Ebonie Johnson Cooper

by Angel McNeil, Staff Writer

They say that age ain’t nothing but a number. However, in some work settings it can seem that no matter how innovative your ideas are or how much knowledge you bring to the table, your age can serve as a hindrance for getting ahead. I’m sure many of us can relate as millennials in our early to mid careers. Being one of few employees under 33 can be uncomfortable sometimes: realizing you’re the only one being addressed in a certain way or tone, overlooked during decision time, being called ‘the kid’ or simply feeling like you can’t quite relate to folks in your office.

Forbes recently took this idea and shared 10 tips for how you can become a leader in your work place no matter how young you are. I read them and fell in love! I took the first five and created a slide show below. Just click on an image to start the slide show.

Check out Forbes’ slide show for all of the practical tips to see which ones you currently implement or which ones you can start doing to move you up the ladder in your office.

Share with us your thoughts on this article as well as any other tips you think should be on this list.

If you have a second, Google the phrase “black men leading”, and see what comes up. The first page will either provide a listing of the top black male actors or news articles about how homicide is the leading cause of death for young, black men.

And all too often, society’s perception of black men and their value falls somewhere between those two options. They are either seen strictly through the lens of the entertainment world as actors or rappers or as violent thugs.

Next month’s Changing the Face of Philanthropy Summit aims to disrupt these views. We’re proud to present keynote sessions featuring three black men from three different walks of life, but all equally invested in giving and civic leadership.

Find out who our Summit keynote speakers are and why they matter to your civic leadership >>>

by Angel McNeil, Staff Writer

When I was younger my grandmother used to tell me all the time “When a door closes, use your eyes to look for an open window.” I never understood what she meant until I was older and began that task of interviewing for jobs. While this phrase is applicable to all aspects of our lives, it was my journey into finding employment that I learned the lesson on what that truly meant.

I recently interviewed for a great job. After meeting with the hiring panel I was confident that they were going to offer me the job. I even went as far as envisioning the business cards they were ordering for me, the office space they were preparing for me, and the wording of the email that would welcome me on board. So imagine my surprise just one week later an email popped into my inbox telling me that the team had decided to go with another candidate. To say I was disappointed and shocked would be an understatement. I was so wrapped up in making plans for this job that I failed to realize that I was potentially closing the door on other opportunities that would come my way. During that week between the interview and hearing back I neglected to continue my search. Imagine how many job opportunities I passed on in that time!?

It was during my time of re-reading that email that I understood what my grandmother meant. I needed to focus my time on looking for other opportunities. It was clear that this was not my opportunity but that didn’t mean that my opportunity wasn’t out there. I just needed to continue looking for it. The more time I spent day dreaming before I had an offer or trying to figure out why I wasn’t being hired meant that I wasn’t focused on applying or interviewing with another organization. So at the end of the day, while you are waiting, keep looking around to make sure that you are placing yourself in the path to receive your blessing.

I share this advice not only with recent college graduates but those of us who are at points of our careers where voluntary or involuntary job change becomes necessary. There will be times when we are convinced that a job is ours for the taking only to be rejected. That’s okay. It’s life it happens. But for every no that you hear, there will be a yes waiting with the job that you are supposed to have. You can’t dwell on that rejection because it keeps you from doing what you need to do to find the job that you are meant to have. In fact, I challenge you to delete those rejection emails to prevent you from spending time on that closed door. Use each rejection as a means of reflecting on how you are approaching each interview or even where you need to go or who you should to talk to you. The more time you spend walking away from that closed door means that much more time finding the job where your skills will best be used.

I hope this motivation is helpful for those of you who are currently looking and applying for job after job. Just remember at the end of the day you will always land where you are supposed to be!

Share some of your job search stories and how you handled not getting that job you really wanted.

Meet My Beauty Runs Deep Inc.! This new organization is helping to instill the true qualities of beauty, poise and sophistication in young women in Chicago. By focusing on the inner rewards of beauty and self-esteem, founders Santrece Ross and Dena Williams are on a mission to make our girls shine!

Website: My Beauty Runs Deep

Location: Chicago,IL

Years in Operation: Est. since 2011

Mission of the Organization:

My Beauty Runs Deep Inc (MBRD) empowers female youth between ages 10-18  to help them develop life and social skills.

