Break Concrete
Break Concrete is a podcast show exploring the unique experiences of Black women professionals as they navigate race and gender in the workplace and break through the concrete wall to professional advancement.
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Building Inclusivity in the Tech Industry with Dr. Dede Tetsubayashi
12/21/2021
Building Inclusivity in the Tech Industry with Dr. Dede Tetsubayashi
It’s no secret that the tech industry has a diversity problem. Dr. Dédé Tetsubayashi, a product equity, inclusion and tech ethicist, joins to discuss how the lack of representation within tech adversely impacts product equity and user experiences, and how tech companies can be more inclusive. Dr. Dédé also shares how she educates and empowers individuals, groups, and communities through , a Black-woman-owned consultancy transforming organizations to be more inclusive in product design and processes. Topics Covered: How Dr. Dédé got started in the field as a technologist Causes for gender and racial gaps in the tech industry Barriers to entry for black women in tech Resources to support your professional development in tech The rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) in our everyday lives How AI perpetuates racial and gender biases How to make AI systems more inclusive Why Dr. Dédé founded How incluu addresses gender and racial biases in the tech industry How incluu helps organizations develop trusting relationships with communities of color The business argument for diversity and inclusion Find links and show notes at . Follow us on Instagram Twitter Facebook E-mail feedback to . If you like this episode, please leave a review and rating.
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The Immigrant Experience: Challenges, Opportunities, and Impact in the Workplace with Jackie Glenn
12/14/2021
The Immigrant Experience: Challenges, Opportunities, and Impact in the Workplace with Jackie Glenn
From a newly immigrated nanny to CEO, Jackie Glenn has embraced life’s challenges with boldness and humility, always being true to herself and giving back to those who come after her. It’s this commitment to helping others, which led Jackie to write her instructional biography, . Jackie discusses how she climbed her way up the corporate ladder and the character gems that brought her and other immigrants professional success in the American workplace. Topics Covered: Why Jackie decided to write Workplace challenges Jackie faced as an immigrant in the U.S. How your accent can impact you in the workplace Defining authenticity How to turn your unique attributes into an advantage Jackie’s experience moving to the U.S. as a young single Black woman from a predominantly Black country Confronting microaggressions in the workplace Getting out of your head Resilience in the workplace How to address being passed over for a promotion Soliciting feedback from others Find links and show notes at . Follow us on Instagram Twitter Facebook E-mail feedback to . If you like this episode, please leave a review and rating.
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Overcoming Barriers to Career Advancement as a Woman of Color with The FLI Collective
12/09/2021
Overcoming Barriers to Career Advancement as a Woman of Color with The FLI Collective
Women of color face unique gender and racial barriers to their professional advancement and are less likely to move into leadership roles. In today’s bonus episode, we speak to the women of The FLI Collective, a lifestyle podcast that deals with the experiences of being first generation and low income in academia. We examine some of these challenges and discuss strategies for advancing women of color, including when we should pursue stretch opportunities and how we lead and bring others along with us. Welcome Drs. Marlette Jackson, Edritz Javelosa, Nidia Ruedas-Gracia, Miranda Stratton, and Courtney Pena! Topics Covered: Defining FLI - first generation, low-income college graduate Navigating privileged spaces as a class migrant What stops women of color from applying to jobs Why women discount their qualifications when job hunting The power of networking Defining stereotype threat What women of color should do when considering a new job How women of color lead and navigate leadership Recognizing the invisible labor women of color managers undertake Why women of color are not promoted into senior positions How to self-advocate in the workplace Find links and show notes at . Follow us on Instagram Twitter Facebook E-mail feedback to . If you like this episode, please leave a review and rating.
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Turning Your Side Hustle into Your Full Time Gig with Beth Diana Smith
12/07/2021
Turning Your Side Hustle into Your Full Time Gig with Beth Diana Smith
Stuck on how to turn your passion project into so much more? After more than a decade in accounting and finance at companies like Morgan Stanley, Viacom, and Johnson & Johnson, Beth Diana Smith left her six-figure salary and the corporate world to launch her own interior design firm, . Her style is modern and eclectic with luxurious finishes and custom furnishings. Above all, her work is client-centric as she helps each homeowner hone in on their own style and create a space that inspires them and enhances their lifestyle. Beth chats about how she turned her side hustle into her full time gig. Topics Covered: Cultivating your skills and passion in a different industry while working full time How Beth transitioned from a career in accounting and finance to interior design Steps to take when launching a new company Lessons Beth learned in launching Planning for entrepreneurship Where Beth gets inspiration for her designs Developing your personal style Identifying design faux pas Tips for working with clients during the coronavirus pandemic Find links and show notes at . Follow us on Instagram Twitter Facebook E-mail feedback to . If you like this episode, please leave a review and rating.
