It’s important for workplaces to embrace neurodiverse and disabled individuals. By definition, Harvard Health Publishing refers to the term neurodiverse as “‘the diversity of all people,’ but it is often used in the context of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as other neurological or developmental conditions such as ADHD or learning disabilities.” National Institutes of Health (NIH) data estimates that 15% to 20% of the population worldwide is neurodiverse. Some individuals who are classified as neurodiverse experience stigmas while in the workplace. A 2024 study released by Understood.org shows 59% of respondents believe their condition would negatively impact them in the workplace, and 49% are unsure of the necessary internal communications to pursue for workplace accommodations. To create an accepting atmosphere, there are protocols that should be put in place. Wells Fargo Systems Operations Associate Danielle Washington, who has maintained her role since September 2023...

When Chris Paul was drafted to the league he turned down a substantial amount of money. The NBA player had been drafted in 2005 as the No. 4 draft pick by the New Orleans Hornets, Fox News reports. He was just 19 years old at the time. During an interview with Forbes, Paul mentioned he had just $151 in his bank account as a college student at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC, when he entered the league. One of his earliest actions was to bring on board a financial advisor, which ultimately resulted in him receiving an upfront offer of $100,000. However, his parents interceded, leading Paul to accept nearly a quarter of the initial offer. “My financial advisor who we hired, they said they would send me $100,000 and my parents said, ‘No that’s too much,'” he told Forbes. During an appearance on “The Shop,” he elaborated further stating, “Y ou know what happened? I was at Wake in Winston. I went to the bank right up the street just so I could see what the statement looked...

Kenny Smith has become a familiar face in sports broadcasting, and he’s being fairly compensated for his contributions. His background in sports can be traced back to his playing days on the basketball courts of the University of North Carolina, according to the National Urban League. Upon graduating with a degree in Industrial Relations, he would be drafted to the Sacramento Kings as a sixth overall draft pick in 1987, ESPN reports. On Oct. 14, 1987, Smith signed a multi-year contract with the team, RealGM mentions. He would go on to play for several teams, including the Houston Rockets, for six seasons. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kenny Smith (@kennysmith) They would earn two National Championships in 1994 and 1995 during his tenure. “I was one of the perfect pieces that fit into that championship mix,” Smith told Houstonia Magazine. Smith played for a total of ten seasons in the NBA and also attached his name to the Atlanta Hawks, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic,...

Blavity Inc. has assembled a coalition of leaders to drive equity in technology. In a news release, the technology and news media company has shared it has formed the AFROTECH™ Advisory Board. The board will dedicate its focus to workplace equity and ensuring underrepresented employees, founders, and startups can obtain access to capital and economic mobility.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by AFROTECH (@afro.tech) “Mobilizing this consortium is a crucial move towards amplifying our impact and reach in creating a more equitable tech industry,” Morgan DeBaun, founder and CEO of Blavity Inc., said in a press statement. “Our concerted effort will focus on practical initiatives that not only enhance workplace equity but also promote significant access to capital and opportunities for our community’s members.” The AFROTECH™ Advisory Board includes representatives of Amazon, American Express, Black Economic Alliance, Chewy, GAP, Google, Infoblox, Jordan Brand, Lam Research,...

President Joe Biden is unveiling plans that will provide relief to minority borrowers. A press release shares the Biden administration is looking to build on its efforts to eradicate debt for Americans. Already, it has provided financial relief to 4 million borrowers. Now, pending on approval of its latest proposal, the Biden administration is looking to scale its efforts to more than 30 million borrowers and projects it will positively impact Black borrowers, among other targeted demographics including Hispanic borrowers as well as working- and middle-class families. According to Education Data Initiative, Black graduates owe an estimated $25,000 more in student loan debt than their white counterparts. Furthermore, four years after graduation, Black students will be burdened with over 188% more debt than white students. A separate study looking into students who started college between 1995 and 1996 showed the median debt for white borrowers  decreased by 94% 20 years later, with...

Do you ever feel like you’re drowning in debt, even though your bank account tells a different story? Are you constantly chasing the next promotion or a sense of financial security? If so, you might be struggling with money dysmorphia. Just as body dysmorphia warps our perception of our physical appearance, money dysmorphia can create a skewed view of your financial reality. You may get jealous when you see someone posting on Instagram about their vacation or new car. LinkedIn exists to give you the impression that your career potential is much greater. This lesser-known condition isn’t about how much money you have but rather a distorted perception of your financial reality that can lead to stress, anxiety, and unhealthy financial behaviors. Let’s delve into the world of money dysmorphia, exploring its symptoms, root causes, and, most importantly, how to break free from its grip and cultivate a healthy relationship with your finances. What Is Money Dysmorphia? Money dysmorphia or...

