
Career Cushioning Could Be The Answer To How To Recession-Proof Your Career

Whenever there are talks of a possible recession and reports of mass layoffs, there's always that fear that you might be next on the chopping block. (And hugs and love to you if you've recently felt the dread and sting of no longer being employed. I've been there.) As with anything in life, it's a good idea to be prepared for the best—and the worst—when it comes to your career, especially since the unemployment rate for Black women over 20 rose more than 5%.
While I know it's already challenging to handle the bare requirements of adulting and survival, there are ways you can practice something called "career cushioning" where you ensure that you're always booked and busy regardless of the economy or your company's up-and-down budget restraints. It's like when you're dating and keeping your options open. You might like that day job, but you're always checking for what else is out there and ready to pull the plug if something better comes along or you're no longer fulfilled.
1. Be sure your skills are transferable and up-to-date.
Any talents that make you unique and top-tier are to be cherished and nurtured. So if you have the gift of gab, play close attention to detail, are super-organized, are great with numbers, have a unique way of presenting ideas, or you're super-creative, these are all soft skills you can use at almost any job and in almost any role if you leverage them properly.
Transferable skills are those you can use across industries, like effective communication, tech savvy, adaptility, or excellent leadership. Think about our favorite bosses, like Rihanna, Oprah, Courtney Adeleye, or Pinky Cole. All of these women have diverse skills and passions and have not only reinvent themselves, but make money putting their multi-hyphenate talents to good use.
Document what you're great at and keep track of how that has manifested through successful completion of projects, company results, sales numbers, and other factors that show you're a competitive and competent professional in your field.
Also, make sure your knowledge and training are up-to-date, that you're tech-proficient, and if further education is required for an advanced degree, certifications, or updates, you're on top of them.
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2. Keep a side-hustle going.
Not everyone is into have a whole second job or business, but if this is something you've been dreaming about doing, now is the time to start. And it doesn't have to be something expensive, time-consuming, or stressful. If its within your company contract limits and does not serve as a conflict of interest, try doing something different but related to the work you're already doing.
Need a bit of inspiration? Look to Emmelie De La Cruz, Mercedes Smith, or Melissa Carnagie. They've all turned side hustles into thriving businesses.
If you have a hobby or talent you can monetize (like crafts, fashion design, entertaining, or teaching) try doing that one or two days a week or building up a full part-time business around it. This is especially important if you already feel burned out and want to leave your job anyway.
3. Network for job leads—and even interview—while employed.
Oftentimes, people find new opportunities through their personal and professional network, and for those who are thinking about self-employment as their next step, this is especially important. The best client and job leads can come from someone you've worked with, go to church with, or a fellow member of an organization.
If interviewing while you still have a job, be sure you're not breaking any contract rules associated with your employment and check the details on your applicable non-compete agreements.
If there are no issues there, there's no harm in interviewing elsewhere even if it's just for the practice or to see what's out there. Informational interviews are still a thing, so you can try that route as well. Plus, if your company happens to lay you off, you'll already have recruiter numbers and contacts who were already interested in you anyway, making the process of finding new employment that much easier.
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4. Cultivate an intra-company network of mentors, work besties, and advocates.
When we think about keeping our options open, oftentimes there's a sense that the options have to be outside of our current employer. However, you never know if maybe a better role or opportunity might be at your same company, just in a different department. Also, coming from someone who has been on both sides of a layoff, oftentimes certain people are kept simply due to the fact that they had more supporters and advocates at the company rooting for them to be retained. And even during the times in my career where I was laid off, my network was essential in the quick rebound I experienced each time.
Authentically network and partner with people in multiple departments where it makes sense, and be of service when you can. It shouldn't be some fake, surface connecting that screams, 'I'll use you if I need to.'
Open yourself up to learn new things and meet new people, get to know how others do their jobs (without being too intrusive), network sideways (like our good sis Issa Rae recommended) and stop skipping those company happy hours. Another good way to network is to volunteer for the causes or nonprofit events that your company's leaders are passionate about.
5. Stay connected to your college's alumni resources.
After a certain number of years being away from the yard, many of us sleep on alumni services. Big mistake. Sometimes you can get job search aid, find out ways you can advance your education, or connect with others in your industry who might not only be friends but future colleagues.
