THREAD:
It's #BlackWomensEqualPayDay! Here's a little transparency because, as a community, we have to be very intentional with explaining how we're paid or NOT PAID for things so that black girls don't end up in the cycle.
We're paid .63 cents on the dollar of our counterparts. Extended over a 40-year career, the wage gap has black women earning $850,000 less than men’s median annual earnings, according to the National Women’s Law Center. BW make 38% less than white men and 21% less than.WW,.
I'm a full-time educator, accomplished performer (HBO Def Poet/Slam Champion), author of 4 books, business owner (@LangstonLeague), and more. But let me tell you about how my pay usually works in the all the industries that I just mentioned.
Once, I recommended a friend who just graduated from school and started teaching. I was in my 8th year of teaching. We taught the same thing. He accidentally left his offer letter near me and I found out that he made almost $20,000+ more than me.
As a performer, I'm often asked to volunteer my time or do things for "exposure." One year, before I put my thinking hat on, a college invited me to come and perform. I was headed in that direction so when they said they had little to no budget...I said I would do it for free.
After the performance, I grabbed food with the other feature. He was offered a stipend, hotel room, travel, and per diem. We have dang near the same credentials. He was furious that I hadn't been extended the same thing. I was young and foolish.
I own a for-profit social enterprise. I pay for everything on my own. A lot of my male counterparts have investors or people in their circle that can assist with funding. I don't. Despite being the fastest growing group of business owners...only .2% of VC funding goes to us.
Despite going viral every other month, my community work, and the passion for what I do...I still get these same offers + requests (lots of nothing). Not much has changed. I'm just smarter and wiser, now. I've learned the power of: NO.
Know your worth. Then add tax.
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