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On the morning of January 14, 2025, just hours before my stress test during an annual physical, I received devastating news from a colleague at a global financial institution. A 45-year-old Black man, a highly respected managing director at our firm, had unexpectedly died from a heart ailment. While texts of grief poured in from mourning colleagues throughout the day, I was struck by a sobering realization. I had become disturbingly accustomed to hearing such tragic news about successful Black men in professional circles. Just a few months earlier, another industry peerthe first Black chief information officer of a major U.S. banksuffered a debilitating stroke that left him paralyzed on the left side of his body. Thankfully, his wife was nearby and rushed him to the hospital in time to save his life. He was only 48 at the time of the stroke. In late February, another good friend of minea fit, strapping young Black man in his late 30s who works as a creative for an NBA teamsuffered a stroke. He’s had to endure multiple surgeries since then to stop bleeding in his brain. A similar tragedy struck my family 23 years ago when my uncle, Juan Simpson died suddenly of a heart attack during the Christmas holidays. He was 48 years old and had been a senior executive at Ethicon Endo-Surgery Inc., Johnson & Johnsons surgical device division. At the time of his death, my uncle was flying high in lonely, rarified, high-pressure air. Back then, white men held 95% of all executive-level positions in corporate America. Each of these men is a shining example of what people of color can achieve in the corporate world through education, hard work, connections, and a bit of luck. Yet their tragic experiences raise some pressing questions for Black corporate men and their families. Is climbing the corporate ladder riskier for Black men? And what steps must Black men take to safeguard their physical and mental health while working in high-pressure environments? Black mens experience in corporate America Today, Black men have the second-lowest life expectancy of all racial groups in the United States, with only Native American/Alaska Native men living shorter lives, according to research by KFF. And while studies show that education and higher socioeconomic status improve health outcomes for other groups, (including Black women) the opposite is true for Black men. In fact, the more successful Black men become, the greater the likelihood theyll experience anxiety and depression. Both of these often serve as triggers for negative health outcomes. I can personally attest to this after suffering from both anxiety and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to the stresses of trying to succeed in my first job as a stock market reporter for Thomson Reuters. Corporate America offers many advantagessix-figure salaries, generous health benefits, and a means to a comfortable retirement. If youre fortunate, you can do intellectually satisfying work while forging deep friendships along the way. But in exchange for these benefits, there are potentially deadly stressors that may affect Black mens bodies differently than their non-Black peers. Everyone who works in corporate America is faced with the challenge of managing stress in a sustainable way. Its part of the game. But for Black people, especially Black men, it can be a matter of life and death. How Black men can safeguard their health while working in the corporate world 1. Find the right doctor An alarming 2011 study by the University of Michigan found that a majority of Black men dont go to the doctor. The reasons why so Black men avoid the doctor, the research notes, is that we often find doctors visits stressful. Theres also a widespread belief that doctors dont provide adequate information on how to make the right lifestyle changes to improve our health. We also put off routine doctors visits due to distrust of the American healthcare system. This is due to well-documented historical reasons. It’s also because many Black people in this country report enduring at least one negative experience with doctors, like having to speak up to get proper care. Many also find that their medical provider doesnt take their pain seriously. But its imperative that Black professional men do their homework to find a doctor theyre comfortable with. Blackdoctor.org, Blackdoctorsusa.com, and Findablackdoctor.com are all helpful resources. 2. Therapy is a big help For those of us whove managed to get our foot in the door and establish careers in corporate America, the people in our lives may see us as Superman. But while Superman can rejuvenate himself in his fortress of solitude, we can’t always solve our emotional challenges by ourselves. We can benefit from seeking psychological counseling, which can prevent the developmentor worseningof mental health issues. 3. Prioritize time with friends My closest friends were the center of my world throughout my 20s. Little did I know back then how hard it would be to sustain all those relationships as the demands of corporate and family life came calling. Were in the midst of a loneliness epidemic in our country. A former U.S. Surgeon General has said that loneliness is as damaging to our health as smoking. Men are especially vulnerable to the dangers of loneliness. This is because many of us struggle to express our feelings or forge genuine connections with others. But its important to remember that were social creatures. True friends are a key component to living a healthy, well-rounded life. To maintain my relationships, Ive begun to prioritize them just as I do other important aspects of life. My hangouts, which used to happen spontaneously, are now planned, and logged onto my Outlook and shared family calendar. The demands of climbing the corporate ladder as a Black man in America can be overwhelming, but it doesnt have to come at the expense of our health and well-being. By acknowledging the unique pressures we face and taking proactive steps to prioritize our mental and physical health, we can create a sustainable and fulfilling career. Seeking the right healthcare provider, embracing therapy, and nurturng friendships are just a few ways we can start building resilience against the stress that often accompanies success in corporate America. At the end of the day, our livesboth professionally and personallyare far more valuable than any career milestone. Its time for Black men to take control of our health, foster a supportive community, and redefine what success truly means.