My Beauty Runs Deep, Inc. encourages girls to allow their inner beauty to shine just as brilliant as their outer beauty. MBRD is not a one-dimensional organization.  Our goal is to assist girls in broadening their outlook on defining beauty.  Through educational seminars, beauty and health fairs, social dialogue events, and community service we accomplish our goals. My Beauty Runs Deep Inc. places a specific emphasis on personal development because beauty has to be nurtured.

What has been your proudest moment within the last year?

One of our most highlighted events was our “Puri-tea”(Purity) event. This was a tea (hence the tea in Puri-tea) and cupcake social for our teens. We discussed abstinence, sex, sexual transmitted diseases and had open discussions for the girls to express their thoughts. At the end of this event, our girls were educated and empowered to make decisions concerning their bodies and sex. We also gave the girls t-shirts that said “My Abstinence is HOT.”

Why was this organization started?

My Beauty Runs Deep, Inc. (MBRD) spawned from a collaborative effort put forth by Dena Williams and Santrece Ross in 2011. “We saw a need within our community to help young girls develop a healthy self-image and self-esteem. We want to prepare and empower the next generation of women,” says Santrece. My Beauty Runs Deep Inc., desires to answer the call of distress to give hope to teenage girls of whose outlook on life has been impacted by negative stereotypes. “We want to show each young lady the beauty and strength that lies within.”
 
Keep up with My Beauty Runs Deep on Twitter: @MBRDinc & Facebook

Here are some more great shots of MBRD and their young girls! We love this!

We’re gearing up for our first Changing The Face of Philanthropy Summit! We can’t wait! You’ve probably seen our promo tweets and Facebook posts but we want to hear from YOU! We know you’re already out there in the community, working hard and giving back, but we want to make sure everyone knows about it too!

Here’s how it works:

Twitter:

We’ll RT your responses like the one below and we may even feature your comments in Summit material!
 
 
 
 
Example (this really did happen):

@FriendsofEbonie #ImChangingtheFace by developing programs for #teenmoms & their mentors as the volunteer Program Director @YMD_DREAM- @nariyahope

 
____________________________________________________________

Facebook:

We want to highlight you and/or you + your friends giving back. Select images will be featured as our cover photo images like the one below! We may even pull you to be part of our Summit video!

Send us your name, where you’re from, and what activity you’re participating in. Send all information to rochelle@friendsofebonie.com

Example (this really did happen):

See you on social media!

by Angel McNeil, Contributing Writer

Group work is an inevitable part of our professional lives. One of the hardest facets of group work is working with someone who you just don’t want to work with. Whether their personality and work ethic are the opposite of yours or they don’t have the best reputation, the fact of the matter is we sometimes can’t get around working with that one co-worker we’d rather not interact with. #thatslife

For your Happy Monday dish, here are four tips to make that experience as enjoyable as possible- and maybe even start to build a professional relationship. Deep breath….

1. Set Boundaries and Expectations

I can admit that I am not an expert on setting boundaries. Over the years, I have seen first hand how failing to set boundaries can cause stress and tension. People should know what they will and will not tolerate and be able to communicate that in some form. I suggest from the start of your working relationship that you find a way to discuss these facets with your co-worker and team. If you don’t feel that you will be able to have a full-blown conversation with someone find ways to share or address your boundaries as the need arises. Maybe try always having a third party present, such as a co-worker you both like to break the awkwardness. Or when you meet one-on-one, make sure you always follow up via email. Never let anything go without follow up. Paper trails are key.

2. Try to find common ground

Call me crazy but I believe that everyone has something they can find in common with someone else. Whether it is sports, children, or a shared addiction to Scandal, there is one thing that we can find we share with the other person. There have been times when I have been able to turn an intolerable relationship into a decent one by taking a few minutes to discuss something that we had in common. Commonalities can help put you and the other person at ease and possibly dissipate any tensions that will build.

3. Find the Right Time

In my last post I talked about finding the right time to talk to your boss. It is just as important to find the right time to meet and interact with your colleagues. If you know that you are extra irritable right before lunch, chances are scheduling working time then isn’t ideal. Do yourself a huge favor and build into your schedule a time when you are fresh and mentally capable of dealing with that person. Trust me, peace of mind is everything.

