For too long, Black women have found no entry to certain career heights that are open to others. This exclusion is not only unfair but a mistake. Researchers have shown that companies with diverse leadership are more profitable, more innovative and outperform their industry averages when compared to those that are homogeneous. So why are obstacles erected against what should be the first choice?
Disguised as recognition of worth, most women are told that they are technical (since accreditations evidencing skills and training cannot be denied), and ambitious (with negative emphasis), but (here comes the insincerity) not strategic or lacking leadership qualities. With this feedback, no additional support such as training, special projects, mentorship or sponsorship is offered in order to ensure more women are prepared for career growth. Instead, women are left continuing to work hard but continue to encounter hurdles and gender biases not placed on their male counterparts. Too many leave their companies or careers feeling stifled and frustrated at the glass ceiling, micro-aggression and exclusion they received throughout their careers. This was why EWIIN was formed. To help ambitious Black women who aspire, but are locked out of, higher stratums.
With the public murders and aggression of unarmed Black women and men in the US, many Black women are now responding, “enough!” Enough to being told “it will happen soon” or “to be patient for a little while longer” without an end date, to hearing that they are not ready, or that they need to be more assertive then be ignored, or told that they are being aggressive (“angry Black woman” micro-aggression), when they speak up after watching their male counterparts being promoted.
Women in general, but especially Black women, have been networking for years and selling their capabilities to co-workers and to executives, with little if any career progression. They know and are appreciated by clients, vendors and competitors which leaves them wondering “what am I missing?” or “why am I not enough?” This continuous lack of progress substantiates the saying that “just because you are in their circle doesn’t mean they’re in your corner”. This is why inclusion in the workplace is so important. It enables you as a Black woman to be in the room, with a voice at the table, and feeling like you belong there.
EWIIN is made up of ambitious, positive, educated Black women destined for success, and who are looking to support each other. They tread forward working to achieve their personal goals as they support others. They are striding winners, not star gazers. They recognise the value in each other, even in those who may not yet be ready to go to the stratum which others envision for them. EWIIN knows that an individual’s journeys may not be direct, easy or smooth but realizes that difficult roads lead to beautiful destinations. So along the way, mentors and advisors will help share the load and thereby lessen the burdens.
In EWIIN, commitment is reciprocal. The network’s to the individual, and the individual’s in turn to the network; so everyone is accountable for the outcome. Complete confidentiality is expected from everyone, as personal information, goals, strategies, etc. disclosed may be learnt by an unintended participant. There must be non-disclosure of any and all information learnt to non-members.
Members understand that there are designated mentors to help identify workplace hurdles and to enable their understanding of what it takes to succeed. There is also the potentially that a mentee could be asked to mentor in their specific area of expertise, while they are being mentored, elsewhere. For these reasons, positivity, humility, openness to different ideas – ways of seeing things, being receptive and coachable, able to give and receive advice and recommendations, without judgement, are all important. Everyone has the opportunity to grow, similar to a new training program, which can be uncomfortable as you push past your current abilities in order to rise to attain your full potential.
So as a hand of assistance is extended by mentors, each mentee, in turn extend a hand to others. As they develop, no one is carried. Each individual’s legs must be enacted, bearing their own weight. Working together, members advance faster towards their goals, ultimately to the benefit of their employers as well as other stakeholders. EWIIN members agree and are committed to introduce others with the character, panache or disposition for greatness so that they can benefit from the same services. Members look to pull up and celebrate each other’s wins and potential. Always remember, supporting others to brighten their light doesn’t take away from yours, it just makes the room brighter.
EWIIN members are expected to be positive and grateful. Gratitude is given daily for life, opportunities, advice, every success and failure, and accomplishments. When you fail, fail forward, grow, but be grateful for the lessons learnt and move on.
In closing, always remember the words of Dr. George C. Fraser, – CEO, FraserNet.Inc. who amongst other accomplishments is an outstanding motivator and one of, if not the, number one networker in the world:
“Losers quit when they are tired, Winners quit when they have WON”.
“Inhale confidence, exhale doubt”.
“Work until your idols become your rivals
submitted by Judith Mitchell.
