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The She Financial Officer (SheFO)Program: Why Representation and Empowerment Are More Important Than Ever

Writer's picture: Erington BoydErington Boyd

Updated: Feb 3

In recent years, the conversation surrounding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) has been at the forefront of corporate and governmental initiatives. These programs have opened doors, created opportunities, and fostered meaningful change in workplaces across industries. However, with recent political decisions to end DEI programs in the federal government—and major corporations following suit by scaling back their efforts—we’re witnessing a troubling shift.


This shift is puzzling, even alarming. As a business owner, one thing I know for certain is that the decisions made in boardrooms hold the power to shape not only profit margins but also the communities we live in and the world we aspire to create. DEI programs were more than just policies; they were commitments to building a more inclusive and equitable future. So why the sudden pullback?


Were these programs implemented merely because they were "required"? Did the decision-makers truly believe they held no value in sustaining their bottom line or driving growth? These questions have been swirling in my mind. And as I reflect, I can’t help but wonder: what does this mean for the future? Could this trickle down into broader systemic changes—ones that could even impact my own business and others like it?


As I sat with these thoughts, planning the next steps for The Black Diamond Accounting Group, I was reminded of my purpose and why I started this business in the first place. Representation still matters. There remains a significant lack of Black male and female professionals in finance and accounting, particularly in corporate America. This gap is even more pronounced for small business owners of color, who face unique challenges in building, growing, and scaling their businesses. These challenges often stem from a lack of financial knowledge, limited access to capital, and an absence of platforms that allow them to push their businesses forward.


Many small business owners of color start their ventures out of necessity—because the process of landing a fair and equitable job proved grueling. Countless rejections, underlying biases, and the often-toxic treatment faced in traditional workplaces drive talented individuals to create their own opportunities. But entrepreneurship comes with its own hurdles, and the barriers they face don’t disappear once they start their businesses.


While scrolling through resources one day, I came across a post that stopped me in my tracks. It said: “It’s not enough to just learn the skill; you must use the skill to elevate, to build, to teach others, and to create opportunities for the next generation.” This message spoke to me deeply. It reminded me of why I created the She Financial Officer (SheFO) program.


The SheFO program was born out of the realization that more needed to be done. It wasn’t enough to provide financial services like bookkeeping, tax planning, and projections—it had to be about transformation. The program is designed to help women-owned businesses understand their finances, but more importantly, to empower them to see beyond the numbers. It’s about showing women how to take the skills they’ve perfected and leverage them to impact their families, communities, and the world.


The recent pullbacks in DEI programs are a reminder of the challenges we still face, but they also underscore the importance of initiatives like SheFO. When corporations and institutions step back from commitments to inclusion and equity, it becomes even more critical for individuals and smaller organizations to step forward. Through SheFO, we are doing just that.


We are equipping women with the financial tools and strategies they need to succeed, but more importantly, we’re helping them build businesses that last. These businesses can become platforms for representation, for change, and for creating generational wealth. They become a way to say, “I see you” to the next generation of women and show them what’s possible.


This program is more than just a service; it’s a movement. It’s about building a legacy of empowerment, breaking down barriers, and creating opportunities where none existed before. The SheFO program exists because representation matters. It exists because financial empowerment is the key to unlocking so many doors. And it exists because the work isn’t done.


So, if you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by your business finances or questioned how to scale past revenue milestones, know that the SheFO program was created with you in mind. It’s here to provide clarity, confidence, and the strategies you need to not only grow your business but to transform it into a legacy. Together, we can create lasting change—one woman-owned business at a time.


Erington Boyd, CEO & Founder

The Black Diamond Accounting Group

She Builds, She Leads, She Owns - Guiding women to suc


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