Part 1 of the 22 in 2022 Series of Black Women to Watch

As a Black woman, finding my tribe became a rite of passage. After spending time in Corporate America as an only or (at best) as one of few, I realized that having a community around me that looks like me was paramount to my success. This may not be for everyone, as we each have our own core values. Your tribe could be people who think like you, dress like you, eat like you, pray like you. Whatever the makeup of your tribe, I know from experience that, unless you’re a soror in a well-organized chapter, you don’t likely have a built-in group of like-minded individuals just sitting around waiting to pour into you and your endeavors.

Since I’ve already done some of the legwork of looking for Black women in service-based businesses, I thought I’d share 22 amazing women sprinkling major magic in their respective industries. I hope you’ll take the time to get to know them in 2022.

As 22 can be a lot for one blog post, I’ll break this down by endeavor. For this iteration, I’ll be focused on Inclusivity SuperSHEros of Culture and HR.

Lathizile Dubé

Who Is She

The Founder and Managing Director of The Identity Dichotomy, Lathi Dubé has been featured for her work in human resources, corporate transitions, diversity and inclusion, burnout, corporate culture, and even crisis management.

How She Is Helping Change The Culture

As a trainer, speaker, and coach, Dubé helps transform top leaders by guiding them on the path to self-discovery. And she shows them how to fully accept and embrace their identities and implement their findings into their lifestyle and business.

Why She Stands Apart

She wants to hold a mirror up to the world at large and show us all the essence of our actual being. And her light is powerful and nurturing. Full-on auntie vibes–she wants to see you at your best.

Why You Should Follow Her

• you crave to peel back the layers on your identity
• you seek sage advice
• global perspectives matter to you
• you appreciate well-written journal pieces
• you long to “bottle your essence.”

Judy Jackson

Who Is She

Welcome The Culture Curator, New York AWE Leader, Judy Jackson. Self-proclaimed as “just a black chick from Brooklyn,” Judy has been on a mission to diversify the corporate working environment.

How She Is Helping Change The Culture

From ABC-TV Minority Recruiter to VP of Organizational Development at Planned Parenthood to Global Head of Culture and Engagement at WPP & Co, she has advocated for social change and people-first leadership. And she co-founded We All Rise Together during the pandemic, dedicated to health, mobility, and wealth equity for those affected by the disparity in COVID cases amongst Black and Brown people.

Why She Stands Apart

She has a vast knowledge of HR in Corporate America. And her commitment to building cultural communities within these institutions encourages an entire generation of Black women in business. Doing so as a single, adoptive mom after tragedy struck, her story inspires mothers struggling to make it one more day.

Why You Should Follow Her

• you like proud mom moments
• you need inspiration for a shift in your corporate workplace
• DEI is a cause you closely follow/advocate for
• you’re looking to follow Black women in HR

Tanea Flanders

Who Is She

Executive Vice President of Global Learning and Leadership at IPG Mediabrands and Executive Coach, Tanea Flanders focuses on individual and organizational leaders. Flanders tailors each client engagement to cultivate insightful thinkers and collaborative, inclusive teams.

How She Is Helping Change The Culture

At the intersection of personal and professional development, Flanders’ Design You Coaching helps leaders make a change from within. The journey to subtle change starts with a designed alliance with self.

Why She Stands Apart

An ICF-certified coach, Tanea starts with you. Working to make change within, shifting the mindset to progress change.

Why You Should Follow Her

• you want to build interpersonal relationships
• you wish to rebuild your mindset

Madison Butler

Who Is She

Dubbed the Blue-haired Unicorn, Madison Butler is the Vice President of People at Grav and Founder of the Black Speakers Collection. A diversity advocate looking to shake up Corporate America, Butler uses her many platforms — Linkedin, Twitter, Instagram— to “[dismantle] harmful systems and [create] spaces that are safe for all.”

How She Is Helping Change The Culture

Madison Butler started the Black Speaker Collection after noting the wage disparity between white males and diverse speakers, giving minimal margin for conference organizers to complain about a lack of Black speaker availability. And she also holds space for the LGBTQIA community via her podcast.

Why She Stands Apart

She is unapologetically, wholly, and authentically Madison. And her joy for life and dedication to her work resonates through the screen. Even on the virtual stage, her unicorn persona is encapsulated as something you feel honored to have witnessed and hope you’ll get the opportunity to see again.

Why You Should Follow Her

• you are a colorful soul
• you’re an LGBTQIA advocate/ally
• you enjoy Black girl magic
• empowering quotes are your thing
• you support Black culture and Black speakers
• you, too, are Black AF

There you have it, our first 4 of 22 Black women to follow in 2022! So who else deserves a peek? Shout them out in the comments.

Looking for a group of amazing women of color who lift each other up in business? Check out the She Runs It community. Or join Build it B2B (a Side Hustle learning experience) for a sisterhood of in-depth, expert leveling up of your business.