Mildred Black is the Founder and CEO of People Optimum Consulting, a minority-owned and Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) with over 20 years of Human Resources experience.  She specializes in people+culture transformations, facilitated learning experiences, and leadership development. She has helped thousands of leaders with strategy, labor law, diversity equity & inclusion, leadership, and workplace nuances. She spent 15 years as a top Human Resources executive for large, public, and private sectors. She led organizational initiatives to enhance employee experience, communications, technology, organizational development, and operational performance. She has partnered with Fortune 500, high-tech, and publicly traded organizations, such as Mercedes-Benz, Amazon, Stride, Galvanize, Allstate, Target, Centene, and many other international, domestic, and non-profit organizations. Mildred was a featured co-author and Amazon #1 Best Seller in the book Speaking My Truth. She is a member of The John Maxwell Team and SHRM Recertification Provider.

 

Mildred is a speaker, lecturer, and storyteller who has addressed audiences at professional events across the country and internationally. In addition, Mildred is a media contributor. In 2021, The Wall Street Journal recognized Mildred as a Diversity+Business expert. Mildred has appeared as a contributor in The Wall Street Journal, and she has been a featured guest on ABC and Fox News. She earned her Executive MBA in Business Leadership from Georgia State University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from The University of Alabama. In addition, Mildred has studied Strategy at Harvard Extension School. Mildred is a certified Senior Human Resources Professional through the Society of Human Resources Management and Human Resources Certification Institute.

 

Mildred is passionate about advancing her profession and community. Her service includes the 2021 President of West Alabama SHRM Chapter, 2021 Chairperson of the Diverse Business Council of West Alabama, 2021-2024 Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama. In addition, she has spent over 20 years in community organizing and service to women, children, and the homeless.

 

Her upbringing, experience, and love for human potential shaped her unique perspective on people and culture were the motivations for this book. Mildred developed a people+culture framework, which she uses to help organizations clarify and overcome their toughest challenges which are usually rooted in people and the culture.