Michele: 

Welcome, everybody. Thank you so much for joining me. This is Michele Heyward, we have a special DEI Thursday for you, we have a fantastic guest, who is going to share with us this fantastic conference that’s coming up. So if you are looking to grow and expand your skill set your knowledge base and diversity and inclusion you want to stay to. Nate, thank you so much for joining me today.

Nat: 

My pleasure, Michelle, it’s an indeed a pleasure joining you.

Michele:

Can you tell the audience who you are? Because I didn’t tell them? I was like, they saw the graphic female?
Sure.

Can you tell them who you are in the organization? We’re going to talk about today.

Nat: 

Great, I sure can. And again, thank you for having me on your live stream today. For the listening and live stream audience, my name is Nat Austin. I go by Nat. And I am the chairman of the National Association of African Americans in human resources. And we are a organization consisting of well over 7000 Members, we are located in approximately 30 cities. And we represent really HR professionals from a entry level, mid level senior level, people that have a background and diversity and inclusion who have a background in general HR. And that could be even in the specialist from compensation to benefits to talent acquisition and player relations. So anyone that is a person that’s in the HR arena, covering those areas can be a member of our organization. And these are the organization this these are the members who consist of the organizations, as I mentioned earlier, we’re in 30 cities and growing and we also have some various state chapters out there.

Michele: 

Yes, I might know where one is near me.

Nat: 

So it is so great. We do have one down there in South Carolina. Absolutely. A lot. Lower. Lower country. I think it is no country. No country. Yes. Definitely. One of our chapters. Yes. I love it.
I love it. So everybody I know is like Michelle, why are you being so mysterious? We have organizations like this, that are niche within a niche, right is HR service professional, then you’re focusing on one underserved community, and you’re bringing all those practitioners together plus 30 locations 30 cities, so I love it.

Michele: 

I love I love giving out surprises. Hello, everybody. Thanks for joining. So today, I want to talk more about the the event you have coming up

Nat: 

our first annual virtual conference. Yes, that is our conference. Normally. Michelle, we would have those every two years but and we should have had one last year. But due to the pandemic we had to move that. And our president, definitely who is Erica Broadwater came to our national board and said, We need to have a 2021 conference. And this time, we’re going to do something a little bit different. We’re going to do a virtual. So conference is going to be a hybrid, we’re going to have a many of our guest speakers there at Norfolk, Virginia, at the Hilton there and Norfolk. But right now we’re embracing what I call the new technology and the new normal. And that’s a virtual conference. So no matter where you are on this LinkedIn network, you can be International. But if you’re domestic us, it is going to be a virtual conference. So you can sit back. And if you’re in the comfort of your own home, which many of us are, you can watch our conference virtually, and really take a part of our organization, the National Association of African Americans will be celebrating now going into 23rd year. And if you really wanted to know a little bit about the history, Michelle, we’re over 23 years old. And I was one of the founders of the organization and have remained in the with the organization for those past 23 years.

Michele: 

I love it. I love having the founder Come on. So So let’s go back to the since we have the founder on Yeah, we get we get the tea. What? What made some of you How did he get started?

 

Nat: 

