Recently, in an interview, I was asked this question. In all fairness, the topic was Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the workplace and specifically the b-to-b home improvement retail industry. I speak on the topic of DEI and facilitate meetings among leadership teams across different industries. I suspect in majority groups they often wonder about my specific experiences and reference points. Some assume that all people of color come from a disadvantaged standpoint; which I have always quite frankly found bizarre and sad at the same time. Yet, it was refreshing for me that I was asked the direct question. More specifically, here is the question that I was asked:
You are a person of color. Did you feel disadvantages when working in the home improvement retail industry?
Hmmm. I gave it some thought. Do I feel disadvantages? There are clearly times that I have felt disadvantaged in my life. I will never and neither do I want to be part of the old boys club. The industry certainly has some of that but I am sure most women can say that when referring to the hardware home improvement b-to-b retail industry; or, most likely almost any industry of choice. Early in my career working in a very majority white and male world, I can say that there were few women in the industry when I was coming up. Now, in the industry there are certainly more women in high-visibility positions who are clearly leading the way in what has been traditionally a “men’s world”. I never complained, I kept focused and moved forward intentionally and purposefully. As you can see it is challenging to answer this question without considering my gender along with the color of my skin because it is who I am. I cannot separate one from the other. That is my opinion and perspective as not only a person of color but a woman.
It is not a negative but rather an observation of a reality. My reality. And, if there is one takeaway from DEI it should be that you cannot deny people their feelings. You can try to understand it or not but you cannot deny it. There are certainly fewer high level executives of color in the industry. I am sure everyone can think of someone but that is probably the issue, right? There are so few that you can name each person.
Reflecting on this question, I can honestly answer that I did not necessarily feel disadvantages but I certainly, at times, felt alone. I am/was forced to create my own feeling of belonging. Many people in the industry welcomed and embraced me. I have made some amazing friends who are colleagues, clients, or partners. And, I value these encounters and relationships. Yet, the disadvantages rears its ugly head when you look around the board room and there is no one that looks like you; you walk a retail store (for work purposes) and there are no customers that look like you; you walk a show floor and there are few attendees that look like you. You show up in the office and there are so few that look like you. We all want to feel like we belong.
Life has taught me the lesson to wear my uniqueness with confidence because I am thankful, grateful and beyond blessed for who I am and who I have become. So disadvantages, no, not necessarily; but, the feeling of being alone professionally, sometimes, yes.
Sonya Ruff Jarvis is a Business & Marketing Consultant; Content Creator & Connection-Maker; Thought Leader & Industry Expert and Book Author & Entrepreneur. Areas of expertise include: Retail; Marketing; Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI); and Human Resources. Sonya has been a part of the B2B retail industry for more than 30 years. Interested in Sonya’s books? They can be found on Amazon or get an author autographed copy at www.jarvisconsultants.com.
Let’s talk about your next project and how Jarvis Consultants can support your initiatives; email sonya@jarvisconsultants.com.
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