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Why Black Women Are Tired Of The Corporate Rat Race And Are Going To Startups
We’ve all read, witnessed, or experienced the challenges Black women face in the workplace. The impact is evident, whether it’s the super-successful entertainers we love, our “rich aunties” holding it down while still sacrificing to work hard and maintain the so-called “soft life,”moms juggling overtime, date night, and household responsibilities, or single women managing teams and traveling the world while unapologetically maxing out their PTO.
Some Black professionals have said enough is enough and there’s now a trend of exodus, with many leaving Corporate America to venture into the startup life. In a 2020 report, the Working Mother Research Institute found that 52% of Black women were debating leaving their companies after working there for just two years. In 2021, we led during the Great Resignation, reclaiming our time during the pandemic and finding out how we could truly pursue the lifestyles we wanted without settling for less.
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Women Leaving Corporate America for More
In 2022, almost 50 percent of entrepreneurs were women, a number well above the number of women entrepreneurs pre-pandemic (29%). Five percent were Black women, a rise from the 3 percent share reported in 2019, representing the fastest-growing population launching and leading businesses. (And if that percentage seems small, to give you a bit of context, that’s nearly 2.7 million new U.S. businesses.)
Another recent report, by Gusto, a payroll and benefits firm, shows that professionals aged 25 to 34 are most likely to quit their jobs for the possibility of making more coin running their own business, and mid-career professionals aged 35 to 54 are taking the leap because they feel burnt out from their jobs (46%).
Even if there are no plans to start a company, leaving a corporate job to work for a startup has been a strategic move for flexibility and autonomy that can be elusive at many larger companies or corporations. I left the 9-to-5 life for good several years ago, then went back to work for a larger publishing company only to quit and go back to the full-time freelance life, and I haven’t looked back.
All of the companies I now work with are small businesses or startups. While working with startups, I’ve been able to not only show my leadership skills a bit more, but I also have a hand at learning multiple aspects of the business I’m in, all while negotiating better pay and working with amazing women entrepreneurs in their own right.
Why Startups Are Favorable for Black Women
So what’s the draw? Well, startups often are places, where the company culture is more relaxed, innovation and creativity, are welcomed and oftentimes rewarded, and they often are launched by millennials or forward-thinking CEOs who value flexibility and vision. Some are even able to offer six-figure salaries that larger companies, for the same role, are not able—or willing—to offer.
With the mass tech layoffs—which made a diversity problem even worse, especially in regard to Black women in tech—smaller tech companies are tapping into a larger pool of candidates, presenting opportunities for growth there.
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Weighing the Pros and Cons of Leaving Corporate America
Working in startups—or launching one—is certainly not for the faint of heart, as there are very real and unique challenges (i.e. inconsistent or lack of funding, slow or reduced resources, and what some might consider a lack of job or salary security when compared with working for a corporation that’s been around for 20-plus years and has shareholders, global influence and international reach.)
Also, when thinking of lifestyle and financial obligations, especially when you have children, large-company advantages like the availability of robust benefits packages, industry prestige, and more options for upward mobility, are all very valid concerns for women who pause when thinking about leaving their corporate jobs.
While it's vital for Black women to, if passionate and led, to remain in Corporate America to fight further for inclusion, equal pay, and advancement opportunities—not to mention the unique and valuable talent and experience Black women bring to any business—startups present exciting and welcome opportunities for others to thrive, figure out their unique role in the business world, and learn skills they might not cultivate in a sea of corporate workers.
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This article is sponsored by Hulu.
UnPrisonedhas returned for its highly anticipated second season, delving deeper into the complex dynamics of the Alexander family.
The series premiere comes a year after its debut season garnered rave reviews from fans and critics and earned record-breaking ratings for Hulu's Onyx Collective brand. UnPrisoned's success can be attributed to its raw, relatable themes and comedic appeal.
Inspired by creator Tracy McMillan's life, the show follows Paige (Kerry Washington), a therapist and single mother whose life takes an unexpected turn when her father, Edwin (Delroy Lindo) --who was released from prison-- moves in with her and her teenage son, Finn (Faly Rakotohavana).
Throughout UnPrisoned's first season, viewers witnessed how Edwin's incarceration deeply affected Paige's life and relationships. In the series, Paige unpacks her trauma through interactions with her inner child and her online followers. Meanwhile, Edwin is overcoming specific struggles with his own past that led to his life of crime, including a dysfunctional upbringing and his mother's arrest. As the Alexanders attempt to reconcile, new challenges arise.
