When I was a little girl, we migrated to the United States due to political issues in my home country, Haiti. I came to this new country and was constantly reminded that I didn't belong. Now, as an adult, I have overcome much misfortune but still find myself fighting to navigate and stay afloat in the corporate world, even as I reclaim my authentic identity – an Afro-Latina who speaks four languages, graduated valedictorian, and is passionate about analytics.
As a Black woman and immigrant in the workplace, I have faced many challenges. I have been discriminated against based on my race, gender, culture, and immigration status. I've hidden my true self and have still had to work to prove myself to be an asset worthy of promotion and pay equity. I've been subjected to microaggressions and harassment, yet my story isn't much different from most Black women and women of color. Black women are often stereotyped as aggressive, unqualified, and unfit for leadership roles, even though we are more likely to be overdeveloped and underinvested in. These stereotypes often prevent us from being considered or promoted to leadership positions. Forbes reports that only 4.4% of Black women are in management positions, and only 1.4% hold C-suite positions, despite being 7.4% of the U.S. population. Labelism and other isms often prevent us from getting a seat at the table and limit our ability to excel in the workplace.
Despite many obstacles and like many Black women and women of color in leadership, I have persevered and want to share my advice for overcoming discrimination to excel as a leader in your career.
Although being a Black woman or woman of color and an immigrant in the workplace can present unique challenges, it is important to acknowledge and celebrate our strength, resilience, and leadership potential. Our identities should not be seen as limitations but as sources of inspiration and motivation. Simply understanding who we are makes all the background noise insignificant. We can continue to break barriers and pave the way for a more inclusive and equal future.