10 Ways to Cope With Being The Only Black Woman At Work

So you’re the only sistah in the office, huh? Who’s going to be your Scandal buddy at work? Who can you confide in for a well-informed conversation about pressing African-American issues? Who will stand by you in the face of discrimination? All these questions, and more, can muddle our minds as we are engulfed in a work staff that is absent of brown faces. 

Not only this, Black women are faced with stereotypes — such as Angry Black Woman Syndrome (ABWS) — that can hamper our growth in the workplace. Some African-American women put their managerial qualities in a cage to prove that they are defying these preconceived notions. However, this comes at the expense of our  job performance and candidacy for promotion. So how, amidst all these discomforting musings, can you cope with being the only Black woman?

Here’s a guide to help you glide smoothly through the job as the Black employee.

It’s All in Your Head

Just as Black women are sometimes wrongly stereotyped, you are also making assumptions on your non-POC colleagues, too. Presuming that your co-workers will prejudge you for your race will have you feeling cornered for no justified reason. Walk into work with an open mind and get to know everyone before your inner-cynic materializes.

Exude Confidence

If you are uncomfortable with being the only woman of color in the office, don’t let it show! Some people love preying on the weak. Don’t be a prime target. There’s no need to recoil or hold back your thoughts — be confident in your abilities and your ideas. Know that your concepts won’t always be praised, but at least you’ve made yourself present and made a bold “I’m here!” statement.

Don’t Let Stereotypes Haunt You

If you’re in a high-ranking position at work, don’t bother with limiting yourself to prove that you do not fall into the ABWS category. If a co-worker or employee steps out of line, you be sure to tell him or her who’s in charge. Of course, you don’t want to overdo it. You can be a businesswoman without rendering yourself completely unapproachable by your colleagues.

Dealing With Ignorance

It’s possible that you may hear someone spewing out ill-informed opinions about the African-American community. Or catch someone reaching out for your hair and asking if it’s real. For the former — if you absolutely can’t help but say something — state your opinion and why they’re incorrect. But in my experience, you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, so don’t bother starting a debate. My favorite line is, “Let’s agree to disagree.” If it’s downright hateful, make a beeline for HR. For the latter, swat their hand away and say “don’t touch!”

Steer Clear of the “Race Card”

So you’ve been seeing your other colleagues getting recognition and you may quickly think, “It’s because I’m Black, isn’t it?” This may or may not be the case, but if you’d like to bring it up to your boss, steer clear of bringing race — an ultra-sensitive topic — into the conversation. Just ask your boss if there’s something holding you back from being called into those exclusive meetings. That way, you can properly gauge whether you’ve been misinterpreting your productivity at work. If you feel strongly that there’s a thread of racism running through the company, get a new job and consider the legal options.

Don’t Tell Your Co-Workers To “Have Several Seats”

The same expressions that you use with your Black girlfriends might be undecipherable to your non-POC co-workers. Other slang isn’t appropriate for the office or can be misinterpreted by someone who has no clue what you’re talking about. Keep the slang to a bare minimum. If your colleagues are keeping it professional, they should also be following the same rule.

Making Conversation a Breeze

So Tim, who sits on your right, loves Star Trek and Sally, to your left, is a big Honey Boo Boo fan. How on Earth do you find a common ground with your co-workers? Don’t totally dismiss your colleagues! With just a bit of small talk, you just might find yourself branching off into a totally different topic that you and your co-worker will enjoy. Maybe it’s a mutual love for wine tasting? Who knows!

Do Not Operate on “CP Time”

CP Time, or Colored People Time, is a running joke about punctuality. You might get away with being late to your friend’s party or your cousin’s BBQ, but please — for the sake of professionalism — be on time for work. Make sure you have an alarm, give yourself ample time to get ready, beware of traffic and transportation delays, and be punctual. By being tardy, you’re not only jeopardizing your job, but you’re annoying the heck out of everyone else.

Do Something About It

If the lack of diversity bothers you, you have the power to effect change! If you know a good friend of yours that has an impressive amount of experience and talent under her belt, refer her for a job. And as you move up in the company, you can seek to diversify the staff with a healthy balance of employees across the racial spectrum.