BL A C K
2021
Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility
LEADERS Worth Watching
TM
Education: Bachelor of Business Management, University of Montevallo; Graduate Certificate, George Washington University Columbian College of Arts and Sciences; Masters of Public Administration (MPA), Harvard Kennedy School Company Name: Curaleaf Industry: Cannabis Company CEO: Joseph Bayern Company Headquarters Location: Wakefield, Massachusetts Number of Employees: 5,200 Your Location (if different from above): Lynn, Massachusetts Words you live by: Whatever door I open, I take the cause of my people with me. Who is your personal hero? African Descendants of Slavery What book are you reading? Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison and Caste: The Origins of our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson What was your first job? Newspaper route Favorite charity: National Public Radio Interests: Travel and cooking Family: Proud mother of 4 sons and 7 grandchildren
Be Resourceful. Get it Done Black leaders are often negatively perceived as “gatekeepers.” But, many times, that just means they are trying to create opportunities for the next person of color, while not making any mistakes that could affect their chances. It’s a large, important load to carry, and one that I’m very passionate about. My current role as vice president of corporate social responsibility at Curaleaf allows me to create opportunities for AfricanAmericans in cannabis, a goal to which I am dedicated. The racist War on Drugs incarcerated thousands of African-Americans, harming families and neighborhoods, and creating systemic barriers and stigma within cannabis and the black community. As a leading international provider of cannabis, we at Curaleaf understand our responsibility to prioritize equity and help repair the social effects of the drug war. My background as a black, queer woman from the South, working in cannabis, has presented many
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2021 Fourth Quarter
challenges for me. When you break barriers, and continue doing so, you must adopt resilience, which I’ve used as currency to help myself and others. If you are the only black person in the room, it’s your responsibility to help that end with you. When I first started, I thought it was great and an honor to be the first, but it really isn’t. We have to do better. I lead Curaleaf’s Rooted in Good program, which has developed several initiatives to help provide equitable opportunities for the next generation of cannabis professionals. During the pandemic, we developed the Executive Roundtable Mentorship Program, where mentees participate in comprehensive, personalized mentoring with a veteran cannabis professional. We have also made an overarching commitment to diversifying the industry through our 420x25 Supplier Diversity Initiative. By 2025, Curaleaf will partner with 420 diverse suppliers and ancillary brands, to help create sustainable economic opportunities
for minorities in cannabis. Personally, I have two mentees that I am positioning for success. Mentorship and sponsorship are crucial. I was able to move from an activist/ consultant role to where I am now only because people positioned me to be successful. I say this all the time, even in interviews, I have 30 minutes for anyone looking to find their place and success in the industry. I’d like to offer three tangible pieces of advice for up-and-coming black professionals to take with them. First, get comfortable with networking outside your circle. I love minority-identified professional organizations; but, you should also diversify your networking and head to places like the golf course. Second, read leadership books by individuals with diverse, global backgrounds. Finally, move beyond identity politics. Be exceptional every time, regardless of who you’re working with and how you can immediately relate to them. Be resourceful. Get it done.
www.diversityjournal.com
AWARD
Khadijah Tribble
