Why Can't We Unravel the Strands of Hair Equity and Expression in the Black Community?
05/01/24 • 31 min
Every strand tells a story, and in our latest episode, we weave through the complex tapestry of hair's role in equity and self-expression. I open up about the personal hurdles I've faced sporting dreads and dyed hair in professional spheres, while we also unravel the historical battles for acceptance that many like Daryl George have endured. This isn't just talking about hair grooming – it's a deep-rooted discussion about societal norms, where we spotlight the need for an inclusive reimagining of workplace and societal perspectives on hair.
We then pay tribute to the powerful legacy of Black women's hair, a resilient emblem of identity through the centuries. From the oppressive tignon laws to Madam C.J. Walker's pioneering beauty empire, we celebrate the artistry and resistance sewn into every braid, twist, and coil. Icons like Issa Rae and Tina Turner serve as our muses, illustrating hair's role in empowerment and cultural pride. By sharing how to genuinely support others' hair journeys and debunking myths with grace, we champion a future where every hair texture and style is not merely tolerated but embraced with open admiration.
Continuing Education
- The Person Beneath the Hair: Hair Discrimination, Health, and Well-Being (National Library of Medicine)
- Is Hair Discrimination Race Discrimination? (American Bar Association)
- The CROWN Act hasn’t ended hair discrimination in Texas (Brookings)
- A Black student was suspended for his hairstyle. The school says it wasn’t discrimination (Associated Press)
- The CROWN Act
- How Hair Discrimination Affects Black Women at Work (HBR)
- Penalizing Black hair in the name of academic success is undeniably racist, unfounded, and against the law (Brookings)
Stay With Us
- Watch and Subscribe to The E Word on YouTube.
- Follow Karen on LinkedIn and learn more at Colossal Work.
- Follow Brittany on LinkedIn and learn more at BND Consulting Group.
Every strand tells a story, and in our latest episode, we weave through the complex tapestry of hair's role in equity and self-expression. I open up about the personal hurdles I've faced sporting dreads and dyed hair in professional spheres, while we also unravel the historical battles for acceptance that many like Daryl George have endured. This isn't just talking about hair grooming – it's a deep-rooted discussion about societal norms, where we spotlight the need for an inclusive reimagining of workplace and societal perspectives on hair.
We then pay tribute to the powerful legacy of Black women's hair, a resilient emblem of identity through the centuries. From the oppressive tignon laws to Madam C.J. Walker's pioneering beauty empire, we celebrate the artistry and resistance sewn into every braid, twist, and coil. Icons like Issa Rae and Tina Turner serve as our muses, illustrating hair's role in empowerment and cultural pride. By sharing how to genuinely support others' hair journeys and debunking myths with grace, we champion a future where every hair texture and style is not merely tolerated but embraced with open admiration.
Continuing Education
- The Person Beneath the Hair: Hair Discrimination, Health, and Well-Being (National Library of Medicine)
- Is Hair Discrimination Race Discrimination? (American Bar Association)
- The CROWN Act hasn’t ended hair discrimination in Texas (Brookings)
- A Black student was suspended for his hairstyle. The school says it wasn’t discrimination (Associated Press)
- The CROWN Act
- How Hair Discrimination Affects Black Women at Work (HBR)
- Penalizing Black hair in the name of academic success is undeniably racist, unfounded, and against the law (Brookings)
Stay With Us
- Watch and Subscribe to The E Word on YouTube.
- Follow Karen on LinkedIn and learn more at Colossal Work.
- Follow Brittany on LinkedIn and learn more at BND Consulting Group.
Previous Episode
Why Is the Corporate Ladder Still So Steep for Black Women?
Karen & Brittany's candid conversation sheds light on the systemic obstacles Black women leaders face climbing the corporate ladder back by disturbing findings from the McKinsey and LeanIn 2022 report. Learn how Black women, ambitious and poised for executive roles, are still being underestimated and labeled, their judgment second-guessed, and resilience tested in today's professional environments.
Dive into the nuances of identity politics, its role in shaping opportunities, and how we can leverage it to break down barriers for people of color. We engage with the historical context and its effect on the corporate presence of Black women, emphasizing the significance of collective action to amplify representation and authority in leadership spaces. This episode is a rallying cry for individual and corporate responsibility to actively dismantle biases and cultivate a culture where diversity is not just welcomed but celebrated.
We wrap up with an insightful discussion inspired by Bozoma Saint John's bold moves at Netflix, evaluating workplace biases and their legal ramifications. The conversation moves through a spectrum of subtle to overt prejudices, from body size to communication style, and how they impact women's careers, particularly those of color.
We then shift focus toward creating workplaces that champion inclusivity and support all employees, highlighting the importance of a workplace that not only recognizes but embraces the unique attributes and life choices of its workforce.
Continuing Education
- Black Women Leaders Are More Ambitious But Less Supported At Work, McKinsey And Lean In Study Finds
- Is There A Corporate 'Caste System'?
- 2022 Women in the Workplace Report
- Women are held back at work due to 30 biases out of their control, says new study: ‘They were never quite right’
- Code-Switching and Concrete Ceilings: How Racism in the Workplace Affects Black Women
- Racism and Sexism Combine to Shortchange Working Black Women
- The Infuriating Journey From Pet To Threat: How Bias Undermines Black Women At Work
Stay With Us
- Watch and Subscribe to The E Word on YouTube.
- Follow Karen on LinkedIn and learn more at Colossal Work.
- Follow Brittany on LinkedIn and learn more at BND Consulting Group.
Next Episode
How does belief and bias affect the Cassandra's of Corporate America?
Ever found yourself echoing the unheard prophecies of Cassandra, the Trojan priestess doomed to speak truths no one would believe? That's the thread Karen & Brittany tug at as they explore the labyrinth of trust and credibility, where the workplace becomes our modern-day Troy.
In this episode, Karen and Brittany peel back the layers on why certain voices are bolstered and others stifled. They examine the unique hurdles Black women leap over in professional arenas and examine how trauma shapes their work armor as they double down on their professional expertise. They dissect the concept of "cultural fit" and the biases lurking behind it, challenging the status quo of subjective hiring practices and providing advice on how to build equitable teams and how to forge a workplace where every member's worth is measured by their mastery, not by likability.
CONTINUED LEARNING
Workplace Divided: Diversity and Equity and Inclusion and Discrimination
Stay With Us
- Watch and Subscribe to The E Word on YouTube.
- Follow Karen on LinkedIn and learn more at Colossal Work.
- Follow Brittany on LinkedIn and learn more at BND Consulting Group.
The E Word - Why Can't We Unravel the Strands of Hair Equity and Expression in the Black Community?
Transcript
What's the E-Word ?
Speaker 2It's the E in DEI that everyone ignores
Speaker 2but we're here to bring it to the welcome everybody back to
Speaker 2the e-word e-word
Speaker 2yes , we're getting this down .
Speaker 1If you like this episode you’ll love
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