I might get started, everyone generally asked us that. Well, we had about 12 or 13 just Joining organizations throughout the East Coast and they were under the umbrella of a black Human Resources network. And I got to give one person credit for really creating that. And with his vision, he started those organizations in the cities that he was working with. So we had what we call bH er, and black human resource networks and the major cities on the East Coast, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, Baltimore, and others. And through the Washington group, we started meeting on a regular basis having a conference in Orlando, Florida. And when we went down to Orlando, Disneyworld back in 1997, many of us got together and said, Look, we need to collaborate, and then also join and create a national organization. So I always laugh. Michelle, when we think about forming an organization about 20 to 23 years ago, maybe even 24, we didn’t have the internet, as we knew now. We had when we and we were all over the United States. So it was not just the East Coast, we had people from Chicago, Detroit, Atlanta, Washington, DC, New York. And these were senior level people who had budget authority, and also had the vision of forming the organization. So I said, guess what, we had to use a not free conference call.com. But we had to use our own phone numbers out here and pay for it. And also, if we had to do any correspondence, it was either by fax machines, so I’m really dating myself. And for some of our younger people, they go, what’s the fax machine, I can understand that probably we were operating. Now, Michelle, under these new normal, we could have formed the organization probably within about three to four months, using all the digital technology and the platforms out there. But back to your point, we had a vision. And it took us about a year to a year and a half to really bring the vision of the National Association of African Americans and human resources to fruition. And we kicked it off 1998 in Baltimore, and then we moved to Philadelphia the following year. So we really was a dream and a vision of many people, I was just one. But many people in that we started off with about 18 people, we dwindle it down to 12. And if you’re a spiritual person, you think about 12. That’s a definitely a powerful number. But all of us had the ultimate vision of making it a national organization. So indeed, when we look back, when it was just a dream, a thought, an idea, and have people committed to making this a reality, which we have, and to now move it to 2021, here in Norfolk, Virginia, on a virtual conference, and think about, wow, we’ve got 30 cities that have it, we have over 7000 members, we’re looking to go and we’ve got a chapter also in the US Virgin Islands. So if we’ve got any of our virgin Island people, they’re listening and watching where they’re in the US Virgin Islands. And what this is also done beyond even our dreams as founders, with the internet now and this live stream, we can go international. And so that makes another challenge for us, going international to countries in the mother continent of Africa, we’ve had some interest in South Africa, we’ve had some interest also in the UK. So really, it’s opening up a tremendous platform as we go deep into the 21st century.

Michele: 

I love it. I love it, when great minds come together and build out build out a great organizations I for years have been a member of National Society of Black Engineers. And again, it was it was just six students that that built out organization that is nearly 50 years old. And it’s International.

Nat:

So it and that was in the 70s. So yeah, and you know what you just said nesby in that National Society of Black Engineers and other the black MBAs when we look at nabba, National Black, the Association of Black accountants and all it was inevitable for us to create HR. Exactly, because we look at HR if you worked in any corporation, HR is usually the glue. We pretty much know what’s happening and the other departments but we were the last one to really put this together. And put our organization together. So yeah, nazmi was out there the urban financial services coalition with the black bankers, the black MBAs and other professional groups. And it was just inevitable for us. We weren’t we came a little late. We were Johnny come lately, here.

Michele: 
Y’all Take care everybody else.

Nat: 

That’s true. That’s true. That’s true. We’re the ones that if everybody, anybody has a problem, they always go to HR,
or opportunity or opportunity,
or opportunity. That is very true.

Michele: 

See, yeah, it’s not all bad.

Nat: 

Yeah. And we’ve evolved. Now, like you said, when we talk about diversity and inclusion, when I got in that arena, it wasn’t called DNI, it was all affirmative action. Yes. And so we’ve seen a change in there where we now can embrace diversity and inclusion. And that’s what we stand for now, is diversity inclusion, we also put down their equity, equality and respect, because we feel going into the 21st century, and now going 2021, with the social justice movement, and all that we’ve got to make a difference now.

Michele: 

Absolutely. Absolutely. And I, it’s not that you work in it weren’t making a difference before. It’s now that more people are woke.

Nat: 

Yes, that’s true,

Michele: 

are proactive, as opposed to being maybe reactive, when, when it’s like, something goes public, or you getting a lawsuit, it is really people taking a stance, and you still have some performative people, but you do have more companies that are truly being more active. So let’s let’s talk about the conference itself. Sure. I love the title, because it has everything in it. We are me out, I’ll just speak for myself look for when it comes to an employer, when it comes to a team when it comes to a work environment, diversity, inclusion, equity, equality, and respect. What can we find? What type of sessions are you going to have at your virtual conference or in person? What can people expect? They can expect?

