My first ever job was directly after high school. I was doing the paperwork for a small doctor’s office. It was boring and out of date, so quite naturally I quit.
What I want to talk about though is how I got the job in the first place. I got the job by asking around at my school and they connected me with the doctor’s office because they needed an assistant. This was a referral and can be looked at as an example of preference through networks. Since that job, I’ve worked with many companies and most times I am the only black person on my team or at the company. This bothers me immensely because I know so many talented people of color who are underemployed or unemployed.
Once I recognized this injustice, I made it my duty to help my people to get job opportunities, either as interns, contractors, part-time, or even full time at any company I work with or run on my own.
In my working career, I’ve helped 18+ people get paid opportunities in companies I’ve worked for, and have employed over 25 people through my own brands and startups.
We can’t only buy black, we have to hire black. We must work together to break apart the systems that hold great people back.
Don’t get it confused now, I’m not out here handing out opportunities to unqualified people because of their skin color (yes throwing lots of shade here), all my hires have been qualified, even overqualified and overlooked (the story of our lives). I take pride in being able to hire and employ good, smart, hard-working people. You should too!
So although some may call this nepotism since I am showing preference, but I call it equity. Putting back money in the hands of people and communities that have been systematically oppressed and displaced for centuries!
by Georgie-Ann Geton © All rights reserved