Colette Cottman

🎉 Big News for Career Readiness in Atlanta! We’re proud to announce our new partnership with the Atlanta Mayor's Office of Technology & Innovation and Invest Atlanta — a one-year pilot program designed to expand access to AI-powered career readiness tools for local residents. Through this initiative, 100 Atlanta residents will receive guided support to: • Build stronger resumes • Prepare for interviews • Develop clear career strategies • Navigate today’s evolving job market with confidence This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to strengthening workforce participation and creating real, scalable pathways to meaningful employment. For our team, this moment is more than a milestone — it’s a step toward modernizing how cities, AI companies, universities, and community partners work together to empower people at scale. 👉 Read the full press release here: https://lnkd.in/ddkA5Unp #WriteSea #CareerReadiness #WorkforceInnovation #CityOfAtlanta #InvestAtlanta #AIforGood #PublicPrivatePartnership #FutureOfWork #CommunityImpact

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Last week, I had the opportunity to visit Google ATL, and it was more than just a field experience. It was a front-row look at what happens when leadership intentionally integrates culture into the core of organizational performance. Every element of their space and structure reinforces the values they lead by: • Innovation and creativity aren’t buzzwords…they’re built into the workflow. • Employee well-being isn’t an afterthought…it’s a strategy. • Collaboration, mentorship, and mission-alignment? They’re designed into the culture. It was the kind of experience that reminded me: When leaders get intentional about balancing people and productivity, performance becomes sustainable, and teams actually 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲. That’s exactly what we do inside the Balanced Leadership Blueprint. We help leaders stop defaulting to trade-offs (culture or outcomes) and start building the kind of strategy that prioritizes both. Let me ask you this: Is your current organizational culture supporting your outcomes...𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮? Let’s assess what’s working, what’s not, and how to lead the change… My Balanced Leadership Self-Assessment can uncover your starting point, and together we can build the strategy from there. Because culture doesn’t create itself. Leaders do! 😉 #LeadershipDevelopment #OrganizationalCulture #BalancedLeadershipBlueprint #ExecutiveCoaching #GoogleATL #TeamEffectiveness #LeadershipStrategy

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Baltimore is emerging as a powerful hub for Black tech innovators, and visionary leaders like Dontae Tyler, CEO of OQPS, are helping drive the momentum. A recent WMAR‑2 News story highlights BLK Tech Connect, a grassroots network created by Khalif Cooper to empower Black professionals in tech through events, community building, and entrepreneurial storytelling. The sold-out gathering at FLOCK brought together founders, engineers, and AI specialists to share experiences and forge connections. Among the panelists was Dontae Tyler, known as “The Cyber Hygienist,” who emphasized the critical value that diverse perspectives bring to tech innovation, particularly in cybersecurity and AI. Check out the article below. https://lnkd.in/eSi9f5gX Maryland Department of Commerce #MarylandTech #AI #Tech #BlackTech

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The Joint Center’s December 2025 Jobs Day Analysis makes one thing clear: unemployment is not stabilizing in any meaningful or equitable way — especially for Black workers. The report notes that “Black unemployment continues to outpace the national average, reflecting persistent structural barriers,” and that “young Black workers continue to experience some of the highest unemployment rates.” These aren’t just numbers. They’re signals — and they tell a story about systems that are still failing too many people. But there’s another layer we need to talk about. While the report focuses on overall and youth unemployment, it says little about older workers. That silence matters. Because inequity doesn’t disappear with age — it compounds. Older Black workers often face a double disadvantage: navigating both racial bias and ageism, leading to longer unemployment spells, fewer callbacks, and fewer opportunities to re‑enter the workforce at wages that reflect their experience. This is where employers must step up. If we want different outcomes, we must make different choices — across the entire employee lifecycle. Not just for early‑career workers. Not just for mid‑career talent. But for every person who walks through our doors. From a HumanKind Consulting LLC perspective, “doing the right thing” means: 🔹 Expanding access to opportunity by removing unnecessary barriers and widening talent pipelines 🔹 Investing in development at every career stage, not just for those at the beginning 🔹 Building cultures rooted in psychological safety, fairness, and belonging 🔹 Using data responsibly to identify disparities — and acting on them with integrity 🔹 Designing systems that support workers across their full career journey, including those who are too often overlooked The labor market may shift month to month, but inequity remains consistent. And that truth demands leadership, not lip service. So let’s start a real conversation: • How are these disparities showing up in your industry • Where are organizations making progress • And where do we still have work to do Real change begins when leaders are willing to face the data, acknowledge the gaps, and align their actions with their values. https://lnkd.in/gV8NkMEr

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As part of our continued commitment to empowering HBCU students, Wells Fargo recently hosted the Atlanta Falcons HBCU Fellows for a powerful conversation on financial empowerment at the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE). Students from Spelman College, Morehouse College, and Clark Atlanta University engaged with leaders across industries—from sports and entertainment to brand management and finance—gaining insights to help shape their future success. It’s inspiring to see how this program continues to foster meaningful learning experiences and open doors for future growth. #WeAreWellsFargo

