Author: Na Shai Alexander

A Point of View: Lessons From a First Gen

I can’t remember exactly when was the first time that I heard the terms “first generation” or “first gen,” but I can distinctly remember the first time that I realized that I was, in fact, very different from many of my classmates. Throughout high school, I did all of the things I was “supposed” to do to excel and get into a “good” school: I ran for Student Council, participated in extracurricular activities, maintained good grades, took SAT prep courses, applied for scholarships, and made sure I regularly visited my guidance counselor. I was as prepared as I could be — or so I thought. 

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A Point of View: Beyond The Screen: Centering Inclusion in the Hybrid Workplace

The future of work is hybrid. However, maintaining company culture is one of the most significant challenges that hybrid organizations will face. With some employees at home and some on-site, it becomes even more critical to be intentional about cultural norms and expectations. Challenges range from creating a space of connection virtually, ensuring all employees have access to needed resources and information, and fairness in performance management and career development opportunities. 

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The Buzz: Justice is the Bare Minimum

Guilty. Guilty. Guilty. As relieved as I was, it felt like an odd victory to celebrate. I was thankful that this time, we had gotten it right, but I wondered about all of the other times the justice system had failed, and the inevitable future times when it would do so again. Because that’s the thing about being Black in America: there is always going to be another time. Why now? Why George? He wouldn’t be the first to be unjustly murdered at the hands of law enforcement, and he wasn’t the last. 

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A Point of View: Celebrating the Beauty in Body Diversity

I still remember the first time I went on a “diet.” I was 12 or 13, and my friends and I sat sprawled out on one of their bedroom floors; the burgundy carpet littered with copies of YM Magazine, Teen Vogue, Teen, and Cosmo Girl! The more that we flipped through, the more I noticed that none of the models looked like me. I was already the only one out of my friends with dark, chestnut skin, almond-shaped eyes, full lips, and kinky, coily hair that threatened to spill out of my slicked-back bun at any moment. But I also struggled to find bodies that looked like mine.

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A Point of View: The Rise of DEI Ratings

Late last month, Glassdoor announced that they launched a new feature that will encourage users to rate their companies’ diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts on the online platform. When applying to new companies or heading into interviews, I’ve often solicited the perspectives of others who look like me, a Black woman, and vice versa. The underlying themes of those conversations are always the same: What is it really like to work here? 

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Racial Justice at Work: Practical Solutions for Systemic Change

Racial Justice at Work book cover

Black Fatigue: How Racism Erodes the Mind, Body, and Spirit

Inclusive Conversations: Fostering Equity, Empathy and Belonging Across Differences

We Can’t Talk About That At Work! (Second Edition)

Cover of the book We Can't Talk about That at Work (Second Edition) by Mary-Frances Winters and Mareisha N Reese

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