Learning about racism without burdening our Black friends and colleagues
This message is written with my white colleagues in mind, but of course, everyone is welcome to read, and join the chat meetings mentioned below.
Do you work in financial services and want to learn more about racism and what you can do to help? Let’s chat.
A common thing that white folks do (I am guilty of this too!) is ask their Black friends and colleagues to teach us about racism, and also help us process our feelings about it as our eyes open to the many injustices.
While our intention in asking for help may be good, our impact often is not. Asking our Black colleagues to help educate us is asking them to use their time and energy with us, instead of taking care of themselves or their own needs. To do this now, at a time when many Black americans are tired, grieving, exhausted, has a particularly tough impact.
So, how can we learn about racism in financial services, without burdening our Black friends and colleagues?
1. Google it!
Google terms you want to know about, read books about race and racism, and articles about how racism shows up in the workplace.
2. Listen to Black financial services professionals.
Listen to the Black professionals publicly talking and writing about this topic. Black financial professionals are some of the people most impacted by racism in our industry, so their experiences, ideas, and solutions are what we should be listening to. Below is a non-exhaustive list of articles to read and podcasts to listen to. Listen, read, and share non-racism related content by Black professionals also.
3. Let’s chat about it.
Have questions or want to talk about your role in dismantling systemic racism? Not sure what words to use or what to do next? You can ask me instead of asking your Black colleague. I don’t have all the answers, but I’m happy to share what I know and direct you to more specific resources that can be helpful. I’ll be available to chat, in a group format, for the next three Wednesdays (June 24, July 1, July 8) , at 3:00PM EST, Noon Pacific. Each session is free, with open discussion and Q&A. Available for up to 10 participants per session. Register here.
Now, get to listening!
Podcasts
2050 Trailblazers Podcast, Season 1. All the seasons of this podcast are excellent, but I encourage you to start with the first season to hear Rianka Dorsainvil, CFP® interview fellow professionals of color about their experiences in financial services.
Minority Money Podcast, We Need to Talk series. In the past couple of weeks, podcast host and financial planner, Emlen Miles-Mattingly has pivoted the focus of his regular podcast to interview industry leaders about current events and solutions. These segments are called “We Need to Talk.”
Articles
Lazetta Rainey Braxton MBA, CFP® on her own experience with racism in financial services, and the urgent need for leaders in wealth management to take action.
Keith Beverly CFA, CFP®, MBA and Kamila McDonnough CFP®, MBA on the historical context of systemic racism, and how to combat that racism inside of financial services.
Zaneilia Harris CFP® on her experiences of discrimination from colleagues, and how success in our industry is measured by a standard that is white and male.
Rachel Robasciotti, a money manager, on her family’s connections to police brutality, and what investors can do to stop funding systemic racism.
Walter Booker, a financial services executive, shares personal stories, including being one of two African Americans on the trading floor. He also shares historical context, why colorblindness is a “convenient immorality,” and reading and watching suggestions.
Kathleen Boyd, CFP®, on Critical Race Theory, and the importance of explicitly including race in financial services diversity efforts.