We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Angela Solomon a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Angela, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

I started my mission based, diversity search firm A. Solomon Recruits 17 years ago when it was unpopular and no big deal like it is today. It was a huge risk
to quit my agency recruiting job and venture out on my own for the unknown. As a Black woman, who has navigated white spaces most of my life, I saw the need for a staffing agency that highlights and advocates for the hiring of Black, Hispanic and Latino talent in Corporate America. As well as, the need for marginalized communities (like where I grew up) be exposed to roles they previously did not know existed and, could be within their reach. The result is hundreds of Black, Hispanic and Latino professionals placed by my firm and thriving in their jobs/careers and even starting their own businesses. As well as companies now understanding that inclusivity brings profitability and my firm is the go to for their diversity staffing needs.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am Angela Solomon. I am proudest to be a mother to 4 children. I grew up in Bushwick, Brooklyn in the 80’s and was afforded the opportunity to attend Vassar College on scholarship. I am also proud to be a Black woman business owner. I have been a diversity recruiter with over 20 years expertise working with high-ranking finance, insurance and technology companies across the nation. I am also a DEI consultant and an empowering DEI career coach, who has helped hundreds of people achieve thriving, soul-satisfying careers. I’ve developed a wide breadth of knowledge related to corporate structures, team cultures, and HR policy-making through the lenses of equitable staffing and conscious team-building that has allowed me to serve my clients from a diversity perspective that traditional recruiting simply doesn’t offer. In doing so, I’ve positioned myself well to advise teams on staffing, corporate structure, and HR policy as they relate to DEI.

As a professional, I pride myself on thinking outside of the box and creating new frameworks that allow everyone on a team to be seen and heard. My work ethic is defined by intentionality and focus, and my leadership style is rooted in preparedness, optimistic resilience, and amplifying the voices of those around me. It’s my deep belief that corporations and businesses should be a reflection of our society and that those that make up our society should be represented and celebrated within them. It’s my hope to use my skills and insight to build equity into all parts of a company’s foundation in hopes that it creates a ripple effect and inspires others to do the same.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

To be considered an DEI industry leader specifically on LinkedIn has been an honor. I have organically grown my connections to over 17k followers because of the long standing relationships I have built over a two decade period and the unique voice I offer when it comes to DEI staffing, career coaching and corporate advisory. I post the kinds of job openings I’m working on. I also blog about social, political and economic as it affects marginalized communities. I think clear and consistent messaging on the services you provide matters. I also think the importance of social media community building is important as you build a following in the things you post on social media. So who is a part of your SM community?

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

In life as well as in business pivots are always central to your constant evolving. In my business specifically and especially in staffing I have made a conscious effort to only work with corporate Clients, who are committed to the DEI mission of true and authentic workspaces that are safe and, where different ethnicities and perspectives are celebrated. Companies who want exploding profitability and champion belonging for all!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.asolomonrecruits.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instragram.com/hireblacktalent
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HireBlackTalent
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asolomonrecruits/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/hireblacktalent