We had the good fortune of connecting with Aisha DeBerry and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Aisha, how does your business help the community?
We are a consultant firm that focuses on the areas of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. In our firm, it’s really to help guide, support, educate, and foster companies as well as individuals to be inclusive, to be innovative, to be empathetic, and to be intuitive. All of these are what we need in terms of making a shift to a positive culture, not only in the nation, but in the world. Our world and nation is ever-changing in terms of demographics, and we have to be prepared to meet that need for success, not only in business, but success in the community, as well.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We are ADJ Consultants. Our aim is to help organizations successfully navigate the diversity, equity and inclusion gap through insightful and interactive training by a team of forward-looking advocates. Experience what the DEI gap truly looks like, sounds like, and how it translates in your workplace. DEI is a challenge because it is introspective, meaning, it forces you to look at yourself. It is often difficult to overcome flaws in yourself so it is imperative that we look at our flaws so that we can move towards change. This term is called emotional intelligence. Over the last 10 years or so, we’ve seen a lack of emotional intelligence, so it’s important that we come back to that. Our firm is there to move you towards this. It’s often not easy because you’re asking someone who is proud and happy with where they are to be essentially “called out”. What sets us apart is we are very similar to a boutique; we meet you where you are, spend time getting to know you as an individual or company, and we realize talking about DEI can be sensitive so we operate with care. We don’t rush a particular program, but we look at a strategy and how we can roll out a program that can be effective. We realize when we are no long involved with you and your company, we want to make sure you can take charge on your own, so we prepare you for the future. Starting a business is never easy, but it is worth it. I, personally, had yrs prior to ADJ when I worked in retail. I learned a lot from that to prepare where ADJ is now. One biggest challenge particularly was being not only a woman, but a woman of color because there are a lot of barriers people aren’t aware of. Small business loans, being able to negotiate for leases of brick and mortar businesses, people just believing in you, customers believing in you, and people genuinely believe that you can run an efficient and legal business. It makes you tough and stronger which led me to create ADJ around DEI to get people the resources they need and to make people realize their thoughts and actions. I can use that challenge to educate others who look like me so they can be successful. I want the world to know that DEI here to stay and people need to lean into it. Think about where you sit right now, be you an individual, a manager, or a CEO, incorporating DEI is critical to success whether economic, engagement, or simply reaching your community. Either way, however you look at it, DEI should be part of your business on some level.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Breakfast: Rosies Cafe; La Petit Marshe Visit the National Center for Civil Human Rights Lunch: Slutty Vegan; Vortex Visit Ebenezer Baptist Church Skyview Atlanta Ferris Wheel Dinner: Sweet Georgia’s Juke Joint

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My Dad, Roy DeBerry – his book: Voices from the Mississippi Hill Country Berthine Crèvecoeur West – her book: Culture Incorporated

Website: www.adjconsultants.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adj-consultants-llc-3472111b1/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/adj_llc

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADJ-Consultants-LLC-102856228151534/

Image Credits
ode2youphotography.com

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