In the United States public school system, anti-racist pedagogy is a concept barely put into use. As a person who attended public school for the majority of my life, I have seen and experienced this first hand. The failure to incorporate African American figures, especially women, into the curriculum has left students with little to no knowledge about the actions of empowered women of color throughout history. While we do learn about major historical figures such as Sojourner Truth and Harriet B. Tubman, history largely overlooks women and especially women of color.

While there are countless others who deserve to be taught, here is just a shortlist of 10 African American women I wished I had learned about in class.

FOUNDER & CEO, TETRACORE CONSULTING + WIN COACH

“The Overdue Awakening” is what Time Magazine has titled their cover spread in their latest issue and rightly so: racial justice is making major headlines these days. Although discrimination and bias are not new things, it seems there is a hopeful promise that we as a country are finally waking up. In order to address systemic and deeply embedded racial discrimination however, we need to gain awareness towards its byproducts of implicit and explicit bias. This effect trickles down from the price paid for a new car to how we are perceived during a salary negotiation. It is a known fact that the gender pay gap for women of color is even worse than the average gender pay gap at 63 cents on the dollar according to the US Census Bureau.

Over the last few days we have been collectively searching for the right words and the right actions, for a path forward, questioning, how can we do better than we have in the past? How can we turn this pivotal moment into one that has lasting impact? There is so much justified pain out there, and we acknowledge that there is no easy fix for the racial bigotry and systemic bias that has plagued our country for generations. Additionally, set against the backdrop of a global pandemic, it is especially hard not to feel hopeless and helpless about the future.

At WIN, we are committed to disassembling implicit (and explicit) biases, cultivating diverse leadership, and empowering women from all backgrounds.

We’ve assembled a list of resources to help support the Black Lives Movement from home or better educate yourself about racism and bias in America.

For parents stuck at home with their children over the last few months due to COVID-19, you may be feeling like you are in your own real-life version of a hostage situation. Here is what we can learn from real hostage negotiation that might help us navigate our own versions playing out every day with our children.  The Behavioral Change Stairway Model was developed by the hostage negotiation unit of the FBI and it outlines 5 steps to getting your opponent/hostage/counterparty or in this case child to see your perspective and change their course of action.

As many cities across the world begin to open up from lockdown orders due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is paramount to continue the CDC guideline of staying at least six feet apart in public places. Understanding and respecting the need for six feet of space is a new concept for everyone and in a time of quarantining and social distancing, the concepts of social etiquette and politeness like shaking hands and holding the door have been redefined. The most generous thing you can do now is to stay home or if you must go out, give everyone the necessary space to stay safe.

As we extend into week 12 of the COVID-19 pandemic and its flotsam and jetsam of social distancing and isolation, it is naturally becoming harder and harder to feel hopeful about the future.

The virus’ impact and wreckage can be seen and felt in a myriad of ways: from the horrific rising death tolls to the joblessness ravaging the country. We are feeling exhausted by the constant need for vigilance due to the invisible threat on surfaces and in the air, the added pressures of home-schooling, a never-ending loop of laundry, housecleaning, cooking, and the void of true face to face socialization.

Nine leading women share their tips on how we can best stay grounded and achieve well-being through this time of crisis.

Your complete guide to WIN’s newest virtual event: Women on the Front Lines!

This interactive virtual event is for women looking for expert guidance to help navigate this crisis, implement innovative solutions, and emerge as leaders.

This all-day interactive event brings together experts and thought leaders from across the country to offer critical conversations, advice, and workshops on helping navigate and negotiate through this “new normal”.

Every relationship right now can feel pretty strained. Whether it’s someone you haven’t had face-to-face contact with in over a month or someone you find yourself face-to-face with 24-hour regularity, conflict is sure to arise. But how do you get through this quarantine with relationships intact?

The power of negotiation stretches beyond equal pay. All of your conversations may feel more difficult right now. From establishing key essentials for work, vying for uninterrupted time for your business with your spouse, to ongoing negotiations with your children about what they can and cannot do - everything may likely feel like a negotiation and it would be only normal to feel depleted energetically.

