Werk Stories

Alexa shares how a health scare was the final straw in her leaving her toxic job. But as a low salary worker, how was she able to do it?

Victoria Leiato, owner of The Bloom Space, a host space for independent beauty professionals, talks about her journey to entrepreneurship from the corporate world. She built the work culture after what she didn't like about her corporate jobs while giving women, many Latina, a pathway to generational wealth.

LaShawn Davis, owner of The HR Plug, talks about common issues she sees in the companies she's worked with and what HR's true role is supposed to be in the workplace.

Marie, a soft-spoken construction administrator for engineering and architectural firm, went job after job not directly addressing workplace culture issues and disrespect and then finally learned to speak up for her.

Five of the 42 Black female judges in Dallas County, Texas talk inspiration, legacy and what it's really like being a Black woman in law: the Hon. Dominque Torres- Kelly, Hon. Shequitta Kelly, Hon. Tonya Parker, Hon. Sheryl Shannon, Hon. Gracie Lewis.

Maheen Kaleem is an attorney who's spent her entire career in human rights, particularly rights for women, girls and non-binary folks of color. She's seen a lot in this work and tells us how we can be better advocates for the causes dear to us. Maheen is the Vice President of Operations and Programs at Grantmakers for Girls of Color.

Jo Anna Thomas found favor with notable degrees that impressed every employer, but her education wasn't enough to stop the doubt from colleagues as she, a Black woman, solved problems and brought new ideas to the table. Later, a diagnosis and chronic pain changed the course of her career as a new purpose blossomed.

Therapy was crucial in Olamide's search for a healthy career. She realized people of color needed access to therapy to manage everything from work stress to racial trauma and she created a system to make that easier. https://startsayingmore.com/

Stephany talks about the many challenges of being a Latina in corporate, especially when less than four percent make it into leadership roles and only 1.6 percent enter executive roles. Climbing the ladder is lonely, but she keeps going.