Being a leader is a rewarding but challenging task. Not only are leaders required to make progress toward business goals, but they also need to ensure their team feels supported. Without a personal understanding of one’s core values and work style, achieving leadership success can be difficult. That is why it is critical for all of us to identify our leadership philosophies, regardless of our expertise or tenure.

It is no secret that effective leadership is an essential part of an organization’s success. However, a “leader” is more than a job title that comes with a pay raise. It is a position that requires a critical skill set that should continuously evolve. Regardless of how long individuals are in their positions, they always have room for leadership growth.

In the turn of the century, a reliable internet connection has become essential for people to access critical information and communicate. However, many societies across the globe lack proper access to technology and a solid internet connection. This lack of equitable access is known as the global digital divide.

The digital divide is the gap between those who have access to technology, the internet and digital resources, digital literacy skills and those who do not. It has been a contentious topic for several decades. One of the greatest examples of an impact caused by the divide has been on education, especially for students who lack adequate internet access and the resources that access provides students.

Systemic racism exists in many forms and permeates nearly every facet of society in the U.S. Put simply, systemic racism is an amalgamation of societal policies and practices that result in the unfair or harmful treatment of others based on race. Systemic racism disproportionately impacts many underrepresented communities, including Black Americans.

Education is a foundational pillar of modern societies that helps create opportunities and equity. However, a critical issue has plagued the U.S. educational system for decades: systemic racism. Throughout American history, racial biases have impacted many aspects of the education system. The barriers it creates, and continues to generate, limit students from underrepresented communities from achieving their fullest potentials.