4. Take a breather

This was essential for me when I had to work closely with someone on a high stakes project. Our personalities didn’t mesh well together and it’s sometimes hard to take five minutes in cases where you are required to spend so much time together. However, you have to to know when you are reaching that breaking point and need to walk away. It doesn’t have to be for very long. Maybe take a quick walk around the block or go fill up on your coffee. But I have found that it is key to just regroup and come back to what you are doing. It prevents a potential breakdown and allows you time to get your mind right.

Hope this is helpful! Tell us how you keep calm and carry on.

by Ebonie Johnson Cooper

When I penned my latest article for EBONY.com I wasn’t exactly sure how I wanted to convey what had been on my mind. The truth is and was, I often have to reassure myself that I’m doing the right thing by encouraging our Friends of Ebonie community to identify with being young black philanthropists. We don’t all give money, which is traditionally linked with being a philanthropist. Some of us give more time than money and others give equally. Either way, who’s really to say who we are based on the volume of giving we embark upon? Take a peek at a what I discovered through my latest EBONY.com piece: ‘Young Back Philanthropist’ Is Not An Oxymoron.

Originally posted on EBONY.com on April 22, 2013

Why do you call yourselves philanthropists? That’s like calling an average student a scholar,” a woman said to me once when she learned the label I had adopted for myself. She is a member of one of the wealthiest Black families in America. How could I dispute her claim when obviously she knew about a world — and a level of giving back — that I was far from? Nevertheless, I did the best I could to defend the use of the word “philanthropist” to describe myself and the cohort of young, Black community leaders I have come to know through my work with Friends of Ebonie.  Yet, nothing I could say could convince her that I wasn’t abusing the label. Her words took the wind out of my sails.

The fact that most givers in our communities don’t see themselves–or each other–as philanthropists isn’t odd. For a very long time the term has only been applied to the extremely wealthy, who also happen to be White. That’s why, despite serving as a vice president on the junior board of a large non-profit, being a member of two giving circles and a young patrons circle, taking on at least six volunteer projects a year, and making significant year-round donations–including my tithes–using the word “philanthropist” to describe myself hadn’t entered my mind. I was a do-gooder, an agent of change, or just a really busy young professional outside of my day job. A philanthropist? Nah.

Until about a year and a half ago. That’s when I met an organization full of young Black professionals doing the same type of work I do who called themselves “young philanthropists.” They described philanthropy as an action of donating time and money. That sounded just like me! And I have called myself one ever since.

The word’s Latin and Greek roots mean the “love of humanity,” which can be translated as selflessly giving to others in need. Nowhere in this definition does it say, “only those who write really big checks.” In fact, it implies just the opposite: anyone who gives of himself or herself to another human being in need is a philanthropist. According to the W.K. Kellogg Cultures of Giving Report, “philanthropy is being expressed in communities of color in a multitude of ways that are not always recognized, counted or valued as philanthropy.”  But as times change, passions increase and the realization that philanthropy means generosity in donating time, money and know-how, communities of color–and particularly African Americans are, “re-framing philanthropy,” as Valaida Fullwood, Black philanthropy thought leader says.  And in this new frame also exists millennials: Black millennials.

by Angel McNeil, Contributing Writer

Have you ever really wondered what kind of impact you have if you worked together with a group of friends or other young philanthropists and created a project based on an area of need? Capital Cause, one of the leading millennial civic engagement organizations based in Washington, DC, answered that question by organizing Giving Circles Projects (GCP).

The GCP idea, which is in its 3rd cycle, brings together 5-7 young philanthropists to fundraise or give their time towards an organization in the DC area. Giving Circles Projects are differentiated into two categories: Capital and Cause. Capital GCPs work to raise funds for a specific project while Cause GCPs tend to focus more on providing time and talents towards a cause. I spoke with Darla Bunting, Capital Director, and Karla Morrison, Deputy Cause Director, to share what Giving Circles Projects are and how they will impact communities.

Q: Can you share your role in Giving Circles Projects (GCPs)

Darla: I am the Capital Director which means I lead the grant review process, managing the planning team as well as creating the curriculum that teams will follow for these projects. It includes one-on-one classes and orientation to make sure that teams are successful in fundraising or providing their time.

Karla: I am the Deputy Cause Director. I focus more on supporting the two skills and service based projects for this cycle of GCPs.

Q: If someone asked you what a Giving Circles Project was, how would you describe it?

Darla: [I would say] They are short term, high impact service projects where young philanthropists come together to give their finances or skills to a non-profit in the community.

Q: What are some of the current Giving Circles Projects that are being implemented?

