An Open Letter to Non-Black Executives

An Open Letter to Non-Black Executives From One of Your Black Senior Managers

Dear Executive Leader,

I am a Black Woman, a Christian, and one of your senior managers. I’m an excellent employee who overdelivers and is well-liked by my team and clients. I’ve been integral to the growth of your business. But, what you may not know about me, is how I actually got here and why that matters to the present unrest in the United States. The obstacle course of racism is indeed a real race that the runners did not sign up for. Even with the best training, and preparation, they are also unsure if they can win. But it’s not in my people’s nature to give up. So where does my hope come from? My hope comes from the LORD.

I utilize this scripture as one of my life mottos:

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

I need to be clear and state I am smart and very capable, but I’m not an exceptional Black person. Being exceptional is a mirage. However, I don’t mind sharing, what helped me get to where I am today:

-My great grandfather on my father's side was light enough to pass for White.

-He broke the law and impersonated a White man in order to obtain a postmaster job in Michigan. Because he took that risk-a potentially deadly risk- my grandmother was able to go to college. And, my father was able to go as well. 

-On my mother’s side, the enslaved men who were allowed to read were the ones who lead Sunday church services for the enslaved people. After Emancipation, the Whites allowed them to start Black churches and Black funeral homes to handle Black bodies. Because in real life, White people didn’t want to worship with or even be buried next to Black people.

-My mother’s family planted Black churches and started Black funeral homes. That income helped my grandmother and grandfather attend college. My mother did as well.

-I’m 3rd generation college on both sides of my family. I’m 2nd generation advanced degree.

-And you know what else?

-My parents named me Amber after one of my Dad’s favorite patients and to help protect me from discrimination on job applications.

-My Father was a Pediatrician who specialized in development.

-My Mother is a retired social worker who started her career as a school counselor.

-My parents taught me how to advocate for myself in a K-12 education system that wasn’t designed for me to succeed.

-I wasn’t blocked from AP and honors courses.

-I was allowed to dream.

-My parents were in a loving marriage for 38 years until my father passed away from a lifelong battle with Type-1 diabetes. It’s a common disease that comes with none of the trauma or burden of gun violence.

-I grew up in a comfortable suburban home with plenty of quiet places to study and schools to match

-I was the youngest with one older sister. I never had to take care of younger siblings.

-Every amount of money I’ve ever earned was mine to save or spend how I saw fit.

-Many aspects of the fictional Huxtables depicted on television were my real lived experiences.

-I had 1 Black woman, 1 Mexican American woman, 3 Black men, and two White Women on my dissertation committee.

-I passed my dissertation defense and received my PhD in Advertising from The University of Texas at Austin without a White man's signature. This is virtually unheard of.

-I had people of all different backgrounds use their power, resources, and networks to protect me and give me opportunities to shine.

-I have a senior member of my family who was established in my chosen field and has mentored me for the past 23 years.

-I am mentally and physically healthy without any learning disabilities.

-I am cisgender.

-I am heterosexual.

-I am married to a Black man.

-I am a light skinned Black woman and statically more pleasing to White people as a result.

-My parents taught me how to smooth out my accent and speak using American Standard English with teachers and authority figures while African American Vernacular English (AAVE) was fine at home with family and friends. This was done to help me survive. At 40, I'm still trying to work through my dual identities and claim my entire self. But, I still don't think my whole self is for everyone's consumption.

-My parents told me growing up that there will be people who will say I’m not good enough because I’m Black.

-But, I can’t listen.

-My parents taught me my history.

-They taught me to value, respect, and support Black Institutions.

-They told me my Blackness means extra obstacles.

-They told me my Blackness was beautiful.

-I believed Maya Angelou when she said, “I am the dream and hope of the slave.”

-My parents taught me to trust God and believe in myself at all cost.

-I'm not better than the average Black person, but I did have opportunities that many others in my community didn't have.

-None of the above protected me from racism. All of the above help me with resilience in the face of it.

-Hebrews 12:1 says: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

-AND…So…I…Still…Keep…Running without Exception.

-I hope that you can see locations in my story where people like you can make a world of difference for someone who is unlike you using your network, skills and power.

Submitted respectfully with expectation of your support,

Amber Chenevert, PhD