LaShara Lashawn

What is diversity when you are thee only one?  Holidays in the office come around and it either is acknowledged or it isn’t if you don’t take the lead. Black history month is a big deal and it’s like no one ever wants to touch it. There are reasons for that but frankly I feel like every industry, organization, corporation, and household needs to acknowledge this month but time and time again it gets ignored. Recently I was looking at everyone in staff meeting looking so disengaged and it dawned on me that I am thee only one. I had a sistah co worker that I would connect with but she worked at another site but she recently left the company so its back to just being me.

I feel like I have a lot to carry being a black woman in the office dealing with the public. I am outspoken about things, and most people value my opinion so what’s it been like being the only one, the token? It’s been a drag! I often wear headphones to drown out the other loud dialects and languages, my hair is a conversation, I have to over explain and constantly worry about my language and tone. I get excited every time I meet a new partner who is black its like Hey! You speak my language, its like finding a long lost relative. Overall, its freaking sad, the clients all want to work with me, and it isn’t just the black ones. I think they feel that I am more down to Earth and not the police so its good. I can establish trust and a good connection very fast with everyone from babies to seniors. I am good with people but where are my people?

I guess this would be a good question for the hiring team but all I am really saying is that I miss working with my people! I miss the comradery, the connectedness, shared experiences, the looks, inside jokes and fun that was had. Most of my black colleagues were like family and I keep in touch with most of them till this day thanks to social media. Being black in the office is a new paradigm that I hadn’t really given much thought to until recently.

Iv decided to be the best representation of myself, connect with others and create space for clients and staff that look like me. I am an advocate for us, the voice and the face. I just thought about how I was always being disciplined for socializing when I was in school so maybe there is a reason I am alone,  cause it will be a party in no time.

These feelings are truly valid though we are all people here but there is a comfort in having people that you identify with working along side you. I miss my N-

Signed the lonely black girl in the office