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The Elusive Black Middle Class with Imari Smith
11/30/2021
The Elusive Black Middle Class with Imari Smith
With rising costs of living, steadily increasing debt, and stagnant wages, middle class Americans may find themselves living paycheck to paycheck. But is there even a Black middle class? Imari Smith, a doctoral student in Duke University’s Joint Program in Sociology and Public Policy, argues that the Black middle class is a “subaltern middle class”, just one tier of a marginalized group. The Black middle class has never reaped the benefits of their middle class status and continue to be subjected to the same harms faced by Black Americans of lower economic status. Find links and show notes at . Topics Covered: Defining middle class and wealth The hollowing of the middle class Drivers of increasing household debt Defining the “subaltern middle class” How middle class status insulates from adversity Barriers Black families face to accumulating wealth Closing the wealth gap Building Black Americans’ assets and wealth Identifying who should benefit from reparations Follow us on Instagram Twitter Facebook E-mail feedback to . If you like this episode, please leave a review and rating.
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Valuing the Work We Do: Black Women's Unpaid Labor with Dr. Nina Banks
11/23/2021
Valuing the Work We Do: Black Women's Unpaid Labor with Dr. Nina Banks
Every year women perform thousands of hours and trillions of dollars of unpaid work. You’ve likely heard of the invisible daily household work women perform, but what about unpaid community activism performed by Black and Brown women? Dr. Nina Banks, an associate professor of economics at Bucknell University, argues that this collective activism places additional burdens on women of color that often go unrecognized and uncompensated. Through recognizing how Black women challenge racial oppression in their communities, we can reconceptualize Black women’s labor and their impact on the economy. Find links and show notes at . Topics Covered: How the lack of diverse economists impact theories around social outcomes How Black economists contribute to the field Understanding women’s invisible work Acknowledging Black women’s hidden and unpaid work and why it has been overlooked Examples of Black women’s unpaid work Recognizing community activism as work Dr. Banks’s research about the first African American economist, Sadie T.M. Alexander Follow us on Instagram Twitter Facebook E-mail feedback to . If you like this episode, please leave a review and rating.
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Discriminatory or Simply Burdensome? Workplace Dress Codes with Professor Stacy Hawkins
11/16/2021
Discriminatory or Simply Burdensome? Workplace Dress Codes with Professor Stacy Hawkins
Many employers require their employees to follow workplace dress codes. Employers can regulate employees’ clothing, makeup, hairstyles, nails, and more. Your employer might even be able to regulate your weight. Although the line between discriminatory and simply burdensome may seem blurry, today, Professor Stacy Hawkins, Vice Dean and Professor of Law at Rutgers Law School, joins to explain just how far a company dress code can go before crossing into unlawful discrimination. Find links and show notes at . Topics Covered: Defining authenticity The importance of bringing your whole Self to the workplace How authenticity impacts productivity and company culture Identifying discriminatory workplace dress codes Hair discrimination in the workplace How workplace standards of professionalism discriminate against women of color How companies can embrace employee authenticity instead of conformity Promoting authenticity in the workplace Leading with authenticity Deciding when to conform to workplace norms How employees can hold their companies accountable for promoting authentic workplaces Follow us on Instagram Twitter Facebook E-mail feedback to . If you like this episode, please leave a review and rating.
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The Problematic Politics of Style and Gender Identity in the Workplace with Doreen Pierre
11/09/2021
The Problematic Politics of Style and Gender Identity in the Workplace with Doreen Pierre
After spending over a year working from home, returning to the office and readjusting to your company dress code can be challenging. Today, Doreen Pierre, a Brooklyn based fashion writer, visual content creator, and events producer chats about how restrictive dress codes inhibit us from bringing our true Selves to work. Doreen’s work centers people of color and queer communities and has been featured in The Huffington Post, Buzzfeed, Virgin Media, DapperQ and more. Find links and show notes at . Topics Covered: Exploring the connection between fashion and identity How Doreen embraces the many aspects of her identity through fashion Fashion as protection The importance of authenticity in the workplace How dress codes reinforce problematic standards of professionalism How company dress codes may exclude workers Supporting employee authenticity Follow us on Instagram Twitter Facebook E-mail feedback to . If you like this episode, please leave a review and rating.
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Disrupting Patterns of Oppression in the Workplace with Dr. Maxine Davis
11/02/2021
Disrupting Patterns of Oppression in the Workplace with Dr. Maxine Davis
Are you guilty of performative allyship? Today’s guest, Dr. Maxine Davis, a scholar, activist, and author, breaks down the pitfalls of performative allyship and how even well-meaning professionals can perpetuate oppression and social harms in the workplace. In early 2021, Dr. Davis authored an article in Nature Human Behavior, . We chat about Dr. Davis’s own experiences with anti-black practices in the workplace and recommendations for a more inclusive workplace. Find links and show notes at . Topics Covered: Defining cultural appropriation and how it shows up in the workplace How cultural appropriation causes harm Distinguishing cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation Defining performative allyship and how it shows up at work Tips for moving beyond performative allyship How professionals in helping professions can perpetuate oppression and social harms Finding a mental health therapist/social worker How to hold organizations accountable to move beyond performative allyship Dr. Davis’s experience with anti-black practices in academia Why it’s difficult for some to talk about race and interrogate their practices How institutions can address anti-Black practices Follow us on Instagram Twitter Facebook E-mail feedback to . If you like this episode, please leave a review and rating.
