It is so important to have a safe space to talk about the bullshit you go through but can’t control or formally complain about in corporate America as a black or brown person. Especially women.

Like. We were “forced” to start putting our headshots in our email signatures. I promise you, I have seen a noticeable difference in my communication with clients and sales members since doing so.

My coworker just told me one of her clients requested another consultant, stating she “isn’t black enough”. I’m still trying to figure that one out

And if I had a dollar for every time some higher up talks about me via email without actually acknowledging me as a human with a damn name, I’d have my own severance pay

I am the queen of Email Reads. But how is my attention to detail and extensive CYA notes considered excessive and aggressive, and a colleague who doesn’t look like me who can say literally the SAME THING and get applauded for “standing up for themselves”

I mentored one of our Spring interns. A Hispanic 20 year old (hate to call him a kid). He asked me what’s my #1 advice if he decided to take a full time position there. I said “don’t let ANYBODY talk to you crazy, because they will try”

In my 6 years at this place, I’ve had folks come out the side of their neck, even when I am doing what I can to help them. Especially sales. And when it’s proven they should’ve listened to me, then they program my extension in their phone for future help

But not just sales. Clients who are irate at the company who like to take stuff out on me. I typically don’t take it personally. I typically agree with them if they had a shitty experience. I let them vent. Except...

When people try to: talk down to me, talk over me, interrupt me, raise their voice at me, threaten me, insist that they will speak to whoever in hopes I’m reprimanded for... I’ll get back to you on that, cuz I have no idea

I love our HR partner. Honestly truly. I’ve been in his office to vent many time tamies. But unfortunately, the odds of any complaint I file being taken seriously is so low, it’s laughable. Compared to if someone filed one on me.

I especially loved when I was supervisor and people would see me thinking I was some entry level contractor. Only to find out I was the gatekeeper of what they needed. “Omg that was you?” >_>

My AVP told me, prior to moving from her organization: “your mouth gets you in trouble”. All I could do was chuckle. A Puerto Rican woman who rose through the ranks thought she was giving me a chance, and my truthtelling was blowing it. Yaaasss

On any given day, I’m minding my black ass business. I listen to audiobooks and play Sudoku or color when folks stress me out. For someone to call me argumentative... “She wants management to pull the call”. HI HERE IS THE CALL ID, let me help you

I can’t wait to hear that call back. I know exactly when I was perceived to switch from helpful and approachable strategist to “rude and argumentative gal”. GAL! Gal? Bruh. Don’t call me gal lol.

Anywho, as I keep saying, I’m showing up til my keycard don’t work. My only hope is that it’s in exchange for a job that truly fulfills me. Cuz this ain’t living

</Ted Talk>