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The Memo
Book

The Memo

What Women of Color Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the Table

Minda Harts
Seal Press, 2019

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Editorial Rating

9

Qualities

  • Applicable
  • Background
  • Engaging

Recommendation

The 2012 murder of Trayvon Martin and the acquittal of his white male assailant stirred New York University professor Minda Harts to action. She set out to help women of color attain corporate leadership roles and the accompanying power to bring about change. Harts offers solid, general advice to women of color who must navigate “microaggression” and unconscious bias. Her irreverent style belies the pain of the discrimination that remains prevalent in American workplaces. Speaking to recent college grads, young employees and older workers looking for a reboot, Harts also gives white managers valuable insight about way to increase inclusion.

Take-Aways

  • Women of color are among the most educated people in the United States, yet make up only 4% of top Fortune 500 executives. They face systemic barriers to advancement.
  • When you connect your friends, you build your network and “social capital.” You need a network, at work and outside of it.
  • Office politics are not fair. The system is rigged.

About the Author

Minda Harts is co-founder of The Memo LLC, a consultancy that works to empower black women in their careers. She is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor at NYU Wagner.

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    R. E. 3 years ago
    But there is a triangle / pyramid structure at play, not everyone is going to be at the top because of the way the system is structured. Racism, sexism and homophobia are seen as inexcusable, and rightly so, but we are complicit in the impoverishment of our fellow humans. Remove income inequality and being pitted against one another in competition, and a lot of the problems associated with the 'isms' are softened.
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    S. G. 3 years ago
    j'ai beaucoup aimé le résumé de ce livre et je souhaite vraiment le lire, dommage qu'il soit en anglais...
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      3 years ago
      c'est vrai - et je suis un anglophone !
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    G. K. 3 years ago
    N.A