Every year, International Women’s Day (IWD) rolls around, bringing with it a flurry of LinkedIn posts, panel discussions, and corporate pledges to support women. Then, as quickly as it arrived, the moment passes, and many organisations go back to business as usual, without making any meaningful changes.

In today’s world, visibility is a currency. Whether you’re building a career, running a business, or simply trying to make your voice heard, being seen has never been more important. For many, this push for visibility is empowering, but for others, especially Black women like myself, it brings a complex internal conflict.

The sincerity in Ryan Clark's breakdown of why it's not cool for Black women to be the continued source of stereotypical jokes resonates deeply. His call to stop reducing Black women to unfair and harmful caricatures transcends borders, finding relevance here in the UK as much as in the U.S.

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.

I read a recent article on the ‘Fast Company’ website, by Amy Diehl that said “we want what you aren’t” about the discrimination women still face in the workplace. I thought it was a pretty spot.

Is it just me, or has this years theme fallen a bit flat? Is a year enough time for everyone to get their bums into gear?