xoSelf (short for Love Yourself)) is a weekly advice series where women can anonymously seek advice on topics about relationships, work, finding themselves or life challenges. xoSelf is responded to by educator & life coach Dr. Walter Hidalgo.
Dear xoSelf: I run a successful black-owned beauty business by night and am a professional executive by day in a super uptight corporate environment. I am one of 3 black people in my office. I have created my six-month quit plan, but until then I feel as though I’m walking on eggs-shells to hide my business. Some people within the firm know and I won’t say they are racist but they definitely have given me side-eye looks since discovering my business caters to only black people, women at that. Any advice as to how I handle corporate politics for the next six months?
Answer: I am from the camp that you should always keep what happens outside of the corporate office…..outside. However, given the fact that you told some folks at your job and I assume your business is publicly registered and therefore searchable; you cannot fool your co-workers. But instead, be honest with yourself. If you are in transition then focus on that and keep it cordial at the office. Whether it’s Black-owned or not is irrelevant because you have that right and anyone who tells you otherwise opens up concerns over possible discrimination in the workplace. Anti-harassment cases have gone up and as a result, laws, and guidelines around that are taken very seriously. As long as you are not violating any of the company’s rules and policies then you have no reason to fear, just make sure you can defend yourself in the event that someone tries to challenge your motives.
Related Article: Spiritual Practices to Improve Your Work Life
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Dr. Walter Hidalgo is an educator and coach. He has a master’s of arts in Church History and Sociology from Union Theological Seminary at Columbia University and a doctorate from New York Theological Seminary where his focus was on the intersectionality between Hip-hop culture and socio-spiritual movements. He has taught in universities, high schools, prisons, not-for-profit organizations, and faith-basedinstitutions from all over the world. And finally, he is the author of the critically acclaimed book, “Beyond the Four Walls: The Rising Ministry and Spirituality of Hip-hop” where he
has worked with numerous Hip-hop artists, educators, and youth from all over the world to