The hurricane is here.
For Black women in the workplace, the past few years have felt like an endless storm—waves of pushback against DEI efforts, a sudden rush to return to the office post-COVID, and a political climate that seems to thrive on uncertainty. Each challenge chips away at the progress we have fought so hard to secure.
The question is no longer whether the storm will hit but how we prepare to weather it.
We recently addressed this in a LinkedIn Live event:
The Pushback Against DEI: A Step Backward
Not too long ago, companies pledged their allegiance to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, heralding a future of greater workplace equity. Fast forward to today, and many of these same organizations have scaled back or eliminated their DEI departments altogether.
Why? Some blame cost-cutting measures, but let’s call it what it is: a fading appetite for meaningful change.
For Black women, this rollback feels personal. DEI efforts were never a cure-all, but they opened doors to conversations about intersectionality, microaggressions, and systemic bias—issues we have never had the luxury of ignoring.
Now, as these initiatives disappear, we’re left wondering: What is to become of the workplace? And how will we protect ourselves and each other from harm?
Return to Work Mandates: The Bias is Back
The push to return to in-office work has created its own wave of challenges. For Black women, flexible work arrangements offered more than convenience—they provided a reprieve from daily microaggressions and proximity bias.
A Johns Hopkins Carey Business School study found that workplace wellbeing peaked in 2020 with the rise of flexible policies. Since then, Black women’s wellbeing has plummeted, exacerbated by exposure to biases that never took a day off.
Proximity bias, for instance, prioritizes visibility over actual performance, often sidelining those who don’t fit a traditional mold of what “good work” looks like.
The result? Burnout, frustration, and an urgent need for change.
The Political Climate is a Mirror of Workplace Dynamics
Outside the office, the political landscape adds fuel to the fire. For many Black women, recent elections were more than political—they felt like job interviews where we were judged more harshly than others, despite having all the qualifications.
This scrutiny mirrors our workplace experiences: constant pressure to prove our worth, only to see less-qualified counterparts leap ahead. It’s not just exhausting—it’s dehumanizing.
Navigating the Chaos with the VUCA Framework
Here’s the hard truth: We’re living in a VUCA world—volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous. Each of the elements of the VUCA framework shapes our professional and personal lives, making it harder to find solid ground.
- Volatility: The rollback of DEI programs was rapid and destabilizing, eroding trust in the workplace.
- Uncertainty: The future of work remains unclear, with layoffs and shifting policies creating an unstable environment.
- Complexity: Intersectionality and workplace bias are deeply rooted, interconnected issues that defy quick fixes.
- Ambiguity: In such turbulent times, envisioning a stable future can feel like an impossible task.
But here’s the thing: Black women have always thrived in the face of VUCA. It’s in our DNA to adapt, survive, and find ways to continue building the future we want and deserve.
How to Fortify Yourself and Thrive
So, how do we move forward? Here are some steps to help you navigate these uncertain times while reclaiming your power:
Build Your Support System
No one should navigate this storm alone. Lean on your sister circle—fellow Black women who understand your experiences and will hold space for you. Together, you can create a network of trust, collaboration, and shared resilience.
Protect Your Mental Health
Your peace is non-negotiable. Whether it’s through therapy, spiritual practices, or simply setting boundaries, prioritize what keeps you grounded. A thriving mind is your greatest asset in uncertain times.
Embrace Career Agility
Think of your career as a flexible, evolving journey. Ask yourself:
- Do I want to stay where I am, or is it time to move?
- What skills can I develop to prepare for the next step?
Agility isn’t just about adapting to change—it’s about steering your own ship through the storm.
Advocate for Yourself
Speak up—not just to others, but to yourself. Remind yourself of your accomplishments and strengths. Confidence is your armor; wear it boldly, even when the world tries to make you doubt yourself.
Visualize the Future You Want
Imagine your life 12 months from now. What does thriving look like to you? Use that vision as your compass, guiding every decision you make. Hope isn’t naïve—it’s revolutionary.
Reclaiming Our Power, One Step at a Time
Thriving in the face of setbacks isn’t just a personal victory—it’s a collective act of defiance. When we as Black women reclaim our power, we inspire others to do the same, creating ripple effects that can transform entire workplaces.
The challenges we face today are daunting, but they are not insurmountable. By building support systems, protecting our mental health, embracing agility, advocating for ourselves, and envisioning the future we deserve, we can withstand the storm and emerge stronger than ever.
The question isn’t whether we belong—it’s how we’ll continue to shape the spaces we occupy.
If this resonates with you, take the next step. Join the conversation, continue learning, and equip yourself with the tools to thrive. Sign up for our newsletter today, and be the first to receive actionable tips, resources, and exclusive insights to help you stay grounded, inspired, and empowered on your journey.