Belonging
Black women face biases that encourage them to conform to office culture at the expense of their own authenticity.
Needing to conform to a certain office culture is an undue burden for Black women.
Why is authenticity in the workplace such a challenge?
Systemic biases, workplace norms, and unspoken expectations frequently force Black women to conform to non-diverse cultures, limiting their ability to express their true selves
These pressures manifest in various ways, including changes in how Black women dress, speak, or even express emotions.
“I was always afraid to go to work natural until about three [or] four years ago, just based on how they might accept me.”
— BWT focus group participant