A Black man engages with co-workers during a meeting.
Being the only Black person in the workplace can be taxing. You may begin to feel isolated or lose interest in attending work events. How do you enjoy work while being the only one? There are several ways to protect your mental health while being the only Black person at work. To reduce stress, follow our advice on how to manage microaggressions, tokenization, and more. Here are a few ways to make work more enjoyable when you are the only Black person on your team.
Do Your Research
Companies seem more invested in diversity, equity, and inclusion after the death of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man who was killed in May of 2020. His death garnered national attention and fueled demonstrations in all 50 states. Despite forming diversity, equity, and inclusion departments, many organizations and companies practice performative allyship.
Make sure to research whether your workplace made diversity efforts before 2020. Take the time to read through reviews online and speak to former Black employees if you can. Reach out to a former Black employee on LinkedIn. The person would probably be open to speaking about their experience.
Try Not to Isolate
As someone who has been the only Black person at work, I know what it’s like to avoid social situations with colleagues. Some colleagues may make comments about your hair or features. Some may shut down if you mention race. Those are not people you should interact with outside of work.
If you don’t like being around any of your co-workers, lean into the Black community. Attend a diverse work out class, head to a local Black church or spiritual retreat, and touch base with family more frequently. You may be surprised to realize that your feelings are normal, and that some of your family members have also been the only Black person at work.
Confide in a Colleague
As much as you may not want to, it may benefit you to speak candidly with a supportive colleague. Make the effort to get to know your colleagues before making assumptions.
See if you can find someone you work with who isn’t a performative ally. Befriend them if they are actively anti-racist. If that isn’t an option, it may be time for you to start looking for new opportunities.
Practice Self-Care
Self-care is one of the best ways to process microaggressions, tokenization, and colorism. All of these forms of racism can be detrimental to a Black person’s mental health. Feeling lonely at work can cause anxiety, depression, and in extreme circumstances, suicidal ideation. But don’t get discouraged.
You can join a healing community for Black people like Therapy for Black Men or Ethel’s Club. Becoming a member of a Black mental health organization is a great way to find other Black people who work in predominately white fields. They will understand your frustration and make you feel seen and heard. If you can afford therapy, look for Black psychologists and psychiatrists in your area.
Don’t be ashamed to discuss your personal and work life with a Black mental health professional. Having a Black therapist may provide some relief.
Follow medical advice from your doctor and only take medication that has been prescribed.
Stay Connected with Your Community
There is no need to water down your Blackness to make colleagues from other backgrounds comfortable. Their discomfort should not make you change your behavior or betray who you are. Make sure to stay connected with the Black community, especially if you are working with people who did not have much exposure to Black people prior to working with you.
Seek out people who have also been the only one in the workplace. Join a professional organization for Black people in your line of work. Ask members if they also work with staff that is mostly or all white. If so, let them know what’s going on at work.
Don’t bottle up your feelings. Speak with a family member, friend, or mental health professional. And remember, you deserve to be there just as much as your white counterparts.