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I had the opportunity to participate in a panel this evening for the 2026 Blacks in Cybersecurity Mentoring Program, and it was truly a full-circle moment. As an alumna of the program, I was invited to share my journey. I talked about where I am in my cybersecurity career today and how this program played a pivotal role in shaping that path. Being able to reflect on that growth and speak candidly about my experience was both rewarding and energizing. Programs like this are critical in creating access, building confidence, and developing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. I’m grateful to be part of a community that continues to uplift and invest in one another. A special thank you to Chad Nevills for the invitation, and to the mentees for your engagement and thoughtful presence. I’m excited to see all that you accomplish. #Cybersecurity #Mentorship #BlacksInCybersecurity #GRC #CareerGrowth

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Booker T. Washington (Program Leadership) [How Booker T. Washington Built Tuskegee Like a World‑Class Program Manager] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Booker T. Washington didn’t just found a school—he built a long‑term program that outlived him by more than a century.   START WITH WHAT YOU HAVE When Washington arrived at Tuskegee, he had no buildings, no funding, and no staff. Instead of waiting for ideal conditions, he mobilized students to make bricks, build classrooms, and create the very infrastructure they needed. Great program leaders don’t wait for resources—they generate momentum that attracts them.   BUILD SYSTEMS, NOT MOMENTS Washington understood that Tuskegee couldn’t depend on charisma or short‑term wins. He created repeatable processes: vocational training, student labor programs, community partnerships, and donor engagement. Programs succeed when leaders design systems that keep delivering value long after the kickoff meeting ends.   DEVELOP PEOPLE AS THE PRODUCT Tuskegee’s true output wasn’t buildings—it was graduates. Washington invested in character, discipline, and practical skills because he knew the long‑term impact of the program depended on the long‑term impact of its people. Every program manager faces the same truth: your team is the multiplier.   Washington didn’t just run a school—he built a legacy engine.   #America250PM #ProjectManagement #LeadershipLessons #HistoryMeetsPM

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💙🧡 Partnerships Built on Purpose Move Faster and Go Further The collaboration between Link Empower Foundation , United Community , and Partnership Gwinnett reminded me of something powerful:when alignment meets action, real impact happens. In just 30 days, we went from introduction to activation — bringing financial literacy, workforce readiness, and small-business empowerment to the forefront of community conversations. Here’s what made it work: 1️⃣ Mission Alignment — Shared purpose made every decision easier. 2️⃣ Speed & Responsiveness — Consistent follow-up builds credibility and trust. 3️⃣ CRA Relevance — We tied every action to measurable community outcomes. 4️⃣ Collaboration — Partnering with organizations like Partnership Gwinnett amplified reach and impact. 5️⃣ Visibility — When impact is seen, it multiplies. This experience reinforced what I’ve always believed — that the right partnerships don’t just create moments, they create momentum. As we look ahead to 2026, we’re ready to expand these collaborations — bringing more organizations, banks, and community partners into the conversation. If your company, foundation, or institution is focused on workforce development, financial literacy, or entrepreneurship empowerment, let’s talk. Together, we can turn shared values into measurable impact. #NimiBello #LinkEmpowerFoundation #LinkEmpower #UnitedCommunity #PartnershipGwinnett #StrategicPartnerships #WorkforceDevelopment #CommunityImpact #Leadership #FinancialLiteracy #EconomicEmpowerment

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Exciting News for Southern Maryland! Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland is proud to be one of only eight awardees statewide selected to receive a $500,000 “Road to Careers” grant from the Maryland Department of Labor and Governor Wes Moore. This critical investment will help us expand access to high-demand pre-apprenticeship and registered apprenticeship training in construction and transportation—empowering nearly 1,200 Marylanders across all funded programs to launch meaningful careers. In Southern Maryland, we’ll be focusing on: 🔹 Building skilled talent pipelines for infrastructure careers 🔹 Supporting participants with transportation, childcare, and mental health services 🔹 Advancing equity by targeting communities that have historically faced barriers to opportunity We are honored to be part of this inaugural funding round, which represents a bold step forward in workforce equity and regional economic growth. Thank you to Governor Moore and the Maryland Department of Labor for recognizing the work we’re doing to build a more inclusive and future-ready workforce in Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s Counties. Let’s continue paving the Road to Careers — together. 🔗 For full details visit: https://lnkd.in/e97xumts #TCCSMD #RoadToCareers #WorkforceDevelopment #SouthernMarylandJobs #Apprenticeships #SkillsThatBuildMaryland #MDLabor #BlueprintForMaryland #InfrastructureCareers #FutureReady

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Howard University has cemented a partnership to put Black excellence on full display at the annual tech conference of the year ✨ #afrotech https://lnkd.in/dgnPv5sk

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