We need black leaders!

​Only 1.6% of Fortune 500 Company CEOs are black. That means 8 out of the 500! And this is no accident. 

I’m a victim of leadership without even noticing. I was talking to a friend of mine who falls victim to RBF (resting b****h face)and he was talking about how I have an approachable face and aura. And even though I have a fully grown beard, I’ve been told by women that I have a baby face. That baby face apparently comes in handy with leadership. And I’m going to explain how through this blog. 

Black Americans are 14.4% of the American population but only make up 1.6% of Fortune 500 CEOs. And the reason for this is because they are dealing with stereotypes. The same stereotypes that everyday black people deal with. 

Let me introduce you to the “Teddy Bear Effect.” What is this you ask? This is the effect of having an approachable face as a black man. This is the effect the 8 Fortune 500 company black CEOs. Think of a teddy bear. They have a round face and are usually “cute and cuddly.” This effect battles previous stereotypes of…

An aggressive black man. Black men have been facing this stereotype in movies and comics since the 70s when it became popular. It became popular after the end of the Civil Rights Movement. The joke is black men have nothing to be angry about but the world because we got everything we wanted and we are just naturally mad. And this contradicts the important qualities of a leadership.

The important qualities of leadership roles depend on 3 things…

1. Ability to make alliances
2. Converse with peers and subordinates
3. Amass respect.

Let’s work together in breaking these stereotypes.