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Does Your Definition of Leadership Exclude Women of Color? with Dr. Marlette Jackson
10/26/2021
Does Your Definition of Leadership Exclude Women of Color? with Dr. Marlette Jackson
Far too often, we operate in workplaces where women of color leaders are lacking. However, that’s not because women of color lack leadership skills. Nor is it because of a lack of interest. Break Concrete is kicking off Season 4 with Dr. Marlette Jackson, a scholar, diversity and inclusion consultant, and co-author of the Harvard Business Review article, Dr. Jackson interrogates common leadership values and norms and how they exclude women of color. We talk about how organizations can expand their definition of leadership and assign value to qualities often overlooked or criticized when held by women of color. Find links and show notes at . Topics Covered: Barriers women of color face in career advancement Understanding invisible labor and how it impacts women’s careers Common leadership values and why companies should reexamine attributes of leadership they value Who is left out of common definitions of leadership Expanding our definition of leadership Defining cultural capital, resistance capital, and navigational capital Reimagining the workplace through a communal vs. individualistic lens Challenging problematic norms around leadership and getting buy in Questions organizations should ask when seeking leaders in the workplace Why we should look for unconventional leadership skills when hiring Problems with seeking company “fit” How to measure success when diversifying leaders in the workplace Retaining diverse leaders in the workplace Follow us on Instagram Twitter Facebook E-mail feedback to . If you like this episode, please leave a review and rating.
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Motherhood Comes in Many Different Forms with Tomi Akitunde
05/09/2021
Motherhood Comes in Many Different Forms with Tomi Akitunde
Motherhood and mothering can be complicated, but Tomi Akitunde has built a much needed resource for Black moms: mater mea also known as Black Mom Google. Tomi is an award-winning journalist who founded mater mea, the #1 destination for thoughtful, high quality content that celebrates, supports, and empowers Black moms. mater mea helps Black moms get the answers to their motherhood, life, and career questions through sincere storytelling, expert advice, and community. In today's Mother's Day special episode, Tomi opens up about her experiences with infertility, why she decided to create an online space for Black moms, how she confronted insecurities as the founder of mater mea, and more. Topics Covered: Why Tomi started mater mea, an online magazine for Black moms How mater mea grew to be known as the “Black Mom Google” Why Tomi created a space for Black moms specifically How mater mea builds community for and empowers Black moms Challenges Tomi faced as an entrepreneur Tomi’s experience dealing with infertility How Tomi has dealt with imposter syndrome and gaslighting culture How for years Tomi had been hiding behind mater mea and why she wrote to confront her insecurities as the founder of mater mea Tomi’s relationship with her mom Celebrating Black motherhood Follow us on Instagram Twitter Facebook E-mail feedback to . If you like this episode, please leave a review and rating.
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Deepening Our Inhales, Lessening Our Stress with Jasmine Marie
03/30/2021
Deepening Our Inhales, Lessening Our Stress with Jasmine Marie
Understanding that Black women experience higher rates of chronic stress and anxiety, Jasmine Marie, a breathwork practitioner, founded , a safe space for Black women to nurture their mental, emotional, and spiritual health through guided meditation, breathwork, and community. In 2020, as racial tensions mounted and many Black women struggled with higher unemployment rates, increased childcare responsibilities, feeling less supported at work, and the devastating health impacts of COVID19, Jasmine adjusted her business structure to provide free and accessible mental healthcare to hundreds of Black women. In this final episode of Season 3, Jasmine shares how she helps women own their bodies and reclaim their power to heal themselves through black girls breathing. Find links and show notes at . Topics Covered: Defining breathwork Understanding the health benefits of breathwork including stress and anxiety reduction How Jasmine was introduced to breathwork and built black girls breathing Barriers for Black women in accessing breathwork and mental health therapy How Jasmine combines breathwork, meditation and community with black girls breathing Incorporating breathwork into your daily routine What to expect when trying breathwork for the first time Deciding whether to try breathwork individually or in a group setting Selecting a breathwork instructor who speaks to your needs Jasmine’s crowdfunding campaign to provide free breathwork sessions to Black women for one year How Jasmine collects and uses data about Black women with house of bgb Jasmine’s vision for black girls breathing Follow us on Instagram Twitter Facebook E-mail feedback to . If you like this episode, please leave a review and rating.
