The JOY Collective Execs Talk Fighting Hair Discrimination And Putting Purpose Behind Their Work
With coins that are often hard-earned and reputations highly treasured, it's refreshing to know about brands that value doing good. For friendpreneurs Kelli Joy Richardson Lawson and Orlena Nwokah Blanchard, this is a way of business and a way of life. The women serve as CEO and COO, respectively, of The JOY Collective, a Washington, DC-based multi-cultural media agency, and their firm's name is no accident.
"We operate as a company with intention for the greater good---to create joy for ourselves, our families, our communities, and the world we live in," Blanchard said during an xoNecole interview. "We look to do business with other companies who share that ethos."
Both marketing veterans have a long history of working with beauty brands, and as wives and mothers, they recently found themselves passionate about an issue that hit home: hair discrimination. It was one they couldn't ignore. "We started seeing story after story of our children being sent home from schools, whether it's Faith Kennedy in Louisiana, Clinton Stanley, Andrew Johnson, and many others, and as part of that we realized we needed to do something to make a change. That's how we got involved with the Crown Act," said Lawson.
The legislation, which has been passed into law by more than five states and has been filed or pre-filed in more than a dozen others, bars discrimination based on hair texture and hairstyles. The JOY Collective worked with Dove to build a campaign and help drive a movement that not only celebrates the beauty of natural hair but promotes advocacy.
"Esi Eggleston Bracey, from Dove, hired our company with the intention of connecting with black women. We worked with them, hand in hand, to create the Crown Coalition, [which was] co-founded by Dove, the National Urban League, Color of Change, and the Western Center on Law and Poverty," Lawson said.
"This law allows us to extend the definition of race to include racial characteristics [such as] hair," Blanchard added. "The reason it's so important is because we know there are racial inequities and there is racial discrimination and this is a form of racial discrimination. [That] discrimination is a means for people to be denied access to opportunities. It's really important for us to ensure that black people have the opportunity for socioeconomic advancement, and it's actually an economic imperative for us to ensure that hair discrimination is eradicated."
For both women, aligning with Dove and other partners for this cause was a no-brainer. "It's about purpose, and what we know for sure is that most people want to connect themselves with and purchase brands from companies that actually show up and stand for something," Lawson said.
Image via The JOY Collective
"We know, from research, what younger generations are responding to and what they have expectations about in terms of how the businesses that exist in the world contribute to the way we live and function everyday---how they are contributing to the greater good. You see more companies leaning into their intention to contribute to communities and better the world we live in," Blanchard reiterated.
Even in their personal lives, the motto of being intentional in the way in which they even instill goodness and joy via self-care is important. "I definitely try to find time to work out and be active. I also took a transcendental meditation class [a few] months ago. That has been tremendously helpful," Lawson said. "Quiet time alone is also helpful, and girlfriend time is important. Just spending time with the people I love and getting that recharge is essential."
For Blanchard, fitness and a focus on priorities means she can show up in the most joyful way and continue the practice of purpose in business. "I've had the same set of priorities since I was 19 years old: It's my faith first, me, my family, and then work. My self-care comes from honoring those priorities---or at least trying to commit to that. When I make decisions about trade-offs in order to take care of myself, I lean into those priorities. I'm Catholic, so I go to Mass---or at least I try to go---every week. It's all about making sure I'm intact to be able to give to my family and my work as much as I possibly can. When all those other things are intact, I find that I am best to deliver for JOY. I'm a good partner for Kelli and a good leader for the team. That, to me, is all taking care of myself."
For more information on the Crown Act and how to support its passing in your state, visit the official campaign Website.
Featured Image via The JOY Collective
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ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LISTÂ HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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When discussing the topic of raising children, discipline is often the first thing that comes to mind. Children need discipline. Full stop. But what is discipline? And how do we draw the line between discipline and revenge?
