I’ve alluded to this idea in many of my previous blog posts and finally decided to write a post about it. As many of you know, I moved to Cincinnati to work at the Urban League on police reform and accountability. I work at a Black organization for the first time in my adult life, and honestly, it’s the best thing that’s happened to me in my professional life. It’s been a whirlwind these last two years, but I have found the words to share some advantages of working at a Black organization.
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PHOTOS BY: DORESE JENAE PORTRAITS
ABOUT THE URBAN LEAGUE
The Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio is recognized as the oldest and largest community-based organization devoted to empowering African American individuals and families in the Cincinnati area. The mission is to transform generations by promoting personal empowerment and economic self-sufficiency. The Center for Social Justice, the initiative housed within the Urban League focused on police reform and policy advocacy work, was founded in the summer of 2020 after the tragic killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. If you’re looking for a great organization to invest in, donate here.
ADVANTAGES OF WORKING AT A BLACK ORGANIZATION
WORKING WITH AMAZING BLACK FOLKS
I didn’t go to an HBCU during my undergrad and grad programs however, being at the Urban League gives off a similar energy to an HBCU. You don’t have to overexplain everything, and you get to work with amazing Black folks. Working with Black folks who are the best in class and just oozing Black girl and boy magic is something I didn’t realize I was missing. While I have amazing folks like this in my friend groups, witnessing this at work is pretty special.
NO CODE SWITCHING
I never realized how much I code switched in my life until I got to the Urban League and was in meetings where people understood why I just made a facial expression and my colloquial. There have been so many spaces in my life where I’ve been the only Black person and exhausted of wearing a mask just to fit in. Not having to find the right words to use so everyone understands me or being up-to-date on the latest popular white shows (that I usually don’t like or understand, tbh) just so I can be part of discussions has been a weight off my shoulders. I can just be me without needing to “fit in” so people don’t find me standoffish or not being a “collaborative member of the team.” 🙄😒
NO OBTUSE QUESTIONS ABOUT MY CULTURE OR HAIR
There have been countless times when someone on my team has said – “it’s so nice to be able to have these conversations [insert any topic about being Black] at work without having to overexplain everything.” The fact that no one, in the last two years, has said things like “wow, your hair grew overnight,” “your hair changes every week,” or my favorite, “your hair looks more professional when it’s straight,” has been amazing. My Liberian ethnicity is an enigma to most folks because there are not a lot of Liberians here, and most people are very intrigued when they find out that I’m a different flavor of Black. When coworkers find out, they do ask questions to learn more, but it’s not in a way that’s filled with stereotypes or making assumptions about the continent of Africa.
A GENERAL LEVEL OF UNDERSTANDING & EMPATHY WHEN ANOTHER BLACK PERSON DIES AT THE HANDS OF THE POLICE
I remember feeling hopeless in 2016 when two Black men – Alton Sterling and Philando Castile – were killed by police within 24 hours, and I had to go to work and pretend everything was okay. I was in a meeting for most of the morning and was doing everything I could to hold back tears and find the will to participate. What stunned me the most was how everyone else was operating as if it was another day – mostly because they had the privilege of not having to think about it. What also hurt was the comments of “oh yeah, that happened” and then returning to whatever they were doing. While the work I do is still painful, having coworkers and managers that understand what I’m feeling and encourage everyone to take the time they need is another advantage of working at a Black organization that I’m so grateful for.
SHOP THE LOOK!
Kahlana Barfield Brown Future Collection Coat (similar) || Banana Republic Blazer (similar) || Target Black History Month Collection Shirt || Old Navy Jeans || Amazon Bag || Nike Air Max Excee || Hoop Earrings (similar) || A New Day Necklace set || Garmin Watch || Lips: A combination of The Lip Bar Bawse Lady & MAC Cavier