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Confronting Biases within Philanthropy with Kishshana Palmer
03/23/2021
Confronting Biases within Philanthropy with Kishshana Palmer
It’s no secret that problems around diversity, equity, and inclusion permeate all sectors, including the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors. Whether it’s disparate funding for Black and women-led organizations, failure to promote women of color to leadership, or foundations using money as a weapon to dictate the direction of organizational efforts, Kishshana Palmer breaks it all down. Kishshana is an international speaker, trainer, and coach with nearly two decades of experience in fundraising, marketing, and talent management. She is also the founder of , a global community focused on the holistic evolution and advancement of female leaders of color in the social impact sector. Find links and show notes at . Topics Covered: How Kishshana started in fundraising and development Adopting a more collaborative approach to fundraising Defining donor-centric fundraising and its shortcomings Disparities in funding between white-led, minority-led, and women-led organizations Increasing support for minority-led and women-led organizations Setting priorities when fundraising Using fundraising to build power and amplify marginalized voices Re-centering how we think of money when fundraising Challenges facing the nonprofit sector with regard to diversity, equity, and inclusion Why Kishshana started and how she hopes to redefine philanthropy Follow us on Instagram Twitter Facebook E-mail feedback to . If you like this episode, please leave a review and rating.
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Tailoring Your Image with Krysta McGowan
03/16/2021
Tailoring Your Image with Krysta McGowan
Dressing the part is only one step in your journey toward professional success. Equally important is understanding and controlling your image, which includes your communication, your personal brand, your wardrobe style, and more. In today’s episode, Krysta McGowan, the founder and visionary behind , an image consulting firm, discusses how an image consultant can positively impact your career. Through Critique Consulting, Krysta provides services such as brand development, wardrobe styling, and personal shopping to professional women across the country. Find links and show notes at . Topics Covered: Defining image consulting How image consultants can help you with enhancing your personal image and wardrobe styling, personal shopping, communications, and professional development Why Krysta started and how she built her company Understanding your body type and shape Finding clothing that accentuates your body (patterns, prints, shapes) How company culture and corporate aesthetics influence norms around professionalism How Krysta coaches and empowers women of color to embrace and accentuate their physical attributes in the workplace Natural hair politics in the workplace Developing and defining your personal style Timeless staples for your professional closet Common fashion faux pas that women should avoid Costs to hire an image consultant How Krysta is working with women through COVID-19 Follow us on Instagram Twitter Facebook E-mail feedback to . If you like this episode, please leave a review and rating.
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BONUS - The Rise of Modest Fashion and the Black Women Behind It with Rayya Ansari and Sumayah Ansari
03/11/2021
BONUS - The Rise of Modest Fashion and the Black Women Behind It with Rayya Ansari and Sumayah Ansari
Cries for equal treatment and representation billow across all fields, including the fashion industry, and especially in the booming modest fashion industry. Yet, although Black women have made significant contributions (in fact, some may argue that they are the of modest fashion), many go unrecognized and unseen. In today’s episode, sisters Rayya and Sumayah Ansari, join to discuss how they created spaces for themselves and other Black Muslim women in fashion. Rayya is a popular modest Muslim fashion blogger and influencer who speaks about current events and style. Sumayah is the owner of , which offers “modest chic” clothing for the contemporary woman. Find links and show notes at . Topics Covered: Defining modest fashion and misconceptions and myths about modest fashion The intersection of fashion and religion How Rayya and Sumayah became fashion influencers and how they get inspiration How Rayya created her own space in fashion Why Sumayah opened A.Sumayah shop and how her fashion stands out in the market of modest fashion Spotlighting Blackness in the modest fashion industry The (in)visibility of Black Muslims What the hijab represents How modest fashion became a multi-billion dollar industry and the increased visibility of Muslims in fashion The push for diversity and inclusion in the fashion industry Contributions of Black Muslim women on trends in modest fashion How Black women have been excluded in the modest fashion industry How Rayya and Sumayah #breakconcrete The pay gap between Black and white influencers Follow us on Instagram Twitter Facebook E-mail feedback to . If you like this episode, please leave a review and rating.
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The (In)Visibility of Black Muslim Womanhood with Vanessa Taylor
03/09/2021
The (In)Visibility of Black Muslim Womanhood with Vanessa Taylor
“As a Black Muslim woman, it gets very exhausting to exist in a world that projects onto you.” In this episode, Vanessa Taylor, a Philadelphia-based writer and the founder and editor-in-chief of the Drinking Gourd, a Black Muslim literary magazine, discusses the paradox of Black Muslim womanhood - being simultaneously hypervisible and invisible. Within that nuance, Black Muslim women carve out spaces where they embrace their multiple identities as Black, Muslim, and women while resisting the impulse of others to reduce their multi-dimensionality. Vanessa chats about this spirit of resistance: how Black Muslims challenge anti-Blackness within the Muslim community and Islamophobia within the Black community, and how she, as a Black Muslim woman, navigates her multiple identities to take up space and create spaces where she and other Black Muslim women can thrive. Find links and show notes at . Topics Covered: Why Vanessa converted to Islam The history of government surveillance of Black Muslims and Islamophobia in the United States The paradox of hypervisibility and invisibility of Black Muslims How Muslims have created their own spaces to resist surveillance Questions of authenticity and legitimacy of Black Muslimhood Anti-Blackness within the Muslim community How Black Muslim women navigate their multiple identities (race, gender, religion) to take up and create their own space Defining modest fashion and Black women’s contributions to modest fashion The co-optation of Black Muslim style Why Vanessa developed the Drinking Gourd The meaning of the title the Drinking Gourd How Vanessa breaks concrete Follow us on Instagram Twitter Facebook E-mail feedback to . If you like this episode, please leave a review and rating.
