Decorations

Whether you want to turn your garage into a haunted house or simply dim the lights and add some strobes, the visuals are the main ingredient. The party has to feel like your guests are immersed in spookiness, so the decor has to be eye-catching. Throw up some streamers and stretch fake cobwebs over furniture pieces (nothing that will catch on fire of course), then add some plastic spiders to it to top it off. If you’re super crafty, carve out some pumpkins into jack-o’-lanterns and add those around the party. This could be a good way to add some minor lighting in case you’re considering turning off most of the lights to set the tone.

Costumes

It goes without saying, but have your guests dress for the occasion. On your invite, encourage them to go all out and maybe even opt for a costume contest. Some categories to consider when picking winners can be overall costume, best couple, and scariest. This brings an element of excitement as people show up looking to see the competition. Let’s be honest: It kind of sucks to go to a party when people are boring and ignore the theme. Incentivize partygoers with cool prizes, and, depending on how deep your pockets are, maybe even offer some cash prizes too.

Themed Drinks

This is a fun one! While a punch bowl is standard, craft some specialized cocktails (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) for folks to enjoy. You can really get creative with this one as food coloring will be your best friend. Get some plastic syringes and fill them with red Jell-O for a “bloody shot” or orange Fanta with your favorite vodka for some “pumpkin tears.” If you want to take your drink set up to another level, snag a block of dry ice to create ghost-like fog. Try some green coloring in lemonade (liquor is optional) and drop in some candy eyeballs for a ghoulish themed concoction. The recipes and ideas are endless.

Solid Playlist

We go to holiday parties for the people and the fun, but the music definitely sets the vibe. There are essentially two main approaches for whoever is taking the reins of being on “the aux.” You can take the route of curating a playlist in advance that’s full of sounds and music from your favorite Halloween movies or just a general list of “bangers” that’ll really get the party going (I think “Not Like Us” might still hit at a costume party, right?). Either way, make sure the tunes are continuous, as dead air always ruins the mood and draws everyone’s attention in a bad way.

Photo Wall

Did you even go to a party if you didn’t take pictures? An underrated piece to throwing a memorable party is the photo wall. Have a designated area where people can flick it up with props and good lighting. People often spend lots of money and time on makeup to get their costume to killer status so they are going to want to document every bit of it. It’s also a win for you as they post to their social media letting everyone know that you threw a dope party that they missed out on.

Spooky Movie 

Your guests will be there to chat it up and have a good time, but having a scary movie on in the background is a must. Will they sit and watch the whole thing from beginning to end? Probably not, but a few might stumble over to the coach and get sucked into Hocus Pocus if it’s on. This is one of those elements that contribute to the overall ambiance rather than being a front and center feature. Why not throw on Agatha All Along? Lucky for you, if you turn it to ABC or TBS, you’ll most likely catch a marathon of spooky flicks on repeat anyway so that’ll help you out.

Treats

This goes without saying, but food and snacks are a must (especially if drinking will be involved). There are so many creative ways to turn everyday appetizers and desserts into Halloween-themed bites. How about some string cheese with marinara on the tips to look like a bloody finger or popcorn balls with candy corn on them to look like pumpkins? If you’re wanting to cut corners on time, perhaps order a pre-made charcuterie board (some places will even align it with your party’s theme). You can’t forget the sweets! Cookies, brownie bites, or even pretzel sticks dipped in white chocolate with sprinkles for eyes to make them look like ghosts.

The post 7 Spooky Essentials to Plan a Killer Halloween Party appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.

Within the past few years, “introversion” is one of the most popular words to grace the internet. To some, it’s a fad, but to others, it’s our lifestyle. So much so, the thought of talking to someone for hours, seconds or even minutes about coffee, Kim Kardashian or recent brands is uninspiring. Let’s talk about Kepler 186f, better yet, TRAPPIST-1 solar system. Let’s dive deeper and explore our subconscious mind to learn about what makes it so majestic. Let’s take a look at the extrovert-introvert.

Some days I want to talk while other days, I’d rather not be bothered, as my mind has already traveled around the galaxy and back. But once I’m back on earth, my introversion becomes questioned. Many people assume there is a look or style to introversion when in all actuality, we just lose energy by being around people for a long time. Before congregating with fellow earthlings, I need a forewarning because I need to recharge by only being consumed with my thoughts for the moment, a good book or movie. Sometimes I like to go for long walks with my dog as well.

Introversion is notably unique, especially being a woman of color whose an INFJ. Women of color are believed to be extroverted, the life of the party or always on the go. However, being the rarest personality type, which makes up 1% of our population, I consider myself a rare breed among rarer breeds. INFJs (Introversion, Intuition, Feeling, Judging) are one of Myers-Briggs 16 personality types, which was created by a prominent psychiatrist, Carl Jung. I like to believe he used my brain to define INFJs because I see myself in each aspect of his research.

