Since we launched the Black Leadership Academy in September 2020, we have enrolled over 18,000 participants from over 500 organizations, and we welcome new participants every month. Creating Black Leadership Academy is one of McKinsey's 10 Actions toward racial justice and equity. McKinsey Academy has made this award-winning leadership program available at no cost to help accelerate the progression of underrepresented talent in corporate America.

Being the "only" in a room, on a team, or in the workplace at large is not an uncommon experience for Black executives. Participants discuss the challenges posed by a lack of representation—and the importance of creating more inclusive and diverse organizations.

Participants from both the Black Executive Leadership Program and Management Accelerator talk about the power of being with and building community with other Black leaders, learning new capabilities, and expanding relationships and networks with their cohorts.

From finding different mentors to challenging the status quo, participants talk about how they've found their way in their careers. They talk about where their growth has come from and leading by example today.