Black History Month is a joyous and powerful celebration of the extraordinary contributions Black Americans have made throughout American history. I love the quote by Serena Williams: “The success of every woman should be an inspiration to another. We should raise each other up. Make sure you’re courageous, be strong, be extremely kind, and above all, be humble.”
Williams’ words are a powerful reminder to share how you’ve been successful and then lift others as you climb. The strides Black women have made on the path to parity have been graceful advances that have brought us closer and closer to equal footing. When Victoria Monét won the Grammy award for Best New Artist earlier this month, it filled me with joy and pride.
As an interracial woman, Victoria Monét authentically lives our American diversity. And that quality of authenticity is one of two that speak powerfully to me as I reflect on my time as the first CEO of Paradigm for Parity. The other is support. I want to take a moment here to focus on them.
Authenticity
As Monét so beautifully proves, the voices of Black women have the power to take organizations—and the world—to new heights. As a Black woman, I brought to Paradigm for Parity my lived experience and an authentic voice that enabled our work to resonate with a much broader audience. It’s the realness that each of us brings to the table that will drive deep, lasting change. We have to make space for all women and allies of women to be our best and truest selves.
That is why I made it a priority to organize ongoing conversations for our coalition community and the public around the opportunities and challenges for all women, especially women of color in the workplace. We need to listen to as many voices as possible, in welcoming, safe forums where all are comfortable telling their truth and hearing about the lived experiences of others. When I can be in a work environment where I feel comfortable bringing my best and authentic self, it allows me to perform better and removes the added stress of trying to cover. While having great benefits helps to eliminate stress, what’s even more powerful is creating an environment where I can operate from a place of authenticity.
Support
A critical component to establishing an inclusive environment is support. Yet support for Black women is woefully lacking. A 2022 McKinsey and LeanIn study found that “Black women ranked dead last in their experience of manager support—managers showing interest in their career, checking in on their well-being and promoting inclusion—as compared to other identities including men, all women, LGBTQ women, women with disabilities, white women, Asian women and Latinas.”
That has to change. African-Americans and Black people of all backgrounds have led our country’s successes since long before the Constitution was written. In a world of authentic parity, we would feel supported in return. While we are not there yet, during my tenure as CEO of Paradigm for Parity, we have helped move the needle forward in the corporate workplace for women of diverse backgrounds, and that makes me very proud.
I know there is still much work to be done. I’m excited to transition into a new role with Paradigm for Parity as a co-chair and remain on the board, supporting other women and companies on the path to parity. It is quite literally another seat at the table, and there is no limit to how many we can create, adding numbers and diversity to the conversation. There is room for all of us.
Bank of America’s Leader on Loan program and the Paradigm for Parity co-chairs gave me tremendous support these last two and a half years. It’s top of mind for me to pay that support forward into all aspects of my personal and professional life—with the best and most authentic self I can be. The parity journey is a marathon and not a sprint, and I am confident we can cross the finish line together.
