Today many business are blacking out in solidarity with the #BlackLivesMatter movement, Oftentimes I find these actions from companies are simply performative. If you call yourself an ally and truly advocate for Diversity & Inclusion, I ask you please, exercise true inclusivity in this time and be mindful of the Black Lives and minds for which we speak of.

Taking a moment to ask leadership and management teams to be mindful of how your black employees may be feeling during this time. The feelings of injustice and overwhelming sadness are not new – the majority of black people live in a constant state of trauma and although day to day we are able to slap on our happy faces and show up in a way that is deemed acceptable, there are times like now where the trigger is too much. With the worldwide unrest and lack of caring shown for black lives, not just in the States but right here in the UK too (Rest in Power Ms Belly Mujinga), please try to understand that your black colleagues and employees may be lacking in the mental capacity to hold up this facade of being ok because our mental capacity is required elsewhere in this time.

Please be mindful – mindful before leisurely asking your colleague ‘how are you feeling?’ – do you truly care about the response? Because the answer is most likely not ‘fine’. Mindful that your employee may be holding back tears during the back to back Zoom meetings but still having to show up, for fear of being viewed as “lazy”, “problematic”, “unable to do their job”. Mindful that they are in a space of collective sadness that even they are working to understand during a time when the world is going up in flames and may need some additional support and allowances in this time.

Today many business are blacking out in solidarity with the #BlackLivesMatter movement, Oftentimes I find these actions from companies are simply performative. If you call yourself an ally and truly advocate for Diversity & Inclusion, I ask you please, exercise true inclusivity in this time and be mindful of the Black Lives and minds for which we speak of.

If you are a manager or leader unsure of how to support your team members right now, please feel free to message me and I am happy to provide some advice and guidance confidentially. #BlackLivesMatter #BlackOutTuesday