Basecamp, Coinbase, and the Impact of Bailing on Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism

April 27, 2021 by Pharoah Bolding in DEI, Equity, Representation, White Supremacy

Y'all remember a few months back when I told y'all that companies would get tired of talking about being more equitable and actively anti-racist? Y'all remember when I said that a lot of companies would quit frontin' and make it known that they don't care about how racist they are/have been? Well, since last October a plethora of companies have made very public statements about their intent to stop even trying to be actively anti-racist and equitable.

Consulting and Training Services Open for 2021!

December 14, 2020 by Pharoah Bolding in DEI, Equity

Hey, y'all! As we wind down 2020 and get ready to slide into 2021, I wanted to close the door on this year by opening the door for next year. What does that mean?

My consulting and training services are once again open for business!

Your organization, workgroup, church group, or professional association need an HR or anti-racism and equity consultant or trainer? Maybe a friend or colleague could use some help? If so, hit me up! Get me on your calendar for 2021 now! My dance card is already starting to fill up so now is the time to book me early! Click here to check out my rates and to book me for 2021!

PHRMA Board of Directors, Here I Come!

December 14, 2020 by Pharoah Bolding in Human Resources, Equity, DEI, Boards and Committees

I haven't spoken about this much to damn near anybody but starting January 1, 2021, I will be joining the Portland HR Management Association (PHRMA) Board of Directors!

Mailbox

June 03, 2020 by Pharoah Bolding in Black Lives Matter, Race Talks, DEI

So I go to my mailbox today to grab the mail. There’s a police car sitting in the business plaza parking lot across from my house. I need to walk to the mailbox a literal block away from my house to mail a check but I’m so scared to do so now, with the police presence in my neighborhood. I watch him as he sits in his car, doing nothing. He’s likely not cognizant of how intimidating he is right now. There’s a strong likelihood he wouldn’t care even if you informed him of it.

So I sit. And I wait. And my anxiety rises.

He’s been there a little over 30 minutes and I don’t understand why.

I open one of the packages I grabbed from my mailbox. It’s an action figure I’ve been wanting to add to my collection for some time now. These things usually bring me great joy. Today that joy is brief.

I want to cry. My eyes are welling up. I want to yell, scream, thrash something. And yet I sit here, scared for my life when all I want to do is drop a check in the mailbox.

I allow myself a minute to cry. It all comes flooding out: the generational trauma, the current trauma, all of it. I like to allow myself a good hearty cry every few months. Lately, it’s been every few weeks. I gather myself; I feel like I’ve got to be strong, even for myself. I view the crying as strength, the vulnerability as fuel. Black bodies need to grieve and mourn and express just as much as white bodies do, contrary to somewhat popular belief.

I inhale. I exhale. I look out my window. The police car is gone. It’s “safe” now?

“Safe.”

I guess I should go mail this check.

Wish me luck.

10 Minutes with 52: Xenophobia in the Pandemic Age

May 13, 2020 by Pharoah Bolding in Equity, current events, DEI

If you were unable to catch my 10 Minutes with 52 chat about xenophobia in the pandemic age from Friday, May 8, 2020, you can catch it now on Youtube! Thank you to Elaine and 52 Limited for having me. We were only able to scratch the surface of the topic of xenophobia but I’m glad we at least put a bit of a voice and focus on a prevalent and scary issue.