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.
Direct Report
Viewed as an excellent turnaround manager, leader, and developer of people by my direct reports, I was often sought out by aspiring younger managers to work in one of my departments.
At one place of employment, 4 of us were hired for a summer internship. Our direct superior started having an affair with one of the interns.
A white female employee of mine refused to speak to me directly and would only communicate through email even though her cubicle was right outside my office.
I've only shared this story one other time. I work with a white woman, who is at the director level and reports to me. We have a congenial relationship and we would go out for drinks. I got tickets for game six of the World Series and I was going to be flown to the game in the company jet; the whole nine yards.
My first time being a manager for a group of people, I got zero support from the executives to deal with a problem employee. Meanwhile, this person was going behind my back to complain about me. I would go to the executives and ask for help, advice, how to deal with this person.
