Washington Women in Public Relations’ Post

There is an uncomfortable but necessary conversation we need to have about the risks of doing racial equity work as Black women. We need to talk about the lack of respect, protection and support Black women experience in this space, both from those who engage with our work and those who cross reference our experiences to legitimise their own initiatives. We also need to have an honest conversation about who IS able to do this work with minimal risk, namely White men and women, and the lack of challenge and accountability asked of those who gain from the labour and trauma of Black people. Lived experience alone is not expertise, but it IS an important lens that should not be devalued in equity work.

This article speaks volumes. As someone who was just fired by a board after nearly nine years of dedicated service just 3 months before my planned departure, this article speaks to me. The author talks about how Black women leaders are "expected to turn a blind eye to the presence and implications of institutional racism and its impact on herself and other Black people, both within the organization and without." https://lnkd.in/edccCqA8

WE ALL can cultivate environments where black and brown talent can thrive. We have to first acknowledge how we consciously or subconsciously have been conditioned. We have a long way to go that requires significant progress by leadership. Want proof? Just look around your own senior leadership tables or boards. We can’t get complacent.

Reflecting on IWD: I’m often asked what it’s like being a Black woman working in the women’s movement - a movement historically and rightly criticized for being exclusionary. My answer: it’s tough but great, actually. When I meet incredible women apart of the Vital Voices Global Partnership network who are social entrepreneurs, activists, or survivors of gender violence, there’s instantly a sense of shared connection beyond what separates us. As a Black woman with a working-class background, I have built-in empathy from my lived experience. And since I’ve become a part of it, I realize how much Black women, and all women, are needed in this movement to help craft priorities for our future. Our challenges as women have attuned us to the injustices happening to women and families around the world. Empathy is our superpower. We are leading our households, we have a lot to say, our experiences and perspectives matter. In my opinion, we should be using every lever and every movement to advocate for ourselves and our communities. And it’s critical for us to be visible in spaces of power and step forward from behind the scenes. There’s more than enough room for us to jump in. This work needs us all.

Dr. Dorceta E Taylor is the first Senior Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Yale School of the Environment. She was also first Black woman to receive a doctoral degree from that program. In 2014, Taylor authored the most comprehensive report of diversity within the environmental movement, “The State of Diversity in Environmental Organizations.” Her study found a serious lag in the progress of racial, gender, and class diversity within environmental groups and institutions. Learn more about Taylor's landmark report: https://lnkd.in/ey4W6rYk

In Phase 3 of our Black Women's Economic Mobility series, we learn that Black women are incredibly resilient. However, when they are raised to internalize the "strong Black woman" identity, many women learn that they are expected to attend to others' needs first, to put themselves last, and to sacrifice for others' comfort and needs. Learn more with us on our website. https://lnkd.in/gUFxRuNc

This Juneteenth, we celebrate the resilience and achievements of Black communities while reflecting on the ongoing journey toward gender and racial equity. Join us in acknowledging the systemic barriers that Black women continue to face in their pursuit of economic mobility. We invite you to learn with us. Revisit our report, Analysis of Black Women's Historical Labor Trends & Systemic Barriers to Economic Mobility, to discover how systems and policies have long impacted economic outcomes for Black women. https://lnkd.in/g9pMKvTS

Shauna Knox's poignant piece explores the intricacies of Black female leadership in today's workforce. As we reflect on her words, it's essential to consider the impossible dilemma faced by Black women: the choice between drowning in systemic oppression or disappearing by conforming to expectations. In predominantly White spaces, Black women are often pressured to assimilate, to silence their truths, and to ignore the pervasive racism that surrounds them. Those who conform may find temporary success, but at what cost to their identity and integrity? As Shauna eloquently points out, the Angry Black Woman trope serves as a tool to marginalize and silence those who refuse to conform. It's a sobering reminder of the systemic barriers faced by Black women in leadership positions. Moreover, Shauna's analysis extends beyond White-dominated organizations, highlighting the pervasive influence of Whiteness in shaping workplace culture. Even in spaces led by Black women, the pressure to conform to White standards can lead to marginalization and mistreatment. The stories of Kimberly Bryant and Kim R. Ford serve as stark examples of the challenges faced by Black women leaders, both within and outside of predominantly White spaces. Shauna's piece challenges us to confront the realities of Black female leadership and to question the systems that perpetuate inequality. It's a call to action for all of us to advocate for equity and justice in our workplaces and beyond. As we navigate these complex issues, let's remember the importance of amplifying Black voices, supporting Black leaders, and dismantling the systems of oppression that continue to hold them back. #SupportBlackWomen #Equity #Race #Inclusion #Leadership #LeadBoston

As someone that hopes to have a PhD one day, any time I have the opportunity to help out with someone's research I do it, because one day I will be asking for this same type of support. If you are a black woman please consider taking this survey to help this researcher better understand the Strong Black Woman and self care among Black women. It took me less than 10 minutes to complete the survey. #strongblackwomanschema #selfcare

The world continuously fails to recognize the value and humanity of Black women. It's disheartening to navigate through the constant barrage of misogynoir saturating social media platforms. Whether it's contentious debates over the worth of figures like Amanda Seales, or the callous exchanges among rappers regarding their impact on Black women and girls, the exhaustion is palpable. These pervasive stereotypes surrounding Black women's bodies persist both within and outside our community. As Professor William 'Lez' Henry astutely notes, our reality is often depicted as "‘othered’, dehumanized, subjugated, and misrepresented." The array of caricatures—from the Jezebel to the Sapphire, the Angry Black Woman to the Mammy—have shaped harmful narratives that influence how people perceive and engage with us. It's not surprising, then, that incidents like Drew Barrymore's recent misstep, wherein she invoked the Mammy trope, occur. This mistake is particularly galling considering the Mammy stereotype has historically served the interests of mainstream white America, from the era of enslavement to the present day. Black women continually pour our love and labor into the world, yet too often, it remains unreciprocated. We're exhausted from constantly juggling roles and expectations, only to find that our efforts are undervalued and overlooked. As a Black woman who invested time and energy in crafting this message, I implore you to reciprocate this appreciation by acknowledging the struggles we face and actively working towards a more equitable and inclusive world.