Honoring Black History Month

Renetta McCann

Written by Board member, Singleton Beato

When given the opportunity to write about a woman I’d like to honor during Black History Month, I jumped at the chance to compose what can only be considered as a wholly incomplete articulation of one of the most incredible women I’ve had the good fortune to call sister-friend.  And today, as I share a few words about Renetta McCann, those who know her will agree that there are simply not enough words to fully express how incredibly special she is, and what a gift she continues to be to our industry at large.  While certainly, for decades, this powerhouse executive has been widely recognized as a brilliant and accomplished business executive – what is most compelling about Renetta is the deeply generous and truly authentic human being she is.  A bona fide industry icon, Renetta shifted her career path from that of a CEO, to one solely focused on supporting and nurturing the talent working in our business – making a difference where it starts.  This major pivot is a clear demonstration of someone who prioritizes using their gifts and capabilities in service of a higher calling.  Renetta’s care for, and dedication to, enabling the success and wellbeing of others – whether family, friends or colleagues – is incomparable.  These are just a few reasons I feel so very blessed to know her and I know that my words resonate with thousands of people that have been similarly affected by one of the most powerful Black women on-the-planet.  So, this month as we recognize Black history, let’s also remain present to Black excellence in motion which is pure excellence in truth – and that is how I describe Renetta McCann.

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP PAPERS

Co-authored and written by NYWICI Chief Programming Officer Brandi Boatner.

Black History Month is a time of reflection and to better understand the contributions and accomplishments of Black Americans throughout history. Carter G Woodson, the father and founder of Black History Month believed deeply that equality was only possible with the acknowledgment and understanding of a race’s history and dedicated his life to the study of African American historical research.

New York Women in Communications supports the critical role of research to educate and empower having commissioned the “Women Heard” study but also takes an opportunity to share additional research resources and thought leadership around how organizations and employers should think about diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging (DEIB).

As part of their Diversity & Inclusion series, the IBM Institute for Business Value (IBV) surveyed more than 1,500 Black executives and business leaders, between May 2020 and January 2021, comparing the results to a similarly composed survey of White executives and business leaders. The results point to continued obstacles for Black Americans, as well as glimmers of hope that improvement and progress is underway.

Additionally, the IBM Institute for Business Value (IBV) interviewed nearly 7,000 people in August 2020 and January 2021, including more than 750 Black women to better understand what does it mean when you sit at the intersection of both race and gender and both identities are often invisible?

The findings quantify an ongoing struggle. The Black experience in business is still vastly different than that of their White peers. The study found that more than half of Black women feel their employer discriminates against Black people—and roughly 1 in 4 believe their employer discriminates against women. And while 84% of Black women believe discrimination against women exists, only 64% of White women feel the same.

Black women have radiant, complex stories to tell. However, they sometimes leave behind their life-shaping experiences to adopt a more widely acceptable persona in predominantly white spaces. While many leaders see that change is essential, far fewer understand exactly what they need to change to establish equity for Black women.

Download and read the full reports below to learn how companies can commit to a culture of belonging, build a foundation of support overall for Black talent, and dismantle the systemic inequality Black women face in the workforce.

Nurturing Black women leaders: The case for sponsorship, skills development and anti-racist action

Black Leaders in Business: Hope, anti-racism and the struggle for equity

Dana Kirk

Dana Kirk, Senior Director, Film Marketing at Netflix, embodies the idea of intentionality. Her career began with a bold decision – to move from Oklahoma to LA to break into the entertainment industry, and from there she has paved herself an unconventional but deliberate path to the top. From her start as on-camera talent, Dana was all about making things happen. When she realized she was more intrigued by the workings of the business, she jumped right in to work her way up from a receptionist at Castle Rock Entertainment to a talent executive at Nickelodeon. As the industry shifted to streaming and artists started to have power as brands, she saw this and ran with it, carving new inroads in marketing.

Dana’s intentionality has allowed her to refocus her creativity in myriad ways and stay ahead of the constant evolution of both the business world and herself – a powerful lesson for young women starting their careers. And this is why Dana is so proud to mentor many young women, and especially women of color trying to get their footing. Her advice to them is to be wholehearted and unapologetic about your value, and not only the value you bring to whichever arm of the business you work in, but your invaluable cultural perspective and set of life experiences. Dana is not only a force in business, but a powerful force in helping to shape culture and the world we live in.