In the face of this public health crisis, many people have been laid off, furloughed, or have seen their business collapse, facing down potentially months of bills with no income. Recent statistics show that 22 million Americans are now unemployed. Although many states are banning late fees, penalties, or other charges for tenants for late payment of rent, this does not absolve you from having to pay rent entirely. Turning to your landlord to negotiate rent might be your best option. Read on for how to negotiate rent for yourself and some of the protections that may be available to you.

After a few weeks of forced isolation, and with anxiety running high, it is only natural to be experiencing conflict with your family, partner, and/or children.  This conflict is a normal byproduct of our coping with extreme stress, with limited ability to take space, and an extreme lack of support. That being said, there are things we can do, even now, to improve communication, and get your needs met in a relationship.   The following tips can help you navigate the travails of intimate relationships, in times of self-imposed isolation –– or any time!

CONSULTANT, PEACE SPECIALIST, CO-AUTHOR OF COMPASSIONATE CONVERSATIONS, AND WIN COACH

This Tuesday, March 31st, was Equal Pay Day, the date that marks the extra amount of time women must work in order to earn what white men did in 2019. The date shifts slightly year to year to adjust to the wage gap. Women make just 81.6 cents for every $1 that a white man makes. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, issues like the gender pay gap feel less pressing as people focus on their health, jobs, and businesses. But in reality, the burden of the gender pay gap is more significant during this crisis and should be recognized as it is every year.

We are faced with a challenging and uncertain time where many of us are juggling between job responsibilities and caring for loved ones. As we find our daily lives transformed, it is easy to shirk long-term goals to care for the sudden needs amidst the current crisis. Despite the ongoing situation, we should look for opportunities and focus on the positive. For those fortunate enough to spend the coming weeks social-distancing to avoid further spread of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), we’ve put together a list of books you can wisely incorporate into your free time to try and stay motivated and productive.

Though it feels like many industries have come to a crashing halt, this time of crisis does not imply immunity from performance management. Companies are watching how their employees are reacting, pivoting, and adapting. The work you create now will be more meaningful than before because of how critical it is. So how can you utilize this overwhelming situation for the best potential outcome? Focus on what is in your control.

Here are three principle ways to organize yourself around the present situation to optimize your performance and maintain healthy work policies.

PRESIDENT AND GLOBAL CMO OF REVITALASH

When you are designed differently you approach business, conflicts, life, and work creatively, optimistically, positively, and head-on. As a matter of fact, most problems aren’t really problems they are opportunities to get curious, experiment, learn, and grow. Where one person sees a problem because you are designed differently you reframe and see an opportunity to contribute, show up differently, and be the solution. Oftentimes great solutions are hidden in plain site.

Throughout February we celebrate the achievements of black men and women in the United States. In honor of this annual observance, we celebrate the women whose courage and intellect have pushed our society forward. As the month comes to a close, we want to recognize the challenges that black women still face in the workplace - and the ways they can overcome those barriers.

Despite systematic issues of discrimination, black women are a rapidly emerging power full of untapped potential. Inspired by an exceptional group of black women, we asked for the negotiation advice they have for other women and how they can be better advocates for themselves.

A pivotal part of negotiating is confidence. Having confidence in yourself leads to more chances to improve, more opportunities for advancement in business, and higher performance probability. Women face all kinds of gaps in the workplace and life: wage gaps, education gaps, domestic duty gaps, and even a confidence gap.

All these things add up. A lack of confidence holds us back from reaching our highest potential. Even with years of experience under our belts, we can feel as if we don’t deserve promotions or are not justified to tackle larger projects. Here are six ways you can boost your confidence to increase your business performance as well as establish a more robust work-life balance.

Be honest ladies. We’ve all had times when Valentine’s Day made us a little crazy. It’s the one day each year that has the ability to destabilize even the most grounded female amongst us. Whether it’s a fleeting moment of sadness or an entire week of the blues, Valentine’s Day carries a huge message for women. It’s become a signifier of our worth and desirability.