Not 4 Prophets Podcast

What Does The Current Political Landscape Mean For Black Leaders?

Welcome to Season 3! We’re kicking things off with a timely and raw conversation about the current political landscape and how it is impacting Black leaders.

In this episode, we’re unpacking the ripple effects of the post-2024 election climate and what it means for Black folks in positions of leadership. As social justice fatigue deepens, DEI funding disappears, and political tensions rise, the stakes are shifting fast, and often quietly.

So we’re asking:

• What does leadership actually look like when the external support dries up but the expectations don’t?
  
  
• How are Black leaders being positioned as symbols, shields, or scapegoats?
  
  
• What pressure is being put on Black leaders to hold credibility, carry justice, and stay employed in increasingly hostile or indifferent environments?
  
  
• And what survival strategies are we still using that might keep us afloat—but are slowly burning us out?
  

RESOURCES

Are you a woman leader who is depleted, exhausted and looking for a way out? Check out Trenia's limited series podcast The Burnout Rescue Plan. Click here to listen.

Want to chat with David? Visit https://strivequity.com/

 

Black Americans vs Other POCs Understanding of Race & Oppression

Episode Description

In this episode, Trenia Parham and David DeVaughn dive into the intricate dynamics of how non-Black Americans, people of color, and Blacks who did not grow up in predominantly Black communities experience and understand race and oppression. They explore personal stories, the impacts of anti-Blackness, and the complexities of solidarity within diverse communities. Trenia also shares her work with Sustainable Leadership Consulting and Coaching, helping women leaders recover from burnout and improving organizational culture.

 

In This Episode:

00:00 - Introduction by Trenia Parham and David DeVaughn
02:13 - David shares his personal journey growing up in a white suburb and learning about Blackness
04:50 - Trenia discusses her strong sense of identity as a Black woman from the Midwest
10:05 - The shock of non-Black people using the N-word and cultural appropriation
12:35 - The diversity of the Black experience and the misconception of a monolithic Black culture
17:39 - The impact of African Americanness on solidarity and support within communities
21:23 - The proximity to whiteness and its influence on experiences of people of color
24:25 - Experiences with non-Black people of color in nonprofit spaces
31:41 - The global perspective on oppression and the focus on Palestine
37:34 - Reflections on the 2020 uprising for racial justice and its aftermath

 

Episode Links:

• Trenia Parham https://www.treniaparham.com
• David DeVaughn's StrivEquity Consulting

How Classism Impacts Black People Working in Nonprofits

Episode Description:

In this episode, Trenia Parham and David DeVaughn delve into the complex issue of classism within the nonprofit sector. They discuss how class disparities manifest in nonprofit organizations, impacting both the internal dynamics and the external work being done in communities. Trenia and David share personal experiences and insights into the often overlooked intersection of class and race in this field.

 

In This Episode:

[00:01] Introduction and overview of today's topic

[02:03] David's experience with classism growing up and in the nonprofit sector

[05:43] Trenia's background and perspective on class dynamics

[10:30] The impact of class assumptions on nonprofit work and solutions

[14:35] Organizational structure and class stratification

[19:45] Challenges of working in nonprofits with class disparities

[22:52] The role of funding and maintaining the status quo

[26:19] Class and salary dynamics within nonprofits

[30:26] Opportunities for ground-level staff to move up and decision-making roles

[32:36] Final thoughts and call to action for listener feedback

 

Episode Links:

• Are you a woman in leadership or founder that's depleted and exhausted? Join me for Rest. Reset. Reimagine. A virtual Retreat on Saturday, September 14, 2024. Click here to learn more and register.
• StrivEquity Consulting

When White People Fail Up in Nonprofits

Episode Description: In this episode, Trenia Parham and David DeVaughn delve into the phenomenon of white people failing upward in the nonprofit sector. They explore the dynamics and impact of this trend on Black staff and people of color, sharing personal experiences and strategies for navigating such challenging environments. The discussion highlights the disparity in how mistakes and failures are treated based on race, and the systemic issues that allow for such inequities to persist.

 

In This Episode:

• 00:00 - Introduction: Trenia and David introduce the episode's topic and share personal insights.
• 01:58 - Sustainable Leadership: Trenia discusses her company and its mission to help women leaders recover from burnout and work sustainably.
• 02:44 - White People Failing Upward: Trenia and David describe their experiences with white colleagues who are allowed to fail repeatedly and still advance.
• 06:13 - Latitude in Failure: The latitude given to white employees to experiment and fail without severe consequences.
• 08:49 - Impact on Black Staff: How these dynamics affect black employees and their career prospects.
• 14:27 - Organizational Dynamics: The subtle ways white people justify failures and shift blame.
• 20:20 - Coping Strategies: Trenia and David share strategies for navigating these challenging dynamics.
• 26:14 - Realigning Work: Practical advice for documenting roles and building relationships to mitigate the impact of incompetent leaders.
• 31:24 - Final Thoughts: The importance of re-evaluating your position in an organization that perpetuates these dynamics.

 

Episode Links:

• Are you experiencing burn out? Join Trenia for the Rest. Reset. Reimagine Retreat for women leaders & founders. Click here to learn more and register.
• StrivEquity Consulting
• Not 4 Prophets LinkedIn Page

How Black Leaders Can Be Better Managers Of Black Staff

Episode Description:

In this episode, hosts David DeVaughn and Trenia Parham dive into the complexities of managing Black staff within nonprofits. They discuss the unique challenges and strategies for creating supportive, equitable work environments. Drawing from personal experiences and professional insights, they explore how to foster a positive, empowering atmosphere for Black employees and tackle the difficult conversations around managing underperformance as a Black leader and leadership dynamics.

