By: Janis Hillard   For many of us in the melanated community, talking openly about mental health still feels like a risk—not just in our communities, but especially when white people are listening. There’s a fear that our honesty will be weaponized. That vulnerability will be mistaken for weakness. That if we say we’re tired, we’ll be labeled unstable. That if we admit we’re overwhelmed, it will confirm someone else's suspicion that we’re not built to lead, to manage, to end

By: Dr. Lisa Marie Lee Original American Eagle Campaign Image When American Eagle (AE) released its GOOD GENES campaign featuring actress Sydney Sweeney, critics quickly noted how the slogan played into troubling narratives about beauty, desirability, and genetics. AE defended itself by saying it was “just about jeans.” And financially, the campaign was a success,  with reports claiming $400 million in sales in one day. But this narrative, excusing cultural insensitivity in p

January often arrives with an unspoken expectation: fresh goals, renewed motivation, a clean slate. But for many professionals, especially professionals of color, this new year does not feel light or optimistic. It feels different. Heavier. More cautious. After a year shaped by layoffs, restructures, and quiet uncertainty, the workplace many are returning to is not the same one they left. Teams are smaller. Responsibilities have expanded. Trust feels fragile. And while conver