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E-Commerce
France just unveiled its charming new TGV Inoui trains, and theyre a jealousy-inducing reminder that Americas rail travel renaissance cant come fast enough. The TGV Inoui is a high-speed rail system, running at around 200 miles per hour, that connects Frances major cities as well as providing connections into Italy, Spain, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany. This Tuesday, the manufacturing company Alstom and the TGVs operator, SNCF Voyageurs, revealed the brand-new fifth generation TGV Inoui interior design at Pariss Gare de Lyon. [Photo: Alstom] The new train, which is slated to hit the rails in 2026, includes a delightfully colorful aesthetic, an ultra-sleek bar car, and expanded accommodations for wheelchair usersand its further proof that, for now, Americas rail system might as well be in the dark ages. [Photo: Alstom] An interior fit for a ’70s space age mood board According to Alstom, a team of more than 2,000 designers started entirely from scratch to create the new TGV Inoui cars, which are constructed in a modular format that allows them to be reconfigured in less than a day to suit the particular needs of each trip. The trains are made from 97% recyclable materials, have a 20% higher seating capacity than previous iterations (up to 740 passengers), and are 20% more energy-efficient than the fourth generation trains. [Photo: Alstom] While most trains tend to incorporate a monochromatic palette of gray or blue, the TGV Inoui cars are a fun experiment in color and shape. Designed by the French agency AREP and Japanese design firm Nendo, the cars feature a soft palette of primary red, blue, and yellow hues accented by rounded shapes. The combination of these comforting colors with the trains sleek metallic fixtures lends the whole interior a kind of 70s space-age aesthetic. According to a press release, the designers used the concept of flow as a guiding principle, looking to water currents in nature to inform the placement of furniture and colors. [Photo: Alstom] [The train] makes its way through the landscape, rather like the flow of a river, the release reads. The designers played with the idea of depth inside, with a strong horizon line running through all the elements and giving the impression of the surface of water. The flow is inspired by the soft shapes of pebbles and objects polished by water, which can be seen in the details of the seats and the lamp, as well as the use of darker materials in the lower section and lighter ones above. [Photo: Alstom] One of those polished detailsthe table lamphas been a constant fixture in all past TGV train designs, but AREP and Nendo have taken it up a notch. In the new cars, the lamps are the brightest element of the whole interior, rendered in a crisp canary yellow thats meant to serve as a touch of humor in every room. [Photo: Alstom] The bathrooms have been enlarged and touched up with a frosted window that lets in natural light. Shockingly large stairwells allow passengers to pass easily from the first to second floor. The bar car has been expanded to take up two stories, with a self-service grocery section (including full-size drink coolers) on the bottom floor, and an upstairs bistro space with booth-like seats for passengers to enjoy their meals. [Photo: Alstom] And, for the first time ever, the train now incorporates a boarding platform that allows wheelchair users to enter the space autonomously, as well as adding more accessible seating options and signage. It’s a design approach that goes beyond maximizing square footage to consider the travel experience of all riders. [Photo: Alstom] Why can’t we have this in the U.S.? While French citizens are enjoying the new TGV designs, American Twitter is busy lamenting the lack of similar transit options in the U.S. Under a tweet showcasing the new train cars, one user wrote, Trains would be the elite form of public transit in the US if they were fast, to which the original poster responded, sad state of things for the country that was literally built by railroad. [Photo: Alstom] As France moves on to its fifth generation of high-speed trains and, Japan has also added yet another innovative bullet train to its already advanced arsenal. The U.S. has yet to truly embark on building high-speed rail infrastructure. The closest weve come is Amtraks Acela route in the Northeast, which still travels at only 160 miles per hour. Most other Amtrak trains dont move much faster than the average car. To be fair, we are getting a bit closer to embracing passenger rail travel. Amtrak had a record-breaking year in 2024, moving an all-time high of 32.8 million riders between October 2023 and September 2024. The company is aiming to double its ridership to 66 million by 2024 through building new routes, updating some of its fleet with faster trains, and modernizing its amenities. Meanwhile, the private rail service Brightline has gained popularity in Florida and is currently constructing a line between Las Vegas and L.A., which is slated to become the country’s first truly high speed railway. Even with these advances, the U.S. is still light-years behind countries like France, Japan, Switzerland, and China. For now, well have to content ourselves with gazing longingly at the TGV Inoui and dreaming of a cross-country train trip that doesnt take 96 hours.
