We recently connected with Chiquita Hall-Jackson and have shared our conversation below.
Chiquita, appreciate you joining us today. When you were first starting out, did you join a firm or start your own?
Prior to starting my firm, I graduated from both Southern University Law Center and Northern Illinois University. I then obtained a certificate in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University. I also wanted to experience life abroad, so I studied overseas in Europe in both International Criminal Law and Constitutional Law. I was initially going to focus on criminal law, but after doing a few cases, I chose instead to focus on employment law.
After college, I was a past mediator in the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office, and a law clerk for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. Later, I decided to start my own law firm, Hall-Jackson & Associates, P.C., a top employment law firm in Chicago that fights against worker harassment and discrimination. Creating my own firm was kindled from my own experience of work-related racial mistreatment, inequity, and sexism. Even though I made the right choice in creating this firm, my path has not been easy, especially as a Black female attorney in the largely male-dominated field. However, it has been a rewarding career.
Early in my career as a Black woman attorney, I faced racial discrimination. That, combined with my mother’s career as a Juvenile Correctional Officer and the ill-treatment she experienced at work ignited my passion for the employment legal field. My mom worked extensive overtime and endured harassment, not only from juvenile delinquents and inmates, but also from co-workers. She also faced limited advancement opportunities due to the male-dominated field of corrections and went through a lot. My mom was ultimately terminated for advocating union ideals using her handbook and collective bargaining agreement. However, thanks to the efforts of well-informed union stewards, her job was successfully reinstated.
When I reflect on the issue of work and employees, it is so important that people feel included at work. Yet, both my mom and myself have not always felt included.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Observing the discrimination my mom faced at work, and then experiencing similar types of racial discrimination and sexism myself, propelled me to become an employment attorney. My own journey was marked by resilience as I faced workplace injustice and often heard disparaging comments from colleagues questioning my abilities. My voice was even stifled in meetings. I observed my non-black male peers receive promotions while I was consistently overlooked. Now, I am truly on a mission to disrupt discrimination and champion workplace justice for all.
As the “Discrimination Disrupter,” I have an unshakable belief in creating workplaces that celebrate diversity and inclusion, where employees can feel safe and empowered to be their authentic selves. It’s time for workplaces to become fair, equitable, and diverse environments full of highly qualified individuals. We need to dismantle systems of bias, harassment, and retaliation at work. There is nothing I am more relentless about than giving a voice to those who have been silenced in the shadows, the boardrooms, and everywhere in between. My life’s work and mission is to disrupt the status quo and purify workplaces of this toxicity so employees and employers alike can thrive and do what they do best: work that makes the world better.
That’s why I now work with corporations on DEI trainings, employer equity consulting, speaking engagements and am an adjunct law professor at DePaul University. I also started the groundbreaking “Blow The Whistle Law” social justice movement that encourages workers to speak up when they see wrongdoing at work. I host free monthly webinars online to educate the public about worker’s rights. I have covered topics such as “Unjustly Fired? Discover the Top 5 Signs to Look Out For,” “Navigating a Hostile Work Environment,” and “What You Need to Know to File a Sexual Harassment” claim.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
The book that influenced me the most is “We Should All Be Millionaires: A Woman’s Guide to Earning More, Building Wealth, and Gaining Economic Power” by Rachel Rodgers. As a lawyer, she fearlessly shares her journey, recounting her experiences working at various law firms, the challenges she faced, and how it fueled her decision to launch her own business. Rachel’s candid story resonated with me, especially her path from being a struggling attorney to becoming a six-figure income earner – mirroring my own path. Rodgers’ story underscores the shared experience of working in toxic environments, especially in male-dominated fields, and the unique challenges she faced as a Black woman striving for success.
Another book that I like a lot is “Who, Not How” by Dan Sullivan. It emphasizes the importance of finding people who excel in their zones of genius. So, when I wanted to write a book, the process was overwhelming. I ended up hiring a copywriter and a publisher, which saved me a lot of time and energy. It’s all about smart delegation, open communication, and not trying to do everything yourself. This approach has grown my legal practice, allowing our team to focus on what they each do best – advocate for our clients.
Lastly, I have released my own new book, “We Gon’ Be Alright: A Black Executive’s Guide to Navigating Workplace Dynamics,” which is a testament to my dedication to my field. This profound guide seamlessly intertwines the realities of workplace discrimination with the uplifting spirit of hip-hop culture. It offers practical insights, motivation, actionable advice, and strategies for overcoming on-the-job adversity, fostering resilience, and claiming one’s rightful place in the professional sphere. The book is a rallying cry for declaring your worth at work, finding community, and leading the career you want and deserve. It offers a roadmap for Black professionals, enthusiasts of hip-hop culture and anyone looking for inspiration to overcome workplace hurdles and carve out their place in the corporate landscape so they can achieve their career goals.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://chiquitahall-jackson.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blowthewhistlelaw/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlowTheWhistleLaw/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chiquita-hall-jackson/
- Other: www.WeGonBeAlrightBook.com
Image Credits
Note that the First picture of Employment Attorney Chiquita Hall-Jackson with the flowered top is by Photographer Jeremiah Drummond. The Second picture of her with the brown/goldish (with tie) blouse is also by Photographer Jeremiah Drummond.