It doesn't matter if you graduated two or 20 years ago, being an alumni of your school is still important, and those resources are there for a reason. Tap in today and enjoy reconnecting with your peers while strengthening yet another career safety net.
6. Always think outside the box when it comes to types of jobs and roles you can fill.
If you've been known for one job or skill for a long time and have been great at it, it can be hard to imagine doing anything else. And while some of us think we have job security due to the years we've given an industry or company, things can change quicker than the time it takes to get coffee from the break room.
Be proactive about how your skills and training can be used for different types of jobs or for a whole different industry altogether. If you love public speaking or making TikTok videos, why not level up and pitch yourself to brands or organizations?
If you've made advancements or innovations in your industry or have a fresh take on a trending issue, write a blog or book or try consulting. Also, open up your horizons to working in other markets or even another country, and find ways to be strategic to position yourself to transfer and travel if necessary.
7. Get your financial house in order.
Whatever job you take, be sure you've taken advantage of all of the benefits, profit-sharing, retirement funding, and other financial resources available to you so that if you have to leave that company, you can cash in or rebuild your emergency reserves. And don't sleep on insurance, real estate, or stock market investments.
It's such a relief when you have a bit of financial cushioning to soften the blow of a job termination, making it all the more blissful for you to simply focus on either taking a break or going for the next opportunity coming your way, refreshed and ready to excel. I once used my severance and savings to consult full-time and travel. It was the best three years of my life.
If you're not sure about benefits and financial resources at your current job, ask your boss, the HR director, or a professional at your bank about your options. Write down a layoff plan (or create a Google Doc or spreadsheet) and get to know where your money is and how it's flowing (i.e. that budget sis), so that you can be prepared in case of a sudden job loss. For many of us, a recession-proof career lies solely in having financial freedom, and that's a real boss move.
Bonus: If you're unhappy at work or don't enjoy your career, pivot.
Knowing when it's time to throw in the towel on that job when things just aren't working—when you're disgruntled, bored, stuck, or simply not being challenged—is super-important, especially since those negative feelings will eventually show up in the quality of work that you do. And while performance isn't the end-all-be-all to reasons why people get laid off, it can be a major defining factor depending on the circumstances. (And if we're talking about getting fired, sis, you don't want that smoke. I know some of y'all work in industries where licenses could be suspended or revoked, or you could face fines and jail time due to neglect, underlying anger, or exhaustion.)
Why waste more time at a job or in a field that you don't truly give a damn about? Being on a road of self-learning and self-exploration can lead you to sustainable career fulfillment despite the poor state of the economy.
Get to know your values, why you do the work that you do, how it affects your wellness, and how it contributes to the quality of life you dream of having, and use that foundational knowledge as your guide to ensuring that you're always the leader of the pack and winning no matter what.
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Claudia Jordan, Demetria McKinney & Jill Marie Jones On 'Games Women Play' & Dating Over 40
What do you get when you mix unfiltered truths, high-stakes romance, and a few well-timed one-liners? You get Games Women Play—the sizzling new stage play by Je’Caryous Johnson that’s part relationship rollercoaster, part grown-woman group chat.
With a powerhouse cast that includes Claudia Jordan, Demetria McKinney, Jill Marie Jones, Carl Payne, Chico Bean, and Brian J. White, the play dives headfirst into the messy, hilarious, and heart-wrenching games people play for love, power, and peace of mind. And the women leading this story? They’re bringing their whole selves to the stage—and leaving nothing behind.
From Script to Spotlight
The road to Games Women Play started over 20 years ago—literally.
“This script was written 20 years ago,” Jill Marie Jones said with a smile. “It was originally called Men, Money & Gold Diggers, and I was in the film version. So when Je’Caryous called me to bring it to the stage, I was like, ‘Let’s go.’” Now reimagined for 2025, the play is updated with sharp dialogue and modern relationship dynamics that feel all too real.
Demetria McKinney, no stranger to Je’Caryous Johnson’s productions, jumped at the opportunity to join the cast once again. “This is my third time working with him,” she shared. “It was an opportunity to stretch. I’d never been directed by Carl Payne before, and the chance to work with talent I admire—Jill, Claudia, Chico—it was a no-brainer.”
Claudia Jordan joked that she originally saw the role as just another check. “I didn’t take it that seriously at first,” she admitted. “But this is my first full-on tour—and now I’ve got a whole new respect for how hard people work in theater. This ain’t easy.”
