Women of Color Chat

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Feb 28, 2018 - athletics, especially for women of color. a. Women of Color have to be ... As women of color, we need to
Women of Color Chat February 28, 2018 Featured Speaker: Dr. Katrice Albert, Executive Vice President of Inclusion and Human Resources Key Takeaways: 1. We don’t get anywhere alone! There is a need for great advocates in intercollegiate athletics, especially for women of color. a. Women of Color have to be connected. Every industry deserves us. b. Entire career has been about getting diversity in all key chairs that we deserve to be in 2. We need advocates who are power players and influencers. Our supporters should challenge us and hold us accountable. a. When the natural connections aren’t there, that’s when we need our champions! b. As women of color, we need to wedge the door open so others can follow. c. Connect both with people that are our mirror images and the people that aren’t. 3. Show initiative and self-advocate. a. Finding a champion requires demonstrating willingness. People will show you that they are willing to help. b. Even though someone is different in terms of thinking, have a conversation to determine if there’s a shared interest. c. People want to be asked to help! 4. Lead from where you are with your own influence! a. You must be strategic with aligning the vision and mission of what you’re doing with those in the power positions. i. Our goals must be completely integrated with our bosses. What’s the return on investment for the boss or institution, or organization? ii. Also consider who can help drive our agenda for us? b. Learn to speak the language of the power broker c. Demonstrate accountability

5. Whether you are in power positions or not, you must continue to help lead others to opportunities. a. Inclusion is long haul work, but it’s important i. Celebrate the small victories! There’s so much to appreciate and celebrate in our small victories, and we should when we can ii. We are still having “firsts”. As long as we are having firsts, we have to keep pushing, having the tough conversations and being resilient. 6. Take the staged approach to being visible. a. Know your audience and their communication style. To be heard is to communicate in their style. b. Find someone who is heard and “hitch your wagon” onto theirs. Be strategic and become and ally. c. It’s a revolutionary act when we, as Women of Color, focus on ourselves. 7. Fail fast! a. Be willing to take a risk and if it fails, learn from it. b. Focus on collaboration, though sometimes you won’t be successful in bringing people with you. c. Have the willingness to say the hard things at the leadership table. 8. Do something that scares you every day! 9. Increasing the pipeline of women of color requires: a. Collaborating with people that want to be a part of Women Leaders b. Ensuring women of color feel comfortable and represented in the organization c. Listening to the hard news some women of color may have to share with the organization d. Centering on women of color i. We want younger people to see the representation of women of color in leadership positions ii. Women of color have their own internalized battles with racism and sexism. Give opportunities for us to be in leading roles to challenge the racism and sexism that can stifle and paralyze us.