February marks our celebration of Black History Month: a time to recognize the rich cultural heritage, triumphs, and adversities of Black Americans throughout the history—and present—of this country. 

This year’s focus, Black Health and Wellness, recognizes the long legacy of Black medical practitioners, scholars, and healthcare providers. It also uplifts the myriad ways in which Black communities have fostered health and wellness outside of traditional medical systems—from mutual aid and community clinics to medical and nursing schools.

In the workplace, prioritizing Black health and wellness is more important than ever. As we enter the third year of a global pandemic, incidents of police violence and injustice against Black people continue to make headlines and many workplaces are still grappling with how to address and dismantle systemic racism. For many workers, these dynamics can come to a head during Black History Month. 

At Empower Work, here are some challenges and concerns we’ve heard from texters about how their workplaces address Black History Month: 

• Employers place the bulk of the responsibility on Black workers to educate coworkers about Black history.

• Employers focus primarily on the negative or painful aspects of Black history.

• Employers only focus on Black history and the past, without celebrating or supporting Black employees today. 

• Employers are indifferent or hostile towards Black History Month. 

• Employers are oblivious to why they might need to update their recognition and celebration of Black History Month. 

As one person who reached out to Empower Work shared:

“As I was sharing recommendations from our colleagues about creating a space where we can unpack and have conversations about anti-black racism in our world today, a senior supervisor cut me off and began to get personal and say that [our] group of student interns are…entitled and need to move beyond ourselves.”

Another person recounted:

“I think that our company doesn’t act inclusive. The statement our CEO sent out to us was really vague, he didn’t address the murder of George Floyd. He didn’t take a stand with the Black community or against racism, he was really vague and I think it’s partly because he was guided by our HR department.”

If you’re experiencing any of these dynamics in your workplace, you might be feeling isolated, overwhelmed, or undervalued. When these dynamics occur on top of already less-than-inclusive practices, it can feel like a breaking point. It can also feel nearly impossible to prioritize your health and wellness. 

If this is true for you, you’re not alone. The trauma of the past two years in particular, with the dual pandemics of COVID-19 and systemic racism against the Black community, continues to take its toll. Many Black workers have joined the “Great Resignation” in recent months after feeling overworked and overwhelmed. One psychotherapist shared that the past two years have prompted many of her Black and brown clients to reconsider what it looks like to practice self-care and rest—at work and outside of it. 

How can I prioritize my own health and wellness at work?

If this resonates with you, here are some possible ways to prioritize your own health and wellness at work during Black History Month and beyond: 

• Connect with your support system. Talk with family, friends, colleagues, or other community members who can understand and explore options with you. If you don’t have access to a good support system or don’t feel comfortable speaking to someone close to your situation, chat with a trained peer counselor at 510-674-1414.

• Address your burnout. If you’re feeling emotionally, mentally, or physically exhausted in a way that just doesn’t seem to get better, you may be burned out. Here are a few tips to help. 

• Actively prioritize your own mental health at work. Work can have a profound impact on our well-being, and seeking community-developed systems of support is one way to support yourself—and others. 

• Find ways to honor Black History Month in a way that feels meaningful to you. Celebrate Black leaders and Black lives, learn about Black triumphs, or set aside time in your day for your own reflection.

• Focus on what’s in your control. Consider what you can do—volunteering, donating, learning, finding community, maybe even looking for a new job. Reconnecting with your own agency is one of the most effective ways to move forward. 

Prioritizing Black health and wellness through allyship

Black employees should not be the only ones committed to prioritizing Black health and wellness at work—or educating fellow colleagues on what building an inclusive environment entails. 

If you want to learn how to become a better ally, here are some resources to read and share with others in order to build more inclusive workplaces: 

• How To Contribute To A More Inclusive Workplace, Part 1: Commit to Learning

• How To Contribute To A More Inclusive Workplace, Part 2: Take Action

Ultimately, Black History Month is a time for inspiration and reflection. It can be definitely stressful to deal with challenging, uncomfortable dynamics at work related to Black History Month.  At the same time, perhaps the most important thing to remember is the spirit in which the celebration was first envisioned: to recognize Black excellence and celebrate the contributions Black Americans have made throughout this country’s history. 

This year, especially, we hope you take time to honor—and prioritize Black health and wellness at work. 

If you’re looking for support, reach out to Empower Work for free, confidential support from a trained peer counselor. We’re just a text away: 510-674-1414.

Note: Empower Work provides non-legal support for workplaces challenges. This information, while authoritative, is not legal advice or guaranteed for legality. Employment laws and regulations vary by state. We recommend legal assistance or consulting with state resources for specific interpretation and decisions.