Recently I surveyed a select group of corporate Black women about their experience across industries and levels from healthcare to DEI to consulting amongst others, in business for themselves or some combination of the two… with the intention of talking to ~5 people. However, I got much more than I had hoped for — candid and insightful responses, eager participants grateful to be heard and acknowledged and much more.

One question asked was….

“What do you find frustrating about being a Black woman. in the current corporate environment? “

Whew 😥

Response highlights included:

❌Micro dosing of professional invalidation and microaggressions

❌Repeated gaslighting

❌Lack of responsibility and accountability from your leadership and/or HR

❌Pervasiveness of overwork

❌Perceived influence, leadership positions and DEI roles put a more of a 🎯on you and create more polarized actions which can lead to unsafe environments — think job security, generational wealth, performance evaluations potentially in jeopardy.

Here are 4 ways to combat this day to day struggle…

💪🏽Curate your own power network of internal and external allies and sponsors that can vouch and support your cause with their influence (note: NOT MENTORS)

💪🏽Normalize time to process and reset often

💪🏽Protect your peace and prioritize your agency