Season 1 Episode 4 of the Dear Black Woman Podcast
For Black women, education and career are more than just pathways to success—they are essential to claiming power in a world that doesn’t always make room for us. In this episode of Dear Black Woman, Kami Redd, Lauren Edwards, and Nicole Davis explore the role of education and career in shaping their identities, sharing personal stories about the challenges they face and the importance of creating opportunities for others. The discussion highlights the unique struggles Black women face in professional spaces, as well as the resilience and determination required to overcome those barriers.
The Reality of Representation
Black women around the world face higher unemployment rates and lower representation in leadership positions. The statistics are staggering—whether it’s the fact that 50% of Black women in the UK leave their jobs due to racial inequality, or that Black women in the U.S. hold some of the highest records for entrepreneurship because they’re being passed over for promotions in traditional corporate settings.
Kami reflects on the challenges in the U.S.: “We have the education, we have the experience, but we’re still not getting the promotions. We are passed over, and we end up training people who move up before us.” This resonates with Lauren’s experience in the UK, where she sees women of color quitting jobs rather than staying in environments that fail to recognize their contributions.
Nicole shares a similar frustration, noting how systemic issues in France have limited opportunities for Black women. “Even with advanced degrees, we’re paid less than men with basic degrees,” she explains. “And it’s not just a French issue—it’s global.”
Creating Our Own Lanes
Rather than continuing to fight for spaces that don’t acknowledge their worth, many Black women are opting to create their own lanes. The rise in Black women entrepreneurs is a direct response to the systemic barriers they face in traditional workspaces. As Lauren explains, “We are building our own businesses because we know that waiting for the system to change isn’t enough. We’re taking control of our futures.”
Nicole emphasizes the need to not just create opportunities for ourselves, but to uplift others along the way. “Mentorship is key. It’s not enough for us to succeed—we need to create spaces for others to rise, too.” She shares how, throughout her career, she has often been the mentor for others, even when formal mentorship programs weren’t available. “We are the mentorship,” Nicole states firmly. “We guide each other because we don’t always have access to formal mentorship opportunities.”
Kami adds that this lack of formal mentorship is why Black women need to prioritize building strong professional relationships. “We’ve been conditioned to think that we can only go so far in these professional spaces. But by building networks and supporting each other, we’re showing that we can break through those barriers.”
The Challenge of Balancing Ambition with Self-Care
One of the key themes of the discussion is the pressure Black women feel to constantly prove themselves. This drive often comes at the cost of personal well-being. Kami admits that she struggles with setting boundaries between her work and personal life. “I’m always saying ‘yes’ to others, even when I should be saying ‘no.’ It’s hard to stop and take care of myself when I’m so focused on my career.”
Lauren and Nicole echo these sentiments, sharing their own experiences of burnout. “We push ourselves so hard because we don’t want to fall behind, but that takes a toll,” Lauren explains. Nicole emphasizes the need to redefine success, not just in terms of career achievements, but also in maintaining balance and mental health. “We need to remember that success isn’t just about how high we climb—it’s also about how well we take care of ourselves along the way.”
Moving Forward: Empowering the Next Generation
As the conversation wraps up, the hosts discuss how Black women can continue reshaping the narrative around success, leadership, and achievement. For Lauren, it’s about creating opportunities for the next generation. “We have to keep opening doors behind us. It’s our responsibility to make sure that the women coming up after us don’t face the same barriers we did.”
Nicole highlights the importance of community and mentorship: “We need a strong community that supports and uplifts each other. The more we create spaces for one another, the stronger we become as a collective.”
Kami closes with a call to action: “Black women must continue creating their own spaces, pursuing their ambitions, and building the futures they deserve. We are not defined by the limitations others try to impose on us. We are powerful, capable, and deserving of success on our own terms.”
Charting a Path Forward
The journey to empowerment through education and career for Black women is filled with challenges, but also incredible resilience and strength. By creating their own lanes, supporting each other through mentorship, and prioritizing self-care, Black women are not just surviving in professional spaces—they are thriving. As the hosts of Dear Black Woman remind us, success is about more than just personal achievement; it’s about building a legacy that opens doors for the next generation.
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