Shows
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkBuilding Inclusivity in the Tech Industry with Dr. Dede TetsubayashiIt’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 incluu, 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 ga...
2021-12-2140 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkThe Immigrant Experience: Challenges, Opportunities, and Impact in the Workplace with Jackie GlennFrom 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, Lift As I Climb: An Immigrant Girl’s Journey Through Corporate America. 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 Lift As I Climb...
2021-12-1447 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkOvercoming Barriers to Career Advancement as a Woman of Color with The FLI CollectiveWomen 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! To...
2021-12-0954 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkTurning Your Side Hustle into Your Full Time Gig with Beth Diana SmithStuck 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, Beth Diana Smith Interior Design. 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...
2021-12-0734 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkThe Elusive Black Middle Class with Imari SmithWith 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 n...
2021-11-3046 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkValuing the Work We Do: Black Women's Unpaid Labor with Dr. Nina BanksEvery 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 http...
2021-11-2343 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkDiscriminatory or Simply Burdensome? Workplace Dress Codes with Professor Stacy HawkinsMany 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 https://breakconcrete.com/bc048. Topics Covered: Defining authenticity The importance of bringing your whole Self to th...
2021-11-1634 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkThe Problematic Politics of Style and Gender Identity in the Workplace with Doreen PierreAfter 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 https://breakconcrete.com/bc047. Topics Covered: Exploring the connection between fashion and identity Ho...
2021-11-0943 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkDisrupting Patterns of Oppression in the Workplace with Dr. Maxine DavisAre 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, Anti-black practices take heavy toll on mental health. 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 https://breakconcrete.com/bc046. Topics Covered: Defining cultural appropriation and how...
2021-11-0248 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkDoes Your Definition of Leadership Exclude Women of Color? with Dr. Marlette JacksonFar 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, Does Your Definition of Leadership Exclude Women of Color? 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 ove...
2021-10-2642 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkMotherhood Comes in Many Different Forms with Tomi AkitundeMotherhood 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...
2021-05-0944 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkDeepening Our Inhales, Lessening Our Stress with Jasmine MarieUnderstanding that Black women experience higher rates of chronic stress and anxiety, Jasmine Marie, a breathwork practitioner, founded black girls breathing, 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...
2021-03-3044 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkConfronting Biases within Philanthropy with Kishshana PalmerIt’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 The Rooted Collaborative, a global community focused on the holistic evolution and advancement of female lead...
2021-03-2347 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkTailoring Your Image with Krysta McGowanDressing 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 Critique Consulting, 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 https://breakconcrete.com/bc041. Topics Covered:...
2021-03-1638 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkBONUS - The Rise of Modest Fashion and the Black Women Behind It with Rayya Ansari and Sumayah AnsariCries 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 backbone 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 A.SumayahShop, which offers “mode...
2021-03-1137 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkThe (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...
2021-03-0929 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkSelfishness - The Ultimate Act of Self Love with Dr. Marcuetta SimsFrom 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, The Art of Being Self-ish. She is also...
2021-03-0252 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkImproving Health Outcomes with Black Doctors with Dr. Marilyn Gaston and Dr. Gayle PorterResearch 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, Prime Time: The African American Woman’s Complete Guide to Midlife Health and Wellness and have designed Sist...
2021-02-2358 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkThis Is How Your Workplace Is Killing You with Bianca ShawRecognizing 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...
2021-02-1646 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkNavigating Being the Only in the Room with Latisha RobersonIf 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...
2021-02-0947 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkBlack Don't Crack and Other Tales They Told Us with Dr. Daphne WatkinsWe’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 Bl...
2021-02-0237 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkFinding Your Fulfilling Career with Dr. Tega EdwinFeeling stuck in your career? Unclear about next steps? It’s 2021 and it’s time to find fulfillment in the work you do. Through Her Career Doctor, 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 f...
2021-01-2648 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkSuccess is a Lifestyle, Not a Destination with Dr. Natalia PeartAnxious 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, Future Proofed: The New Rules of Success in Work & Life for our Modern World. Dr. Pear...
2021-01-1944 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkOvercoming Imposter Syndrome and Cultivating Unconditional Self-Worth with Dr. Adia GoodenDo 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...
