If you’re searching for a job, the road can be treacherous, especially if you’re part of an underrepresented group. Ansa Edim, a 35-year-old woman, recently made waves when she unveiled her ingenious solution to this pervasive issue.
In a world where even companies with questionable track records boast about diversity and inclusion, how can you truly discern if a company stands by its professed values?
The answer lies in Ansa’s groundbreaking initiative – The Blacklist.
The Genesis of The Blacklist
Ansa’s motivation to create The Blacklist stemmed from her experience as a Black woman in the tech industry. Having faced unequal treatment at one of her previous jobs, she realized the dire need for a platform that could provide genuine insights into a company’s inclusivity and work culture.
She eloquently articulated her vision:
“There needs to be a place where you can go to say, ‘Okay, there’s a company that I want to work for. Are they good? Are they good for people like me?’ Instead of sifting through and guessing from other review sites, we need a community.”
The Power of The Blacklist
The Blacklist, as Ansa introduced it, serves as a haven for individuals from underrepresented communities to share their stories, offer warnings, and encourage companies to strive for improvement.
Users have quickly embraced this concept, finding solace and closure in the ability to shed light on their experiences.
It’s become a space for candid, unfiltered narratives where the silenced can finally speak.
The Perpetual Cycle of Inequality
Ansa’s journey through the tech world echoes the experiences of many others who have been through what she calls the “pet to threat cycle.”
Talented individuals from underrepresented backgrounds are brought into organizations with fanfare, only to be marginalized, ignored, and ultimately labeled as disruptive. This cycle of frustration often leads them to search for new opportunities, perpetuating the pattern.
A Global Movement
The response to The Blacklist has been nothing short of extraordinary. Within just a week of its launch, the platform garnered over 7,000 unique visitors and featured over 300 companies on The Blacklist.
People from diverse backgrounds worldwide eagerly shared their experiences, demonstrating a powerful hunger for change.
The Future of The Blacklist
Ansa’s ambitions for The Blacklist extend beyond its current form.
She envisions a platform where users can access AI-generated forms to document discrimination incidents, connect with labor experts and attorneys, and access resources for thriving in the workplace. It’s a holistic approach aimed at surviving and thriving in corporate environments.
Holding Companies Accountable
The true power of The Blacklist lies in its potential to force change within companies. Ansa envisions a future where companies can earn a “Blacklist seal of approval” by demonstrating substantial improvements in their culture and diversity, creating a win-win scenario where both employees and employers benefit.
Workplace Biases & Injustice
Workplace harassment involves negative actions towards a worker due to attributes such as race, ethnicity, or gender, creating a hostile environment. Discrimination, on the other hand, involves unequal treatment or limited opportunities based on these attributes.
Harassment must target a worker’s protected status under EEOC regulations. Sexual harassment, a subtype, primarily focuses on gender/sex lines.
A survey highlights factors believed to hinder black people’s progress compared to whites in the U.S. These factors include family instability, lower-quality schools, a lack of good role models, and jobs, and racial discrimination.
While some perceive a lack of motivation as a factor, it’s considered less significant.
Most Americans believe that the country has not yet achieved racial equality. About 61% believe that further changes are needed for blacks to have equal rights with whites.
Black and Hispanic respondents are more likely to express the need for continued changes, but many white respondents also share this perspective.
Ansa’s creation of The Blacklist has ignited a much-needed dialogue about inclusivity in the workplace. Recent surveys indicate a significant shift in workforce values, with millennials and Gen Z prioritizing alignment with a company’s social values.
Companies must adapt or risk losing talented individuals who refuse to sacrifice their dignity and fairness at work.
Sources
- pewresearch.org/social-trends/2016/06/27/3-discrimination-and-racial-inequality/
- ncsl.org/labor-and-employment/discrimination-and-harassment-in-the-workplace
- ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3884002/
This article was produced and syndicated by Viral Chatter. It was inspired by this video:
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Martha A. Lavallie
Martha is a journalist with close to a decade of experience in uncovering and reporting on the most compelling stories of our time. Passionate about staying ahead of the curve, she specializes in shedding light on trending topics and captivating global narratives. Her insightful articles have garnered acclaim, making her a trusted voice in today's dynamic media landscape.