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Vote on Desiree Davidson's Story
Were they afraid we were planning a coup d'etat?
I spent my first summer during Columbia Law School at a firm in Philadelphia described as one of the best places in the city for black lawyers. I believed that if there was any place where I would have an equal chance at opportunities, be treated fairly and succeed, this would be it. There were three black female summer associates out of sixty that year but any time all three of us were in an office talking, one of the partners would knock on the door to see how we were doing. It happened too often to be a coincidence that sometimes we would purposely agree to meet in so-and-so's office to test our theory that we were being monitored. Like clock work, ten minutes after we would get together a partner would stop by.
How I Got the Courage
- Workplace Unfairness
- Female
- African-American
- Heterosexual
- Electronics
- Left & Joined Another Industry
- Law Firm
- Company Response
- Personal Response
- Promotion
- Titles
I was at the top of my game: included in the top performers bracket, eligible for bonuses reserved only for top performers; traveled all over the world conducting negotiations and evaluating businesses for the company. I consistently received above average raises and stock options and delivered results that allowed my managers to get consistently promoted. My work and my development proved that I deserved the next level promotion, but it was consistently withheld from me. The last time this happened, I opened myself up to opportunities outside the company and found out that a person with my qualifications is in high demand and I landed a great opportunity in another industry. Did I mention that I'm African-American and my former boss is an African American male who was promoted to VP based on the results he reported every quarter delivered from my team? And did I mention that he was more comfortable giving me more money instead of giving me more title? My best moment was when I resigned and he offered me a promotion and I had the COURAGE to say no.