S5E2: Understanding Racial Inequalities in Your Workplace with Adia Harvey Wingfield

In this episode, we welcome Dr.  Adia Harvey Wingfield, sociologist and leading race and labor expert, to discuss her new book, "Gray Areas: How the way we work perpetuates racism and what we can do to fix it." Adia breaks down her research findings about "gray areas"--the relationships, networks, and cultural dynamics integral to companies that exist apart from the specific expectations and duties required for any given job.  These gray areas are a key reason why employees of color, particularly Black workers, remain less likely to be hired, stall out at middle levels, and rarely progress to senior leadership positions.  We discuss the particular relevance of this research to Black women in the workplace, and why a "race-blind" approach in organizations actually harms more than it helps.  Additionally, Adia offers key insights into what organizations can do to fix these issues and create more supportive environments for Black employees.     About Adia Dr. Adia Wingfield is a sociologist who researches racial and gender inequality in professional occupations. She is currently the Mary Tileston Hemenway Professor of Arts and Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, where she also co-directs the Program for Public Scholarship and served as Vice Dean for Faculty Development and Diversity. She has served as President of Sociologists for Women in Society (SWS), the Southern Sociological Society (SSS), and in 2023 she was elected the 116th President of the American Sociological Association. In addition to her academic work, she also writes regularly for mainstream outlets including The Atlantic, Vox, Slate, and Harvard Business Review. Connect with Adia Website: https://www.adiaharveywingfield.com LinkedIn X (formerly Twitter): @adiahwingfield   Resources: Programs: We are now enrolling for the January 2024 sessions of our Mid-Career and Early Career leadership development programs.  Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/ Event: Join us for the Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 13-16, 2024 in Virginia Beach! Learn more at bwlretreat.com   Credits: Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: [email protected] Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Téa Campbell Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible Podbay