Earlier this week, I was honored by the Baton Rouge Chapter of The National Association of University Women for my research in the areas of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and the impact of work trauma on Black women. As someone who has been engaged in this type of work for years, this is only the 2nd recognition I've received during my career, and the 1st by a national organization that consists of my peers.
As I accepted the award, I was reminded that Black women who are on the frontlines fighting for systemic change, often go unrecognized. This behavior dates back to the Women's Suffrage movement in 1848, when we marched along side our white counter parts - demanding the right to vote as women, yet we were not granted voting rights in America until the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed. We (Black women researchers) are not the people that the media calls on for "expert" commentary and we are hardly ever invited to stand on national stages and share our data. And when it comes to contracts for researchers… well you know how that story ends too. Instead of uplifting our voices, we are often suppressed, or straight out silenced.
A few days ago over on LinkedIn, a Black businessman shared data from several white social scientists and consulting agencies to validate his disgust regarding the injustices and discrimination that Black women face in the workplace. I found it ironic that he chose to share the writings, research, and perspective of white men and women, vs that of the Black women who are out here doing the same work. So, I politely pointed this out under his post, to which he never responded.
It's time we as Black people start sharing research that was done by us, and that is for us. It's past time that we start recognizing and citing the work of Black women researchers who are out here doing the Lord's work with little to no pay (yes, all of the research that I share on my website was funded by me). It's time we stop calling Black women "pick me's" and labeling us angry, entitled, or difficult, simply because we want to be recognized for our efforts. Instead of the negative repercussions and labeling, why don’t we stop giving visibility to those who are already visible in these spaces, and instead start quoting and citing our own!
With that being said, I am grateful to The National Association of University Women for the recognition. Thank you for seeing me and embracing my research.
Dr. Carey Yazeed
Dr. Carey Yazeed is a Behavioral Scientists and the creator of Unbreak My Soul, a workbook and national training program that helps Black women who have experienced trauma in the workplace. She is also the founder of the Taye Yazeed Arts Foundation, which supports young adult artists in South Louisiana.
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Woot! Congratulations