As an INFJ, I’m sometimes mistaken for an extrovert because I have an outgoing personality, especially around people that I’m alike. Due to my excessive enthusiasm and love for fighting a cause, my eagerness has labeled me an “extroverted introvert,” until I’m invited for tea on the weekend and I somehow fall ill *cough – cough* in order to recharge my batteries.

Since decoding these 4 exquisite letters, INFJ, I’ve been on an everlasting spaceship capturing amazing images from my telescope. I continue to celebrate myself. I’m okay with random burst of laughter, discussing ruby programming or people watching to create characters of how I see the world. Introversion is not something that needs to be fixed, but a personality profile that creates coders, authors, artist, gamers and most of all, a rare personality which keeps the world rotating.

The post The Extroverted-Introvert Explained appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.

It could be new brake pads, a cavity, or any other financial emergencies that can make you contemplate how you can rob a bank and get away with it. 

The common advice is to save money for emergencies. However, in this economy, saving money seems like a luxury. According to the consumer price index, prices are 26% higher than before the pandemic. Higher prices translate into using every cent of your paycheck to make ends meet, which can cause stress, anxiety, and overall eat away at your mental health.

You might think that if something happens, you’ll find the money, you’ll figure it out. However, your nervous system is pleading for you to stop living in a constant state of fight or flight. To do your mental health a favor, it’s vital to be financially prepared by having an emergency savings account. 

Money isn’t evil, but it’s the root cause of your stress

Financial stress can take a toll on your mental health. While everyone may occasionally experience money-related stress from time to time, your perception of the situation can make all the difference. 

If your phone slips from your pocket and hits the concrete, shattering your screen, you’d probably start panicking. Your heart would start thumping out of your chest. This moment of panic can last for a few moments or hours and days, depending on your financial circumstances. If you had $10,000 in your savings, you’d probably mourn the loss for a moment, buy a new phone, and continue with your life. 

However, if you only have $100 saved, you’d most likely panic, start praying to whatever God you believe in, and hope your rich aunt will take pity on you and gift you $500.

According to Jeffrey Anvari-Clark, a professor of social work at the University of North Dakota, people who view financial setbacks as something difficult to recover from can trigger health problems such as substance abuse, high blood pressure, heart problems, and depression. 

So, how do you stop waking up in the middle of the night, wondering how you’re going to pay for groceries and repair your bathroom toilet that keeps on overflowing? The simple answer is emergency savings. Let’s talk about how you can realistically build that savings on a tight budget. 

Realistically building your emergency savings

Building your savings will take time, willpower, and the ability to say no to buying shiny new things. However, once you have solid emergency savings, you can go back to enjoying the finer things in life, without worrying how you’re going to pay for something you need.

Assess your financial situation

Before you start saving money, it’s important to know how much you’re making and how much you’re spending. Take a look at your recent pay stubs. Understand how much on average you’re making, and how much is being taken out for taxes.

Next, assess how much you’re spending on your basic needs. This is everything you need to pay for, like rent, gas, food, insurance, etc, to survive. Add up your total for your mandatory expenses and subtract it from your average income. Whatever is left over is what you’ll divide between your savings and spending on things that are nice to have but not necessary. 

When reviewing your finances, it’s important to be honest with yourself. If you notice you’re overspending in some areas, take the opportunity to create new spending habits. 

Have a goal

Depending on how much you have left over when you pay your bills, you want to create a savings goal. The key here is to start small. Setting a goal for $100, $300, or even $1000 will help you get started. 

Once you get into a routine of saving, you can start to increase that goal number. 

Create a system for saving

Once you have your goal, you want to create a system that helps you prioritize savings. This can look like

• Automating your savings so that a certain amount gets deposited from each paycheck
• Prioritize savings, don’t fall into the trap of saving money at the end of the month, save right when you get paid. 
• Have more than one savings account. You can have one account where you put money you’re not using at the moment. The other is strictly for your emergency savings. When you put money into this account, you are not to spend it, unless you meet your goal or there is an emergency. 

Creating friction between you and your emergency money

Make sure you’re emergency savings account isn’t connected to your checking account or debit card. You want to make sure wherever you keep your money, whether in a bank or a lock box, that it’s not something you can easily dip into.

Extra money just for savings

Any extra money you get, whether a tax refund, birthday money, bonus from your job, put that money towards your savings. 

Ask for help

It’s okay to ask for help from a financial advisor or a financial coach. They may be able to provide you with the tools you need to make financial improvements. You can also work with a professional to receive compassion for your particular situation. 

Remember that building your emergency savings and creating financial wellness isn’t just about having more money. Taking care of your finances is a form of self-care. It’s a way to take care of yourself now and in the future. 

