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10 Jun 2025 · 1 min

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In this clip, the speaker reflects on how systemic inequities—including racism, capitalism, and other 'isms'—combined with her own decision to "shrink" herself to appear palatable as a Black woman led to a substantial financial loss. She quantifies the impact as over $1.4 million in lost wages over her career, despite holding two degrees, certifications, and years of experience. The speaker attributes the loss to not advocating for her abilities, avoiding opportunities, and trying to conform to expectations, describing the realization as a disheartening and sober moment.

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And I always give this example, and I'm very transparent about it, is that me shrinking myself— and a part of it is systemic inequities, capitalism, racism, all those things, all the isms— but me being, um, a part, a willing participant in it cost me around or a little over $1.4 million in wages. That's a lot of money. Like $1.4 million in lost wages. Like, I have 2 degrees, I have certifications, I have multiple years of experience, and because I was not a proponent of my ability, because I didn't go after opportunities, because I tried to shrink myself to be palatable, because I didn't want to be seen as that Black woman, I lost out on that amount of money over my career. And that's a very disheartening and sober moment when you