Minda Harts, founder of The Memo and advocate for women of color, dives into the unique challenges women of color face in the workplace. She highlights the importance of allyship and discusses the obstacles that hinder effective support from white leaders. Minda also tackles the cultural biases around professionalism, particularly regarding hair. Through actionable insights, she emphasizes the need for individual advocacy and the critical role of representation in leadership roles for women of color.
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Shrinking in the Workplace
Minda Harts shares her personal experience of feeling like she had to shrink her authentic self in corporate America.
This led her to advocate for women of color and write "The Memo."
insights INSIGHT
Syndemic of Crises
Women of color experience a "syndemic" of health crisis, racial unrest, and political unrest.
This makes authentic expression in the workplace during these times difficult.
insights INSIGHT
Unexpected Allies
White men are most frequently cited as sponsors and mentors by women of color.
This highlights an unexpected dynamic in workplace allyship.
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In 'The Memo', John Hope Bryant offers a roadmap to financial independence by emphasizing the connection between 'inner capital' (mindset, relationships, knowledge, and spirit) and 'outer capital' (financial wealth and property). He provides tools for empowerment, focusing on financial literacy, positive relationships, and a new approach to wealth. Bryant aims to restore 'silver rights', enabling individuals to succeed despite societal barriers.
Making Hispanics
G. Cristina Mora
This book examines the historical process by which distinct Latin American cultures became unified under the 'Hispanic' identity in the U.S. It highlights the roles of activists, bureaucrats, and media in shaping this identity, particularly during the 1970s and '80s. Through archival research and interviews, Mora reveals how this categorization transformed the racial and political landscape of America.
Minda Harts: The Memo
Minda Harts is the founder and CEO of The Memo and an advocate for women of color in the workplace. She is a sought-after speaker and thought-leader, frequently speaking on topics of advancing women of color, leadership, diversity, and entrepreneurship. In 2018, Minda was named as one of 25 Emerging Innovators by American Express. Minda has been a featured speaker at TEDx Harlem, Nike, Levi's, Twitch, Bloomberg, Google, LinkedIn, SXSW, and many other places.
She is an adjunct assistant professor of public service at NYU’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. She also hosts Secure the Seat, a weekly career podcast for women of color. She's the author of the bestselling book The Memo: What Women of Color Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the Table*.
In this conversation, Minda and I discuss the motivation for her work and the reality that recent events have been for women of color in the workplace. Minda shares some of the common obstacles that, good intentions aside, keep white folks from supporting women of color in their careers. Plus, we highlight some of the key offenses white leaders tend to make and how all of us can do better.
Key Points
While many leaders notice and consider the events of the day, the news often hits in a personal way for women of color.
When asked, women of color tend to report that it’s white men who are showing up as sponsors and mentors.
A key trigger point for women of color is to be described as “articulate.”
The word “women” tends to be used as a one-size-fits-all. Be mindful that women don’t all experience the workplace in the same way.
One key action white leaders can take to be a better success partner is ensuring the voices of women of color show up on diversity panels and as speakers.
Resources Mentioned
The Memo: What Women of Color Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the Table* by Minda Harts
Minda’s website
Book Notes
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Journey Towards Diversity and Inclusion, with Willie Jackson (episode 441)
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