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Selfishness - The Ultimate Act of Self Love with Dr. Marcuetta Sims
03/02/2021
Selfishness - The Ultimate Act of Self Love with Dr. Marcuetta Sims
From as early as childhood, we have been taught to be generous with our time and energy. Any hint of selfishness is frowned upon. Even with our careers, we learn that being a team player is critical to our success. Today, Dr. Marcuetta Sims, a licensed psychologist specializing in helping Black women and people from marginalized identities heal from trauma, develop a healthier sense of Self, and enhance their overall wellness, discusses the costs of this generosity. Dr. Sims has created an online platform empowering Black women to care for themselves, . She is also the founder of the The Worth, Wisdom, and Wellness Center. We chat about setting boundaries in personal and professional settings, addressing violations of those boundaries, and reframing underlying beliefs that cause us to deprioritize ourselves. Find links and show notes at . Topics Covered: Defining selfishness How selfishness may serve the collective good and help us to develop a healthy sense of Self Why Dr. Sims started the online platform, Understanding and setting boundaries Consequences of failing to set boundaries Communicating your boundaries to others Counteracting feelings of guilt when putting yourself first How to say “No” and prioritize your interests Recognizing your limitations and asking for help Addressing violations of your boundaries in the workplace How remote work can challenge our boundaries Being selfish about salary negotiations Reframing inhibiting underlying beliefs Follow us on Instagram Twitter Facebook E-mail feedback to . If you like this episode, please leave a review and rating.
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Improving Health Outcomes with Black Doctors with Dr. Marilyn Gaston and Dr. Gayle Porter
02/23/2021
Improving Health Outcomes with Black Doctors with Dr. Marilyn Gaston and Dr. Gayle Porter
Research suggests that Black patients experience better health outcomes when treated by Black doctors. In today’s episode, Dr. Marilyn Gaston, a physician and researcher, and Dr. Gayle Porter, a clinical psychologist, join to chat about their trailblazing careers spent working to improve the physical and emotional health of families, especially those who are poor, minority, and underserved. They also share how they successfully build trusting relationships within communities of color. Drs. Gaston and Porter are the authors of the groundbreaking book, and have designed Sister Circles, which have proven effective in helping women develop stress management techniques, improve nutrition, and increase physical activity. Find links and show notes at . Topics Covered: Why Drs. Gaston and Porter pursued medicine despite a dearth of Black female doctors Dr. Gaston’s contributions to sickle cell research Advancing community-centered medicine Why Black patients may have better health outcomes when treated by Black doctors Building trust in doctor-patient relationships Drs. Gaston and Porter’s efforts to educate the Black community about the COVID-19 vaccine Common pre-existing health conditions in Black women and their causes Common stressors affecting Black women How chronic stress impacts our physical and mental health How professional relationships can contribute to stress Dr. Gaston’s and Dr. Porter’s experiences being the first and only in academic and professional settings How Drs. Gaston and Porter have dealt with racism and sexism in the workplace The importance of assertiveness training Why the health of women in mid-life have been overlooked Why Drs. Gaston and Porter decided to write Prime Time: The African American Woman’s Complete Guide to Midlife Health and Wellness and how it was received How Prime Time Sister Circles are helping Black women improve their physical and emotional health Follow us on Instagram Twitter Facebook E-mail feedback to . If you like this episode, please leave a review and rating.
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This Is How Your Workplace Is Killing You with Bianca Shaw
02/16/2021
This Is How Your Workplace Is Killing You with Bianca Shaw
Recognizing that traditional workspaces cause mental, physical, and financial harm for many Queer Transgender Black and Indigenous People of Color, Bianca Shaw, a Licensed Social Worker, co-founded TRIBE Co-Create, a cooperative business focusing on connecting Black and Brown small business owners, creatives, and doers in the Bronx, New York. Bianca has dedicated her career to amplifying the voices and power of marginalized communities and through TRIBE, she has created a healing space for the community that also promotes innovation. We chat about how traditional workspaces and values around productivity may cause harm and why Bianca believes people of color, particularly Black people, need their own spaces. Find links and show notes at . Topics Covered: How workspaces can be detrimental to our health How capitalism and individualism influence our work structures and views around productivity and value The impact of workplace stress on our health The intersection of race, class, and gender in the workplace Why people of color need their own spaces The healing and transformative potential of Black spaces Whether spaces exclusively for and by people of color are segregationist The difference between a cooperative and co-working space Why Bianca created TRIBE Co-Create and the challenges she faced Business principles of TRIBE Co-Create How TRIBE competes with gentrification in the Bronx Follow us on Instagram Twitter Facebook E-mail feedback to . If you like this episode, please leave a review and rating.
