For The Culture: Tapping Into Black LinkedIn

For the longest time, LinkedIn was a relatively bland, ultra-professional, and let's just be honest, mostly white/non-POC social networking platform. You would see people share dry job updates, industry articles, with the occasional thoughtful quote sprinkled in. Now, LinkedIn looks very different. The content has become a lot more social and personal in nature, particularly as the global pandemic has kept us confined to our homes, forcing us to use virtual platforms to stay connected with one another.

This has opened the door for more intense and provocative topics typically left for platforms like Twitter and Facebook to take center stage. Enter Black LinkedIn.

In light of the tragic events we've seen this year in the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, Black professionals are leading the charge on LinkedIn in sharing more fiery content, speaking out against racism, discrimination, and injustice, both in the workplace and in society. Being able to vent on LinkedIn created a space for Black professionals to grieve publicly about the events around us, get much-needed support, and create greater awareness for other racial groups.

Up until now, many of us were suffering in silence at work or just commiserating with small groups of friends, in text chats, etc. Now through LinkedIn, we are able to connect with the broader Black population around the world, those who have encountered similar situations, share our same feelings, and further amplify each other's voices to ensure we are being heard. This has sparked conversations with company leaders, business owners, and entrepreneurs of all races, shining a light on what the Black employees in their ranks are feeling on a daily basis while being expected to come to work and give 100%.

While in some cases, it appears that LinkedIn may have tried to silence some of our voices through content erasure or throttling, Black people have still continued posting unapologetically about our experiences.

You may be thinking "Well this is great, Julia. Thanks for sharing. But how do I actually get plugged into this space on LinkedIn, sis? Where do I get started?" Don't worry, I got you covered! Here are a few tips to help you tap into this network:

1.Start following and connecting with those who are helping to drive these important conversations around the Black experience.

Here are some folks who immediately come to mind:

Aaisha Joseph - Diversity advocate
Minda Harts – Best-selling author and advocate for women of color
Latesha Byrd – Career Coach and Talent Development Consultant

Keep in mind that some of the powerful Black people that you follow on other social media platforms also have very strong LinkedIn followings as well, and their posts can be forums for good discussions as well as finding others to connect with. You can then transition some of the conversations beyond LinkedIn to actual conversations or Zoom calls where you can further build relationships.

2.Search and follow relevant hashtags to see where the conversations are happening.

Some ideas are: #blacklinkedin (yes, there is a hashtag for Black LinkedIn), #diversity, #inclusion, #diversityandinclusion, #blacklivesmatter, #blackprofessionals, and #blackwomen. Don't be alarmed if there aren't thousands of followers on the hashtag itself. Review the content of the posts with the hashtag and also see WHO'S posting the content. You can also use the hashtags when you are posting content so that other Black professionals can also find and connect with you.

Remember, LinkedIn is not just about what you can get from the platform, but what you can offer.

3.Join groups and follow company pages focused on Black professionals.

You can literally type in "Black professional" into the search bar on LinkedIn and find PAGES of groups and companies focused on the Black experience in corporate and in business. There are groups by geographic location/city, industry, etc. Take some time to review the company pages and check out some of these groups to participate in some of the conversations. If there are groups in your specific area, this may provide you with an opportunity to build your local network of Black professionals that you can connect with in person (socially-distanced, of course).

Are you a member of our insiders squad? Join us in the xoTribe Members Community today!

Featured image by Shutterstock

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For The Culture: Tapping Into Black LinkedIn

This has opened the door for more intense and provocative topics typically left for platforms like Twitter and Facebook to take center stage. Enter Black LinkedIn.

1.Start following and connecting with those who are helping to drive these important conversations around the Black experience.

2.Search and follow relevant hashtags to see where the conversations are happening.

Remember, LinkedIn is not just about what you can get from the platform, but what you can offer.

3.Join groups and follow company pages focused on Black professionals.

Are you a member of our insiders squad? Join us in the xoTribe Members Community today!

"There's no balance. I'm dropping sh*t everywhere! However, my secret sauce is pursuing interests and hobbies outside of what's required of me and finding time to workout. Stronger body equals = stronger mind."

Lauren Grove, Chief Experience Architect, The Grant Access, LLC

"You have the answers within you. Don’t compare yourself to others. Curate your life to work for you. Ask for help."

"Learning your rhythm as a mom takes time and can be uncomfortable when you’re in a season of overwhelm. Constantly check in with yourself and assess what’s working and what’s not. Get the help you need without feeling guilty or ashamed of needing it."

"I want to be the best for myself, my husband, children and company. However, the reality is you can have it all but not at the same time. My secret sauce is outsourcing and realizing that it’s okay to have help in order for me to perform at the highest level."

"What helps me push through each day is the motivation to continue by thinking about my son. All my efforts, though exhausting, are to create a wonderful life for him."

"The advice I received that I’ll pass on is, you will continue to figure it out and find your rhythm as your child grows into new stages. Trust your nurturing intuition, parent on your terms, and listen to your child."

"I live by the personal mantra: 'You can’t be your best self by yourself.' My life feels more balanced when I offer the help I can give and ask for the help I need. This might mean outsourcing housecleaning for my home, or hiring additional project management support for my business."

"Each season of motherhood (depending on age, grade, workload) requires a different rhythm. With that said, be open to learning, to change, and understand that what worked for one season may not work the other...and that's okay."

"My daughter's smile and sweet spirit help me to feel gratitude when I'm overwhelmed. I want her to see a woman who doesn't quit when things get hard."

"Get comfortable with the word ‘no’. Be very clear about your non-negotiables and communicate them to those around you."

"Ask for help and always prioritize making time for you."

​"Understand you can’t do it alone — and that’s ok. Relinquish the need to control everything. Create a village and lean on them."

Salwa Benyaich, Director Of Pricing and Planning at Premion

My calendar, prayer, pilates class at Forma, a good playlist, and oatmilk lattes all help get me through any day.

Courtney Beauzile, Global Director of Client and Business Development at Shearman & Sterling

My husband is a partner who steps in when I just can’t. My mom and my MIL come through whenever and however I need. My kids have many uncles and aunts and they will lend an ear, go over homework, teach life lessons, be a presence or a prayer warrior depending on the day.

Robin Snipes, Chief of Staff at Meta

"Enjoy the time you have to yourself because once kids come those times will be few and far between."

Who Are Geminis Compatible With?

Love is often where they feel the need to take the most risks, often at the expense of someone else. If they feel smothered or controlled in any type of way in a relationship, they tend to run, and sometimes that’s into another person’s arms.

​GEMINI + ARIES

​GEMINI + TAURUS

​GEMINI + GEMINI

​GEMINI + CANCER

​GEMINI + LEO

​GEMINI + VIRGO

​GEMINI + LIBRA

​GEMINI + SCORPIO

​GEMINI + SAGITTARIUS

​GEMINI + CAPRICORN

​GEMINI + AQUARIUS

​GEMINI + PISCES

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"Understand you can’t do it alone — and that’s ok. Relinquish the need to control everything. Create a village and lean on them."

GEMINI + ARIES

GEMINI + TAURUS

GEMINI + GEMINI

GEMINI + CANCER

GEMINI + LEO

GEMINI + VIRGO

GEMINI + LIBRA

GEMINI + SCORPIO

GEMINI + SAGITTARIUS

GEMINI + CAPRICORN

GEMINI + AQUARIUS

GEMINI + PISCES