Modern Love, Stage Left
The play doesn’t hold back when it comes to the messier parts of love. One jaw-dropping moment comes when a live podcast proposal flips into a prenup bombshell—leaving the audience (and the characters) gasping.
Demetria broke it down with honesty. “People don’t ask the real questions when they date. Like, ‘Do you want kids? How do you feel about money?’ These convos aren’t happening, and then everyone’s confused. That moment in the play—it’s real. That happens all the time.”
Jill chimed in, noting how the play speaks to emotional disconnect. “We’re giving each other different tokens of love. Men might offer security and money. Women, we’re giving our hearts. But there’s a disconnect—and that’s where things fall apart.”
And then Claudia, of course, took it all the way there. “These men don’t even want to sign our prenups now!” she laughed. “They want to live the soft life, too. Wearing units, gloss, getting their brows done. We can’t have nothing! Y’all want to be like us? Then get a damn period and go through menopause.”
Dating Over 40: “You Better Come Correct”
When the conversation turned to real-life relationships, all three women lit up. Their experiences dating in their 40s and 50s have given them both clarity—and zero tolerance for games.
“I feel sexier than I’ve ever felt,” said Jill, who proudly turned 50 in January. “I say what I want. I mean what I say. I’m inside my woman, and I’m not apologizing for it.”
Demetria added that dating now comes with deeper self-awareness. “Anybody in my life is there because I want them there. I’ve worked hard to need nobody. But I’m open to love—as long as you keep doing what got me there in the first place.”
For Claudia, the bar is high—and the peace is priceless. “I’ve worked hard for my peace,” she said. “I’m not dating for food. I’m dating because I want to spend time with you. And honestly, if being with you isn’t better than being alone with my candles and fountains and cats? Then no thanks.”
Channeling Strength & Icon Status
Each actress brings something different to the play—but all of them deliver.
“I actually wish I could be messier on stage,” Claudia joked. “But I think about my grandmother—she was born in 1929, couldn’t even vote or buy a house without a man, and didn’t give a damn. She was fearless. That’s where my strength comes from.”
For Jill, the comparisons to her iconic Girlfriends character Toni Childs aren’t far off—but this role gave her a chance to dig deeper. “If you really understood Toni, you’d see how layered she was. And Paisley is the same—misunderstood, but strong. There’s more to her than people see at first glance.”
Demetria, who juggles singing and acting seamlessly, shared that live theater pushes her in a new way. “Every moment on stage counts. You can’t redo anything. It’s a different kind of love and discipline. You have to give the performance away—live, in the moment—and trust that it lands.”
Laughter, Lessons & Black Girl Gems
The show has plenty of laugh-out-loud moments—and the cast isn’t shy about who steals scenes.
“Chico Bean gets a lot of gasps and laughs,” Claudia said. “And Naomi Booker? Every scene she’s in—she’s hilarious.”
But the play isn’t just about humor. It leaves space for reflection—especially for Black women.
“I hope we get back to the foundation of love and communication,” said Demetria. “A lot of us are in protector mode. But that’s turned into survival mode. We’ve lost softness. We’ve lost connection.”
Claudia agreed. “We’re doing it all—but it’s not because we want to be strong all the time. It’s because we have to be. And I just want women to know: You can have peace, you can be soft. But stop bringing your old pain into new love. Don’t let past heartbreak build walls so high that the right person can’t climb over.”
Final Act: Pack the House
If there’s one thing this cast agrees on, it’s that this play isn’t just entertainment—it’s necessary.
“Atlanta is the Black entertainment hub,” Claudia said. “We need y’all to show up for this play. Support the arts. Support each other. Because when we pack the house, we make space for more stories like this.”
Games Women Play is more than a play—it’s a mirror. You’ll see yourself, your friends, your exes, and maybe even your next chapter. So get ready to laugh, reflect, and maybe even heal—because the games are on.
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Sterling K. Brown & Ryan Michelle Bathe Relationship Timeline
Sterling K. Brown and Ryan Michelle Bathe are one of our favorite Hollywood couples. We can't get over their adorable moments together on the red carpet and on social media. While they're both from St. Louis, they didn't meet until college, which they both attended Stanford. And the rest is as they say, history. Read below as we dive into their decades-long relationship.
