ACG Cleveland Black History Month spotlight
WP
I am deeply honored to be featured by ACG Cleveland in their Black History Month spotlight. This recognition not only highlights my professional journey and the work we do at Parker Revenue Growth Strategies & UBIZ Venture Capital but also underscores our collective commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to advance and have their voices heard. Thank you, ACG Cleveland, for this esteemed acknowledgment.
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ACG Cleveland is excited to introduce you to our Black History spotlight this week: William H. Parker, Founder and Chief Revenue and Restructuring Officer of Parker Revenue Growth Strategies, and Executive in Residence for UBIZ Venture Capital.
“DEI means that everyone has the ability to earn a seat at the table, and have the ability to have their voices heard. To me, it also means that I champion the advancement of minorities and women who have been marginalized by systemic placism to participate in the advancement of their career endeavors.”
ACG: How long have you been in your current role?
William: I have served as the Chief Revenue and Restructuring Officer for Parker Revenue Growth Strategies for over 20 years. We have turned around over 30 companies that has resulted in intelligent exits and or acquisitions of add-on companies for accretive growth.
ACG: How has DEI impacted your professional life? Have there been any negative effects?
William: When I started my career in the retail business, DEI was called affirmative action, which was/is the practice or policy of favoring individuals belonging to groups regarded as disadvantaged or subject to discrimination. In the retail business, performance is the driver of promotions coupled with additional responsibilities.
The negativity of affirmative action was that some people thought I was being promoted because of my race instead of my results. Over time, I was regarded as a superior executive who had a knack for fixing broken billion-dollar companies and restoring them to health. That trait overcame the obstacles of being a Black American.
ACG: What do you personally do to better understand the perspectives of colleagues from different backgrounds?
William: During my professional career, I have traveled to over 30 countries around the world to source manufacturing capabilities in order to produce the best consumer products for American consumption. The culture of Japan is different than China, Scotland is different from England, and Texans are really different from Californians. That extensive travel enabled me to open my eyes and mind towards the acceptance of other’s diverse and different ways of thinking along with cultural differences.
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It is with heartfelt gratitude that I receive this honor from ACG Cleveland; it's a beacon of progress in our ongoing journey towards a more inclusive and diverse future in the business world. Thank you for celebrating this legacy during Black History Month and for fostering an environment where diversity thrives and every achievement is shared.