Building Our Own Table - LaTonya Davis

Hello friends,

I’m really delighted to introduce you to LaTonya Davis today because she is a POWERHOUSE and the epitome of lifting as you climb. In the years since I met her on LinkedIn, I’ve watched in amazement as she’s brought necessary change to every area she’s involved in, with her latest venture being the Queens and Crowns Network. Please meet LaTonya…

LaTonya, tell me briefly about your background prior to founding LaTonya Davis Consulting, LLC.

I am a lawyer and educator having worked with Department of Labor, EEOC and Congressional Black Caucus Foundation to name a few.

Give me the elevator pitch for LaTonya Davis Consulting, LLC

LaTonya Davis Consulting, LLC. shifts organizations from good intent to exceptional impact through keynote speaking, learning and development, Curated Events and Real Time Coaching.

And in more detail?

I offer keynote speaking, learning and development and curated events that guide organizations and schools to address inequities that impact Black women and diverse talent. My company scaled our impact by launching a Learning and Development Online Community and Academy. Given my expertise in several fields, I provide differentiated self paced learning that replicate my best practices. People have a choice of communities to join or can purchase e-books, courses, classes and more.

What inequity were you trying to address, and why is this important?

I address inequity in for profits, nonprofits and organizations.

First, I lead equity initiatives for Black women and diverse groups in workplaces. I audit qualitative and quantitative data in order to design strategies, goals and empower owners with aligned action steps to address the root causes. Discernment is key. Every employer needs its own differentiated strategy to lead systemic change because of the skill/will of all stakeholders.

I enabled promotion opportunities through creating a Sponsorship Program, boosted supplier diversity by bringing in Black women as suppliers, ensured a website was accessible for millions of customers and that's not all. Policies and practices work better when communities are built with them; when boards, senior leaders, HR, recruiters, managers and employees identify the gaps to build accountable communities. Choosing to use my talent to stand up for others is what I learned from my mother and father (deceased).

Next, I promote equity for Black women in careers and as CEOs. I founded the Queens and Crowns Network to guide us to create and be visible and viable brands. Black women experience inequity in the talent funnel and in business from having natural hair, and are blocked from promotion and rejection of business opportunities through private social networks.

I lead quarterly cohorts and walk them through how I built my brand at work and for my company, core skills every Black woman should leverage and how to leverage advocates when racism and microaggressions happen. For example, I secured a higher rate for a speaking engagement and gave the opportunity to another Black woman. Choosing to use my talent to support Black women is what I learned from my HBCU women's college experience.

Finally, I lead on equity as an Autism parent and Education Leader. I see the inequity from birth to the board room. Some students are denied opportunities to attend neurotypical camps, there’s separation in schools, lack of parents/caregivers flexibility at work, and more.

I believe understanding the gaps allows all decision makers to move from grows to glows. I facilitate trainings on Building Accountable Communities for Autism. I have spoken at NASA and Amazon. Choosing to use my talent to support children and families is what I learned from being an educator.

Whatever inequity I choose to address, I keep in my that my vision is to shift people from good intent to exceptional impact.

How’s it going? What has the response been?

My work and advocacy have been well received. One of my clients won a DEIB Award for leading outcomes. I receive many questions from HR, recruiters, leaders and employees which was the reason I chose to build an academy and community.

What’s next?

I will host more summits for Black women and Autism families.

In relation to racism, what is your vision for the future?

To see every role and every level in global workplaces understand how levels of racism have worked in schools, organizations and companies and use their everyday privilege as shields and swords for me and all historically excluded groups.

Is there anything I haven't asked you that you'd like to add?

Yes:-) I am a Black woman with natural hair, Christian and graduate of an original HBCU for Black Women. Thank you to everyone who has inboxed me about my work, my hair and my advocacy for so many people.

See what I mean, folx? LaTonya’s work runs deep and wide. Please check out her website, and follow her on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Thanks for reading,

Sharon

Note: poll feedback is private - if you’re happy to share your thoughts in public, then please also leave a comment.

© Sharon Hurley Hall, 2024. All Rights Reserved.

I am an anti-racism educator and activist, the author of “I’m Tired of Racism”, and co-host of The Introvert Sisters podcast. This newsletter is published on beehiiv (affiliate link).