AFROTECH™ is all about fostering a community for Black techies. At our annual AFROTECH™ Conference — the largest Black tech homecoming — Black innovators, disruptors, and leaders are provided with spaces to not only gain insight from esteemed figures in the industry but also network and collaborate with today’s industry leaders, executives and likeminded professionals.

Money. Every single one of us is working for it, it’s why we’re logging into these computers everyday, but for some reason, it’s also something we’re scared to talk about. In a recent LinkedIn survey, 40% of Black professionals felt like they were underpaid, but get this; only 30% had plans to ask for a raise, and 34% of us feel the hardest part of job searching is salary and benefits negotiations. If we agree that we’re all working for money–Lord knows I work HARD for mine–then why are we so scared to talk about compensation? By traditional measures, the U.S. labor market looks pretty good on paper. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, the U.S. economy added more jobs than economists expected in February 2024, however, on LinkedIn we’re still seeing just one job opening for every two applicants. My goal is to help people, who plan to stay in their roles, better understand how not to leave money on the table and to help folks negotiating for new opportunities arm...

At this point in your career journey, you might be ready for a mentor yet unsure of how to approach the topic. Knowing how to ask someone to be your mentor is a vital skill, as discovering a mentor is likely one of the most valuable choices you will make in your professional life . This applies to all fields, from professional basketball to web development to firefighting. The challenge is that approaching someone and asking them to act as your mentor is not a simple task. Even in the greatest of situations, requesting somebody to mentor you may feel awkward, especially since influential people are typically in high demand as mentors in their field , and successful people are also frequently the busiest. Asking Someone For Mentorship You must first be certain that this is what you want: what makes you desire to have a mentor? And, most importantly, why would you like to receive mentoring? Do you wish to pick up a new talent, or have you been struggling with certain issues at work?...

An existential crisis is a profound and often unsettling moment in an individual’s life when they confront fundamental questions about the meaning, purpose , and significance of their existence . It is a period of intense self-reflection and contemplation that may arise when individuals grapple with the realization of their mortality, the nature of human existence, the search for personal identity , realizations about free will and choice, and the meaning of life. It can feel heavy and overwhelming, as it consists of questioning the meaning of living at its most basic explanation. An existential crisis can not only impact your personal life, but your professional one as well. Key Aspects Of An Existential Crisis Questioning one’s purpose, direction, or reasons for living Feeling disconnected from people, activities, or values that previously gave life meaning Having a sense that life lacks inherent meaning and questioning the meaning of existence Experiencing intense boredom,...

Going straight out of school and into the professional world is a huge transition that leaves many feeling blindsided. Receiving guidance on how to navigate the change from someone with industry experience is invaluable, which is what makes mentors so impactful . That and the selflessness they exhibit by going out of their way to help you in whatever stage of your career you may be in so you can grow. Forming this kind of relationship can make it challenging to decide what to write in a retirement card for a mentor. An optimal message for a retirement card would be one that is fairly brief but sincere enough to convey the gratitude that person deserves. There is no shame in seeking inspiration for what to write in a retirement card for a mentor. Sometimes it is hard to convey feelings of gratitude and appreciation in the most appropriate words for the situation. These messages are a great start and can easily be edited to align with the card giver’s personal relationship with their...

Everyone has a part of themselves that they do not bring into the light but carry with them everywhere they go. This is known as the “shadow self.” It is also often referred to as a dark side: not because it is evil, but rather, repressed. However, acceptance of this part of the self is crucial in order to fully appreciate one’s self. The process of achieving this acceptance is called shadow work. What Is Shadow Work? The term “shadow work” is widely attributed to Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung. In his analytical psychology, Jung developed the concept of the “shadow” – the unknown or unconscious aspects of oneself, both good and bad. According to Jung, we deny or suppress parts of ourselves that we don’t like, deem incompatible, or bring up too much anxiety to face. The shadow thus represents our dark side – the negative traits we try to hide or overcome. Jung suggested that failing to recognize the shadow leads to projecting one’s darker qualities onto others. Integrating the shadow...