Truly cannot thank my friend, the AMAZING, Thasunda Brown Duckett enough for joining me & my CVS Health colleagues today for a virtual fireside chat to celebrate #blackhistorymonth. Your story, grit, grace, perspective, warmth, humanity, & call to action (and I could go on!) deeply inspired & moved us. Among the many profound thoughts, a few I will always remember: 1. You rent your title but own your character; 2. Black History is American history, and so this month is a jump start for all of us to reflect on the incredible contributions of black Americans, but then commit with resolve to building a more inclusive future; 3. When you're the only one who looks like you in a room, pull up your own chair, make sure your voice is heard; 4. Mental health is a priority and need for all of us - and don't forget to check in on the strong ones who are always so busy supporting everyone else. Today was a powerful day for all of us who had the privilege of hearing you. And one we will most certainly pay forward. #leadership
Ella Parker
2y
Keep at it Thasunda!! You are a extraordinary servant✝️💯🙌🏽
Enjoyed every minute of this conversation! Thanks Thasunda Brown Duckett for your transparency, honesty and wise words of advice. Very appreciative of CVS Health for coordinating this event.
This was a really great event. Big thanks to everyone who worked to make this happen! There was no shortage of great takeaways. Two more that weren't really new, but are always worth repeating: 1. The struggle for equality will only succeed as a team effort, and the responsibility of allies is active and persistent in all parts of our lives. 2. Diversity is a business imperative. Diverse groups generate better ideas and produce better results. When we build our teams, it's important to take a beat and ask ourselves, "Who's missing from our table?"
Kevin Schulz
2y
I thoroughly enjoyed that today, thanks to everyone involved. I jotted something down that Thasunda said that not only resonated personally but is such a great guiding principle "My title is rented, my character lives with me forever"...that will now be going into my collection of favorite quotes. Thanks again.
Our Black Colleague Resource Group’s theme for this year is “The Year of You.” That’s meant to illustrate a year of commitment to personal and professional enrichment as a catalyst for career acceleration. Today’s fireside chat was chicken for the soul of that journey. So many heart-filling nuggets, so little time. One of many for me, “Talent is created equal, opportunity is not.”
Paying it forward is a great concept to master in the work place. A couple examples are like showing a junior level supervisor how to do something correctly so that he may show subordinates the routine. Similarly, if I draft a fantastic speech for the company, I would hope the employees would pay a few of the hidden gems forward one day (without plagiarizing of course). 😆
Jeanne Witt
2y
Here are three of our profiled groups this week: Diversity and Inclusion (TGL): 2,215 members https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13558292/ The Global Leaders (TGL): 20,062 members ttps://www.linkedin.com/groups/4096990/ Chief (TGL): 1,492 members https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14026300/ And our newest group: Luxury & Lifestyle (TGL): 153 members https://www.linkedin.com/groups/9133426/ Lot's of good, smart people doing interesting things here.
Wendy Watson
2y
Powerful combination! I love seeing my professional and personal life collide as Thasunda Brown Duckett, fellow SHHS alum and my former leader at Sabre/Travelocity Michelle Peluso unite to kick-off Black History Month at CVS. By chance, will the fireside chat be shared publicly outside of CVS? I'd love to hear it.
President and Chief Executive Officer at CVS Health
2yIt was an honor to have Thasunda Brown Duckett kick off CVS Health’s Black History Month celebration. Thank you for sharing your incredible stories, insights, and experiences with us and for your honesty and vulnerability. So powerful.