August 7th 2023.
Black women often face a double-edged sword of racial and gender discrimination while attempting to climb the corporate ladder in the legal industry. A joint study conducted by Kanarys, Inc. and the National Bar Association Women Lawyers Division, the State of Black Women in the Law DEIB Assessment Report, brings to light the issues that this demographic contend with.
The survey was conducted by surveying Black female members of the NBA WLD, its affiliate chapters, and other legal organizations. Findings revealed that 47% of respondents are responsible for educating others about diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB), and 70% have experienced or witnessed discrimination or bias.
Mandy Price, co-founder and CEO of Kanarys, Inc., speaks to the findings of the survey. “Before I co-founded Kanarys, I practiced law for over 12 years and the inequities I experienced as a Black woman in law motivated me to create systemic change and foster an inclusive and equitable culture for Black women. While the report shows progress, there is still much to be done.”
Krystal Studavent Ramsey of the NBA WLD agrees, adding that “Black women remain significantly underrepresented in the legal profession, and progress has been slow. We hope this report helps organizations understand the work that needs to be done to further the advancement of Black women in the legal industry.”
The study found that 66% of participants have a lower-than-average sense of belonging, and 14% would hesitate to report DEIB conflicts for fear of retaliation. Despite this, 67% of participants still feel that their opinions matter in the workplace.
Kanarys, Inc. and NBA WLD are both dedicated to promoting diversity and challenging bias in the workforce. With the results of this study, they hope to bring attention to the issues Black female attorneys face and initiate change in the way they are treated as they strive for success in their profession.
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