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Navigating Being the Only in the Room with Latisha Roberson
02/09/2021
Navigating Being the Only in the Room with Latisha Roberson
If you’re a woman of color, you have more than likely experienced being the “only” in a professional setting. Perhaps, you were the only woman in a male-dominated boardroom or the only person of color on your company’s professional staff. In today's episode, Latisha Roberson, a Human Resources Executive with over 18 years of experience developing and implementing talent programs for non-profit organizations and Fortune 500 companies, chats about some of the unique challenges of being an only in the workplace and how she has leveraged her status as an only. Latisha is also the Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of , which empowers women to navigate and ascend in their careers with confidence. Find links and show notes at . Topics Covered: Latisha’s experience being the “only” in the workplace Finding and building a supportive professional network and community Building camaraderie in the workplace Responding to offensive conduct and microaggressions in the workplace Managing when or whether to call out microaggressions Setting boundaries at work How to decline participating in workplace diversity initiatives when they detract from your professional responsibilities Navigating internal and external pressures of being the only in the workplace The value of having a business mentor or sponsor Leveraging your status as the only in the workplace The impact Kamala Harris’s Vice Presidency may have on how corporate America views Black women How companies can better incorporate diverse talent in the workplace Creating feelings of belonging in the workplace Follow us on Instagram Twitter Facebook E-mail feedback to . If you like this episode, please leave a review and rating.
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Black Don't Crack and Other Tales They Told Us with Dr. Daphne Watkins
02/02/2021
Black Don't Crack and Other Tales They Told Us with Dr. Daphne Watkins
We’ve all heard the expression “black don’t crack,” referring to Black women’s youthful appearance and ageless beauty. But underneath this beautiful exterior, Black women are aging much faster than their peers of other races. In today’s episode, Dr. Daphne Watkins, a Diversity and Social Transformation professor at the University of Michigan School of Social Work, chats about her experience as a young black female faculty member (who earned her PhD at age 24), and the stressors associated with her youthfulness, perceived youthfulness, and the facade of strength Black women often carry. We discuss the impact of stress on Black bodies and reconsider how we approach the concept of “black don’t crack” to embrace our vulnerabilities and humanity as Black women. Find links and show notes at . Topics Covered: Aging differences in melanated skin Dr. Watkins’ experience as a young Black doctoral student and faculty member Stress associated with youthfulness and perceived youthfulness in the workplace Changing the narrative around what leaders look like in academia Defining weathering and biological aging in Black people Stressors contributing to weathering/premature aging of Black bodies Stress associated with preserving a facade of strength Exploring reverse age discrimination in the workplace How employers can avoid age-related bias against younger workers Dr. Watkins’ research interests around the intersection of diversity and age Follow us on Instagram Twitter Facebook E-mail feedback to . If you like this episode, please leave a review and rating.
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Finding Your Fulfilling Career with Dr. Tega Edwin
01/26/2021
Finding Your Fulfilling Career with Dr. Tega Edwin
Feeling stuck in your career? Unclear about next steps? It’s 2021 and it’s time to find fulfillment in the work you do. Through , Dr. Tega Edwin helps women who are unhappy at work gain clarity about who they are so they can find a fulfilling career that allows them to live on purpose, thrive in their zone of genius, and get paid their true worth. Dr. Edwin has an extensive background in counseling, ranging from school counseling, mental health counseling, to career counseling. We discuss how women can identify their values and define their interests to find careers that are aligned with who they are. Find links and show notes at . Topics Covered: The difference between a career coach, career counselor, career consultant, and career strategist What to look for and questions to ask when searching for and selecting a career expert Why Dr. Edwin created Her Career Doctor The difference between a career and a job Top reasons why women are unhappy in their careers and stay in unfulfilling careers Overcoming fear and taking action to make a career change The missteps people take when changing careers Defining the discovery and attainment phases of finding an aligned career Identifying your values and defining your interests (30) How to transfer your skills to a career in alignment with your values and interests Strategies to effectively research, network, and market yourself Resources for your career search Follow us on Instagram Twitter Facebook E-mail feedback to . If you like this episode, please leave a review and rating.
