Playing the Game While Black Womaning in Corporate America™

Your ultimate playbook to navigating power, perception, and prejudice in the workplace

By: Nicole S. Palmer

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

Corporate America is a game. More often than not, as Black women, we enter the workforce unaware of this reality. Playing the Game While Black Womaning in Corporate America™ by Nicole S. Palmer is your playbook to a game where the rules are constantly changing, the goalpost is always moving, and the field is anything but level. This indispensable guide is designed to provide Black women with a strategic advantage, helping them to understand this complex and intricate landscape.

Combining personal narratives, strategic advice, and masterful insights, Playing the Game While Black Womaning in Corporate America™ equips Black women with the tools needed to excel in environments where systemic obstacles are a daily reality. Drawing from her own experiences and academic expertise, Palmer addresses the multifaceted challenges faced by Black women, from subtle microaggressions to overt discrimination, and provides actionable strategies to play the game well.

Why is this book crucial for you? Consider these sobering statistics:

• Black women hold only 1.4% of executive positions in Fortune 500 companies, highlighting the significant barriers to leadership and representation
• Across the United States, Black women earn just 63 cents for every dollar earned by white, non-Hispanic men. This gap widens further in places like the nation’s capital, dropping to 53 cents, and plummets to 42 cents when including those working seasonally or part-time
• The stress of navigating corporate spaces not designed for their success contributes to higher rates of stress-related health issues among Black women

With a blend of pragmatic gameplay and a healthy dose of humor, Palmer’s playbook is both a practical toolkit and a source of inspiration. She dives deep into topics such as:

• Understanding Unwritten Rules: Uncover the hidden dynamics and unspoken rules of corporate America essential for Black women’s success.
• Building Supportive Networks: Construct a supportive network of allies and mentors who empower and uplift your professional journey.
• Creating Career Opportunities: Take control of your career by identifying gaps and creating growth opportunities.
• Effective Networking Strategies: Network effectively to build a diverse and robust support system for greater visibility and connections.
• Maintaining Resilience: Stay focused and resilient despite negativity and criticism in the workplace.
• Continuous Skill Development: Continuously develop your skills to stay competitive and relevant in your field.
• Strategic Career Planning: Plan and anticipate challenges strategically to navigate your career with foresight.

Each chapter is infused with Palmer’s unique voice—grounded, insightful, and refreshingly candid. Whether you’re just starting your career or looking to ascend to the highest ranks, this book offers valuable lessons and encouragement to help you navigate your path with assurance.

Playing the Game While Black Womaning in Corporate America™ is a manifesto for Black women who are ready to claim their space and redefine success on their own terms. Palmer’s narrative speaks to the power of bouncing back, building your own table, the importance of community, and the unyielding pursuit of excellence.

Through poignant anecdotes and personal reflections, this book sheds light on the exhaustion of self-censorship, the mental gymnastics required to navigate a world not designed for us, and the liberation that comes with embracing our true identities. It’s a call to action, challenging the status quo and inviting readers to reimagine what an inclusive and equitable workplace looks like.

Discover the strategies and stories that will inspire and equip you to rise above and play the game on your own terms. Are you ready to transform your professional journey?