The post Why Living Paycheck to Paycheck in 2025 Is Destroying Your Mental Health appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.

Over the years, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) alcohol brands have increased, including notable public figures tapping into the growing market. Uncle Waithley’s Vincy Brew Founder Karl Franz Williams told Stateways.com, “BIPOC-owned brands sometimes have to work two or three times as hard to get the same results and opportunities as non-BIPOC brands. That’s why it’s so important that we come together and work together, because there’s strength in numbers.”

One thing must be said: just because a celebrity is attached to an alcohol brand (actually, this applies to any product to be honest) doesn’t make it the best of the bunch. Aside from their investments, their involvement without a doubt amplifies the visibility in terms of marketing. A solid takeaway is that these people of interest have deep pockets and care about their image, so it’s safe to conclude they want the best ingredients when crafting their liquor. Let’s take a look at four Black-owned alcohol brands you need to know.

SirDavis by Beyoncé

Beyoncé continues to expand her black-owned business ventures, and the latest avenue she’s set her eyes on is whiskey. Teaming up with Moët Hennessy, the Houston-born superstar released SirDavis (bottled in Texas in true Bey fashion) to coincide with her 43rd birthday on September 4. Priced at $89.99, it’s described as having a buttery toffee, cinnamon, clove, and classic rye taste. In a statement on the official SirDavis site, Knowles-Carter says, “I’ve always been drawn to the power and confidence I feel when drinking quality whiskey and wanted to invite more people to experience that feeling.” This can’t be said for many, but it stands true with Queen Bee: sis has worked extremely hard to build a career and image that is arguably respected worldwide, so we doubt she’d release a whiskey if it wasn’t capable of competing with the best of the best. Not to mention, her husband may know a thing or two about owning an alcohol brand himself.

Anteel Tequila by Nayana and Don Ferguson

Anteel Tequila was founded in 2017 in Detroit, Michigan by Nayana and her husband, Don, with a special story behind her reason for launching the black-owned brand. Nayana is a pancreatic cancer survivor, leading her to be more selective about the foods and drinks she consumes, in addition to looking for healthier spirit options. She is considered to be the world’s first Black woman to co-own a tequila company, opening doors for women of color to follow suit. “I am extremely grateful to be able to create a path for others to follow, where we can create brands that speak to our ingenuity, culture and vision,” she says in an interview with Essence. “It is extremely important to me to make sure that I am helping to inspire women to create … businesses that they are passionate about and not let obstacles deter them.”

D’Ussė by Jay-Z and Michel Casavecchia

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Created in one of the oldest Cognac houses in France, D’Ussé was crafted by Michel Casavecchia and founded by Shawn Carter, better known as Jay-Z. Their vision is “to transcend cognac as we know it by standing for integrity, boldness, freedom, and the elevation of authenticity.” A 750 ml bottle will run you about $44.99 at Total Wine, but in a club or lounge, partygoers will be charged upwards of $350. Much like his wife Beyonce, Jay-Z has built a reputable name for himself as well, many trusting his alcohol brand to deliver rich flavors without a crazy amount of additives. As previously mentioned, some liquor brands have faded from being mentioned, but D’Ussé continues to be mentioned in music to this day.

Ten to One Rum by Marc Farrell

Described as “a contemporary and elevated spirit designed to challenge expectations and reinvigorate the way people taste, experience, and talk about rum,” Ten to One Rum was founded by Marc Farrell, who sought to express his appreciation for the heritage of rum and the part it plays in Caribbean culture. Born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago, Farrell wanted to cultivate a rum that was not ignored and continued to raise the bar as other spirits do. He managed to see his visions come to fruition, as Ten to One garnered success at an early stage and caught the attention of Atlanta singer Ciara, who later came on board as an investor, director, and co-owner in 2021. Garnished with a price tag of $43.99 for 750ml, it’s quite affordable for a higher quality rum that happened to win the Platinum medal for “Best Rum” at the LA Spirit Awards in 2022.

The post 4 Black-Owned Alcohol Brands You Need to Know, Including Beyoncé’s New Whiskey, SirDavis appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.

In a lawsuit filed last week, three of Lizzo’s former dancers have accused the singer of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment. The lawsuit also alleges weight shaming, failure to prevent sexual or religious harassment, disability discrimination, and assault.

This news was surprising to us all, as Lizzo has been a champion for embracing body positivity and inclusivity. Her songs like Good as Hell and Juice have been self-love anthems for not just women but everyone. It’s disheartening, to say the least, that she is being accused of the things her former dancers allege.

