Show notes
No doubt it's easier to be more of your authentic self in the workplace, particularly for POC. But everyone's comfort level is different and microaggressions are still a thing. What's the right balance? Is code-switching still a thing? Do DEI initiatives, designed to make this easier, actually work?This week, three of my friends and colleagues joined me to discuss these questions and more. They have 20+ years of branding, marketing and communications experience, and are small business owners.Emanuel Basnight, is the owner of two companies aligned with spiritual wellness: BrandsbyBashight (@brandsbybasnight), a handmade herbal skincare company, and Bless The Roads (@blessed.theroads) , a spiritual goods company devoted to black spirituality. Yadira Santana-Dowling is a director of strategy at a Miami ad agency and the owner of Inspira Communications (@insparacommunications). She is passionate about building meaningful relationships between brands and people, particularly in US Hispanic and Urban markets. Roberta Hatchett is a marketing veteran who decided to pivot to celebrate her love for wine and interior design. She started VinBoheme (@vinboheme), a wine and home goods retailer that honors women and minority-owned wine makers and designers.Intro - 00 - 7:30Bozoma Saint John Netflix Exit- 7:30 Is authenticity at work possible and sustainable? - 18:30How much of yourself do you bring to work? - 21:45Code-switching - 32:45 Do DEI initiatives work? - 46:45HoneyPot - 1:03:00