Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Linda Wiley Bing.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was born in the Marcy Housing Projects in Brooklyn, New York, the youngest of four children. When I was five years old, my parents moved us to a single-family home in a black middle-class neighborhood. From the fifth grade through high school, I attended private schools. I skipped the 12th grade and graduated high school at the age of 16 as valedictorian of the graduating class. I applied to five colleges and was accepted to them all. I decided to attend Smith College in North Hampton, Massachusetts, which was one of the seven sister schools at that time. The Black Student Alliance had a program for incoming first-year students of color.
The program was called Bridge and took place during the two weeks immediately prior to the start of the semester. I attended and all I really remember about the program, besides making new friends and the enlightenment I received, was one question that has helped shape my life and probably my career. That question was something like, “do you identify more as a woman or as black”? I’d be willing to bet that no one reading these words has ever been asked to dissect themselves in that way, especially at such a young age. I believe that on some level, that experience contributed to me becoming a subject matter expert in diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as the work that I do coaching and empowering women under the “Dr.Linda” brand.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
You know the saying, “no pain, no gain.” That sums it up. Look at the state of diversity in America today. Black people have been fighting for freedom in America ever since the first slave ship arrived. And our civil rights are still in jeopardy today. As a people, we are at risk of having our voting rights suppressed again. Women, particularly black women, face discrimination more than any other group because of the injustices against blacks and the injustices against women. We face discrimination more than any other ethnic/gender group when it comes to employment, pay, healthcare, mortality, and more. So no. As a black woman, the road has not been smooth. Add to that some of the other challenges of life. I am a certified relationship specialist and most of my education in that area came from life – divorce, single motherhood, low self-esteem, struggling to hold onto my home, re-entering the dating world over 40, rebuilding a career, and more. But, I believe that whatever the Lord has for us to teach, He cuts us with it first. Put another way; you cannot lead in areas where you do not bleed. So, I am grateful for the bleeding because it helped put me at the top of my game.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Turning Point Leadership Group?
Turning Point Leadership Group LLS is a full-service performance improvement firm that specializes in diversity, equity, inclusion, and leadership. Because these disciplines require empowerment and relationship management, we provide offerings in those areas as well. We develop and deliver interventions (strategic planning, training, coaching, evaluation) for organizations of all sizes in the U.S. and abroad. The organization was founded by CEO Dr. Linda Wiley Bing, whose training programs won an award from The Society for Human Resource Management. Her viewpoints are often sought out as a conference keynote speaker and presenter. And, they have been aired on several radio and TV talk shows, as well as the CBS Evening News. What sets us apart from other experts in this arena is: I studied DEI at the PhD level, worked as an internal practitioner and as an external consultant. I am a certified diversity executive and a certified relationship specialist. That is key because inclusion work is based on a foundation of relationships. As an organization, we are proud and honored to play a part in helping to improve the quality of life for so many people.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I am the author of Tame Your Tongue & Transform Your Relationship. I was the first and recurring co-host of Love & Relationships with Joyce Littel and Dr. Linda Owens on Atlanta’s V103. And, I am a speaker in the Les Brown Speakers Network. Because I did the work for myself that I now help other women do, I am happily re-married. I have two grown sons and one bonus daughter through marriage. I am also a new “Gigi” (grandmother).
Contact Info:
- Email: DrLinda@TurningPointLG.com
- Website: www.TurningPointLG.com and www.DrLinda.com
- Instagram: thedrlinda
- Facebook: thedrlinda
- Twitter: DrLinda
- Youtube: Dr Linda Wiley