In our society, celebrities receive more attention than most other people. Yes, they are well-paid, are catered to, and receive considerable social reverence. Yet, the second they do anything unfavorable or are accused of doing something wrong, they get tossed in the cancel bin. The truth is, social media doesn’t sympathize with Black women celebrities. It’s a tough place to be — guilty until proven innocent. We’re already starting to see the results of that, when Queen Beyoncé left the name “Lizzo” out of Break My Soul (Queen’s remix) at her performance in Boston.

It’s sad to think that Lizzo, someone who has been open about challenges and hurt she has faced over her body and weight, would turn around and cause that same hurt to anyone else. All of Lizzo’s dancers are beautiful, talented, and high-energy big girls, just like her. We love to see it. Yet, the accusations have shined a light on toxicity in Black work environments.

I believe we have to be careful about how we use the word “toxic” when talking about the workplace. Every workplace can be annoying and exhausting, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s toxic. A toxic workplace is more than just a place you don’t really want to go (in person or virtually). It’s not just disliking a coworker or having a difficult time working with them. It doesn’t mean a workplace where there is conflict, because that is normal and, honestly, expected. People in the workplace can disagree, and some can have bad energy.

Although the working environment for Lizzo and her dancers is quite different than in a typical office, the dynamics for a true hostile work environment are the same: The words and actions of a coworker or someone in charge negatively impact another employee’s ability to do their job. This is the difference that creates challenges that impact an employee’s satisfaction, engagement, and productivity.

Black people in the corporate space often feel as if they have two versions of themselves — the person they are, and the person they have to be at work. The mask you wear allows you to do your job, and to be seen to a certain extent. W.E.B. Du Bois wrote about this in his book The Souls of Black Folk: “It dawned upon me with a certain suddenness that I was different from the others; or like, mayhap, in heart and life and longing, but shut out from their world by a vast veil.”

We wear the veil, navigating levels of racism and sexism. You can be Black, but not too Black. You can be a Black woman, but stay out of the way. That sentiment covers everything, from our hair to our clothes, from our language to our bodies. The veil can be exhausting, but it can also turn into a means of survival.

On the other side of the coin, as we see with the accusations being made against Lizzo, it is possible for a Black woman to victimize other women of color. It may seem hard to believe that a fat woman could be accused of fatphobia. However, when power rears its ugly head, it corrupts regardless of how many marginalized identities are in the room. There are situations in which some Black women believe that in order to be promoted to a leadership position or maintain a top spot, they have to mirror the behaviors of white leaders around them. Instead of being able to identify with someone who looks like them, they resort to being condescending and unapproachable.

When I used to work in corporate America, I did not lack the skills or intelligence to perform my job well and could handle any task my supervisors assigned me. Despite my competence and work ethic, I was still on the receiving end of racism and microaggressions. I also had the experience of working for a Black woman manager who placed unattainable expectations on my performance. In other words, she made stuff up knowing that I wouldn’t be able to meet the objectives. The goal was to make my work life miserable so that I would quit.

The sad part is that going in, I was excited to work for someone who looked like me. I anticipated it being a mentoring situation — engaging and supportive. She definitely saw that I was capable and felt threatened by that. She was the only Black woman manager in our division and wanted to keep it that way.

The systemic nature of a toxic workplace shows up in different ways. The people who behave abusively are rewarded through raises, promotions, or access to power.

Regardless of what we think, we don’t know what happened between Lizzo and her former dancers. However, we can say that when any employee takes the tremendous risk of going public with their experiences — especially when the boss is an international superstar — it’s not good. The truth is that abusive bosses who fail to respect their employees’ humanity deserve to be called out and held accountable, whether they are celebrities or corporate executives.

The post Lizzo Scandal Evokes Awareness of Toxicity in Black Work Environments appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.

This month-long celebration of those who identify as lesbian, bi-sexual, gay, transgender, queer, or any part of the LGBTQ+ community was started as a protest in 1969. In the 1960s and ’70s across America, being gay was considered illegal. Because of this narrow-minded belief, police conducted raids of bars and restaurants, scoping out and shutting down any place that served gays or had gay employees. But, everything changed on the night of June 28, 1969, outside of the Stonewall Inn in New York where community members took a stand.

Stonewall was one of the last safe havens for the LGBTQ+ community. It was there that Marsha P. Johnson and other activists such as Mark Segal protested and initiated riots, all to defend their community against the police who assaulted innocent people and extorted them for money.

Segal was quoted saying to ET’s Denny Directo, “And it was that night that we said to the police, ‘We are taking our street back. This is our neighborhood. You are no longer going to control us. You’re no longer going to dominate us. We’re going to create our identity. We’re going to create a community where you wouldn’t allow us to have community.”

Thanks to all the brave individuals who put their lives on the line that day, June is now a month of celebration across the globe. KAYAK has created a guide to help Pride-goers get the most out of their experience.

