506: How to Support Women of Color, with Minda Harts

Minda Harts: The Memo

Minda Harts is the founder and CEO of The Memo and an advocate for women of color in the workplace. She is a sought-after speaker and thought-leader, frequently speaking on topics of advancing women of color, leadership, diversity, and entrepreneurship. In 2018, Minda was named as one of 25 Emerging Innovators by American Express. Minda has been a featured speaker at TEDx Harlem, Nike, Levi’s, Twitch, Bloomberg, Google, LinkedIn, SXSW, and many other places.

She is an adjunct assistant professor of public service at NYU’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. She also hosts Secure the Seat, a weekly career podcast for women of color. She’s the author of the bestselling book The Memo: What Women of Color Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the Table*.

In this conversation, Minda and I discuss the motivation for her work and the reality that recent events have been for women of color in the workplace. Minda shares some of the common obstacles that, good intentions aside, keep white folks from supporting women of color in their careers. Plus, we highlight some of the key offenses white leaders tend to make and how all of us can do better.

Key Points

• While many leaders notice and consider the events of the day, the news often hits in a personal way for women of color.
• When asked, women of color tend to report that it’s white men who are showing up as sponsors and mentors.
• A key trigger point for women of color is to be described as “articulate.”
• The word “women” tends to be used as a one-size-fits-all. Be mindful that women don’t all experience the workplace in the same way.
• One key action white leaders can take to be a better success partner is ensuring the voices of women of color show up on diversity panels and as speakers.

Resources Mentioned

• The Memo: What Women of Color Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the Table* by Minda Harts
• Minda’s website

Book Notes

Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required).

Related Episodes

• Use Power for Good and Not Evil, with Dacher Keltner (episode 254)
• What You Gain By Sponsoring People, with Julia Taylor Kennedy (episode 398)
• Journey Towards Diversity and Inclusion, with Willie Jackson (episode 441)

Discover More

Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.