Imposter Syndrome: Mama, I Made It...Now What?!?!
Like everyone else I know, when Solange Knowles’ A Seat at the Table dropped in 2016, I set aside time to bask in what I knew was going to be a word for me! Before the album’s official release, I read an essay written by the artist detailing an instance of discrimination she experienced at a concert. The essay’s title (which borrows a lyric from the album) simply asks And Do You Belong? I Do. Almost instantly, those words resonated with me but for an unlikely reason. See, I didn’t hear the lyrics as an exchange between two people - a question posed by one person, followed by a response. I heard it as self-talk used to convince yourself you belong in the spaces you occupy. A question steeped in self-doubt, followed by an answer of affirmation.
Do you belong? I do.
Perhaps I heard it that way because I still sometimes question whether or not I belong in the places where I find myself. No matter how prepared I am, how much I study, despite affirming mentors and nearly 20 years of experience, some days I don’t feel like I can fake it until I make it. Some days, when I ask myself if I belong, my internal reply is, “You’re in over your head and everyone is going to find out.”
Not quite as catchy of a song lyric.
It’s no surprise I’ve had a hard time believing I belong. After nearly 20 years in many organizations, from big nationals to smaller CBO’s, I haven’t seen many other women of color, particularly black women, serving as leaders. In a 2018 Center on Effective Philanthropy survey of over 200 CEO’s, more than 79% identified as White, 6% identified as Black, 6% as Latinx, 2% as Asian, and 2% as multiracial. The Building Movement Project surveyed nearly 200 women of color in the nonprofit field. Their experiences illustrated the range of ways in which women of color specifically lack adequate supports for advancing as nonprofit leaders. From being overlooked for leadership roles to lack of mentorship, the survey shines a light on the necessary work for the social impact field if it wants to truly promote equity and justice.
What do you do when you need to battle imposter syndrome?
Connect with mentors: While there may not be an abundance of women leading nonprofit organizations or serving as directors of development, they are out there. Connect with them via social media. Attend networking events
Create community: As you network within your organization and outside, identify colleagues who can serve as a source of support, inspiration, or even a sounding board. There are a number of amazing online communities as well. I especially have liked Rooted Collaborative on Facebook, run by the amazing Kishana Palmer.
Invest in yourself: If your organization has professional development funding, take advantage of that opportunity. Participate in trainings and virtual convenings that will allow you to not only build crucial skills, but will also provide you with opportunities to meet new people in the field. There are a growing number of opportunities specifically for leaders of color, including the Village Cohort.
Before you take the job…: Before you take a position, check out their staff and board lists. If you see a lack of inclusion, feel free to ask why before you take the job.
Finally, lend a hand to others around you as they ascend. Get yourself out there so others can see you and know what’s possible. Representation matters and the sight of you may inspire greatness in someone else. Like Solange says, we see things we imagine.