WORD CLOUDS: ADVICE FROM BLACK WOMEN BY GENERATION

Advice from Black women by Generation

When Black women were asked for advice for women of color in the workplace, the most frequent answer across all four generations was: Never Give Up! There were significant differences, however, among the generations of Black women.

Black Boomer women (ages 55-72) sounded like mothers and grandmothers. Much of the advice for success was selfdirected: Get an education; Do your job; Listen and learn. This was the only sector that advised: Put God first.

Black Millennials (ages 23-37) were both self-focused and defiant: Always do your best; Don’t be discouraged; Do what you want; Keep pushing; Don’t let others stop you. Black Gen X women (ages 38-54) were a bit more defiant. They advised: Don’t be afraid; Just do you; Don’t change for anyone.

The Black Gen Z population, still in high school and college (ages 16-22) was the most confident and optimistic: Ignore negativity; Color doesn’t define you; You can do anything; and You are beautiful!