In this raw and courageous episode of Being Brown at Work Live, I sit down with the phenomenal Chenae Erkerd, also known as the Recruiter Cousin. We kick off a crucial two-part conversation focused on "Get Me Together!," a candid look at workplace trauma and its profound impact on our lives.
Chenae bravely shares her personal journey through a toxic work environment, revealing the immense stress, burnout, and emotional toll that led her to a mental health leave of absence. We discuss the pervasive expectation for Black and Brown women to be "strong," even in the face of adversity, and the heartbreaking reality that this often leads to their pain being overlooked or misinterpreted as poor performance.
This is a powerful, vulnerable conversation about:
The reality of workplace trauma: How it can bleed into our personal lives and affect our mental health.
The expectation of strength: Why the "strong Black woman" trope can be a heavy burden.
The importance of feeling: We give you permission to feel your emotions, whether it's anger, frustration, or sadness, because your feelings are valid.
The danger of losing your voice: How toxic environments can lead us to silence ourselves, and why reclaiming our voice is a powerful act of defiance.
The "rite of passage" myth: We challenge the notion that enduring workplace trauma is a necessary part of the journey for Black women.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone who has ever felt alone or misunderstood in a toxic workplace. It's an honest, unfiltered conversation that validates your feelings and sets the stage for actionable strategies in Part 2.
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Connect with Chenae Erkerd
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chenae-erkerd-j-d-racr-798b2389
IG: @recruitercousin
TikTok: @recruitercousin
YouTube: @recruitercousinconsulting
Facebook: @recuitercousin