If you’ve ever been curious about what Pride is like in other countries, you can now get your questions answered. The Pride Guide lists 10 different destinations, such as Brazil, Netherlands, Germany, and more. All destinations include information such as the city’s Pride celebrations dates and median travel expenses prices, along with special hacker tips to ensure you get the most out of your visit.

To learn more about this guide, BGN corresponded with KAYAK via email. Below Victoria Martinez Hart, KAYAK Communications Senior Director, shares insights on how the guide came together. She also explains how to use it and gives special tips to enhance your Pride experience.

Why did KAYAK decide to put together this guide, and what do you hope travelers get out of it?

This is our third iteration of the Pride Guide, and we hope that the LGBTQ+ travel community and allies can use it to help plan a trip to celebrate Pride.

How did KAYAK find these locations and why did you choose to highlight them?

The ten destinations featured in the 2022 KAYAK Pride Guide were selected as a mix of some of the most popular in the world and those recommended by KAYAK’s Pride Employee Resource Group. As noted in the guide, some of these destinations are direct recommendations from members of our ERG, and we’re excited to share their tips for the best way to experience the Pride celebration.

How can travelers best use this guide?

Let this guide be your ultimate Pride planning tool. Already know which celebration you want to attend? Our pricing chart will help you ballpark how much you can expect to spend on airfare, hotel, and rental car. Not sure where to go? The guide can be a helpful tool to find the Pride celebration for your budget. Bonus: we include some of the can’t miss events happening during each city’s Pride celebration.

In the guide, you offer hacker tips, which often feature cafes, museums, and bars to experience more of the Pride atmosphere. Why are these suggestions important?

Our hacker tips are based on extensive research and sometimes even insider KAYAK tips for each Pride celebration. We’ve carefully curated each one to ensure that whether you’re a Pride newbie or a seasoned attendee, you can pick and choose the events you want to attend to create your own custom experience. The goal is to help people learn more about and experience the history and culture of the LGBTQ+ community.

How will booking through KAYAK be helpful to travelers?

KAYAK is a metasearch site. You know how sometimes you spend hours and several browser windows to make sure you’re getting the best deal? KAYAK does all that for you by searching every site you usually search but in one browser window.

Are there any safety tips you can offer travelers?

We regularly partner with content creators to provide their unique perspectives and helpful tips for our travelers. Here’s a full guide on how to travel safely as an LGBTQ+ traveler in collaboration with Dani Heinrich of Globetrotter Girls, and travel safety tips for transgender travelers in collaboration with Aria Sa’id.

Any other travel trips you’d like to offer Pride go-ers?

Whether you’re a member of the LGBTQ+ community or an ally, embrace the experience, learn about the LGBTQ+ community and honor those who have paved the way for a more welcoming and inclusive world. These Pride events, as well as those not highlighted here, are meant to be a celebration of the LGBTQ community. Immerse yourself in the various events the city has to offer, and most importantly, have fun!

Pride celebrations are so important because they allow members of the LGBTQ+ community to be seen, supported, and celebrated. In addition, they give people outside of the community a way to connect with members inside of the community. Christopher BP Williams, a Pride go-er, told BGN when we spoke via Facebook Messenger, about his experience during the London Pride of 2018. “That year pride coincided with one of England’s big World Cup matches against Sweden, and I think a few of us were worried about how the two events would coexist,” Williams admits. “But in the end, England won their march, and there were people from the two events celebrating in the streets together with their respective flags. It was really quite beautiful to see.”

Make sure you download the Pride Guide, and for more Pride-related content be sure to follow KAYAK’s Instagram page.

The post Celebrate Pride Month Around the World with KAYAK’s Pride Guide appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.

National Homeownership Week began in 1995 as a strategy of President Clinton to increase homeownership across the nation. In 2002, President Bush expanded the week into the full month of June.

There are numerous entities that play a role in helping home buyers make their dream come true, such as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Federal Housing Administration, real estate agents, financial and housing counselors, and various assistance programs.

The dream of homeownership, since the pandemic, can seem more like a nightmare. Ownership trends are changing, interest rates are increasing, prices are skyrocketing, and buyers’ priorities have changed. It’s a different ball game, for sure.

Even with the home buying game changing, it hasn’t slowed down the number of people wanting to buy a home. Along with that, the home buying process is not the same for everyone.

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), more Americans own a home now than in any year following the Great Recession. But for Black Americans, homeownership is just over 40 percent — lower than it was a decade ago. It is far behind the white homeownership rate of 72 percent. Low inventory and affordability are challenges for all buyers, but even more so for Black Americans.

The NAR also found that the ability to afford a home has become more difficult during the pandemic, particularly for first-time buyers. The states that are most affordable for Black households to purchase a home are Maryland, West Virginia, Kansas, Ohio, and Indiana. The reason is home prices are affordable in relationship to annual incomes. The least affordable states for Black households are Utah, Oregon, California, Nevada, and Rhode Island.

