited amount of schools, but one of them reached out to me without me even applying. The University of Arkansas School of Law, Fayetteville, had just begun an affirmative action program to recruit more Black candidates and encouraged me to apply (I think they even waived the fee). I was admitted, received a scholarship, and excelled. The rest is history. As you know, I earned senior leadership roles, including c-suite positions, and became a professor, a business owner, a three-time best-selling author, and a global speaker. I attribute many of these successes to an affirmative action initiative that gave me a chance without meeting the usual requirements with little to no correlation to success. Despite what SCOTUS says, we can still provide those opportunities to people like me. ‼️‼️‼️On another note to organizational leaders. Now is the time to support and protect your employee's mental health. Why? ❌ The USA has again ignored systemic racism and is pulling back efforts to rectify such. ❌ Many worry if their kids will now have opportunities to get a college education (we all don’t have money to buy our way in). ❌. They wonder if SCOTUS will make the same decisions about workplace DEI efforts (we’re already starting to see that happen on the state level). I’m not trying to capitalize on this decision, but this is a crisis that needs action immediately. I know how to help. Call me. #scotus #affirmativeaction #mentalhealth

A friend and former coworker who is white posed these questions on a Facebook post. If you are white, ask yourself these questions. For many if not most the answer will be "zero". Think about why that is. And if you are so inspired, what can you do to change things. "For White folks who think this Affirmative Action decision is a great win ask yourself: how many Black and Brown folks do you work side by side with in your career? How many Black or Brown bosses have you had over the course of your career?.If you live in a middle to upper class neighborhood, how many B and B neighbors do you have? How many B and B teachers have your kids had k-12? How many college professors did you have that were B or B (me not a one). Your kids if college age? How many Black Dr's? Dentists? Lawyers? Equity begins and ends with education access. Education equity is non existent at the k 12 level due to our property tax sh*t, Affirmative Action allowed for some catch up. But that's all gone. But that's OK because White people got a sliver of their American Pie back today...Bravo! But hey Black and Brown people can still join the military and get killed." #affirmativeaction

It's time to let go of the thought that you have to work twice as hard. I know this thought feels true. I know it has worked for you in the past. I know it's what your parents and your grandparents have been telling you for years. I know it's what got you here. But for where you're going, it no longer works. What got you here, won't get you there. Being a partner isn't about how hard you work. It isn't about saying yes to every ask Or working away diligently in the background It's isn't about never asking for help, Doing it all yourself, Waiting until you know it all or are 100% sure before you offer a view, Or striving to make everything perfect. These qualities served you in the past. Now they are keeping you stuck. Progressing to the top requires a whole different set of skills - Knowing what to say no to Knowing when to ask for help Taking feedback on board without making it about you Including yourself Taking up space, being front and centre. These are the qualities that will move you forward. Progressing your career is no longer just about the hours you bill. It's about the skills you've developed The experience you've gained. It's about the relationships you've built The people in your corner The work you bring in How well you are known How much you are trusted How highly you are rated The way you are seen The value you are adding. This doesn't come from working harder. It comes from working smarter. P.S. If you're a mid to senior level black lawyer and you want to progress within the industry, join Be The First Progression for Black Lawyers where I'll teach you to work smarter instead of harder. Enrolment for the next cohort is coming soon. Click the link below to join the waiting list and be the first to know when we open. 👉🏾https://lnkd.in/dsUEYuB7 #bethefirst #blacklawyers #lawyers #attorneys #careerprogression #careercoaching #lawyercoach #impostersyndrome #diversityandinclusion #legalimposters #lawyerlife

In the past few months, we have witnessed countless women of color in higher education be drained dry. From black students leaving programs due to insecure funding, the loss of affirmative action, or tenured faculty being driven to the point of resigning. The worst of us even facing fatal consequences. My heart aches for the family of Dr. Candia-Bailey and her students/colleagues who will never again experience her light. To Black women; we do not have to be superwomen nor be conductors of constant black girl magic. We are human, and the magic lies in that alone. Despite the constant demonization, dehumanization, bullying, micro/macro-aggressions, infantilization, and countless other obstacles we face in the workplace, academia, at the grocery store, or wherever else--we are human. Imagine, if a senior-level administrator was not the exception, what does that say about junior academics, entry-level administrators, and students? May Dr. Candia-Bailey rest in complete peace. We are holding space for all of us who are afraid, frustrated, and tired.