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Success is a Lifestyle, Not a Destination with Dr. Natalia Peart
01/19/2021
Success is a Lifestyle, Not a Destination with Dr. Natalia Peart
Anxious about next steps in your career? Treading water financially? Can’t seem to achieve the right balance between personal and professional success? Frustrated over student loans accrued for that degree that was supposed to prepare you for life and everything else? Life can be unpredictable. Jobs can evaporate. After we’ve reached one pinnacle, there seems to be yet another challenge ahead. Break Concrete is kicking off Season 3 with the brilliant Dr. Natalia Peart, who is also the author of the powerful book, . Dr. Peart presents a roadmap to gain clarity and thrive in a fast paced world. Leave that “I will be happy when ___” thinking behind and start living a life of true happiness, fulfillment, and self-defined success today. Listen to the episode to learn how you can schedule one complimentary session to get "future-proofed" with Dr. Peart today. Find links and show notes at . Topics Covered: What it means to be future proofed Understanding the old blueprint for success, why it failed us, and Dr. Peart’s new blueprint for success How women and people of color are disproportionately impacted by changes in the professional landscape How we can adapt to a rapidly changing world to become more autonomous Important skills to cultivate in a rapidly changing world Understanding the “I’ll be happy when. . . .” syndrome and finding happiness in the now Embracing success as a lifestyle Integrating professional and personal success How to develop an agile mindset Understanding both/and thinking - seeing the challenges and the opportunities How the stories we tell ourselves shape our success Defying limiting beliefs Follow us on Instagram Twitter Facebook E-mail feedback to . If you like this episode, please leave a review and rating.
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Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Cultivating Unconditional Self-Worth with Dr. Adia Gooden
10/20/2020
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Cultivating Unconditional Self-Worth with Dr. Adia Gooden
Do you deal with being an only in the workplace? Do you regularly confront stereotypes about your gender or race? Do you find yourself balancing a hyper-competitive or unforgiving work environment? Workplace triggers making you feel like you are not good enough or do not belong abound. In this final episode of Season 2, Dr. Adia Gooden discusses what imposter syndrome is, how it shows up and holds you back from reaching professional success, and strategies that you can use to overcome imposter syndrome and cultivate unconditional self-worth. Dr. Gooden is the Director of Community Programs and Outcome Measurement at the Family Institute at Northwestern University. Through therapy, Dr. Gooden guides people to understand their emotions and experiences, identify their values, address unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, and embrace their full selves. Find links and show notes at . Topics Covered: Defining imposter syndrome How imposter syndrome plays out and hinders professional success The impact of minority status and racial trauma on feeling like an imposter How stereotypes influence feelings of being an imposter Identifying work environments that trigger feelings of being an imposter How women compensate in challenging work environments The relationship between perfectionism and imposter syndrome Defining unconditional self-worth Strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome Tips for managers and workplace leaders to validate employees and reduce feelings of being an imposter Resources: Check out Dr. Adia’s course on overcoming imposter syndrome on Follow us on Instagram Twitter Facebook E-mail feedback to . If you like this episode, please leave a review and rating.
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Gatekeeping White Supremacy and Patriarchy with Danielle Slaughter
10/13/2020
Gatekeeping White Supremacy and Patriarchy with Danielle Slaughter
Are you gatekeeping white supremacy and patriarchy without even realizing it? In this episode, Danielle Slaughter identifies three ways in which most people unintentionally serve as gatekeepers. Danielle is a doctoral student (on hiatus) in the Rhetoric and Composition program at Georgia State University, the founder of , a blog sharing Danielle’s experiences navigating motherhood and academia, and the creator of , a social justice advocacy resource website. We discuss harmful impulses to access power, privilege, and resources, which in turn uphold systems of oppression. Find links and show notes at Topics Covered: Reasons Danielle started her blog, Mamademics, and how her colleagues in academia received it How protecting your child’s innocence gives white supremacists a head start When and how to talk to children about race and racism Resources for teaching and learning about diversity, race, and racism Identifying how we gatekeep for white supremacy and patriarchy and how we can stop doing so Defining and defying respectability politics Defining tone policing Follow us on Instagram Twitter Facebook E-mail feedback to . If you like this episode, please leave a review and rating.
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Championing Black and Brown Voices with Zakiyah Ansari
10/06/2020
Championing Black and Brown Voices with Zakiyah Ansari
For over 20 years, Zakyah Ansari has been a champion for Black and Brown voices. As Advocacy Director with the the leading organization working to fight for educational equity in New York State, Zakiyah knows that organizing is a long-term game. We chat about how Zakiyah built a career in organizing, how she drives and sustains momentum, and how she has secured a seat at the table for herself and other Black and Brown parents in state politics. Find links and show notes at Topics Covered: How Zakiyah started organizing Key factors in successful organizing and momentum building Defining culturally responsive education and understanding its importance Suggestions for increasing teacher diversity Defining school choice and why Zakiyah supports a moratorium on charter schools The impact of school privatization on communities of color Reasons Zakiyah started and its mission to give Black and Brown voices a platform to be heard How we can amplify Black and brown voices in education How Zakiyah raises her daughters to #breakconcrete How Zakiyah has created a seat at the table amongst politicians, policymakers, and educators Follow us on Instagram Twitter Facebook E-mail feedback to . If you like this episode, please leave a review and rating.
