Che Blackmon
CEO, CBC | Fractional HR for startups + developing AI culture analytics | 24 yrs Fortune 500 HR leadership | DBA candidate | Let's grow together
Founder & CEO · Dearborn Heights, Michigan, US
Open to advisory
Engineering & Tech · Team & Hiring · Operations & Finance · Leadership & Strategy
Makes warm intros to
5
Hours / month
About Che
I'm Che' Blackmon, founder and CEO of Che' Blackmon Consulting (CBC), providing fractional HR leadership to growth-stage startups while developing Michigan's first AI-powered culture transformation platform.
With 24+ years of progressive HR leadership across Fortune 500 companies in manufacturing, automotive, healthcare, retail, fast-food, and non-profit sectors, I bring enterprise-level expertise to startups who need strategic HR guidance without the full-time executive price tag. I've led culture transformations that achieved 9% increases in employee engagement, 60% improvements in safety metrics, and measurable retention gains across diverse industries.
I'm currently pursuing my Doctor of Business Administration in Organizational Leadership at National University, translating cutting-edge research into practical application by building an AI-powered analytics platform designed to predict employee turnover 3-6 months in advance—giving founders the foresight to retain their best talent before they start looking elsewhere.
What I offer through CBC:
• Immediate HR Support: Fractional CHRO services including culture foundation, compliance frameworks, hiring systems, retention strategies, and leadership coaching
• Strategic Partnership Opportunity: For select startups, I offer discounted/equity-based HR services in exchange for piloting my AI culture analytics platform
• Proven Track Record: Two decades of solving the exact people challenges you're facing—from first hires to scaling teams
I'm a published author of three leadership books including "High-Value Leadership: Transforming Organizations Through Purposeful Culture" and "Rise & Thrive: A Black Woman's Blueprint for Leadership Excellence." I host the twice-weekly podcast "Unlock, Empower, Transform with Che' Blackmon" and run the "Rise & Thrive" YouTube series.
I'm looking to connect with:
- Startup founders (20-200 employees) who need fractional HR leadership to build/scale culture strategically
- Tech-forward startups interested in piloting AI-powered culture analytics—let's solve your retention challenges together while building something revolutionary
- Fractional executives and service providers for referral partnerships and collaborative client solutions
My approach: I believe in partnership-driven growth. If you're a startup with limited cash but big vision, let's talk about creative engagement models (equity + cash, pilot programs, success-based pricing) that align our interests and get you the HR leadership you need to scale successfully.
When I'm not solving HR challenges or building my platform, I serve as Chairman of the Build Our Economic Wealth committee for my sorority chapter and study the Detroit Lions' turnaround as a masterclass in culture transformation.
Let's connect if: You need strategic HR guidance to prevent costly people mistakes OR you're interested in being an early adopter of predictive culture analytics that could give you an unfair advantage in the war for talent.
Company
Che Blackmon Consulting (CBC)
cheblackmon.com
I help startups avoid the expensive people mistakes that kill growth.
After 24+ years leading HR at Fortune 500 companies, I've seen it all—bad hires that cost six figures, culture problems that tank productivity, compliance issues that lead to lawsuits. Now I bring that expertise to startups as a fractional CHRO through CBC.
You get strategic HR leadership without the full-time price tag. Culture building, hiring systems, retention strategies, leadership coaching—all the people infrastructure you need to scale successfully.
Plus, I'm building an AI platform that predicts which employees will leave before they do. If you're interested in piloting it, I offer significantly discounted HR services in exchange.
I understand startup constraints because I'm building my business too. Let's talk about what works for your budget—monthly retainers, project work, equity deals, whatever gets you the HR support you need.
Funding Stage
Pre-Seed
Funding Raised
None/Bootstrapped
Team Size
1-5 employees
Annual Revenue
$0 to $100k
Founded
2023
Industry
Services
Skills
Change Management
Led successful organizational transitions including 300+ employee transfers, plant startups, and culture transformations during periods of rapid growth and change.
HR Policy Development
Create practical, enforceable policies that protect your company while supporting your culture. Balance compliance requirements with startup flexibility.
Organizational Culture Transformation
Proven track record driving measurable culture change—9% engagement increases, 60% safety improvements. I help startups build intentional cultures that support hypergrowth instead of hindering it.
Fractional HR Leadership
24+ years providing strategic HR guidance to companies from 20-600+ employees. I bring Fortune 500 expertise to startups who need C-level HR thinking without the full-time cost. I'm open to creative engagement models based on what makes sense for your stage: • Cash retainer for immediate fractional CHRO services • Equity + reduced cash for deeper co-founder level partnership • Pilot partnerships (discounted/equity) to test my AI platform • One-time projects for specific deliverables • Revenue share for companies where I can directly impact growth I'm building my business while you're building yours—let's find an arrangement where we both win.
Compensation & Benefits Strategy
Design total rewards programs that attract and retain talent within startup budget constraints. Expert at creative compensation including equity arrangements.
Startup HR Infrastructure
Built HR from scratch at a 400+ person joint venture startup. I know what startups need at every stage—from first employee handbook to scaling to 200+ people.
Partnership-Driven Approach
I'm building my business too—I understand startup constraints and am open to creative engagement models (equity, pilots, flexible terms). We grow together.
Predictive Analytics for HR
DBA candidate specializing in using behavioral science and data analytics to quantify culture ROI and predict employee turnover. Bridging the gap between traditional HR and AI-powered insights.