Barbara Furlow-Smiles
San Francisco, CA USA
"Be open to opportunities and know that your mind may change. What won’t change is inherently what is inside of you...Do your work and pay it forward."
Career Roadmap
Barbara's work combines: Business, Technology, and Upholding a Cause and Belief
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
Diversity is challenging. It would be really easy if everyone thought the same, but they don't. Working in this field, there is a lot to overcome, whether it is convincing people that it is worthwhile to talk about or making sure that everyone feels included. I try to find the beauty in intersectionality and how different groups can work together for a common purpose. You have to be open to all people and their perspectives. It's all about behavior change, which is always hard won.
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Political Science and Government, General
Spelman College
Bachelor's Degree
International Relations and Affairs
Spelman College
Graduate Degree
Public Administration
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
I was born in California, but raised in Texas—my experiences with racism as a teenager inspired me to help other people feel included.
2.
Attended Spelman College where I received my degree in political science and international relations with the goal of one day working in government in Washington, D.C.
3.
During my junior year, I studied abroad in South Africa and volunteered abroad in Costa Rica.
4.
After returning to the U.S., I decided to switch my focus from political science to communications and media.
5.
My first internship out of college was working for MTV where I was able to work on projects with VH1 and BET—this is what first sparked my interest in a career in diversity.
6.
Got a job working for Viacom in New York City as the Diversity & Employee Resource Group Project Manager.
7.
Moved to Atlanta, GA to start my family and worked for Cox Communications for a few years.
8.
After being an active user on LinkedIn promoting my work in diversity, Facebook reached out to me and offered me a job—I'm now their Global Diversity & Inclusion Engagement Leader.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Society in general:
Diversity can be messy. Is it really that important?
How I responded:
Diversity is challenging. It would be really easy if everyone thought the same, but they don't. Working in this field, there is a lot to overcome, whether it is convincing people that it is worthwhile to talk about or making sure that everyone feels included. I try to find the beauty in intersectionality and how different groups can work together for a common purpose. You have to be open to all people and their perspectives. It's all about behavior change, which is always hard won.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
After my study abroad experience, I switched my focus from political science to communications and digital media. I had to refocus a lot of my goals, but I tried to stay open to opportunities and let that guide me.
I struggled with this a lot in my high school years. I felt like I didn't have a voice. I just had to figure out where I fit in and belonged.
When my family moved to Texas, I faced a lot of racism. I eventually realized I didn't want to be a "victim", so I started the first minority heritage club at my high school.