Commit to building meaningful relationships
It’s that time of year. Because it’s Black History Month, Black professionals everywhere are being approached about presenting for programs. I don’t disagree that we merit opportunities to share our experiences and have our voices heard. The issue is that we’re Black the other eleven months of the year and this is the only month when those experiences seem to be valuable.
Consider how tokenizing it can feel to only be addressed regarding your identity when a related observance or occasion comes up. Not when you’re interacting day-to-day with colleagues or performing in your actual professional capacity but when it’s time to get pics to post on social media or a story to share on your website or in your annual report. It’s like saying, “I appreciate your Blackness but just when it’s convenient for me.” It can feel very dehumanizing. How can you head this off? Put in the effort to build meaningful relationships with people of different backgrounds throughout the year so they know you value their whole life experience, not just an hour’s worth of sound bytes. Connect with us authentically. That’s what living the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging is actually about.
With this in mind, start planning for Black History Month 2024 right now by focusing intentionally on a relationship you would like to build over the next year. Identify a speaker you’re seeing highlighted in circles you’re involved in or make a concerted effort to get to know a leader you engage with on a regular basis. Foster the relationship, don’t force it. You will likely find the connection more valuable than what you could gather from them if your interaction were limited to a panel discussion or presentation. And I know I have richer conversations about potential speaking topics with people I have a connection with. Note: Don’t let discomfort be your excuse to pass on this challenge. People in marginalized groups have to foster relationships with people in dominant groups every day just to survive. If we can do it, so can you.