TBN #18
a joyful celebration 🎉 🙌🏾 🎊
Hey friend!
Happy Black History Month!
Did you know Black people currently make up 13.6% of the U.S. population? While that percentage may seem small, that’s about 41.6 million people in the U.S. (according to 2020 data). Despite the numbers and advancements in society, Black people remain the first, the only or a part of a few in many industries. Even in 2023, we are still celebrating ‘firsts’ for Black people. Here are a few recent Black History moments:
Ashley Thomas - Founder of the nation’s first Black woman-owned transportation call center to recruit truck drivers
Autumn Lockwood - First Black woman to coach in Super Bowl
Captain Janet Days - First Black woman to lead world’s largest naval base
Charles Alexander, Mark Edmond, and Jamel Lewis - Developed the first (and only) Black-owned gourmet sliced bread brand, The Black Bread Company
Clarice Phelps - First Black woman to help discover an element
Hakeem Jeffries - First Black lawmaker to lead a party in Congress
Janet Mock - First Black trans woman to write and direct an episode of TV
Junior Mintt - first Black trans late-night talk show host
Ketanji Brown Jackson - First Black woman Supreme Court Justice
Viola Davis - 3rd Black woman to win an EGOT (Whoopi Goldberg and Jennifer Hudson also have EGOTs)
While I am encouraged by our success, my hope is that we will move beyond celebrating firsts and start creating critical masses of Black people across industries, especially in C-suites. All in all, BHM is for celebrating meaningful contributions that Black people make to our society. This week I am focusing on ways we can all better support the Black community.
Now, let’s get into it…
WEEKLY UPDATE
CLIFF NOTES: IN CASE YOU MISSED IT…
February is Black History Month
February is also Ethnic Equality Month (in some countries)
Experts defend DEI efforts
Gender pay gap is closing in this industry
Kim Petras makes history
Oh, Texas
BENTON’S BASICS: TRAUMA-FREE CONTENT SHARING
Long story short…
Hearing and seeing negative news on the regular affects us. Studies have shown that viewing violent news causes trauma. This is even more true when it comes to viewing violent news involving Black people, especially if you are also a Black person. Before you decide to share, here are few basic tips to consider:
Think: Think twice before sharing content related to Black racial violence (ie., violence involving Black people).
Educate: Educate yourself on why racial violence and racial inequities are triggering to members of the Black community.
Be intentional: Think about your intention for sharing content related to Black people and/or Black racial violence.
Warning: If you must share, include a content warning (also known as a trigger warning)
Support: Encourage dialogue and provide support to Black people affected by racial violence and trauma.
Sharing trauma-free content is one of the simplest ways to show respect during BHM. Let’s learn more.
STUDY HALL: COLORISM AT WORK
In a recent report by Catalyst, they found that women with darker skin tones are more likely than women with lighter skin tones to experience racism at work. There are many nuances to racism and it is important to consider the disparate treatment people receive within racial groups. Let’s learn more about how an understanding of colorism is needed for anti-racism efforts.
HOMEWORK: BLACK JOY
What I’m Reading 📖: “We need more 'trauma-free Blackness.' Here's a start”
What I’m Listening To 🎧: Stuck with Damon Young podcast.
What I’m Watching 📺: I finished all the episodes of 1619 Project on Hulu. I highly recommend watching the music episode (Episode 3). I’ve now moved on to The Last of Us on HBO Max 🧟.
DANCE BREAK: THAT GIRL
This week’s song is in honor of Beyoncé becoming the most decorated artist in history, receiving her 32nd Grammy. Queen Bey is officially that girl.
DOUBLE TAP: WHO I’M FOLLOWING
One thing that brings me joy is the creativity of Black content creators. Specifically, Aaron’s Golden Girls Gospel Remix.
I’d love to hear from you!
What do you need to be better in work and in life? Send me a message or connect with me on social.
