Are Black Women Protected In Corporate America?

Women’s History Month is here, and immediately my mind goes to the nomination of the new Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) Nominee, The Honorable Ketanji Brown Johnson (KBJ). When I heard President Joe Biden confirm her nomination, I can confirm to you that my thoughts did not go in the direction you probably think they did, yes, I was excited, but not for long. She is a highly decorated Federal Judge that is overqualified for the position and yes, if confirmed, she will have the title of First Black Female SCOTUS. Knowing that, my mind drifted to the place of sadness and concern because of the experiences of women, specifically Black women within the workplace; especially when we hold the title of FIRST (insert title). 

First Black Woman (Insert Title) Always has it the Hardest

Holding the title of “first to do” seems admirable and powerful and many would think the individual would have the opportunity to blaze their own trail. Well, I can tell you, for Black women, that is not the norm. When we are the first to do something, we are placed under a magnifying glass with zero room for error. Need an example, well, Vice President Kamala Harris is an excellent example. The words that I hear said about her are as follows: she is not doing enough as a government official, she is not a good Vice President, her staff is unhappy, she needs to smile more, her laugh is fake… Oh, did you hear the story about her buying “expensive” cookware while in France (it cost $500). I mean, the list of things that I have heard about her is endless and yet does not mirror the complaints of her white male counterparts (for reference, Dick Chaney). I could also go on and on regarding the different experience of Black women that are “first to do,” oh, one more example before I transition: First Lady Michelle Obama, you all know the horrible things that were said about her as the FIRST BLACK FLOTUS. 

My Smile Turned to Sadness and then Concern

Once KBJ was officially nominated, I sat there in amazement listening to her speech about her parents and the sacrifices they made for her academic and professional success. It reminded me of the numerous sacrifices my husband and I have made to make sure our daughters can have the confidence they need to succeed in this world. Then I said, “OH NO, who is going to protect her?” Let me make this clear, I am not talking physical protection. My mind went back to the numerous positions I’ve been placed in as “the first” or “only” Black woman or even person and the lack of support I’ve had. The way I see it is the sensible portion of the nation will show support of her confirmation, BUT, as time proceeds, support, and protection of her as a Black woman will diminish. 

We Can Start the Repair Process

I honestly wish I was wrong about this, but unfortunately, I am not. As mentioned earlier, being the first is an admirable position and not many people experience it but when a Black woman is given the opportunity she must enter with caution. If I were working with a leader that wanted to hire the first Black woman (fill in the blank), I would educate them on assessing and acknowledging that their environment may not offer the support she needs. Once that is confirmed, we would confirm the necessary steps to make her feel supported. This may look like her reporting into a board member or an executive that is respected by the most challenging leaders within the organization. What is not an option is to expect her to navigate professionally in the manner her white counterparts are afforded. 

Back to KBJ!! I will conclude with this, if you are one that was excited when she was nominated, make sure that excitement turns in to support and protection. Remind people that our country is in serious need of diversity, equity, and inclusion in ALL spaces and especially in our halls of justice.