Did you know that the "Office Mom" and "The Help" stereotypes aren't the same. They're also a double edged sword when it comes to Black women.
These stereotypes can help us when we "align" with them, but in the long term, they ultimately hinder our growth and progression in the workplace.
It's not until we authentically and successfully navigate all four that we see our careers progress.
Let's talk about it, and why since sharing this chart so many Black have told me they have no desire to navigate this dynamic.
The Four Stereotype Dynamics
The Dead End: This stereotype portrays Black women who have been stuck in one lane or one job for years. Ironically, it's a function of competence. In this dynamic, you're highly trusted and seen as highly competent to do just one thing, but nothing else. Black women who are typed this way are told they're just "too good" at their job. Since she is only valued for one particular function, she is often passed up for promotions or new roles.
The Office Mom: It's probably the stereotype that is the last suspect for career stagnation, but the Office Mom is always taking care of everything and people love her for it. She's the go-to for everything between the coffee, the printer, and managing projects. She's revered in that everyone respects her as they would a mom or their grandma, but she's not seen as someone who can lead strategy, functions, or people. The office mom can advance and be promoted, but not to leadership.
The Help (Mammy): The help is different from the office mom, because she's not respected, nor is her work. She's seen as someone who is a doer, typically of "menial" or unimportant tasks that others won't. She's typically in admin, doing mundane tasks. Since her role is not respected nor valued, she isn't considered for any growth opportunities or meaningful contributions to the organization. She's only there to support the goals and careers of others.
The Angry Black Woman: We're all familiar with this one. It's used to punish or silence Black women who push back and stand up for themselves or others. This stereotype is not typically assigned to Black women who are actually difficult to work with; it's rather assigned to Black women who refuse to assimilate. In turn, their personality, demeanor or lack of "professionalism" is often used as a moving goalpost to deny them opportunity and recognition.
The Sweet Spot for Career Progression
Now here is what set Black women off.
I shared that Black women who navigate all four of these successfully are the ones who are able to be promoted. You can't have just one or two.
You have to be very competent at what you do, be revered for it, be assertive, and also demonstrate collaboration and supportiveness in your work. Of course, all being done at a high level and to near perfection.
And that's the part ya'll didn't like. And I get it.
I was able to navigate my career and land in the promotion sweet spot. Doing that authentically was challenging... and despite being promoted to a manager, the result of overperformance was high-functioning depression.
Black Women are Divesting
Black women shared with me that instead of figuring out how to navigate all of that, we're just deciding to divest from the workplace.
I completely understand; in 2025 I also quit my job because I wanted to build something for myself without being subject to the discrimination and injustices that Black women face in the workplace.
I am seeing a real movement of Black women who are committed to leveraging the expertise that we've gained in the workplace to build something that is our own. One that results in economic growth for the Black community and financial freedom for ourselves.
Many of us are deciding that we're much more than the help, or the office mom... that we're founders, visionaries, thought leaders, and businesswomen.
If that's you, I've created the Business Love Cohort, a 12-week group coaching program for Black women who want to build and launch a sustainable service-based business.
Learn more: https://blackwomanbliss.com/
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