Marvin Johnson, senior director of Integrated Services Management at Johnson & Johnson, Inc., spoke to an audience at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville on Tuesday, Feb. 19 and delivered a resounding message for African American men facing hardships and dilemmas in corporate America – adapt and overcome.
It was the caveat around which Johnson measured out advice during his presentation of “The Plight of African American Male in Corporate America: A Political and Social Discussion” at the Department of Political Science and the Political Science Association’s (PSA) Black Heritage Month symposium. Johnson facilitated the discussion in the SIUE Morris University Center’s Hickory/Hackberry Rooms.
The black statistics in corporate America are not encouraging, according to Johnson. Of the 327.167 million people in the workforce,13 percent are African American and 76 percent are white. In 2017, only five blacks led Fortune 500 companies.
“African American males are getting a bad deal as it relates to corporate America,” said Johnson. “There are myths on diversity. One says that the American workforce is a melting pot, but reality says 95 percent of top executives are white men.”
While diversity is a starting point, it will not assure equal footing, noted Johnson.
“Diversity is being given an invitation to the party,” he continued. “Inclusion is being asked to dance. Sometimes, we do not know the difference. You can be a part of something without being included. Have you ever been to a meeting where everyone else seems to know what was going on except you? Have you been in situations where the outcome seemed to have been prearranged? You were not included in the strategy, and you are not part of the team. You need both – diversity and inclusion.”
“Still, you can’t sit around and say, ‘Woe is me,’” stressed Johnson. “In Corporate America, you have to constantly reinvent yourself.”
Johnson pointed out a few impediments for African American men – as well as women.
- Not being equipped to know how to negotiate salary and benefits
- Ability to manage emotions in the corporate world
- Not asking for what you need
He stressed the importance of training to bolster one’s areas of weaknesses and to find mentors and advocates.
“You have to build relationships within your network,” said Johnson. “A mentor can help you grow in your field, but an advocate can be at the table lobbying for you.”
Timothy E. Lewis, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Political Science, coordinated the Black Heritage Month discussion.
“Addressing the plight of African American men (from the perspective of an African American male), it is evident that there can be individual successes in corporate America, such as Mr. Johnson’s indisputable success,” said Lewis. “However, these successes do not negate the institutional and structural barriers that black men still face.”
Photo: Marvin Johnson, senior director of Integrated Services Management at Johnson & Johnson, Inc.