When searching for a new role, one simple action I always encourage the women of color I coach to take to determine if the company will be a good fit is to look at the leadership on their website. If you can count the number of people of color on their team on one hand, chances are, it won’t be a safe place for you to work.
Data backs this up, too, and especially new research from Harvard which explores how Black women working on Whiter teams often have less favorable outcomes in their career experiences. In a study of over 9,000 new hires at a professional services firm, significant racial turnover and promotion gaps were found. Black women were the only race-gender group whose turnover and promotion was negatively impacted by White coworkers, and they were more likely to be labeled as low performers.
While the study specifically focused on Black women, and across racial demographics they do indeed have the harshest outcomes on Whiter teams, the findings still line up with the experiences that women of color across the board are having at work. This is particularly true in the nonprofit sector, where women of color experience recurring microaggressions and racial barriers shortly after being hired for a new role.
Part of the work of ShiftED is of course leading organizations to develop a strategic, implementable, and effective DEI plan, but for the purpose of this week’s blog post, we’ll focus on the lived experiences of women of color in predominantly White work spaces, and the strategies and tools they can deploy to protect themselves in such an environment.
Prioritize Self-Care
While skills like managing up and advocating for yourself are important, it is not your job as a woman of color to be the fixer or savior of a predominantly White workspace.
Constantly fighting and defending yourself against microaggressions or trying to prove your worth on a daily basis to people who don’t know your middle name is a recipe for burnout, anxiety, and depression. Instead, prioritize you. What kind of routine do you need to establish that will leave you feeling your most energized and balanced self? What activities or people bring you the most joy that you can increase the amount of time you dedicate to them?
Self-care is not just a new age term: it is a radical act of self-preservation. And as women of color working in predominantly White spaces, it is crucial that you prioritize you when your 9-5 will not. Whether it’s taking a walk during the day or breaks when you need them to re energize, again, prioritize you!
Create and Enforce Healthy Boundaries
Boundaries can feel scary for women of color whose autonomy and agency have historically been denied to us, but they are essential for self-preservation in White-dominated environments. Boundaries are a way of protecting ourselves, and teaching others how to treat and interact with us in a way that best honors us. Boundaries are not selfish; again, they are acts of radical self-preservation and protection.
In professional spaces, boundaries can look like:
Setting working hours that honor and help you balance your personal and work obligations, such as not working before or after a certain hour.
Not responding to work emails or requests during vacation or paid time off.
Not sharing personal information, gossiping, or engaging in negativity, even if it is the dominant culture at your place of work.
Develop a Strong Support System
While having advocates in your corner on the job is important, having a team that supports you off the clock is incredibly valuable, too. Whether it’s working with a career coach through ShiftED or having a trusted mentor, former colleague, sorority sister, or friend you can turn to, women of color need people in their corner cheering them on when navigating their careers.
White-dominated spaces have the tendency to make women of color question ourselves, and surrounding yourself with people who know you well and want the best for you is crucial for your well-being and success.
Always Have an Exit Plan
While I can’t tell my coaching clients to leave their jobs, I can tell them to always have an exit plan on-hand. That can take on a few forms:
Never stop searching for a job: Even after you accept a new role, keep your eyes open for new opportunities. Take informational interviews, network with people at your other target companies, and continue to create a career you can truly enjoy.
Consider building up a stream of income outside of your primary job: Entrepreneurship as a full-time enterprise may not be everyone’s ministry, but consider what skills you have that you can upsell. Small contracts can add up to a significant safety net to sustain you through layoffs, or when the White Supremacy Culture becomes too much to carry and you have to pivot on short notice.
White dominated spaces were not created with women of color in mind, and until your organization begins to live its’ DEI values from the inside out, it’s crucial to implement some of the tactics discussed above. To get more tailored support on your journey, schedule a consultation with ShiftED today!
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