The origin of the word "discipline" can be traced back to the Latin word "disciplina," which means "instruction" or "teaching." Over time, however, discipline has come to be synonymous with punishment, with parents relying on shame, fear, and/or physical pain to curb undesirable behavior.
Teaching takes time, so nipping it in the bud in whatever fashion parents deem necessary (within reason) has become the norm. But is this what’s best for children? And when does it become less about curbing undesirable behavior and more about getting our licks back for offenses we feel our children should know better to do?
In my work as a parenting coach, I’ve often heard parents say, “I asked him nicely three times before spanking him. He didn’t stop doing it until I did, so clearly talking doesn’t work.”
And the parent isn’t wrong. Talking often doesn’t work the first, the third, or the even the 10th time. And the reason is directly tied to brain development.
Children cannot and do not process information the way an adult can. Auditory processing is not fully developed until a child is 14 or 15 years old. And even then, if a child has auditory processing delays or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), they may always struggle with processing auditory commands. According to Susie S. Loraine, MA, CCC-SLP, the term auditory processing refers to how the brain perceives and interprets sound information. Several skills determine auditory processing ability—or listening success. They develop in a general four-step hierarchy, but all work together and are essential for daily listening.
Without this understanding, discipline can easily become revenge because parents will then view their child’s misdeeds as a personal slight. Instead of teaching them to do better, parents now want to show them the consequences of not doing better. This is why it's imperative for parents to discern between discipline and revenge to maintain healthy relationships with their children.
5 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND RETALIATION:Â Â
​Understanding The Intent
Discipline is rooted in love and concern for the child's well-being. It focuses on teaching lessons and helping children understand the consequences of their actions. Conversely, revenge-driven actions stem from a desire to inflict pain or punishment as payback for perceived slights or disobedience. Parents should reflect on their motives before taking disciplinary actions. Ask yourself whether your intention is to help your child learn or to make them suffer for upsetting you.
Example: If a child accidentally breaks a valuable item, a disciplinary response would involve discussing the importance of being careful and working with the child to come up with a way to replace or fix what they’ve broken. On the other hand, a vengeful reaction might involve yelling, harsh punishment, or bringing up past mistakes to intensify guilt.
​Maintaining Emotional Regulation
Effective discipline requires parents to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. It's natural to feel upset or frustrated when children misbehave, but responding with anger or resentment can escalate the situation and blur the line between discipline and revenge. Before addressing the issue, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.
Example: If a child cannot follow instructions, a disciplined response would involve calmly explaining why their cooperation is necessary in working with the child to accomplish the goal. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve shouting, name-calling, or resorting to physical punishment out of anger.
​Promoting Growth and Learning
Discipline should always aim to promote growth and learning. It involves guiding children toward making better choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others. Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for reflection and growth.
Example: If a child repeatedly forgets to complete their chores, a disciplinary approach would involve discussing the importance of responsibility and finding solutions together, such as creating a chore chart or setting reminders with Siri or Alexa. In contrast, a revenge-driven response might involve imposing overly harsh punishments or belittling the child, which can undermine their self-esteem and hinder their ability to learn from their mistakes.
Momo Productions/Getty
Building Trust and Communication
Trust and open communication are essential components of a healthy parent-child relationship. Discipline should strengthen this bond by fostering trust and encouraging children to confide in their parents without fear of judgment or retaliation. When children feel safe and supported, they're more likely to accept discipline as a form of guidance rather than punishment.
Example: If a child admits to breaking a rule or making a mistake, a disciplined response would involve listening to their perspective, discussing the consequences of their actions, and working together to find a solution. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve accusations, blame, or shutting down communication, which can erode trust and damage the parent-child relationship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Parenting is a learning journey, and, disciplining children is a delicate balance between guiding them toward responsible behavior and nurturing their growth. By understanding the intent behind our actions, maintaining emotional regulation, promoting growth and learning, building trust and communication, and seeking professional guidance when needed, as parents we can help our children built on love, respect, and understanding.
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Featured image by Courtney Hale/Getty Images