A Year-End Thank You and Message from Diamond Strategies
"Inspiring, Achieving, and Celebrating Organizational Excellence, Social Responsibility, and Impact"
Thank you from our Founder and CEO, Dr. Matthew C. Whitaker
As this year draws to a close, our team wishes to extend heartfelt thanks for the trust, partnership, and goodwill you have shared with us. Your confidence in our work allows us to do what we do best, and it is a privilege to support your mission and serve alongside you.
In a year marked by change and challenge, your collaboration has been a source of purpose and inspiration. We are deeply grateful for the projects we have undertaken together, the conversations that have sharpened our thinking, and the opportunities you have given us to help create more equitable, resilient, innovative, and socially responsible organizations and communities.
As we look ahead, we remain committed to providing you with thoughtful partnership, excellent service, and work that reflects our shared values. May this holiday season bring you rest, joy, and time with those who matter most, and may the coming year be filled with health, possibility, and continued success.
With sincere appreciation,
Dr. Matthew C. Whitaker
Founder and CEO
Diamond Strategies, LLC.
__________
"Restoring Joy: A Mental Reset for the Holidays"
"The holiday season is often described as 'the most wonderful time of the year,' yet many people quietly experience something very different, writes Crista Mathew. "The pressure to feel joyful can collide with financial stress, year-end deadlines, complex family dynamics, or the ache of missing someone beloved. For some, December's celebrations—from Christmas to Hanukkah to Diwali to the turning of a new year—bring warmth and connection. For others, they highlight exhaustion, imbalance, or grief..." Indeed, "neuroscience shows that joy isn't something we stumble into—it's something we can cultivate. And a powerful way to do that is to create a mental reset before the season sweeps us away. A reset doesn't mean ignoring real challenges. It means intentionally shifting our internal state so joy becomes more available, grounded, and genuine. ." Read more HERE.
"Your 'Buy Black Gift Guide'"
"You've heard the statistics: The Black community wields $1.7 trillion in spending power. Black women are the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs. Securing funding is disproportionately difficult for Black-owned businesses, be it credit from banks or support from investors. Now it's time for consumers to put our money and support where our mouths are. As some companies pull back on the commitments they made to our community, let's advocate with our dollars and support those who support us. Whether you're treating yourself or a loved one, NAACP staff have some of their favorite Black-owned businesses this holiday season—and beyond. From athletic and collegiate to global designs, Black-owned brands are using culture to outfit our communities. Buying Black is important because it channels everyday spending into Black-owned businesses, which helps close the racial wealth gap, strengthens local economies, and supports community self-determination." Read more HERE.
"Shop Native: ICT's Holiday Shopping Guide"
"Clothes, books, art, jewelry, food, wine, olive oil and more are available this holiday season if you know where to buy Native," writes Sandra Hale Schulman. "Is it better to give or receive for the holidays? We say both. Indian Country is a big place and it's always fun—and supportive—to shop at holiday craft markets where you live. But it's a good season to expand your gift-giving horizons and find unusual items from other parts of this great big Turtle Island. We've rounded up gift items available coast to coast, online and in stores, some from tribes, some from individual artists. There are blankets, teepee handbags, 'Dark Winds' clothing, tribal wines, bison bars, books, and sage bundles. So, this holiday season, whatever you and your tribe celebrate, buy Native and support small business. That's a gift that keeps on giving year-round. Here is a broad guide to some of the best gifts in Indian Country, available in person, online, or both." Read more HERE.
"2025 Disability Holiday Gift Guide"
"Well . . . 2025 happened," writes Emily Ladau. "The world continues to be in fiery chaos, sure, but we can absolutely still embrace joy—which I did, because I got married this year! And now, somehow, it's time for one of my favorite holiday traditions: putting out the annual Disability Holiday Gift Guide along with my friend Kate Caldwell, a nationally recognized consultant on disability entrepreneurship. I started doing this in 2014, and here we are all these years later, sharing the work of disabled entrepreneurs, disabled writers, and disability-led organizations. Since then, it's been so much fun to hear about all of the gifts people find, and to see more disability gift guides popping up every year. Here's hoping you find something in this year's guide that sparks joy!" Read more HERE.
__________
Diamond Strategies is a Better Business Bureau A+ rated, NSDMC-certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and the 2022 Best of Tempe Consultant Award winner. We are a trend-setting firm specializing in organizational excellence, social responsibility and impact, and community relations. Our partnerships span Fortune 500 companies across the United States, Europe, Africa, and China.
Our services include HR and EEO support, organizational audits, strategic planning, facilitation, and training, including industry-leading Training-of-Trainers (TOT), Interest-Based Resolution (IBR), mediation, motivational speaking, community relations, and thought leadership. Our consultants are distinguished, globally experienced experts serving schools, nonprofits, corporations, faith-based organizations, municipalities, and community groups. Our mission is to be your partner in maximizing human and institutional potential. For questions, contact us via email at info@dstrategiesllc.com or call 480-252-0639.
Questions? Contact us here: Diamond Strategies or call us at 480-252-0639.
Images: iStock; AdobeStock.com; NAACP, Matthew C. Whitaker
Diamond Strategies, LLC.
2025