Nat: 

Number one, from my perspective, some dynamic, absolutely engaging, and truly outstanding speakers, that’s going to engage them being that this is a virtual conference, we’re going to touch on all of those topics in their equity in the workplace equality in the workplace, how does it affect women of color in that workplace? So we’re going to have speakers in them, Michelle, that’s going to engage our audience to not just discuss the topic, but also the solutions. What do we expect the long game to be? Because if I can digress a little bit, when we talk about our conference, now being a virtual conference, this is something new to us. Because generally, most conferences prior to the pandemic, you know, would be a face to face conference. Now, it changes that format to a virtual. So back to your point, we’ve got people that are going to talk about now diversity and inclusion as it relates to now 2021 and beyond, we’re looking at equity, as it relates and equality as it relates to women of color. And we’ve got great speakers related to that. So I don’t want to go down the list, because I probably will forget someone and I don’t want to do that. But I encourage our audience to look at our website, look at those speakers in there. These are speakers of color, that are making a difference in their respective arenas. And we want to give them that platform. So our conference attendees can see who they are, connect with them. And then also, if they’re representing a company, maybe have those guest speakers in their respective companies. So I really want to force our audience to look at these speakers and see, connect with them on the various social media platforms. Because we want to be that catalyst to make a difference, as you said, diversity inclusion. We’re not just looking at our speakers, and they’re not going to be just talking about box checking, just checking a box and say, Okay, we’re going to now even though they have the qualifications to do the unconscious bias training, the inclusion training, all the training mechanisms that are out there, the tools, but we’re looking at now engaging these people and these companies who are going to be sending their representatives to go back and say, Look, we now want to help you change the culture of your organization. And we want to help you change the culture as you can imagine with the social and justice of the 2020 with the J Blake’s the Briana Taylor’s and others, we’ve got companies coming to us. Yes, you use the term they walk now. But now being awakened, we just don’t want as I mentioned earlier, the box check. We weren’t the long term. And part of those discussions at our conference is how can we accomplish that, starting at the top at that corporate boardroom, we want to see people of color like yourself and like myself represented on the board. And that C suite, when we talk about also helping them to recruit diversity, talent, they can line up with us. And we can be that catalyst to help them identify people and the particularly the HBCUs, we’ve got an HBCU initiative, you being there, and South Carolina, we’ve got some fantastic historical black colleges, they’re not just South Carolina State, but Benedict Allen University just to name a few Claflin college, or he’s college. So we’ve got those HBCUs there. And that’s our commitment during this virtual conference, so that people can be made aware, particularly if they’re not in an area that has either an HBCU, and really don’t even know what HBCUs are all about, we’ve got guest speakers, that’s going to educate them on the HBCUs. So they can at least now include them as part of their talent acquisition strategy. So again, those are type of speakers that we’re going to have there. And, again, please, I invite everyone to look at this site, look at the list of speakers, check their backgrounds, because you’re going to find that, hey, this is an opportunity for not too many people to connect with, if we did it on a non virtual platform. Now you can. And I’m really excited the idea that this is virtual, I’m just jumping, and just saying, hey, a virtual conference, where if you’re even in Hawaii, and there’s a crazy difference in time zones, you can still watch the conference. And afterwards, we’re gonna, it’s going to be recorded. So if you missed it, we can play it back.

Michele: 

I love it. I love it. Now, he won’t mention some topics. But that’s on the agenda. Now, this does start on a Thursday and runs through Sunday. So don’t feel as though hopefully, you you can find some time to come and join, especially the sessions that are most relevant to you one of a few of the ones that I really like, adjusting to COVID-19 in the workplace. And I like in the workplace, because some people are still working. I’m in a physical location right now. But it’s essential workers. But you didn’t know your cashiers name for five the last 15 years. But that’s a whole other whole other topic. But really focusing on that. But I also like health and well being because a lot of people are that haven’t had been able to manage stress previously now are really more focused on their mental health right now. And those of us that have picked up not to COVID 1525 to COVID 40. Like we need to go work out or find finding additional outlets as well. So I’m looking forward to the health and well, yeah.