I think about my parents and grandparents and the importance to them of owning a home. It was about ownership but more about creating a family legacy. My dad always talks about his house being here for generations. He’s talking about building generational wealth and carrying that legacy.

Black households face obstacles on their dreams of homeownership. They are rejected for mortgages at a higher rate than their white and Asian counterparts. Black households are also more likely to be weighed down by student debt, which can prevent them from saving a down payment. There is also the challenge in saving to buy a home since half of Black renter households are burdened with spending more than 30 percent of their income on rent.

In the 1990s, Black women represented the most significant group of home buyers. Mortgage loans to Black women increased by 114 percent, just in Atlanta alone. In a few years, the overall Black homeownership rate was nearly 50 percent, with more than half of that made up of women.

At that time, I had several girlfriends that moved to Atlanta and Dallas after college. They were able to purchase their first homes and begin to build generational wealth. But in 2007 the housing crash happened and hit Black women the hardest. Many had mortgage loans they could no longer afford. The worst part was that they couldn’t sell their homes because they were “under water,” which means they owed more than their home’s value. After that, the homeownership rate among Black Americans dropped back down to where it had been in the 1960s.

Truth is, Black women still haven’t fully recovered from that housing crash. Now, the pandemic seems to have pushed down any hope of progress.

In 1968, Congress passed the Federal Housing Act (FHA). The FHA “prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, gender, disability, or family status.” Unfair housing practices are a barrier to homeownership. Without access and opportunity to buy a home, homeownership truly does feel like a nightmare rather than a dream.

When we talk about unfair housing, what does that look like? It could be denying that housing is available for sale or rent, or refusing to make necessary changes or accommodations. It can also look like advertisements that cater only to a specific group of people.

Even though it is illegal, racial segregation is common in many communities. The laws are fit to protect people but they are not immediately recognized. So, housing discrimination continues to rear its ugly head. During Trump’s administration, regulatory changes were made that made it even harder to prove discrimination. The changes made it more difficult to even file a complaint.

To make matters worse, Trump and HUD terminated the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) regulation, which was intended to increase fair housing protections. However, in 2021, HUD reinstated rules removed by the Trump administration to address systemic racism and housing discrimination. Why they weren’t able to see that before is beyond me.

How do we observe Homeownership Month? First, educate ourselves. Knowledge is power. Even if you are not buying a home yourself, you may be able to provide information to friends or family who are. Next, I like a few of the ideas from the National Association of Home Builders website:

• Participate in or organize a community service project. Clean up a local homeless or women’s shelter, repair a playground, host a donation drive, or do something that benefits your local community.
• Host a homeownership fair, workshop, or seminar (in person or virtually).
• Organize a housing forum (in person or virtually) to provide an opportunity for the public and leaders to discuss the state of the housing situation in your community.

The post June Is National Homeownership Month appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.

It’s a result of inflation, and experts say there is an uptick in workers seeking higher pay to stay on pace with the rising cost of living. This has left many industries struggling to keep operations going while relying on fewer employees than normal. Within this movement, women in leadership positions demand more and are willing to leave their roles if their demands aren’t met. But where do Black women fit into this scenario?

After the recession in 2009, Black women’s employment didn’t recover for nearly a decade. As the U.S. economy is trying to rebuild, Black women are again enduring a slow employment recovery. C. Nicole Mason (president, and CEO of the nonprofit Institute for Women’s Policy Research) says that without significant action, it will be a repeat of 2009 with Black women getting left behind. “We have an opportunity to really dig a little bit deeper and address some of the structural and institutional barriers to workforce participation for people of color, and Black women in particular,” Mason said.

I’ve been away from corporate America since 2008. Black women were having internal conversations then about salaries and what upward mobility looked like. Now we are in a climate where it is harder to recruit and retain talent. It’s important that employers also look closer at gender gaps that exist to make sure opportunities are present in their ranks.

One thing that I found essential to my success was managing my manager. During yearly reviews, employers always look at what you’ve contributed to the company and where you see your future. So, I always kept detailed notes on projects I contributed to, professional development that I obtained, and training so when it came time to be evaluated, my manager was being evaluated too. I also used this as a negotiating tool for the next company I worked for.

The pandemic has prompted many people to reevaluate how they work and what’s truly important. Working remotely allowed people to do just that. It changed the game for many of us. Many people want to keep the jobs they have but on their own terms. They want the ability to work where they want and when they want. It’s more about having fulfillment in your work which translates to fulfillment in your personal life. We always hear about maintaining a work-life balance, so now employees are putting that to the test.

According to information from the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, there is a gap between what women want from employers and what benefits employers provide. The survey found that more than 75 percent of women rate paid leave, health insurance, and job security as “very important” or “important” when considering jobs.

