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White Manager: “You seem…hostile today. You were silent in today’s meeting.” Me (aka the only Black woman in the predominantly white team): “Really? I smiled throughout that meeting - I am completely fine.” White Manager: “Yes but you didn’t seem…engaged. If you want to leave the team, just let me know.” Me: “I was listening and reflecting on what others had said. I also have not said anything to anyone about wanting to leave the team. Thank you for your concern, however I am curious as to why I am the only one having this meeting with you? Other colleagues were silent in the meeting.” White Manager: “Well, your silence was the only one that stood out to me.” Me: “What is the reason for that?” …Insert no response from white manager. Introversion in Black women is often weaponised against us in workplaces, especially in predominantly white workplaces. There is usually a one-dimensional expectation for Black women to be ‘extroverted’ in the workplace, with anything contrary to that being seen as ‘unfriendliness’, ‘disengagement’, ‘anger’ and ‘rudeness’. These misperceptions highly impact leadership decisions about Black women at work and, consequently, can have adverse impacts on our careers. Rene Germain rightly states, “Black women are not a monolith. People need to let go of their assumptions around what they expect us to be because this is how a working environment where Black women can feel safe and conformable to be themselves will be created.” 📸 Image from Rene’s article ‘Why we need to embrace introverted Black women in the workplace’ (Link to article in the comments) #BlackWomenAtWork #HypervisibilityAndInvisibility #Misogynoir #SystemicChange

Hey everyone, I’m the founder of a Black-owned coffee business that has been struggling with online sales for a while now. We donate to #HBCU scholarships, including Howard University Men’s Basketball, and support other organizations like Horn Entrepreneurship Official with every sale. Please help us reach a broader audience by sharing wherever you can! Check out our specialty products here: https://www.bvp.coffee/ Follow BVP Coffee Co. for updates. 🙏🏿