Anyone who knows me knows the pub life isn’t for me. Sticky floors, noisy crowds, and let’s face it, not a lot of faces that look like mine. It’s never been my vibe.

But back in the day, I went anyway. Not because I wanted to, but because that’s where my colleagues went after work. I didn’t want to be the odd one out, so there I was, sipping my drink, counting the minutes until I could make a graceful exit.

Navigating the professional world as a Black woman often means contending with unique challenges and expectations shaped by cultural upbringing. The intricate dance of balancing ambition and cultural conditioning profoundly impacts how black women present themselves in the workplace.