Are you coming? Enrolment for the May 2024 class of Be The First Progression for Black Lawyers is closing. Today is your LAST CHANCE to enrol. This is your opportunity to join a select group of black lawyers who are progressing to the next level and changing the face of this industry. We want you with us! Imagine how you would feel if today was your LAST DAY getting stuck in should-be thinking. Your LAST DAY working twice as hard and hoping it's enough. Your LAST DAY feeling undervalued and excluded. Your LAST DAY being unclear about what you need to do to get promoted, bring in clients or sustain your career over the long term. Your LAST DAY needing external validation to feel that you're good enough. Your LAST DAY feeling exhausted and overwhelmed and thinking the only solution is to quit. That amazing feeling is exactly how you'll feel the moment you join Be The First. I can't wait for you to join us. Apply now by clicking here 👉🏾https://lnkd.in/e68gU8WH Let's go. #bethefirst #impostersyndrome #blacklawyers #lawyers #attorneys  #blacklawyers #coachingforlawyers #careerprogression  #careercoaching  #diversityandinclusion  #legalimposters #blackleaders

Its crunch time family so you're getting a post early this morning so you can take all day to tag and reach out to your network! I have two weeks to get 13 more survey responses for my qualitative descriptive study exploring how Black male faculty in higher education describe their personal and professional process to persist in their career in the southern part of the United States! Your support has been tremendous and the finish line is right there! I want to reach out to my network to help me knock off goal number one on the journey to 40! Let's get the survey 10 more responses before Friday! I know with your help it's possible! Check out the flyer below! If you don't mind, tag 2-3 people you feel fit the criteria! You can also find the direct link to the survey here: https://rb.gy/ir26s. The survey should not take you more than 10 minutes to complete! I look forward to hearing from you! And thanks to those who've participated or tagged folx in their network. You are appreciated! SN:Southern institutions include Florida, Texas, Georgia, North and South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, D.C, Louisianna, Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Tennessee #DoctoralCandidate #seeking #ResearchParticipants #BlackMales #BlackMalesInHigherEd #BlackAcademics #BlackMaleFaculty

Get ready. Enrolment for the May 2024 cohort of the Be The First Progression Programme for Black Lawyers opens TUESDAY 2 APRIL. Save the date. Be ready. Here’s what you need to know: 👉🏾 Enrolment opens: 6am (BST) Tuesday 2 April 2024 ❗️ Places available: 15 ⏰ Application deadline: Friday 12th April, midnight (BST) ✍🏾 Application process: 1. Complete application form 2. Schedule a call with me to get clear on your progression goal That’s it. I’ll take care of the rest. Don’t put this off. Places will be allocated first come, first served to eligible applicants. Set a reminder in your calendar. Secure your place in the room. I can’t wait to support you to progress this year. To see you grow and reach your potential this year. Enough of playing small. Enough of downplaying your value. Enough of feeling powerless and that your career is happening to you. Let’s put you in the driving seat where you belong. Enrolment is coming. Be ready. P.S. This enrolment is for: - mid to senior level lawyers - currently in a role - who want to progress within the legal industry and - who self-identify as black. P.P.S. Questions about the Programme? Send me a DM #bethefirst #lawyers #attorneys #blacklawyers #careerprogression #legalcareer #lawyercoach #diversityandinclusion

Good Morning LinkedIn Network! Read the research study below and consider participating if you meet the criteria!