Karla: There is Men Who Mentor where 7 members are working to recruit 50 black men to mentor 50 black boys in 50 days. There is Food ASAP, which is working to address the food deserts in Ward 7. 6 members will work to figure how to help 70,000 residents who share just 2 grocery stores. The Homeless Children Playtime Project will benefit from funds raised to send 3 children to sleepaway summer camp in Maryland. The Institute for Student Health will benefit from being able to work with 25 students and their families on summer project of growing, cooking, and creating healthy meal options in the Mt.Pleasent/Columbia Heights neighborhood. Finally, Potomac Lighthouse Public Charter School will benefit from the fundraising efforts to purchase laptops and a subscription to the website Reading A to Z to extend their blended learning program.

Q: We have readers all over the country. What advice would you give to someone who wanted to start a GCP in their community?

Darla: Reach out to our Chairwoman, Kezia Williams (info@capitalcause.com) to find out how it can be started. The model is really just getting your friends together and finding a cause that you are passionate about. Then contact a non-profit to ask them what they need whether it is using their skills or fundraising.

Karla: This is also an opportunity to engage with people who have similar missions and goals.  You can build relationships by reaching out to people who may be interested in joining a project and making a change.

The Capital Cause Giving Circles Project is just one shining example of how giving back can be done easily and effectively. Learn more about Capital Cause’s Giving Circles Project.

Tonight they are hosting their Spring Soiree at Indulj Lounge in the U Street Corridor from 6:00pm-9:00pm. You can RSVP for free at www.ccspringsoriee.splashthat.com.

Follow Capital Cause on Twitter: @capital_cause & Facebook. Or reach out via email to Darla at capital@capitalcause.com or Karla at cause@capitalcause.com

by Cheyenne Cochrane, Guest Blogger

According to one study,  64% of Millennials say that getting rich is the most important goal in life for their generation, and 17% cited that as their second most important goal. On the flip side, 60% of Millennials report an interest in public service, and are volunteering at historically high rates. This combination of the desire for achievement matched with eagerness to make an impact is the very foundation of millennial leadership.

Leaders are influencers. As the world becomes increasingly flat, your network can have a huge impact on your net worth in the long run.  Networking, however, isn’t how many friends you have on Facebook, followers you have on twitter, and likes you receive on Instagram. By strategically creating a web of influence, you can enhance your skills, connections, access, and perceived social value exponentially!  There are  three types of active networks that you should define, organize, and evaluate.

1. Your Operational Network

This subset is comprised of those involved in your day to day activities. Your friends, co-workers, peers, and family that are already closely associated with you. These are the ones who you tend on be on a first name basis with, whose numbers you can access in your phone, shoot them a text, etc. This subset requires the least amount of maintenance because you see them so often, your connection is automatic.

2. Your Strategic Network

This group is the one most of us often fail to separate from our operational network, which can lead to a lost connection of potential value. These individuals help you prepare for the future by answering questions that guide you. These people tend to be older than us, but not by much. They have achieved significant milestones in their life, and tend to be in current positions that have value to you professionally. Establishing a good working relationship with these people can be the key to a promotion or better job, recommendation letters, or get you in the door at prestigious event. Identifying your strategic network is a must!

3. Your Developmental Network

This is my favorite network (I’m a huge fan of personal development). These invaluable people are the ones who will help you grow and provide personal and emotional support when needed. We discover many hidden gems, or mentors in this category. The benefits of your development network are long-term. Keep them informed of what’s going on in your life, and perhaps let them help you re-evaluate your goals. This network is wise, and has lots of experience and advice. Always keep in mind that they have been successful at playing a game that you are just beginning.

By leveraging these networks accordingly you will begin to attribute a purpose for each new connection you make. Keep track of where you met them, what was discussed, and what follow-up actions were taken if any. Keep in mind that your connections should be mutually beneficial, it should not be all about you. Allow your networks to to cultivate, stimulate and motivate you in becoming increasingly more effective on your quest for leadership and influence.

Who’s in your networks? Have you identified your networks yet? Tell us how they are working for you.

Cheyenne Cochrane is a millennial leader with a passion for connecting her peers through leadership development. As the Founder and CEO of Transcend Consulting, Cheyenne creates pathways and cultivates leadership through giving, development, and innovation. She is also a proud Chicagoan. Keep up with Cheyenne on Twitter @LivLifeLavishhh.