Black History Month Feels Different This Year - And So Should Your Leadership

"The people carrying the heaviest weight are often the ones least likely to speak up. They're balancing Q1 deliverables with questions that never make it to a staff meeting: Does anyone see what's happening? Will anyone acknowledge it? If I speak up, what does it cost me?"

"Being the only person in a room who looks like the people in the headlines teaches you to deal with things silently. You perform, contribute, and stay locked in-but inside, you're slowly tearing apart. It's an enormous emotional burden."

"When people spend energy deciding what not to say, you don't just lose candor-you lose imagination. The first signs aren't always attrition. Often, they're smaller ideas, safer answers, and fewer hands raised. By the time you notice, they've already checked out."

Black History Month requires thoughtful organizational recognition that extends beyond surface-level celebrations. Many employees, particularly those from underrepresented communities, silently carry emotional burdens related to current events while managing regular work responsibilities. Leaders often fail to recognize when employees are struggling because those bearing the heaviest weight are least likely to speak up, fearing professional consequences. This silence costs organizations more than attrition—it diminishes innovation, reduces participation, and creates psychological exhaustion. Meaningful recognition must align with consistent workplace culture and everyday support systems, signaling genuine commitment to employees' wellbeing rather than performative gestures limited to designated months.

Read at Entrepreneur