10 WAYS TO SUPPORT YOUR BLACK COLLEAGUES

This country is in the midst of the largest civil rights movement in history, and every leader should be considering how to become a part of the movement. Nike, Ben & Jerry’s, and Netflix are leading the way with bold statements that stand with Black Americans and call out white supremacy. Smaller companies have the same responsibility to their employees, friends, and neighbors as these larger brands. The narrative being replayed is that CEOs are not sure what to do or say. They are afraid of saying the wrong thing and instead choose silence over action.

If you are an employee or CEO of a company, here are 10 ways to begin the conversation with your staff members, colleagues, family, and friends: 

1. Acknowledge the Problem. To begin the work of dismantling white supremacy, one must first acknowledge that there is a problem that exists in America. A problem that disproportionately marginalizes and oppresses Black Americans. The systems and structures that have been created in this country are strengthened by similar systems and structures that exist in companies and organizations. Acknowledging that there are issues in this country and likely in your business is a must. If this first step seems difficult, perhaps this is the wrong article for you. Please log off and try again tomorrow.
2. Use Empathy. Empathy is allowing yourself to step into the emotional shoes of someone else. This does not mean there is a complete understanding of another person’s experience. Instead, it means that while words are lacking, there is a willingness to sit with another person in their pain. Allowing oneself to feel the grief of seeing a human being murdered by the hands of the police. Understanding that some experiences are beyond comprehension, but a willingness to listen to the stories told.  
3. Create a Space for Honest Conversations. If there are Black individuals in your company or organization, please know they are not okay. They have struggled to come to work this week, and have experienced a deep range of emotions. This is not the time for them to share their experiences with a group of colleagues unless they have expressed an interest in doing so. Instead, this is the time to initiate conversations with white individuals in the company. Now is the time to self reflect as individuals and as an institution. Take inventory of the barriers created to silence Black employees. Begin asking difficult questions. Encourage those at your company to do the same. 
4. Accept Responsibility. If after step 3 there is a realization that mistakes have been made in supporting Black staff members, creating opportunities for advancement, and calling out systems created to oppress, please do not make excuses. Acknowledge the mistakes and commit to learning. Ask difficult questions of yourself and your white peers. Reflect, learn, and commit to doing better in the future. 
5. Educate. If there is a lack of understanding of the anger and outrage of Black Americans, there are a plethora of resources that help explain the situation. In the year Two-Thousand and Twenty, “I don’t know” can no longer be an excuse. Google, Amazon, and YouTube are readily available to provide every educational resource one can imagine. Below, is a list of resources that can be used to foster conversations in the workplace. Please encourage your colleagues to utilize these resources to educate themselves as well. 
6. Become Uncomfortable. Get comfortable being uncomfortable. You will not get it right every time! That is an impossible and unrealistic expectation. However, saying nothing is always the wrong answer. Seek professionals who are willing to help create strategies for dismantling white supremacy in your space.
7. Use Your Voice. “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” ~ Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Those in positions of power are always saying something. Unfortunately, Black Americans often experience an ear-piercing silence in their places of work, which is more damaging than anything else. Your silence is dangerous and only strengthens oppressive systems. If you have been given a platform (every person has a platform) please use it to fight against injustice. Even if all you can say is “I’m not sure what to say,” this is better than silence. 
8. Be Intentional. Be intentional with your words and actions. Think before speaking and utilize multiple voices to create change. One person will not solve racism and oppression on their own. It takes many voices to create strategies for dismantling systems that have been in place for years. This is not something that will be solved overnight. Do not pass the responsibility to others, but include others in your efforts to create change. There should also be intentionality in hiring individuals who are culturally competent, diverse, and disruptors to oppressive systems.  
9. Commit to Doing the Work. The steps listed above are not intended to be linear. This is a process that will take time to implement. Your commitment to this work as an individual is needed during these times. The burden of racial reconciliation and dismantling white supremacy can no longer be put on the backs of Black people. The time for action is now. 
10. Hold Yourself and Others Accountable. One of the first steps to commitment is finding someone, a supervisor or colleague, who will hold you accountable. It is easy to feel empowered while people are marching in the street and posting information on social media, but what changes will you continue to make when things go “back to normal”? Who will hold you accountable for following through on this work? How will you find ways to hold your employees accountable?

Please note that these thoughts and suggestions are those of an individual. I do not speak for all Black people, nor do I claim to know or understand every struggle or situation. These suggestions are based solely on my own lived experiences.

Educational Resources

• White Allyship 101: Resources to Get to Work

Books

• The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
• Stamped from the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi
• Eloquent Rage by Brittney Cooper
• The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
• How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
• I Am Not Your Negro  by James Baldwin
• The Fire This Time by Jesmyn Ward
• I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Dr. Maya Angelou

Documentaries/Films

• 13th - Netflix
• I Am Not Your Negro 
• When They See Us - Netflix
• The Hate U Give - Hulu
• Harriet 
• Twelve Years a Slave 
• Hidden Figures