Have you ever felt alone at work? Alone, but in a room full of people? Have you ever longed for support from your peers to problem-solve, find new perspectives or learn about a new role or industry that you’re interested in pursuing, but have no connections? Maybe you’re someone who took a break from work to have a family, care for a loved one and want to jump back into the workforce? Where do you start?
I’ve experienced many of the above situations myself. As a woman and a woman of color, it hasn’t been easy. Even as I expanded my responsibilities and rose in the ranks in the corporate world, I often felt alone. In fact, in this Inc. article by Marcel Schwantes, the data shows that women of color get less support at work. “In a McKinsey and Leanin.org study, women of color are less likely to receive mentoring and sponsorship critical for advancement and typically report to bosses who fail to promote their work contributions to others.”
People of Color Hitting a Ceiling
As a result, many underrepresented professionals hit a ceiling in their careers – finding it difficult to get promotions. According to this recent study, “For every 100 men promoted to manager, just 79 women are promoted. This gap in the promotion rate to manager is worse for women of color. Most notably, for every 100 men promoted to manager, only 60 Black women are.” Many of these professionals leave their jobs out of frustration or drop out of the workforce entirely. This is costing employers valuable time and money—not to mention progress lost with diversity and inclusion goals they may have put in place. It becomes a vicious cycle.
Affinitee Helps Women and People of Color Network, Connect, Learn and Grow
I felt there had to be a better way. I started Affinitee to help people like me network, connect and learn from others. Our mission is to give underrepresented professionals (due to age, gender, race, disability, veteran status or whatever that means to you in your industry) a safe place to share experiences, gain support from peers or sign up for a mentor.
Employers Can Advance their Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives
Employers can partner with Affinitee to gain access to amazing talent or learn how to enhance their diversity, inclusion and equality initiatives.
So how does Affinitee work? It’s pretty simple.
1. Sign up and register!
2. Join a group or start your own! Participate in discussions, share experiences and connect with your peers!
3. If you’re looking for a mentor in a role or field you’re interested in, sign up here
4. What if you want to give back and help your peers? Consider being a mentor!
5. Employers! You want to reach a more diverse pool of talent? Need help with your diversity, inclusion and equality initiatives, partner with Affinitee!
Stay tuned for meet-ups, workshops and new content in the coming weeks.
I hope Affinitee becomes a place where underrepresented professionals can safely go to get support from their peers and make valuable connections.
If we can help professionals advance their careers, make successful professional transitions, we can create a more diverse and inclusive workforce, and maybe feel less alone
-Mary Ann
Mary Ann Gallo
Founder
Affinitee