Black Women in Economic Development: Navigating Challenges and Driving Change

About the Guest(s):

• Dr. Ladrina Wilson: CEO of the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce, with a background in higher education administration and a passion for community service.
• Nicole Sallis: Director of Communications for Grow Cedar Valley, with experience in fashion, entertainment, branding, and marketing.

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Dr. LaDrina Wilson and Nicole Sallis discuss their experiences as black women in leadership roles in economic development and chamber organizations in Iowa. They highlight the importance of diversity and inclusion in these roles, as well as the challenges they face. They also emphasize the need for diverse voices at the table to attract businesses, address workforce gaps, and create a more inclusive community.

Key Takeaways:

• Economic development and community development are closely intertwined, and it is important to have diverse voices at the table to address social issues, workforce gaps, and attract businesses.
• Black women in leadership roles face unique challenges, including biases and stereotypes, but they bring valuable perspectives and insights to the table.
• It is important to be authentic and true to oneself while navigating a career as a black woman, and to find a balance between calling out and calling in others to promote diversity and inclusion.
• Transparency is often overused, and it is important for individuals to do the personal work of identifying what authenticity means to them as they progress in their careers.
• Allyship is crucial in creating a more inclusive community, and it is important to bring diverse voices into the room and support each other's efforts.

Resources:

• Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce: Website
• Grow Cedar Valley: Website

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