African American Leadership

The first Black female CEO of a Fortune 500 company looks back at her life and her career at Xerox, sharing unique insights on American business and corporate life, the workers she has always valued, racial and economic justice, how greed is threatening democracy, and the obstacles she’s conquered being Black and a woman.

Race, Work, and Leadership is a rare and important compilation of essays that examines how race matters in people's experience of work and leadership. What does it mean to be Black in corporate America today? How are racial dynamics in organizations changing? How do we build inclusive organizations?

Three powerful African-American female executives celebrate their gender and heritage as they share their secrets for success in this effective guide for businesswomen. Ways to communicate thoughtfully, trust yourself, and exude self-esteem are just a few tactics the authors discuss for those who want to enter the workforce as confident leaders.

What does it take to achieve your personal and professional goals? When is the right time to take calculated risks, and how do you prepare for the moment when opportunity presents itself? If anyone can show you how to do this, it’s Nicole Lynn. As the first Black female agent to represent a top-three NFL draft pick, Nicole worked her way from childhood poverty to become a Wall Street financial analyst, then attorney, and now top agent to elite athletes and entertainers.

John H. Johnson, the remarkable entrepreneur who founded the Ebony publishing empire, tells the story of his success. The wealthiest African-American in the US today, Johnson shares his rags to riches saga, from the many obstacles that confronted him to his ultimate triumph.

General Lloyd James Austin III isn't just a name on a document, he's a living testament to American grit and leadership. Imagine a man born and raised in the heart of the Deep South, with the warmth of his Alabama roots and the unwavering determination forged in Georgia clay. That's where Austin's story begins, a story that's etched in the annals of military history. He's a four-star general, yes, but that's just the ribbon on the package. Austin's career is a symphony of command, a testament to his ability to orchestrate the chaos of war into strategic brilliance. He led the 3rd Infantry ...

In "Thought is Power: Unleashing Collective Transformation in Black Communities," Wayne C. Robinson culminates his groundbreaking trilogy with a practical and inspiring guide designed to turn the theoretical frameworks of empowerment and collective thought into actionable success. As the final installment of the "Enemies Within Us" book series, this volume offers not just hope, but a detailed blueprint for substantial, sustainable change within Black communities worldwide. Diving deep into the mechanisms that have historically hindered progress in Black communities, Robinson challenges ...

This definitive box set includes all the landmark speeches of the great orator and American leader Martin Luther King, Jr., from his inspirational "I Have a Dream" to his firey "Give Us the Ballot." Comprised of recordings previously included in A Call to Conscience and A Knock at Midnight, The Essential Box Set is a must-have for any home, library, or school collection.

In Diversity, Inc., award-winning journalist Pamela Newkirk shines a bright light on the diversity industry, asking the tough questions about what has been effective - and why progress has been so slow. Newkirk highlights the rare success stories, sharing valuable lessons about how other industries can match those gains. But as she argues, despite decades of hand-wringing, costly initiatives, and uncomfortable conversations, organizations have, apart from a few exceptions, fallen far short of their goals.

For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Politics is filled with personal stories that bring to life heroic figures we all know and introduce listeners to some of those who’ve worked behind the scenes but are still hidden. Whatever their perch, the Colored Girls, which is what Donna Brazile, Yolanda Caraway, Leah Daughtry, and Minyon Moore call themselves - are always focused on the larger goal of “hurrying history” so that every American - regardless of race, gender or religious background - can have a seat at the table. This audiobook tells their story.

Black women continuously navigate systems that were never intended for them while playing by a set of rules they never agreed to or were ever trained for. In this book, Francine Parham shares her knowledge as a Black woman and a former global executive of two major corporations on how to move up in the workplace while maintaining a sense of sanity. The key skill—one that Black women are rarely taught—is understanding the power dynamics within your organization and learning how to “shift the power” to your advantage.

Chief Carmen Best has spent the last 28 years as a member of a big-city police force, an institution where minorities and women have historically found it especially difficult to succeed. She defied the odds and became the first Black woman to lead the Seattle Police Department.

In stark and compelling prose, Thomas W. Jones tells his story as a campus revolutionary who led an armed revolt at Cornell University in 1969 and then altered his course over the next 50 years to become a powerful leader in the financial industry including high-level positions at John Hancock, TIAA-CREF, and Citigroup as Wall Street plunged into its darkest hour.

David L. Steward is an American billionaire businessman, philanthropist, and the founder and chairman of World Wide Technology (WWT), one of the largest African-American-owned businesses in the U.S. Born in 1951 in Chicago, Illinois, he built WWT into a global technology powerhouse with billions in revenue. Despite early struggles, his faith, resilience, and strategic vision propelled him to success. He is also known for his philanthropic efforts, ethical leadership, and commitment to empowering others, making him a respected figure in both business and social impact.

For too long, Black political unity has been weakened by division between Black Democrats and Black Republicans. While communities remain divided by party lines, Black economic empowerment and Black community success continue to be delayed. But what if there was a way to break this cycle? What if Black conservative and liberal unity could unlock political power in Black communities, build Black wealth, and create a future of prosperity? In Black America 2.0, this groundbreaking book presents a bold strategy for strengthening Black communities by leveraging Black bipartisanship and faith-...

Hard-hitting, thought-provoking, and inspiring, Conversations in Black offers sage wisdom for navigating race in a radically divisive America, and, with help from his mighty team of Black intelligentsia, veteran journalist Ed Gordon creates hope and a timeless new narrative on what the future of Black leadership should look like and how we can get there.

Dr. Mervin Jenkins—hip-hop artist, educator, husband, and father—takes readers on a journey in leadership unlike any other. It is a story of a reluctant learner/leader and how his lived experiences, sometimes referenced as “sword in the stone” moments, have contributed to his life’s purpose. His life transformation from average to spectacular did not come without its share of crucial and heartfelt moments. Dr. Jenkins took a pair of things that many said could never coexist, hip-hop and “traditional” education, and made the melding of the two his life’s work. In To the Beat ...

I Too Am America examines the promise and peril of Black men and boys in America by exploring the lives of two talented young men, one in Detroit and one in Oakland, who at once embody all that we want our boys to be while also illuminating the many uncertainties they face. The book delves into the story of CBMA founder Shawn Dove, who had to navigate similar waters of promise and peril decades ago as a Black boy in New York City.

The Spiritual Development and growth in the modern church is diminishing due largely to a lack of understanding about the way church leadership is to function. This lack of knowledge is common to all levels of the church. This book is an expositional analysis of servant leadership that is based upon the biblical model of Matthew 20:20-34. The text draws church leadership to the understanding that the biblical model of servant leadership helps us not to preach human authority, power, and control, but rather creates an opportunity for mutual respect, genuine love, and strong, healthy ...

Chains to Innovations: The Extraordinary Journey of Freedom, Invention, and LeadershipUnlock the inspiring story of resilience, creativity, and triumph over adversity with "From Chains to Innovations: The Extraordinary Journey of Freedom, Invention, and Leadership." Immerse yourself in a captivating historical fiction that takes you on a transformative journey through the life of Henry Boyd, the visionary African American inventor known for his groundbreaking creation, the Boyd Bedstead.Step back in time and witness the remarkable transformation of a man born into the shackles of slavery, ...