D. Kirk Beatty PhD Dissertation Defense Presentation

D. Kirk Beatty defended his dissertation October 1st, 2020 titled "An Exploration of the Path for African American Women to and the Diversification of the Corporate Boardroom".

Thank you for watching.

[lfoster]

Thank you for dedicating your dissertation to the representation, inclusion, and value African American women add to corporate boardrooms. It is an important topic not only for DEI but also for corporations' bottom line. The keyword used throughout your study is the word ”intentional.” Intentionality in the network, selection, inclusion, and succession will create the pipeline and opportunity for all.

[danabagnall]

Thanks so much, Dr. D. Kirk Beatty for highlighting the disregard/limited ... representation of African American women in corporate boardrooms. Good research and great defense. As the country... the world is moving to a heightened awakened state (health, equality, systems, finances, ...) of mindset, it is increasingly imperative that we all take action of improvement. Intentional. I have sat on multi-culture boards, advisory boards, and a few others. Something jarring to hear with diversifying workplaces is "...we are unable to find any qualified candidates that are African American...We will open it up globally to seek these candidates globally." I have come to learn that some corporate HR's and higher-ups do not like to be questioned where they are seeking their candidates. In my personal experience, some have considered it challenging and subordinate to do so. Needless to say, I have shared lists of organizations, associations, groups, and institutions where exceptional and qualified candidates may be located. But what is also of more importance entails corporations and boardrooms to open to receive diversity training and feel safe to voice concerns, ignorance, and fears before hiring African American women or anyone that does not look their norm. Training and inclusivity should be ongoing.

[crystalmcleod]

I really enjoyed the presentation. This is a very important topic to bring forth. The value of Black Women in Executive positions often go out of the window. Most times Black women are not able to be themselves even when they are in these positions. The social norming and conditioning continues to kill opportunities like this for Black Women.