Nat: 

If I can just add to that you’re absolutely right, where we we now know. And when you talk about the speakers, those two areas, the wellness and the new normal, because we all know, we’ve gone through this, we’re going through this pandemic and the stresses that it has occurred on people in the workplace, particularly people of color. And that’s where we really want to focus. And I’m glad you highlighted that where we’re looking at now wellness, what can we do, not just on the physical side, but the mental side, to for us to operate now in this new normal, because what we’re saying, as an organization, we will not go back to where we were pre pandemic, this will be a major cultural shift throughout every industry that is out there. So how do we as people of color predominantly can operate in this new normal when we’ve got stresses already on our mental health, when we’ve got stressors already on our physical health, so how can now we operate with this post pandemic, and really opening up the doors to say, it’s okay to seek mental therapy. It’s okay to seek any type of help that’s going to help you get through this stressful time. And we want to break down those psychological barriers where we wouldn’t even want to discuss it, years back, but now we need to and the more we come together as a unified body, and we’ve, as we said we’re human resources, human capital, we’ve got to look after our own so I agree. And thank you so much for chiming in on those two topics, because mental health, and basically operating now in the new normal couple with that mental and physical health are going to be something that we really have to address as we go forward.

Michele: 

And I want to talk about one more topic that’s all yours. And systemic racism in our communities and workplace. Because the health and well being has always been important. But we especially as black people, like these are just the things we’re going to have to endure in the workplace and like, not anymore. And so I think one positive thing that has come out of the pandemic, is the health and well being but even post pandemic, we are still going to need that, just from the the trauma we continue to have had in the workplace, when it comes to systemic racism.

Nat: 

I agree with you. And that’s where we’ve got a discussion on that systemic racism where a good friend and a member of Sheldon good and I are going to talk about that, that systemic racism in there. And if you again, going back to our website, we’ve established some various strategic partnerships with people who are addressing that. And we’ve got one in particular, that I do want to highlight that we’ve got a partnership that’s addressing that, too, is a film walking, while black Love is the answer. And I invite people to take a look at that also, because that’s addressing really systemic racism, particularly in our law enforcement community. And so that is something that we had to take a look at from a broad overview, you’ve got systemic racism and corporate America, but we also have that racism, particularly in our social justice movements out here with the law enforcement community. So we in HR are not just focusing just on a narrow vision, if you will, but a much broader vision, because that person could be someone of our family member who could be the next Senior Vice President and DNI for whatever company. So we’ve got to look at that from a broad brush. Also.

Michele: 

I love it. I love it. So if you’re wondering, who or what National Association of African Americans in human resources, Did I get that right?

Nat: 

Yes, you did,

Michele: 

is now you know, what that would in triple A HR is, you know what it is, you know, the history behind it. One of the founder, what is here with us, and he has just shared there a special conference, they are hosting this year in person if you’re in Norfolk, Virginia, but virtually if you’re anyplace else in the world that you really want to attend, every session ties into another as it addresses systemic racism. It addresses disparities in health care, especially as it’s tied to COVID. But also mental health and well being, and so much more that employee employees need to address, employers must address and more importantly, things that must be battled in bipoc communities. So if you haven’t registered, you want to look at the bottom of the screen, and you want to go check it out at their website, in AAA, so three A’s hr.org, you want to be there any final words for for everybody?

Nat: 

Well, my final words, will echo what you’re saying. If you, we definitely want you to sign up and get involved, get engaged, the National Association of African Americans and human resources, if there’s not a chapter in your area, that’s okay, you can join us. And we’ll connect you with a chapter. If it’s not a chapter in your area, we’ll help you to develop one. So again, Michelle, I want to thank you for giving us the time to share with your listening audience and through all the social media platforms. And again, on the behalf of the founders and our national board of the National Association of African Americans and human resources. We’ll see you all the end of this month during Black History Month in Norfolk, Virginia, or virtually, again, Michelle, thank you.

Michele: 

You’re very welcome. Join them starting Thursday, February 25, until Sunday, February 28. So hopefully, you’ll have some time at least on that Friday and Saturday to join and Sunday to be a part of this great conference. It’s been great to meet you today. Everybody, go register. It is not too late. Make the time because this conference is going to be phenomenal and it’s definitely going to help you help others in your organization and community. Bye everybody.
Bye now.