Four times a year, a group of senior-level black executives meet for breakfast in Sandy Springs.

The two-hour forums are a frank, no-holds-barred discussion on black life in corporate America.

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SEAN DRAKES/Special

Emory Mulling, shown in his garden, says a leadership shortage at the top tier of corporate America creates an opportunity. ‘Many baby boomers … can be very attractive to organizations because of their leadership skills.’

THE EMORY WADE MULLING FILE

• Residence: Sandy Springs
• Family: Wife of 31 years, Kathryn. Daughter Allison, 27, works in the retail industry and son Tyler, 24, is a college student.
• Career Path: Former vice president of human resources at RTC Transportation. He also worked for Genuine Parts Co., Goldkist, Pepsico and Bank South before starting his own firm 22 years ago. From 1995 to 1999, he was president of Lincolnshire International, a global network of career-consulting firms. He's the author of "The Mulling Factor: Get Your Life Back By Taking Control of Your Career."
• Hobbies: He has a collection of about 750 antique walking canes from the 1700s-1800s. "There's history behind each piece." He's also created and tends a Japanese maple tree garden that has 32 trees.
• What you don't know about him: He's an Eagle Scout (so is his son) and a Vietnam War veteran who served in military intelligence.
• Secret desire: To have a nationally syndicated radio show.
• Biggest indulgence: My family. I've taken trips by myself with each child. We go to a lot of activities. My son and I have attended the Final Four, the Masters, Indy 500, World Series and the Rose Bowl.

The forums are the brainchild of Emory Mulling, chairman of The Mulling Corp. The sessions are not connected to Mulling’s executive coaching, career transition and outplacement services business.

“It’s just a networking opportunity,” Mulling said. He hosted the first session five years ago for black women after several black colleagues confided in him about the dearth of networking opportunities for African-Americans.

“We were going to have this one time. But the attendees asked if we could have this quarterly,” Mulling recalled.

The forums have since grown to include a separate session for black men and joint meeting between both sexes.

“One of the biggest benefits is the ability to network with professionals who are dealing with similar challenges in the service industry,” said Denise Lewis, assistant vice president of human resources for the Atlanta region at Chubb & Son Insurance Co. Lewis has participated in the forums since the beginning. “[Emory] will quickly read a situation. I forget that he’s white. He so effortlessly invites the dialogues.”

Mulling, whose clients over the years have included King & Spalding, Intercontinental Hotel and Zep Manufacturing, has broadened his career-shaping efforts to the airwaves. He hosts a live, weekly call-in radio show about the workplace. It touches on everything from gossip, bullies and bad bosses in the workplace to how to write a résumé and ace a job interview.

Q: What have you learned from hosting the forums?

A: I’ve learned a great deal over the years. I have a great appreciation for the challenges of African-Americans in corporate America and their personal lives.

Q: Give some examples?

A: Many African-Americans learn important corporate information through the [office] grapevine, more so than other executives. That’s how they learn about strategic moves within companies. [Often] they’re not invited to social events at people’s homes where a lot of talking is done. There’s [other] stuff I can’t say because then I’d be breaking confidence.

Q: It sounds like it has been an eye-opener for you. How has it helped you in your work as an executive coach and career consultant?

A: I’m more appreciative of some of the challenges African-Americans face and I have had the opportunity to explain this to some of my white friends who may not understand.

Q: So when you’re at cocktail parties and something about race comes up …

A: [Whites] are surprised that I am a white male who would have an interest in [networking forums for blacks].

Q: How has business been?

A: Business has increased in the past year. We’re seeing all levels [of executives]. We deal with all levels of the work force and specialize in upper-middle and senior management. Through the years, we’re seeing more and more females as they hold more management and executive positions. Executive coaching has very much grown through the years in popularity among companies and employees because of shortage of leadership.

Q: The economy has been struggling. What’s your advice to people right now?

A: Always keep your network active. Eighty-five percent [of the jobs] are found from networking.

Q: There’s a pretty grim job-hunting picture out there. What should people do in this tough market?

A: If a person knows how to conduct a career search, which is what we teach, they can be successful. They must know exactly what position they want. They must network effectively to find that position. That means meeting with friends and business contacts. You must be assertive in that area. You must be able to interview effectively to beat your competition.

Q: What’s an effective interview?

A: The most important part of the interview is body language. Most people concern themselves with what they’re going to say. But how you come across, how you present yourself is more important.

Q: What’s lacking at the top tier of corporate America right now?

A: There’s a shortage of leadership. Therefore, baby boomers can be successful. While many baby boomers are concerned about their age, they can be very attractive to organizations because of their leadership skills. Gen Xers aren’t being introduced to leadership skills. So they’re not being developed as leaders. Executive coaching helps that.

Q: What are the biggest mistakes people make when it comes to their careers?

A: They do not have a two- to three-year career plan. So they’re drifting and taking opportunities that only come along, rather than having targeted career goals. I see it all the time at managerial levels of corporate America.

Q: You’ve spent your career helping others shape theirs. What’s next for you?

A: I plan to work until I’m at least 70 or 75, continuing with my company.