2020-10-2041 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkGatekeeping White Supremacy and Patriarchy with Danielle SlaughterAre 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 Mamademics, a blog sharing Danielle’s experiences navigating motherhood and academia, and the creator of Raising an Advocate, 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 https://bre...
2020-10-1336 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkChampioning Black and Brown Voices with Zakiyah AnsariFor over 20 years, Zakyah Ansari has been a champion for Black and Brown voices. As Advocacy Director with the New York State Alliance for Quality Education, 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 https://breakconcrete.com/bc029 To...
2020-10-0639 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkMoving Past Work. Connecting in Love with Dr. Erica HolmesWork 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 Dating With Purpose: A Single Woman’s Guide to Escaping No Man’s Land, 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 tha...
2020-10-0149 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkSwivel 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...
2020-09-2938 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkCharting Your Path to Corporate Success with Emily K. GrahamEmily 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 https://breakconcrete.com/bc0...
2020-09-2238 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkMothering Black ChildrenLet'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 https://breakconcrete.com/bc025 Topics Covered: How to talk to your children about racial justice Educating your children about how to respond to racism and sexism How to mai...
2020-09-1558 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkShattering Traditions in Academia with Kimberly MutchersonHow do we change deeply-rooted traditions that were never intended to serve the interests of marginalized groups? Kimberly Mutcherson, the Co-Dean of Rutgers Law School in Camden, NJ, represents a trifecta of firsts for Rutgers Law: the first African-American, woman, and LGBTQ individual in this role. She is an award-winning professor whose scholarship focuses on bioethics, reproductive justice, and family and health law. We discuss her leadership in a predominantly white male institution, diversity in legal academia and the workplace, and how she works to advance justice and fairness while challenging legal traditions. Find links a...
2020-09-0846 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkPrioritizing Black Women's Health with Ashlee WisdomWhat impact does structural racism have on health outcomes for Black women? Ashlee Wisdom, a writer and healthcare professional, joins to discuss her mission to eliminate racial health disparities through her digital platform, Health in Her HUE. Health in Her HUE connects Black women to culturally competent healthcare providers and health content that centers Black women’s lived experiences. Earlier this year, Serena Williams, selected Ashlee and Health in Her Hue as part of her philanthropic partnership with Vital Voices Global Partnership, which invests in leaders who drive global change. Find links and show notes at...
2020-09-0135 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkDealing with Racial Trauma (Emancipation from Mental Slavery) with Dr. Cheryl Tawede Grills“We have to defy lies and embrace the truth of our humanity.” In this episode, Dr. Cheryl Tawede Grills, a clinical psychologist and the past president of the Association of Black Psychologists, joins to discuss how we can recognize and cope with racial stress and trauma at work and beyond. We talk about the impact that racial stress and trauma has on our mental, emotional, and physical health, as well as on our relationships with others, and how we can emancipate ourselves from ubiquitous messaging regarding Black inferiority. Topics Covered: How Dr. Grills began researching racial trauma a...
2020-08-2552 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkEmbracing Uncomfortable Conversations with Erika StallingsErika Stallings is no stranger to uncomfortable conversations. In fact, she invites them as she fearlessly confronts workplace and healthcare inequities and leads the dialogue around hereditary breast cancer for Black women. Erika is a writer, health advocate, and attorney. She has been featured in the New York Times, the Washington Post, O Magazine, and NPR. Her most recent article appears in The Cut, Racism at My Job Literally Gave Me PTSD. We chat about Erika’s advocacy on behalf of Black women both in the workspace and in healthcare, and her article, When Black Women Go From Office Pet t...
2020-08-1845 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkChanging Careers and Pursuing Your Passion with Jessica Hylton-LeckieReady to change your day to day? Jessica Hylton-Leckie shares how she left a career in law to pursue her passion to become an award-winning photographer, videographer, and home chef. Jessica is the CEO and creator of Jessica in the Kitchen, a food blog that focuses on sharing hundreds of nutritious, whole foods based delicious recipes. Her work has been featured on numerous websites and magazines, including Essence, delish, The Huffington Post, BuzzFeed, and Yahoo! We chat about how Jessica changed careers to build a successful brand as a food blogger, advice for women thinking of switching careers, and...