Black women are always taking inventory of their corporate careers, and lately, many have decided to become entrepreneurs. Among many of my girlfriends, a lack of childcare and benefits has led to them leaving the workforce. They are opting for starting their own business, jobs where they can work from home, and jobs with great earning potential.

Black women still remain among the country’s fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs. Although this fact remains, Black women still trail behind their white female and male co-workers in terms of wages and employment outcomes.

I believe too little attention has been given to why disparities persist and what solutions are needed to level the playing field for Black women. The current economy is not a win for us despite what reports say. There has to be a deeper understanding of Black women’s economic realities. We must prioritize solutions that target pay disparities, promote greater workplace equality, and improve the economic standing of Black women overall. These have been overlooked, and the economy has never leaned in our favor. Even when unemployment rates decline, Black women consistently have the highest unemployment rates among all women.

So, what if companies aren’t willing to offer high-quality professionals the pay, work arrangements, benefits, and clear paths for advancement they desire? Well, it’s easier now than ever for them to walk away. Companies have to focus on how they can help employees succeed and do something about the gaps Black women experience.

Throughout the pandemic, workers have shown they are placing a renewed focus on their work balance, as well as creating new paths to get what they want professionally. While employees who choose not to partake in the Great Resignation have considerable negotiation power, they must know exactly how and when to make their big move to get what they want from their employer.

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Black women deserve to be supported and indulge in an environment where we can flourish. A livable place for Black women is safe. It should be diverse, with a visible Black community and thriving Black-owned businesses. Socioeconomic realities do exist and in our current time, touch all corners of the country. But there are areas of the United States where the wealth gap narrows and Black women have more opportunities.

One thing is certain — there is no perfect city for Black women. Based on data from Money Geek, here are some of the best and worst cities for Black women. The ranking is based on eight factors: safety, Black population, educational attainment, poverty rates, income (including the date of Black women’s Equal Pay Day by city), employment, health insurance, and homeownership. Each factor is weighted equally, and cities were ranked from 100 (best) to zero (worst).

Top 10 Best Cities for Black Women (out of 25)

1. Southfield, Michigan
2. New Rochelle, NY
3. Missouri City, TX
4. Alexandria, VA
5. Pembroke Pines, FL
6. Inglewood, CA
7. Fairfax, CA
8. Sandy Springs, GA
9. Rancho Cucamonga, CA
10. Grand Prairie, TX

I never would have thought that Southfield, Michigan, and New Rochelle, NY would be the top two cities for Black women to live. Well, turns out the size of the local Black population, as well low crime etched them ahead of the pack.

Southfield borders Detroit along the county line. It has been a natural destination for families migrating out of the Detroit area. Other communities have not been as welcoming to racial and ethnic minorities, but Southfield stands out as a suburb that has been both inclusive and economically stable. New Rochelle is a waterfront suburb where Black women are earning 24 percent above the median wage. What I found most interesting was in Missouri City, Texas, 98 percent of Black women live above the poverty level.

In 2017, I moved to Riverside, California which happens to be #23 on the complete list. Riverside is a quiet city about 50 miles from downtown Los Angeles. There is actually a large number of Black-owned businesses in the county that does a great job of supporting one another. Here, the median pay of Black women is higher than the median pay of white men. Who knew!

California actually has nine of the 25 cities on the “Best” list. We are actually looking for a home in Rancho Cucamonga. There is a visible and active Black community, the ability to forge friendships, Black-owned businesses, and the homes are affordable.

Top 10 Worst Cities for Black Women (out of 15)

1. Corpus Christi, TX
2. Miami, FL
3. Gulfport, MS
4. Fort Lauderdale, FL
5. Pompano Beach, FL
6. Allentown, PA
7. Boynton Beach, FL
8. North Little Rock, AR
9. Kalamazoo, MI
10. Abilene, TX

Corpus Christi is not known for being a diverse city with being just over four percent Black. It doesn’t help that it is the second least literate city in the United States, and Black women face high poverty rates. Yikes.

Where California dominated the “Best” list, Florida takes over the “Worst” list. Unfortunately, the state of Florida has one of the highest incarceration rates for Black Americans, therefore the most likely to be disenfranchised. These factors negatively impact homeownership, education attainment, and viable employment.

It’s worthy to mention that the inequities between white men and Black women are felt everywhere in the United States but the Midwest may feel it worse. The reason is that the metros with the largest Black women populations consistently show up as among the worst for us. This is the reason why I left my hometown of Kansas City. There came a time when I felt that I had gone as far as I could go. After you check all the boxes, educationally and professionally, other opportunities barely exist anymore and you feel like a hamster on a wheel. That’s not a good feeling when you have goals that expand beyond a scope set for you.

