Paula T. Edgar, Esq. is Founder & CEO of an executive coaching and diversity consulting firm.
She provides strategies to organizations, to help with diversity efforts and workplace harassment prevention. Paula is very involved in social justice initiatives with a focus on African Americans and women in particular.
She is currently President of the Metropolitan Black Bar Association (MBBA), New York State’s largest Black bar association.
Describe the work you’re doing to fight discrimination against women:
As a lawyer and consultant, I work with organizations across sectors on implementing diversity, equity and inclusion strategies, beginning with an assessment. Working with leaders, human resources teams and diversity professionals, I provide guidance based on best practices to create organizational cultures that have policies and procedures to advance equity and hold people accountable for their actions.
As the President of the Metropolitan Black Bar Association (MBBA), the largest black bar association in New York state, I lead efforts in collaboration with our committees and sections to inform and equip attorneys and members of the public about discrimination laws and other efforts to combat bias for women and other protected classes under federal, state and local EEO laws.
As a diversity consultant and trainer, I educate individuals and teams on a variety of topics including sexual harassment prevention, implicit bias, negotiation strategies and branding to inform and empower attendees.
What do you love most about being a woman?
I love being a Black woman because we are innovative, smart, supportive, resourceful and loving.
Have you had to deal with much sexism in your industry?
Yes. In addition to seeing blatant disparities in opportunities, engagement, and support of women lawyers generally, as a Black woman, I have experienced biased interactions, microaggressions and being undervalued because of my race and gender.
Do you belong to any organizations catered to women business owners?
My company, PGE LLC is a certified New York City and New York State Minority and Minority and Women Business Enterprise and receive support and community building opportunities based on the status. I am also a member of the Association of Black Women Attorneys, and I am former honoree and Writer in Residence for Ms. JD. Both organizations serve women attorneys support their different career trajectories, including entrepreneurship.
Who or what inspires you most?
I am most inspired by my mother, Joan Donna Griffith. She was killed in the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Upholding her legacy and creating my own impact drives me every day.
Something about you that would surprise us:
Not a lot because I’m very transparent on social media, however, some may not know that I collect elephant figurines, I love statement/graphic t-shirts and I was a contestant on Wheel of Fortune!
Advice for women entrepreneurs:
When it gets hard, keep going! It’s okay to have lulls but push through when it gets hard. My business tagline is “Engage Your Hustle ® “ because no matter how great we are, we can all be better and that next level is where success lives.
