Black Women Navigate Ladder To the Top
There has never been a better time in American history for Black women with a college education, says Chaz Kyser, author of Embracing the Real World: The Black Woman’s Guide to Life After College and a journalism instructor at Langston University. As Black women’s graduation rates have increased, so have the number entering fields that have historically been dominated by men. Many Black women are now in management positions that would have been impossible for them to secure decades ago. But the career ladder is competitive. To reach the peak, Kyser makes these suggestions:
It’s lonely at the top: “In 2005, Blacks made up just 8.1 percent of the management and professional work force … when you realize there’s not a single solitary Black face in the entire building beside yours, you may start to feel very lonely and out of place.”
Be cordial, open-minded and try to develop professional relationships and friendships with your non-Black coworkers.”
The road is bumpy, so double-check the image you’re presenting: “Black women often have to struggle harder than their White counterparts to be taken seriously and respected; don’t let your own mistakes be the cause of this. Develop a strong reputation by always presenting an image that demands respect.” Remember the tips we gave on being a confident woman and lessons for playing the corporate game.
Stop responding to every dam thing cracker has to say whether good bad or indifferent, the first baby mama was ...
THAT WAS FABULOUS!!!!! She killed it. Yep, there'll be some ugliness, but who cares. She made an awesome statement (whether ...
luv it;) 
Leaving Obama aside on this, I found it quite interesting. I'm not American, but even I found it slightly uncomfortable ...
What does Obama have to do with this? Unbelieveable. Why is it when black folk do something that is not ...
‘SEE! SEE! I told you! They are already replacing the National Anthem!’
OMG I bet some people will actually say that! ...
No doubt. It's heating up now, though. Google Trends is spiking with searches for 'Black National Anthem' and 'LIft Every ...
I say more power to her. I do not find it disrespectful at all. However, I'm sure FOXNEWS ...
Check out all the confused faces, lol. They are like 'wtf' 
Interesting article. I think God-centeredness makes life better, even our business experiences. BUT...
I am not sure that it's appropriate in ...
Comment by ETS on 17 May 2007:
I wonder if it’s easier for black women in locations with lots of qualified black women or those with few people of color in management but value diversity - at least, in theory.
I guess, I’m wondering if a black woman has a better shot at a firm with lots of black women in ATL or at a Tampa firm with no black women but is “open” to promoting a black woman.
Comment by Kimberly Michelle on 17 May 2007:
As far as climbing up the corporate ladder, definitely the opportunity as the only black woman in a smaller city would be the faster track. More chances to stand out, less distraction amongst other black women who may be friendly or catty towards you, and then there’s the company itself that is probably looking to diversify. I think some of your interviewees in areas with few YBPs would agree.
Comment by ETS on 18 May 2007:
Kim, I agree. I chose Phoenix over job offers in three more diverse cities, because I basically was given a chance to do stuff here that I’d have
to wait years to do in those other places. But I’ve never worked in a city with a large population of black professionals so I was wondering if someone who had could give some perspective.
Comment by AZDiva on 18 May 2007:
I live in Phoenix as well, and I know for a fact that I would not have as many opportunities if I lived in a city with more Black women. I have friend that live in larger cities like Chicago and Baltimore who have struggled to move up in their positions.