In this episode, Atima Omara sits down with Cierra Gross, founder of Caged Bird HR, to explore:

• Breaking barriers in HR leadership.
• Creating opportunities for women of color in corporate and entrepreneurial spaces.
• Navigating workplace challenges with courage and strategy.

[00:00:00] Introduction: Atima introduces the podcast and its mission to empower women of color to create impactful lives and careers while staying true to themselves.

[00:02:00] Meet Cierra Gross: Cierra Gross, founder and CEO of Caged Bird HR, is introduced, highlighting her background in HR and her company's mission to provide independent HR support at scale.

[00:04:00] Early Life and Career Aspirations: Cierra shares her upbringing in North Carolina, her dream of becoming a singer, and her eventual path to HR through her master's program.

[00:07:00] Transition to HR: Cierra describes her decision to pursue HR as a strategic career move and her initial skepticism about being a "people person."

[00:11:00] Advocacy in HR: Cierra discusses how her upbringing and personal experiences informed her advocacy for employees and shaped her approach to HR work.

[00:16:00] Navigating Corporate America: Cierra reflects on her experiences as a Black woman in high-visibility HR roles at major corporations like ExxonMobil, including the challenges of discrimination and inconsistent policy application.

[00:20:00] The Birth of Caged Bird HR: Cierra shares how her experiences with workplace discrimination and depression in 2020 inspired her to create Caged Bird HR, starting with a simple website and booking link.

[00:25:00] Challenges in Corporate HR: A discussion about the inherent conflict of interest in corporate HR, which prioritizes company interests over employee advocacy, and how Caged Bird HR fills this gap.

[00:30:00] Independent HR as a Solution: Cierra explains how Caged Bird HR provides employees with independent advice, helping them make informed decisions and reduce workplace stress and anxiety.

[00:34:00] Scalability and Client Base: Cierra highlights the rapid growth of Caged Bird HR, supporting clients from tech, Hollywood, banking, nonprofits, and more, and its nationwide presence in 40 states.

[00:40:00] Marginalized Identities in the Workplace: Advice for employees with marginalized identities on advocating for themselves, navigating inequities, and recognizing their worth outside their job titles.

[00:46:00] Corporate DEI and HR Challenges: Cierra critiques corporate DEI initiatives, emphasizing the need for companies to be serious about equity work and the importance of rest and self-care for DEI professionals.

[00:50:00] Closing Thoughts: Cierra reflects on how starting Caged Bird HR aligned with her life's purpose, allowing her to impact workplace equity and employee well-being significantly.

1. HR as Advocacy: Traditional HR often fails employees. Caged Bird HR provides independent, unbiased support.
2. Embracing Change: Entrepreneurship can be a powerful tool for women of color to reclaim agency in their careers.
3. Building Community: Cierra emphasizes mentorship and mutual support among women of color.

If you are someone you know who needs additional support from a place like CagedBird HR check out Cierra's company: https://cagedbirdhr.com/about

If you enjoyed the show and you want to join our community of other women of color who are embracing their voice head over to https://embracingyourvoicepod.com/

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