2020-08-1130 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkProtecting Black Girlhood with Ashley Sawyer and Damala Denny, Girls for Gender EquityHow does centering the experiences of Black girls protect their innocence and childhood? In this Bonus Episode, Ashley Sawyer and Damala Denny from Girls for Gender Equity join to discuss GGE’s efforts. GGE is an inter-generational nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening local communities by creating opportunities for young women and girls to live self-determined lives. We explore how GGE works to dismantle systems of oppression in order to empower Black girls and help them #breakconcrete. We also discuss GGE's vision for the 2020 presidential election. Find links and show notes at https://breakconcrete.com/bc019 To...
2020-08-0640 min
Black Educators Matter: Project 500 PodcastBreak Concrete"I always want to be an advocate for families, an advocate for people."
Cheryl-Lyn Bentley
Attorney, Educator, Podcast Hostess
Break Concrete
www.breakconcrete.com
breakconcrete@gmail.com
Today, we are joined by Cheryl-Lyn Bentley, an attorney in the field of civil rights/education. After moving to New York from Barbados, Cheryl-Lyn reflects on the differences in discipline, tracking programs (and access to gifted classes), and how her grandfather's love for knowledge led her to begin a career in education.
We are discussing:
2020-08-0540 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkLeadership in a Mission-Driven Organization with Anne Williams-IsomHow does a Black female CEO create the learning environment for Black children to thrive? Anne Williams-Isom, the past CEO of the Harlem Children’s Zone, talks about how she showed up and carried out HCZ’s mission to break the cycle of generational poverty in Central Harlem. We explore Anne’s role as CEO of an organization tasked with educating young people of color and how she, as a professional woman, raises her Black daughters to show up and break concrete. Find links and show notes at https://breakconcrete.com/bc018 Topics Covered: How Ann...
2020-08-0443 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkBeating the Odds with Chris-Tia DonaldsonAt every turn, Chris-Tia Donaldson has faced and passed life’s tests with grit and grace. She is the founder and CEO of the nationally-distributed beauty brand, Thank God It’s Natural, which manufactures natural hair and skin care products. She is a two-time Harvard graduate and also the author of This Is Only A Test: What Breast Cancer Taught Me about Faith, Love, Hair and Business. We chat about Chris-Tia’s experience in corporate work settings as a Black female professional, how she cultivated the confidence to push past being underestimated, her journey building TGIN, her battles with breast...
2020-07-2846 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkSeason 2 TeaserBreak Concrete is back for a second season on Tuesday, July 28, 2020 with more discussions exploring how Black women navigate race and gender in the workplace. But we also take a more intimate look at how successful Black women got to where they are today. We will be releasing episodes every Tuesday starting next week. See you on Tuesday! Find links and show notes at https://breakconcrete.com/bc016/ Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/breakconcrete/ Twitter https://twitter.com/BreakConcrete/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/br...
2020-07-2101 min
Black Women WorkingLet's Talk About It - The B-Word with Break Concrete PodcastFor this 'Let's Talk About It' we have teamed up with a fellow Black Woman Working, Cheryl-Lyn Bentley of the Break Concrete Podcast. Break Concrete Podcast centres on the experience of Black Women Working in the States and we are discussing the B-Words: British Culture, Black Lives Matter and Burnout for us and in comparison to our stateside sisters.
We chat about how the current events ranging from remote work, coronavirus lockdown, and racial unrest lead to burnout, and how some of these issues are showing up and impacting Black women in the U.S. and the U.K. We...
2020-07-1455 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkLet's Talk About the B-word with the Black Women Working PodcastIn this Summer Special, we teamed up with our British sisters from the Black Women Working podcast and we're talking Bs: burnout, British work culture compared to the U.S., and Black Lives Matter. Black Women Working is a podcast show that highlights the workplace experiences of Black women in the U.K. We chat about how the current events ranging from remote work, coronavirus lockdowns, and racial unrest can lead to burnout, and how some of these issues are showing up and impacting Black women in the U.S. and the U.K. We also take a look...
2020-07-1455 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkBreaking Concrete: How Black Women Achieve Professional Success with Dr. Ella Bell SmithWhat does it take to achieve professional success? In Episode 14, the Season 1 Finale, Dr. Ella Bell Smith, Professor of Management at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College and nationally recognized managerial consultant and expert on women’s workplace issues, joins to share pearls of wisdom about how Black women break concrete. She is the co-author of the widely acclaimed book, Our Separate Ways: Black and White Women and the Struggle for Professional Identity. We chat about a range of factors critical to Black women’s professional success from engaging in difficult conversations with supervisors about race and gend...
