Let’s be honest—having a “work bestie” can make your job feel a whole lot better. They’re the person you Slack first. The one you vent to after a weird meeting. The one who gets it when something feels off. And if you are a lovely millennial and Gen Z’er, work friendships aren’t just nice to have—they feel necessary. For many BIPOC professionals, that connection can feel even deeper. When you find someone who understands the unspoken dynamics, the tone shifts, the side-eyes…

By: Dr. Lisa Marie Lee Image from @teyanataylor Yet again, we’re watching a Black woman get corrected, not for doing something wrong, but for refusing to accept what was done to her. When Teyana Taylor was shoved by security at the Academy Awards, her response was simple: Don’t put your hands on me. That should’ve been the moment. Clear. Done. But that’s not how this works. Now it’s “incidental.” Now it “escalated.” Now her tone is the issue. So the shove disappears and her

📸: Brianna Bryson/Getty Images In many workplaces, being “seen” is often spoken about as a positive — recognition, visibility, being known for your contributions. But for professionals of color, being seen has historically been complicated (and flat-out dangerous). Visibility has not always meant safety, fairness, or understanding. Sometimes it has meant scrutiny, stereotype, or pressure to perform in ways that make others comfortable. This tension is why moments of authenti