Mid to Late1990s: Sterling K. Brown & Ryan Michelle Bathe Meet
Sterling and Ryan met as freshmen at Stanford University. "We were in the same dorm freshman year...that's kind of how we met," Ryan said in an interview with ET. "I was mesmerized," she said after watching him audition for the school play, Joe Turner's Come and Gone. Sterling revealed that The First Wives Club star was dating someone else, so they started off as friends.
"She got cast in the play as well, and we would ride bikes to rehearsal, and we would just talk. We found out that we were both from St. Louis. We didn't know that we were both from St. Louis, like, our parents went to rival high schools. We were born in the same hospital. Like, we were friends," he said.
The first few years of their relationship involved many breakups and makeups. However, they ended up graduating and attended NYU's Tisch Grad Acting Program together.
Early 2000s: Sterling K. Brown Tells Ryan Michelle Bathe She's 'The Love Of My Life'
The Paradise star opened up about telling Ryan that she was the one. "We broke up for three and a half years before we came back into each other's lives," he said. "She was on the treadmill working out, and I had this epiphany, 'I have to go tell this woman she's the love of my life.'"
"I go to her apartment, I tell her, and she's like, 'Well, I'm working out right now,' and I was like, 'No, I can see that—I'll just talk to you while you're on the treadmill,' and she's like, 'Well, I feel like going outside. So I'm gonna go on a run,'" he continued. "So I'm like dressed [in a suit], and she starts running through Koreatown, and I start running along with her. Brother had to work, but it was well worthwhile."
2006: Sterling K. Brown & Ryan Michelle Bathe Tie The Knot
The St. Louis natives eloped in 2006 and a year later held a larger ceremony. According to the bride, the best part of their wedding was the food. "The best thing about it was the food," she told ET.
"Can I just say, sometimes you go to weddings, and you get the winner-winner chicken dinner and you're like, 'I pay. OK, it's fine.' But I wanted people to remember their experience -- their culinary experience. So I was happy about that. The food was good."
2011: Sterling K. Brown & Ryan Michelle Bathe Welcome Their First Child
In 2011, Sterling and The Endgame actress welcomed their first son, Andrew. In a 2017 tweet, Sterling revealed they had a home birth. "An unexpected home delivery is something my wife and I went through ourselves with our first born, so this was round 2 for me!" he wrote while referring to a scene involving his character Randall, in This Is Us.
2012: Sterling K. Brown & Ryan Michelle Bathe Appear On-screen Together
A year later, the couple acted together on the Lifetime series Army Wives.
2015: Sterling K. Brown & Ryan Michelle Bathe Welcome Their Second Child
In 2015, Sterling and Ryan welcomed another son, Amaré. Sterling shared an Instagram post about their latest addition to the family. "1st post. 2nd child. All good! #imoninstagram," the Atlas star wrote.
2016: Ryan Michelle Bathe Joins Sterling K. Brown On 'This Is Us'
Ryan guest appears on her hubby's show, This Is Us.
Sterling K. Brown Reveals Ryan Michelle Bathe's Mother Didn't Like Him At First
During their sit-down interview for the Black Love series, Sterling revealed that Ryan's mother wasn't a fan of him, which caused friction in their relationship.
2024: Sterling K. Brown & Ryan Michelle Bathe Explain How Jennifer Lopez Once Broke Them Up
While visiting The Jennifer Hudson Show, Sterling and Ryan share their hilarious Jennifer Lopez break-up story. "We had just gone out, we were living in New York City, we were in grad school, and we had gone to see a Broadway play and we came back to my place and my roommate was playing the ["Love Don't Cost A Thing"] video on MTV," Sterling said.
"Now I'm a fan of Jennifer Lopez's dancing, and I was watching the video and I knew my young...21, 22-year-old girlfriend was looking at me watch the video. And I know I'm not supposed to have a reaction. In trying NOT to have a reaction, what had happened was, my eyes began to water."
Ryan jumped in, "Otherwise known as, TEARS! I turn around and my boyfriend is weeping, tears like big fat [tears]. And I'm looking and she's just a shakin' and a shimming, and he's just crying. I said 'Oh no, I got to go.' "
2024: Sterling K. Brown & Ryan Michelle Bathe Launch Their Podcast, We Don't Always Agree
The couple launched their podcast, We Don't Always Agree, where they disclose more intimate details about their love story.
Feature image by Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock