Welcome To Friday! 📆

“What Are We Allowed To Be?” ( A powerful question posed by Natasha D. Wade)

These are the most important words I’ve read on the internet this week.

After witnessing the backlash and personal attack on Angel Reese after the LSU loss during March Madeness NCAA basketball, I am disgusted yet again by the treatment of Black women in the media.

The point is the world can’t stand seeing a self-assured Black woman that knows and owns her potential.

Following this press conference, another problematic Black man ( who I previously actually liked) when on national TV and called Angel Reese a “cowardly dog” who want’s to act “grown”……”because if you want to act grown, which she has, if you want to get paid like you grown, which you are, if you want to talk to grown folks like you’re grown, which you did post-game when you told a coach from an opposing team, ‘Watch yo mouth.’ If you want to tell people to ‘Get your money up,’ then post-game win you take a L, you just gotta take it on the chin. Nobody mourns when the villain catches an L.”

What does acting grown mean? What was he trying to say? What was grown a substitute for?

These are some of the questions I have after reading this. I am not sure how another human can be a villian for trash-talking at a sporting event. It’s part of the job.

This is another example of gender and racial bias at its highest. It exemplifies the policing that happens to Black women in the workplace every day.

I can’t even count the number of times I have been asked to tone it down, not be so opinoniated, not give myself the highest marks on my performance review because people don’t get perfect scores.

Angel Reese is tired and so am I.

We aren’t allowed to speak up in meetings and be vocal about our perspectives without emails from HR or a colleague telling us to tone it down

We aren’t allowed to decline opportunities that don’t align with us without being told we aren’t grateful

We aren’t allowed to be competitive and proud of our work without someone saying we are cocky and we don’t have showmanship or acceptable behavior

We are taught to say “we” to be more palatable when in reality it s an “I” job. I did a thing and it wasn’t we. We are taught to be humble, non-disruptive, and easy to work with.

So are we allowed to be us? NO

In the public eye we can never meet the standard. We are never considered enough.

And that is exatcly why we should continue to show up doing, wearing, and saying the things they crucify us for.

#ICYMI

For us by us! A few words from Black women in tech to encourage, inspire, and empower you.

Women now hold 11.8% of C-suite positions. Did you know this has been one of the worst years on record for gender equality and equity and diversity in the C-suite? Gender barriers still exist for the highest roles in the land ....CEO and the US President

8 tips on starting your own business- These tips are for us, by us. Eight Black women entrepreneurs share their best tips for new entrepreneurs.

5 money habits that will liberate you from living paycheck to paycheck - Check out these financial tips to help you stop getting down to 99 cents every paycheck

5 Black women share how to get to the top - Here's what Black corporate leaders are saying you need to have long-term career success

15 book recommendations for your Black bookshelf- Here are 15 books to add to your Amazon cart by Black women. Good reads for your reading list.

Work Hard And Live Soft Podcast- Who knew business GOAT , mentor in my head, and online brand strategist Maya Elious started a podcast. I'm so here for it. In the first episode she shares a template for how she designs her life as a busy but fulfilled CEO through delegating, setting clear values and goals, and getting help and support.

What if you could unlock your full potential and start thriving in your life and career? Well, you can with our first career journal designed for us and by us! Are you ready to take charge of your professional and personal growth journey? Introducing The Climb Career Journal ©, meticulously designed to empower women like you to soar to new heights in both your personal and professional journey! Get Yours Today

#FTW

Here’s a list of Bloomology-approved companies with remote jobs that are hiring this week #techistillhiring 🏢

SGM Alliance is hiring a Grant Writer

Viviante Health is hiring a Product Manager

Exact Science is looking for a Sr. UX Manager

Pocket FM is looking for a Creative Writer

Zapier is hiring a Technical Support Specialist

#BTW

Today is always a great day to level up or upskill in work or in life 👩🏾‍💻

Black Women Talk Tech is bringing Roadmap To Billions Back To NYC, May 16-18  

Master AI for free next year with these Generative AI courses

#IYKYK

These are some of our very best Bloom Report issues. Check out some of the most read Bloomletters and let us know what you think….

💅🏾 The Bloom Report 23 - [Love, Bloomology] - The Jordan Issue #23, How To Ask Better Interview Questions, Understanding Self Worth, Salary Negotiation Tips, Scripts For DM'ing Recruiters, More Remote Jobs, AND So Much More

💅🏾 The Bloom Report 10 - [Bloomology] Leaderships L's & Lessons From Lizzo's Lawsuit, Talk Nice To Me And To You, Job Search Tips & Resources, How Answers For Common Interview Questions, Who's Still Hiring In Tech, Networking Tips, Upskilling Resources, So Much More

💅🏾The Bloom Report 11 - [Bloomology] Were You In The Girl Boss Era?, Tips To Get Your Next $20K Plus Raise, Job Search Strategies, BaddieCon Recap, Tips For A LinkedIn Level Up, Who's Still Hiring In Tech? , So Much More

💅🏾The Bloom Report 6 - [Bloomology] When Was Your Last OOO, How To Stop Doubting Your Skills Today, What Black Women Can Do About Salary Transparency, How To Create Your Next Signature-Convo Starting Look, And So Much More

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How did you like today’s email? Would you tell a friend to tell a friend? Go ahead and share this with a woman who could really use it. Appreciate you! 👩🏾‍💻

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