Category:
E-Commerce
Getting invited to a first-round interview is exciting. Its a chance to highlight your interpersonal skills, tell your story, and share how you would be an asset to their team. The first interview is your chance to make a great first impressionbut more importantly, its where you can build a genuine connection, says Niki Jorgensen, general manager of client implementation at Insperity. To make the most of your first interview, experts recommend researching the company, practicing common interview questions so that you allow your personality to shine through, and create a connection with your interviewer. But here are some other ways to give yourself an extra edgeand make it to the next round: 1. Find your magic hour Before scheduling an interview with a recruiter or hiring manager, consider when you naturally perform at your best, Jorgensen recommends. Are you most energized and clear-headed in the morning, or does your creativity peak in the afternoon? Once you identify your magic hour, she suggests working to secure that time slot for a more effective conversation. Aligning with your natural rhythm ensures youre poised to perform at your best, says Jorgensen. 2. Create your logistics plan in advance We all know that GPS directions arent foolproof and that offices can be difficult to find, so if you have an in-person interview, make sure you know how to get to the interview location in advance, says April Brasher, HR knowledge adviser with the Society for Human Resource Management. Its helpful to do a test-drive beforehand to estimate travel time, then add an additional 30 minutes on the day of the interview to account for traffic, accidents, or parking, she explains. Planning exercises like this are indeed part of interview prep. Arriving early gives you extra time to prepare, she also notes. However, dont arrive to the interview more than 1520 minutes before the scheduled time to avoid making the interviewer feel rushed, Brasher cautions. 3. Tailor your attire with a subtle message Try and incorporate a hint of the brand or company youre interviewing with through a well-chosen accessory or a color that aligns with its brand identity, says Jorgensen with Insperity. This gesture subtly shows enthusiasm. Its less about wearing head-to-toe branded gear, but more about signaling subtly that you understand and appreciate the company ethos, she says. Plus, as an added benefit, it can also serve as an icebreaker. For example, if you were interviewing for a job at Wilson Sporting Goods, you may throw on your branded Wilson pullover, while still looking professionally put together, says Jorgensen. 4. Articulate how you can improve a company on day one Employers arent just looking for skills on a résumé; theyre seeking problem-solvers, good communicators, and individuals who can help drive the business forward, says Joe Galvin, chief research officer with Vistage. The best candidates walk into an interview already proving their valuenot just talking about itand they rise to the top by successfully connecting the dots between their experience and the companys challenges, Galvin says. These candidates research the company, understand its competitive landscape, and are ready to discuss how they can contribute from day one, he says. 5. Lean into AI Touting your AI skills in a job interview is necessary these days, says Galvin. AI proficiency is a competitive advantage today, but will be a must-have requirement tomorrow, he says. In your interview prep, weave in your AI expertise to show you are at the forefront of technology and innovation. 6. Practice and dig deeper Job seekers should role-play and practice interview exchanges to hone their craft and boost communication skills. Candidates should find a mentor, friend, or even use AI to rehearse their answers until theyre fully polished, says Galvin. Plus, be ready to respond to out-of-the box questions and be well-versed to answer queries about the company, its services, and mission. The job market is competitive. However, the candidates who do their research, communicate with impact, and demonstrate real business value will stand ahead of the pack, says Galvin. 7. Prepare your interview exit strategy As you research both the company culture and the person who is interviewing you, a vital component of interview prep is to plan how youre going to leave your interviewer with a strong closing impression. Prepare thoughtful questions for the end of the interview that show genuine interest in the company culture, the responsibilities of the role, the future trajectory of the position, and any other topics not yet addressed, says Brasher. In a pool of competitive candidates, experts say such preparation can distinguish you and leave a positive final impression with your interviewer.
Category:
E-Commerce
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