2020-06-2358 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkCapitalizing on Your Skills and Owning Your Expertise with Titilayo Tinubu AliIn Episode 13, Titilayo Tinubu Ali, founder of Own Your Expertise, discusses how she helps talented women kick start their businesses and live a life of freedom and independence. Own Your Expertise is a leadership program that helps professional women of color claim their voices, communicate their strengths, and step into greater visibility at work and beyond. Titilayo coaches emerging leaders and entrepreneurs to land their first clients, turn their first profits, and develop their personal brand. Find links and show notes at https://breakconcrete.com/bc013 Topics Covered: Freedom that independent consulting can grant wo...
2020-06-1650 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkOur Beauty Needs are Primary, Not Secondary with Shemika HarmittNo more foraging for the perfect foundation, bronzer, to accentuate your beautiful brown skin. In Episode 12, Shemika Harmitt, an accomplished beauty publicist, chats about her Indie brand, Prime Beauty Cosmetics. Since its launch, Prime Beauty has received an outpouring of support from celebrities and influencers such as Cardi B and Nyma Tang as the brand redefines beauty standards and offers inclusive products for women of color. We discuss inclusivity in the beauty industry, Shemika's journey launching Prime Beauty, and tips she has for others starting their own business. Find links and show notes at https://breakconcrete.com/b...
2020-06-0935 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkThe Black Woman's Guide to Overcoming Anxiety, Panic, and Fear with Dr. Angela Neal-Barnett“There is no sin and shame in being anxious and fearful.” In today’s episode, Dr. Angela Neal-Barnett, a national award-winning psychologist, professor, and leading expert on anxiety disorders in African Americans, discusses how she helps Black women and girls overcome anxiety, panic, and fear. She is the author of the relatable, yet instructive book, Soothe Your Nerves: The Black Woman’s Guide to Understanding and Overcoming Anxiety, Panic, and Fear. We discuss work-related stressors impacting anxiety in Black women, how to recognize the symptoms of anxiety and panic, and strategies for managing and treating anxiety, panic, and fear. F...
2020-06-0240 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkBONUS: It's About Damn Time (Finding Value in Being Underestimated) with Arlan Hamilton In this Bonus Episode, Arlan Hamilton, founder and managing partner of Backstage Capital, chats about how she got started in venture capital and her commitment to working with underrepresented founders. Backstage Capital is a seed investment fund dedicated to minimizing funding disparities in tech by backing high-potential startup founders who are people of color, women, and/or LGBTQ. Completely self-taught and lacking money and connections, Arlan has upended Silicon Valley, tapping into the innovation, intelligence, and drive of underrepresented founders. She has been lauded by Forbes as “pioneering” and her personal story going from homeless to running a multi-million dolla...
2020-05-2817 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkWhat We Need to Tackle the Wealth Gap with Anne PriceLet’s talk about centering the needs of Black women. In this episode, Anne Price, the first woman president of the Insight Center for Community Economic Development, talks about narrowing gendered racial wealth inequities. Spoiler alert: One way forward is to center Blackness. Anne breaks down various myths about the wealth gap and encourages us to reevaluate our thinking. We discuss Anne’s recent report, Don’t Fixate On the Racial Wealth Gap: Focus on Undoing Its Root Causes. Find links and show notes at https://breakconcrete.com/bc009 Topics Covered: Defining wealth, the racial w...
2020-05-2639 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkTaking Command of Your Finances with Ericka YoungLet’s talk about money. In Episode 8, Ericka Young, a recognized expert in financial coaching and the President and Founder of Tailor-Made Budgets, discusses practical tips for managing personal finance, including budgeting and debt reduction. She offers pragmatic advice for professional women and couples to get their finances in order. Ericka is also the author of the best-selling book, Naked and Unashamed: 10 Money Conversations Every Couple Must Have. Find links and show notes at https://breakconcrete.com/bc008/ Topics Covered: What to look for when seeking a financial coach Steps to creating a budget and...
