Home: Greenville, SC. Profession: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) practitioner; entrepreneur, consultant. Organization: Nika White Consulting. Title: President and CEO. Pronouns: She/Her/Hers. Significant other: My life partner, Carlo White, father to our two beautiful adult kids and fur baby, bichon fries. Alma mater: University of South Carolina (B.A.); University of Phoenix (Master of Education, Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership).
Current project: Carlo and Nika White Foundation. Recent recognition: 50 Most Influential Hall of Fame by Greenville Business Magazine. Recent professional development: Intentional Conversations Vodcast, a weekly podcast that I host intersecting conversations of diversity, equity and inclusion with leadership and business. Latest accomplishment: Release of my third book, Inclusion Uncomplicated: A Transformative Guide to Simplify DEI, in partnership with Forbes Books. Hobbies: Traveling with family, home décor, writing. Recent travel or adventure: Multi-city tour in Italy in 2022 for my 25th wedding anniversary. Last book read: The Waymakers, by Tara Jaye Frank .
Personality profile: Maximizer, ambivert, intentional. How do you define a perfect friendship? As the Bible defines it: “Friends are people who make it easier to live the gospel of Jesus Christ.” In this sense, seeking another person's highest good is the essence of true friendship. How do you define an ideal business relationship? Trust, accountable, partner, collaborative. What is your greatest joy? My husband and children. What is your guilty pleasure? Investigative TV shows. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Journalism. What is at the top of your bucket list? A gap year to travel the world with my husband when I turn 50. What is your go-to workout? Cardio mixed with weight training, or, whatever my personal trainer tells me to do.
What was your first paying job? As a cashier at Winn Dixie. What was your favorite childhood toy or game? Atari. What book have you repeatedly read? From Good to Great, by Jim Collins. What movie have you repeatedly watched? The Black Panther. What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? Zoom, which I use it all the time in my business. What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? Some of the brilliant people and influencers I follow on social media, specifically on LinkedIn.
What is your big idea?
The issues of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) may appear complex, but they don’t have to be. Inclusive environments begin with each of us showing up and doing our part. Demystifying DEI concepts leads to making a real difference right now. We need to uncomplicate DEI to put us on a path of a transformational journey, from personal transformation to organizational change and societal impact.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field? To grow Intentional Inclusionists® and make DEI practical so that organizations can shift systems in support of cultivating a culture of belonging and move to the next level of the DEI journey. What change would you like to see in the world? Equity. What mega-trend most excites you? Distributed workforce.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? Life Uncomplicated. What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Kerry Washington. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? My mother-in-love, who passed March of 2022 from cancer. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? Serving those less fortunate, with my family alongside me. What advice would you give your younger self? Enjoy the process of growth. What day in your life would you choose to re-live? The day my husband proposed to me. I need a do-over! What period in your life would you do differently, if you could? My twenties.
Personal mission: A commitment to Christ and my ministry calling to create a society that values, diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. Personal motto: Be intentional. Favorite quote: “Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon” (Paul Brandt). Desired epitaph: She loved, she laughed, she lived!
