brittany nicole

…to be the only Black professional in the room…

You honestly never know if that’s an inspirational opportunity because you hope that you will be able to open more doors for those that look like you or if it’s a draining opportunity because you will spend majority of your time being misunderstood.

I work in higher education and have been doing so for the last 6 years.

here’s a sprinkle of truth for those of you who show up daily to environments being the only one too:

In the interview…

There I am questioning if I belong. If I fit the “narrative” being promoted. And thinking about how it will probably be awhile before I wear my hair like this again.

One time in the interview, a woman stated “You talk as if though you know what you’re talking about. What makes you think you can do this job so well?”

Ma’am why would I show up to this campus and not be able to have an intellectual conversation about the job that I am interviewing for?

Did you expect me to show up unprepared? Did you assume that your “not impressed with me” demeanor could affect my confidence level? Did you not ask me the toughest questions that had absolutely nothing to do with the job itself to trip me up?

Yes! Yes! And Yes!

You have to show up more prepared than the rest. You have to show up with more confidence than the rest. You have to show up with more knowledge than the rest.

On the job…

Here I am questioning if I’m being set up for success. If I fit the “we are family” narrative being tossed around. And thinking about how I will probably only be here long enough to interrupt the flow of negativity that’s being spread from office to office and person to person, which means I’m just passing through.

One time on the job, a man was going around the office spreading lies of things that I didn’t say to have more staff on his side.

Sir, why did you think for a split second that people wouldn’t come tell me what’s being said to them about me?

Did you expect for me to be left out of the office “gossip” because I don’t spread lies too? Did you assume that because you’re in a higher position people would be more loyal to you? Did you not tell me in one of our weekly check ins that I could trust you because you believe in me and were so impressed by how I do what I do?

Yes! Yes! And Yes!

You have to show up more focused than the rest. You have to show with more patience than the rest. You have to show up more “on” than the rest.

After you quit respectfully...

There I be, questioning if I can use anyone as a reference in the future. If I fit the “we know you’re going to do great things in the future” saying when my greatness was never appreciated in the office. And thinking about the fact that the leadership was more concerned about if I remembered to return my work supplies and keys on my last day than I had ever seen them be concerned about anything else pertaining to me.

After I submitted my notice, a woman had the audacity to say that “I hope you like where you’re going next. I just can’t see you fitting in there.” (As if she was in shock that I had actually received a job offer)

Ma’am, why did you think that this was appropriate to say?

Did you expect me to be afraid to step out on faith when the next opportunity presented itself because I don’t come from money? Did you assume that I would stick around after having so many simple requests be ignored and never be shown any appreciation on any level? Did you not see that my work ethic under your leadership probably help me get the offer at the company that you didn’t think I would “fit” in at?

Yes! Yes! And Yes!

You have to show with more of a sound mind than the rest. You have to be more persistent than the rest. You have to work harder than the rest.

to be the only Black professional at times is full of eye-opening experiences that remind you of the fact that what you bring to the table can’t be ignored or duplicated or dismissed.

those weapons will form and attempt to take you out, but they will not prosper.

keep showing up, Black Queens & Kings.

the next generation needs to see us filling up more rooms and creating more tables to sit at and serving on more boards advocating for change and obtaining more degrees because education is our passport to the future.

And not just for the next generation, but also for those of us operating in spaces as the only one. We need to be reminded that we’re not alone.

embrace being the only one.

you’re not a token. you’re not an accessory. you’re not the spokesperson for the Black community.

you’re you.

you are success.

you’re worthy + deserving of so much more.

you have a reason to hold your head up high too.

#BlackLivesMatter always.

logging off proud to be the only Black professional in the room,