Of the 25 best cities, nine are in California and of the 15 worst, four are in Florida. Additionally, Texas and Florida have at least one city on both lists.

The truth is, rankings are just a start but they don’t address root challenges that hinder Black women. There is extra effort involved for us to find safe spaces where we can exist and live. How much better could Black women do in all of these cities if we had the same access to corporate positions, business capital, and educational opportunities? We’re seeing growth and access in more suburbs than neighboring major cities. This allows Black women, like me, to live aside from the hustle but be close enough to the big city when we need to make moves. The key is to determine what your needs are, and what’s most important to you. Then you’ll find the city that you can truly call home.

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LinkedIn released research that sheds light on why Black women are leaving the corporate workforce and what companies can do to de-stigmatize career breaks for women. Career breaks are more common that you would think, with 75 percent of Black women professionals in the United States having experienced one in their career.

BGN had the opportunity to speak via Zoom with Imani Dunbar, Head of Equity Strategy at LinkedIn, about the concept of career breaks and her own personal experience, why career breaks are important for Black women professionals, and what companies can do to be supportive.

Can you explain the concept of career breaks and tell us about your personal experience?

We conducted a survey, and what we saw was that in the United States is that 73 percent of professionals at some point in their career have had a career break. We found that 74 percent of Black professionals and 68 percent of white professionals have taken a career break. There’s a disconnect there that Black professionals are taking career breaks at a higher rate. There’s been over 2 million women who have exited the workforce — voluntarily or involuntarily. There’s a disproportionate impact among Black women in that number. There’s numbers and data to support that there is work to be done, and that professionals are having different experiences, as it relates to taking career breaks.

The concept of career breaks is that many people think about them in a more traditional sense. There are non-negotiable points where there is a life change — being a new parent, getting married, or being a caretaker for someone. That often requires them to exit the workforce for some period of time. But the reality is there are also other events that are not life-changing that people might not consider a career break, but we actually see people take them all the time.

This can be anything from mental health or overall physical well-being to advancing their education or taking additional studies. So, there’s all different reasons why someone might be inclined to take a career break. It varies from person to person, so there’s no one fit. It is a need that can be proactive or reactive.

In my personal experience, I recently took a seven-week career break. For me, I had reached a point where I needed to make sure that I was able to heal myself and continue operating at the pace in the work that I’m doing. As Head of Equity Strategy for LinkedIn, the work that we are undertaking, just in general, is heavy work. At the same time, being Black, female, and also part of the LGBTQ community, it started to feel like I was always in the space of my demographic. But then you layer on the work I do during my day job — I felt like I was being in that particular space to the power of two or three. So, if you don’t guard and manage your time, your health, and your well-being, you could end up in a space where you’re heavily weighted. I felt it relevant to take a career break to do what I needed to do to re-balance myself physically, mentally, and spiritually.

I’m thinking back to when I worked in corporate America, and I would have been hesitant to even approach my employer with this for the fear of backlash during annual review time or getting promoted. What is the best way to approach an employer with this?

You’re absolutely right in terms of the stigma or concern. For Black professionals in the United States, 64 percent believed there was some type of stigma with taking a break. In other cases, 55 percent of Black professionals fear that they may be viewed as less attractive if they have a career break on their resume. That needs to change.

In terms of how to approach it, every situation is different. But I think the first thing is making sure the person understands the “why” behind the career break; why they need it. Also, why it’s important for the individual but also the business; the team you are a part of, the clients you may support. It’s understanding the impact that taking a career break not only has on you but on the folks you connect with. It’s also important to think of it through the lens of, “What will happen if I don’t take a career break?”

It’s also important to find an ally. Maybe there is someone either at or outside your company who has gone through the process of asking for a career break. Figure out how they went about it and what can be helpful. Anytime someone is doing something, the idea of not doing it alone can be encouraging and powerful. For something as sensitive as taking a career break, it’s essential to find those allies who can coach and guide you.

How can companies help support employees when taking a career break?

One of the most powerful things that companies can do is to lead by example — people being clear and vocal about it: here’s the career break I took, here’s why I took it, here’s how I went about it. Another thing companies can do is certainly put policies and programs in place and thinking about this as almost a strategic priority when thinking about talent development and talent acquisition. When you look at the conversations on our platform, over the past two years, there has been an 83 percent increase in job postings that use the word “flexibility.” There has been a 343 percent increase in the types of companies mentioning flexibility in their actual posts.

In our interview, Dunbar also revealed that 50 percent of hiring managers feel that career breaks have become more common since the pandemic. It reminded me how Black women often get the message that we exist to help others (and our employers) live their best lives at the exclusion of our own joy. We’re constantly striving for the next level of excellence while getting further pulled away from our own peace of mind. This is a problem. If we can take time away from our careers to do what we need to do, it can open up a new world for us in the most amazing ways.

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