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Moving Past Work. Connecting in Love with Dr. Erica Holmes
10/01/2020
Moving Past Work. Connecting in Love with Dr. Erica Holmes
Work is what you do to survive. It can’t be what you do to sustain or connect with your intimate partner. As a professional woman, you may constantly be chasing the elusive balance between work, home, and intimacy. In today’s Bonus Episode, Dr. Erica Holmes, a licensed clinical psychologist, educator, community consultant, and author of , talks in detail about how we can gain insights into our dating behaviors and practices to progress towards healthier intimate relationships. Wondering why you show up differently at work than you do in your personal relationships? Or maybe you constantly cycle through the same relationship patterns? Perhaps you are a workaholic and work inevitably seeps into your personal life. This Bonus Episode has nuggets for women at every stage in their relationships. Find links and show notes at Topics Covered: Defining a healthy intimate relationship What it means to date with purpose The influence of gender socialization on dating Connecting in intimate relationships Common dating behaviors and identities How our professional identities may influence our intimate relationships Why some women show up differently in intimate relationships than they do in their professional lives How to identify and learn from how you show up in intimate relationships Breaking patterns in intimate relationships When you should consider ending a relationship Identifying deal breakers and essentials in a relationship Setting expectations for the division of household labor Finding a partner who supports your professional success Follow us on Instagram Twitter Facebook E-mail feedback to . If you like this episode, please leave a review and rating.
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Swivel Beauty: Catering to Black Hair with Jihan Thompson
09/29/2020
Swivel Beauty: Catering to Black Hair with Jihan Thompson
Imagine going to the hair salon and not having to endure painfully long waits. Imagine traveling anywhere in the world and finding a skilled stylist knowledgeable about your hair type and texture leaving you with beautiful healthy hair. Jihan Thompson left a successful career as a magazine writer and editor to found Swivel Beauty with her co-founder, Jennifer Lambert, to do just that. Swivel Beauty is a mobile app that enables women of color to discover and book the best stylist and salon for their hair type and desired hairstyle. Since its launch, Swivel Beauty has been featured in Oprah Magazine, Fast Company, and the New York Times. Find links and show notes at https://breakconcrete.com/bc027 Topics Covered: Why Jihan ventured into entrepreneurship Jihan and her co-founder’s journey launching and building the Swivel Beauty app Swivel Beauty’s competitive edge over other booking apps How to use the Swivel app Cities where you can find Swivel Beauty Finding funding for Swivel Beauty Advice for women of color founders seeking investors How Jihan and Jennifer rebounded from fumbles Jihan’s vision for how Swivel Beauty will change the hair and beauty industry for Black women Swivel Beauty’s future plans for growth Follow us on Instagram Twitter Facebook E-mail feedback to . If you like this episode, please leave a review and rating.
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Charting Your Path to Corporate Success with Emily K. Graham
09/22/2020
Charting Your Path to Corporate Success with Emily K. Graham
Emily K. Graham is a millennial on the rise. She is the first Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at FleishmanHillard, a public relations company. Previously, Emily served as FleishmanHillard's youngest Senior Vice President and Partner. By age 32, Emily had already charted a trailblazing career, leading communications efforts for companies such as Morgan Stanley, Deloitte, and Merrill Lynch. We discuss Emily's rapid rise in corporate, how she continues to #breakconcrete as a young Black woman in communications, and her commitment to helping other young women advance professionally. Find links and show notes at Topics Covered: Emily’s experience being one of the youngest public relations executives at her firm How Emily created her own blueprint for success Emily’s path in public relations and communications Emily’s experience with the “pet to threat phenomenon” and how she managed it Emily’s experience with white male mentors Emily’s commitment to the professional development of other young women How Emily learned she was underpaid and what she did about it Advice for other women to make sure they’re not leaving money on the table Follow us on Instagram Twitter Facebook E-mail feedback to . If you like this episode, please leave a review and rating.
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Mothering Black Children
09/15/2020
Mothering Black Children
Let's talk about the additional work and labor that goes into mothering Black children. In today's episode, I am joined by several brilliant professional Black women who are also mothers. They share their experiences navigating race and gender for themselves and their children and how they raise their children to show up, take up space in the world, and #breakconcrete. Find links and show notes at Topics Covered: How to talk to your children about racial justice Educating your children about how to respond to racism and sexism How to maintain your mental and emotional health while processing the news Normalizing Blackness at home Teaching your children to own and love their Blackness The value of representation Inspiring your children to break concrete Competing priorities when identifying a school and/or daycare for your child Finding diverse and affirming social circles for your children Managing perceptions of your children The additional labor and tax in mothering Black children Work life balance and the concept of “having it all” Resources for Black mothers and children Today's Guests: Alana Brown Alliah Agostini Livingstone Enuma Menkiti Jennifer Njuguna Kia Ghee Megan Mack Natane Singleton Nwamaka Ejebe Tenita Schwartz Tiffany Wadell Tate Follow us on Instagram Twitter Facebook E-mail feedback to . If you like this episode, please leave a review and rating.
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