This new season promises to further explore their unconventional family dynamic. Here are several compelling reasons why season two of UnPrisoned should be on everyone's watchlist.
The Alexander Family Life Is Still In Shambles
UnPrisoned's second season resumes where the series left off, with Paige grappling with the fallout from her troubled therapy practice and Edwin navigating life independently after moving out. Meanwhile, Finn faces his own challenges. The teenager is battling anxiety and seeking information about his father—a topic Paige avoids discussing.
The Alexander Family Are Attending Therapy To Resolve Their Underlying Issues
Amid the chaos in their lives, the Alexander family decides to mend their bond by confronting their past traumas. They seek professional help and attend therapy sessions with a “family radical healing coach,” played by John Stamos, a new cast member. This collective effort aims to unravel the complexities of their shared history and strengthen their relationships.
The process of unraveling each character's internal conflicts and their potential impact on future relationships may clash with Paige's textbook therapy approach. While Paige is used to being in the therapist's seat in both career and family, this forces her into the unfamiliar role of a patient during therapy sessions. This shift would compel her to look in the mirror and try a radically different approach.
The Alexander Family Learned A Big Lesson During A Therapy Session
In therapy, the Alexanders are tasked with addressing their individual traumas to salvage their remaining relationships. One of the family therapist’s eccentric suggestions was an exercise involving a family wrestling match. During this session, Paige faces tough questions about her refusal to share information about Finn's father.
While it's unclear whether this scene is reality or fantasy, the image of the family duking it out in the ring certainly makes for hilarious yet compelling television.
Paige Tries Dating Again Following Failed Relationships
Amid her life's chaos, Paige decides to step back into the dating field. However, her many attempts have left her with mixed results. The dating apps have turned out to be a fail, and an outing with her ex Mal (Marque Richardson), who is also her father's parole officer, doesn’t go quite as expected after he brings an unexpected guest – his new girlfriend.
The situation takes an awkward turn when Mal's new partner learns why the former couple split, partly due to Paige's self-sabotage.
UnPrisoned Is A Perfect Balance Of Comedy And Drama
As a dramedy, UnPrisoned takes a comedic approach to its heavy subjects. The show takes us on a ride with Paige's dating misadventures and navigating a friendship with her ex.
Other lighthearted moments include Edwin's attempts at CPR based on online videos and, of course, the antics of the Alexander family's unconventional new healing coach.
The second season of UnPrisoned is now available on Hulu.
UnPrisoned | Season 2 Trailer | Hulu
Feature image courtesy
Tubi has been gaining popularity due to its free sign-up and a vast selection of series and films. According to Deadline, the FAST (free ad-streaming television) service has seen a 14.7% growth from May and now has similar numbers to Disney+. So while many people have joked about Tubi having low-budget movies, the numbers don't lie.
In fact, I was one of those people who didn't get the appeal of Tubi, but the more I watched it, the more I enjoyed the content. They have some of our favorite TV series, such as Scandal and Star, as well as big films like the Fast and Furious franchise and cult classic Love & Basketball.
Tubi even has its own original movies and series that are just as entertaining. But while Tubi is on the come up, some of the low-budget movies and hood movies are still a must-watch. From Tubi originals to the hood movies, we've put together a list of shows and movies to add to your watchlist.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is an original Tubi movie that stars Hailey Kilgore (Juke from Power Book III: Raising Kanan), Damon Wayans, and Pam Grier. It's a love story gone awry after a robbery turns deadly, and a young couple faces many challenges to make it out alive.
The Dirty D
The Dirty D is one of the first things I watched on Tubi, as many people highly recommended it. It's a series set in a Detroit club, and it has all the drama you can think of. Murder, drug dealing, cheating, greed, and more.
Black Men Don't Cheat
In this film, a young woman grapples with the death of her husband while also discovering his secret life, which puts her in danger.
Mother May I
This movie fully captivates the overbearing mother. However, the ending will shock you as she goes a little too far.
The Stepdaughter
When a young girl moves in with her dad and his new wife, a series of unfortunate events occurs. This Tubi original will keep your attention with every turn.
These Men For Everybody
These Men For Everybody is a film that highlights the tangled web of friendships and relationships and how you can't trust anybody.
Best Friend
What happens when your best friend is obsessed with you? This movie, which stars Serayah and Marques Houston, answers this very question and takes us on a ride in the process.
What's Done After Dark
What's Done After Dark shows us that everything isn't always what it seems. The twist at the end is a real doozy.
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