2020-05-1949 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkLeveraging Your Difference and Building a Career with Audacity with Jennifer McClanahan-Flint“If you are Black, you are different and everybody sees your difference.” In this episode, Jennifer McClanahan-Flint, founder of Leverage to Lead Group and Programs, and executive career coach and career strategist, discusses how she helps ambitious women of color navigate workplace bias, compensation, and their trajectory to build careers with audacity, not apprehension. We explore how Jennifer works with women to leverage their difference, make strategic career choices, and more. Find links and show notes at https://breakconcrete.com/bc007/ Topics Covered: The role of a career coach in helping to propel your caree...
2020-05-1252 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkFulfilling Your Purpose As A First Generation Professional with Rukayatu TijaniIn Episode 6, I am joined by the audacious Rukayatu Tijani, creator of the First Generation Purpose Project, an initiative designed to help first generation professionals and entrepreneurs navigate life and career by utilizing their grit and tenacity. She is also the founder of Firm for the Culture, an exciting new virtual law firm providing trademark services for social entrepreneurs and innovative founders at flat fee accessible rates. We chat about Ruky’s journey navigating the politics of workspaces and maneuvering her past and present. Find links and show notes at https://breakconcrete.com/bc006/ Topics Cov...
2020-05-0554 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkWhat Therapy Can Do for Black Women with Dr. Akua Boateng As an upwardly mobile professional, you may face unique challenges ranging from survivor's guilt to maintaining healthy relationships with loved ones from the past to creating support networks with people in your present. In Episode 5, Dr. Akua Boateng, a licensed professional counselor, discusses how therapy can help Black female professionals take ownership of their emotional health, cope with challenges faced in the workplace and beyond, and work towards a more authentic existence. Find links and show notes at https://breakconcrete.com/bc005/ Topics Covered: The difference between various mental health professionals (psychologists, psychiatrists, psychotherapists, c...
2020-04-2847 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkEnding Hair Discrimination with Kelli Lawson and Orlena BlanchardA positive experience of beauty should be accessible to every woman. In this episode, Kelli Joy Richardson Lawson, Founder and CEO of JOY Collective, and Orlena Nwokah Blanchard, President and COO of JOY Collective, join me to chat about how they are mobilizing across the country to end hair discrimination based on hair texture and hairstyles in public schools and workplaces with the CROWN Act. Find links and show notes at https://breakconcrete.com/bc004/ Topics Covered: The CROWN Act and the movement to ban hair discrimination Defining hair discrimination and hair bias Findings f...
2020-04-2141 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkYou Don't Look Like a Lawyer with Dr. Tsedale MelakuEver heard that you don't look like the professional that you are? In Episode 3, Dr. Tsedale Melaku discusses the labor and cost of being included in white institutional spaces and how we can redefine diversity to improve the experiences of Black women in corporate workspaces. She is also the author of the fantastic book, You Don't Look Like A Lawyer: Black Women and Systemic Gendered Racism. Find links and show notes at https://breakconcrete.com/bc003/ Topics Covered: Leaning in as a Black woman The labor and cost of being included in white institutional s...
2020-04-2153 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkResponding to Racial and Gender Bias at Work with Dr. Kumea Shorter-GoodenFeeling like you leave your true Self at the door when arriving at the office? In Episode 2, Shifting as a Black Woman in America, Dr. Kumea Shorter-Gooden describes how Black women shift to respond to and cope with racial and gender bias in the workplace. She is also the author of the captivating book, Shifting: The Double Lives of Black Women in America. Find links and show notes at https://breakconcrete.com/bc002/ Topics Covered: Her experience integrating an all girls school in the South Intersection of race and gender in shaping Black women’s e...
2020-04-2157 min
Break Concrete: Black Women At WorkSeason 1 TeaserWelcome to Break Concrete! We all recognize "the glass ceiling" the invisible barrier impeding women's professional advancement. For Black women, sexism shaped by racism creates additional hurdles many have regarded as a concrete wall. In Season 1, listen to incredibly brilliant and talented women share their experiences, exchange lessons they have learned throughout their journeys, and encourage us to continue rising. Find links and show notes at https://breakconcrete.com/ Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/breakconcrete/ Twitter https://twitter.com/BreakConcrete/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/breakconcrete/
2020-04-1202 min