Women of Color in Tech: Double Standards and the Power of Amplifying Your Voice. Dedicated to Angel Reese, The Champ!

The Black woman experience

This month, On Sunday, April 2nd, the LSU Women's Basketball team won the NCAA National Championship against Iowa, and it came at a price.

Angel Reese is a prime example of the black woman's daily experience in the tech industry. Angel Reese is a woman who played her heart out and became a champion through pure hard work and dedication. She put her head down the entire season and executed. She waited until she could deliver results before she gave Caitlin Clark from Iowa a taste of her own medicine, which was given to many players throughout the season by Caitlin. For the past few days, attacks against the LSU women's basketball team members have been ridiculous, especially toward the champ, Angel Reese. Black women across the country cringed as we took their public disrespect personally.?

Angel Reese, exact words"?"I'm too hood," I'm too ghetto. I don't fit the narrative, and I'M OK WITH THAT. I'm from Baltimore, where you hoop outside & talk trash. If it was a boy, y'all wouldn't be saying nun at all. Let's normalize women showing passion for the game instead of it being 'embarrassing.'"

This hit home for many black women in corporate America, especially the tech industry.?

Black women have been trained to put their heads down and execute, never show emotion in the workplace, and when someone disrespects them or tries to put them in their place, they're told to take the high road and never push back.?

Growth and Impact Reviews in TECH and how this behavior hurts black women?

In the Tech industry, promotions are sometimes based on growth and impact reviews, which occur every six months in most tech companies. For black women, if we are assertive, confident, and excel at our work, this should be seen as an easy check-in. However, most black women cringe when it's time for GEI reviews because the exact words "assertive and confident" or unfortunately changed to aggressive, hard to work with, and beyond. For a white woman and or man with the same personality, many of these people are praised and promoted for hard work and knowing how to get the job done, but depending on your boss at that time or the company culture, being assertive and confident can genuinely hurt the black woman in tech. Instead of receiving a positive review and a promotion, many leaders take this opportunity to try to "Put the black woman in her place."?

How to overcome the toxic system and experiences??

Angel Reese could have quickly silenced her opinions and settled with the horrible remarks after the game. However, she was bold and chose to use her voice and develop her platform. As a black woman with ambitions, this is, at times, your only choice because people aren't willing to put themselves on the line for you. This experience goes hand in hand with the tech industry.?

Black women are the most unprotected employees in the tech industry, no one looks out for them, and if they showcase greatness, they inherit enemies every day.?

Lessons and advice for the ambitious Black women?

1. Document all of your experiences.?
2. Speak up for yourself and find outlets and channels to express your experiences.
3. Have high expectations for yourself and low expectations for others.?
4. Execute, take time for yourself, and continue to persevere.
5. Never look back. Always forward.?

The environment and toxic experiences some women face will only change if we vocalize our experiences and share them with the world. An oppressor only continues to attack you when they realize they can get away with it. Use Angel Reese's experience as a prime example. Stand up for yourself. There is power in your words, and your experiences matter.?

Continue to succeed and reach new heights. Continue to be unapologetically yourself, and keep your crown centered and head high.?

Remember, you are not alone and for readers that can relate to this week's tea. Join the community today for empowerment and be surrounded by individuals who want to support you.?

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If you are searching for a community of people who will support you, give you resources, and uplift you, be sure to join the?Unapologetech Circle Community.

Happy Friday from your one and only Kalina M. Bryant ??

Perseverance?

Resiliency?

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