In This Episode:

• 00:01 - Introduction by Trenia Parham and David DeVaughn
• 00:38 - David shares about StrivEquity Consulting LLC and their free eBook "17 Insights to Leading More Equitably."
• 01:50 - Initial thoughts on managing Black staff
• 03:34 - Creating a comfortable atmosphere for Black employees
• 06:12 - Experiences with Black staff and leadership dynamics
• 11:15 - Managing Black staff differently and setting expectations
• 19:53 - Addressing underperformance among Black employees
• 25:51 - Emotional burden and support for Black staff in social justice work
• 32:06 - Negative experiences with Black leaders and managers
• 39:54 - Reflecting on positive support and growth opportunities

 

Episode Links:

• StrivEquity Consulting LLC
• Free eBook: 17 Insights to Lead More Equitably
• Sustainable Leadership Coaching & Consulting: https://www.treniaparham.com

Black Folks Who Gatekeep At Work

Episode Description: In this episode Trenia Parham and David DeVaughn explore the concept of gatekeeping within the nonprofit sector, particularly focusing on Black professionals. They discuss the reasons behind gatekeeping, its impact on career advancement and organizational culture, and the intersection of race and class. The conversation also delves into personal experiences and strategies for fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment.

 

In This Episode:

• [00:00] Introduction to the topic of gatekeeping among Black professionals.
• [00:34] David shares about StrivEquity Consulting LLC and their free eBook "17 Insights to Leading More Equitably."
• [01:28] Definition and examples of gatekeeping in the workplace.
• [05:02] Reasons why Black professionals might engage in gatekeeping.
• [07:53] The impact of scarcity mindset on professional relationships and resource sharing.
• [10:52] David's personal story about receiving support from another Black professional.
• [12:22] The anxiety of being the only Black person in the room.
• [18:54] The intersection of class and race in professional settings.[28:16] Closing thoughts on gatekeeping and moving towards an abundance mindset

Episode Links:

• StrivEquity's eBook: 17 Insights to Lead More Equitably
• Connect with StrivEquity on LinkedIn
• Sustainable Leadership by Trenia Parham: https://www.treniaparham.com

 

 

The Perception & Challenges for Black Women in Nonprofits

Episode Description:

In this episode of "Not 4 Prophets we delve into the unique and often challenging experiences of Black women in the nonprofit sector. David interviews Trenia about her personal journey, discussing the stereotypes, challenges, and triumphs she has encountered. This episode provides valuable insights for nonprofit leaders, employees, and anyone interested in understanding and supporting Black women in professional environments.

 

In This Episode:

00:01 - Introduction: Hosts Trenia Parham and David DeVaughn introduce the topic and the format of this episode.

01:01 - Initial Thoughts: Trenia shares her initial thoughts on the fraught experiences of Black women in nonprofit organizations.

02:31 - Stereotypes in the Workplace: Discussion on how stereotypes about Black women have shown up in Trenia's career.

06:09 - Personal Experiences: Trenia recounts personal stories illustrating the impact of these stereotypes, including a notable incident with a former boss.

09:53 - Mentorship and Support: The role of mentorship, or lack thereof, in Trenia's professional journey and the importance of "angels" in her career.

13:43 - Solidarity Among Women: Trenia discusses her experiences with non-Black women in the workplace and the dynamics of solidarity.

14:43 - Joy and Fulfillment: Reflection on the sense of joy and fulfillment, or the lack thereof, in nonprofit workspaces for Black women.

18:10 - Mixed Experiences with Black Women: The dual experiences of support and competition among Black women in the workplace.

25:54 - Impact of Current Events: The impact of recent stories about Black women leaders in DEI roles and their treatment in the workplace.

30:44 - Final Thoughts: Trenia's advice for Black women in nonprofits and David's reflections on the importance of allyship and support.

 

Episode Links:

StrivEquity Consulting LLC: https://strivequity.com

Sustainable Leadership Coaching & Consulting: https://www.treniaparham.com

 

 

The Sexualization of Black Men in Nonprofits

Episode Description:

In this episode of "Not 4 Prophets," hosts Trenia Parham and David DeVaughn tackle the sensitive and often overlooked issue of the sexualization of Black men in the nonprofit sector. Trenia interviews David about his personal experiences and observations, shedding light on how these dynamics affect professional relationships, workplace culture, and the well-being of Black men in these environments. This episode provides valuable insights for nonprofit leaders, employees, and anyone interested in understanding and addressing these complex issues.

 

In This Episode:

00:01 - Introduction: Hosts Trenia Parham and David DeVaughn introduce the topic and the unique format of this episode.

01:05 - Initial Thoughts: David shares his initial thoughts and feelings about the sexualization of Black men in the workplace.

04:17 - Early Career Experiences: David recounts early experiences of sexualization and the implications for his professional life.

08:13 - Work Husband Dynamics: Discussion on the dynamics of being seen as a "work husband" or "work boyfriend."

13:00 - Recognizing Harassment: David's reflections on recognizing and understanding sexual harassment in the workplace.

19:33 - Shifts in Behavior: The impact of David's decision to pull back from certain workplace dynamics and how it affected his relationships.

22:42 - Power Dynamics: Exploration of the power dynamics between Black men and white women in nonprofits.

32:23 - From Desire to Threat: The shift in perception from being desired to being seen as a threat when Black men assert themselves.

37:05 - Navigating the Line: David's strategies for walking the line between being approachable and avoiding being perceived as a threat.

41:55 - Final Thoughts: Reflections on the broader implications and the need for ongoing conversation and support.

 

Episode Links: 

StrivEquity Consulting LLC: https://strivequity.com

Sustainable Leadership by Trenia Parham: https://www.treniaparham.com