Coffee No Cream
Coffee No Cream
Podcast Description
A podcast celebrating Black women's unique journeys in business. Whether you're an entrepreneur, corporate climber, or finding your path, we share authentic "Coffee No Cream Moments" – those distinctly Black girl experiences that become catalysts for growth, bold action, and powerful career pivots. No complaints – just real stories and celebrations of resilience from those who truly understand the walk.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on themes such as workplace bias, entrepreneurship, resilience, and the importance of community support among Black women. Episode examples include discussions on code-switching consequences, the complexities of Black women supporting each other in business, and narratives that challenge stereotypes in professional settings. Key topics include navigating microaggressions, the emotional impact of client interactions, and advocating for oneself in predominantly white environments.
A podcast celebrating Black women’s unique journeys in business. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, corporate climber, or finding your path, we share authentic “Coffee No Cream Moments” – those distinctly Black girl experiences that become catalysts for growth, bold action, and powerful career pivots. No complaints – just real stories and celebrations of resilience from those who truly understand the walk.
Friendships in the workplace can feel complicated, especially for Black women. In this panel, Erin Braxton, Abby the Attorney, and Tracie Walker open up about their personal experiences with workplace friendships, performative allyship, microaggressions, and the ways racism, sexism, and colorism shape professional relationships.
From “nasty nice” coworkers to being excluded on work trips, this candid conversation is the survival guide we all wish we had earlier in our careers.
Timestamps
(00:00) First thoughts on friendships in the workplace
(00:18) Abby’s story about sharing personal info that backfired
(00:33) Tracie on competition and “nasty nice” coworkers
(00:58) Erin introduces Coffee No Cream and today’s panel
(02:40) Panel introductions
(03:54) What we would tell our younger selves about workplace friendships
(05:40) Abby’s law firm friendship story and betrayal
(09:16) Microaggressions and hair comments
(09:34) Erin’s ad agency story: promoted then fired
(11:57) Tracie’s first workplace and spotting red flags
(14:54) From enemies to friends: shifting dynamics
(17:07) Lessons from growing up in PWIs versus Black spaces
(20:00) Erin on jealousy and subtle digs at work
(21:19) Abby explains why no friendships lasted
(23:51) Secret friendships, forgiveness, and survival
(25:22) How our outlooks changed over the decades
(28:55) Racism in childcare and “is this for white people”
(32:13) The Black church college fair incident
(35:53) Corporate white people versus Air Force base white people
(37:55) Handling work lunches today
(40:37) Work trips, dinners, and being watched
(44:37) Firm retreats, boats, and uncomfortable bonding
(47:22) Exclusion and “team player” pressure
(50:22) Weddings, birthdays, and coworker invitations
(53:50) Why inviting coworkers into your home is a no
(54:40) Abby’s “last white friend” story
(57:37) Erin on explaining Coffee No Cream to white friends
(59:21) Why “leftovers” are not innocent offers
(1:00:13) “I thought racism was over” ignorance
(1:02:19) Performative allyship online
(1:04:56) The mammy role and propping others up
(1:07:49) Being constantly observed and the “Superwoman” trope
(1:09:37) Why Abby left law firms
(1:11:06) Tracie on workplace culture versus the work itself
(1:12:17) How praise sparks resentment
(1:13:20) Tracie’s lifelong perception skills
(1:16:09) Were we prepared by our parents
(1:20:27) Racism, sexism, and colorism colliding
(1:23:05) Growing up in PWIs versus Black communities
(1:26:50) Erin on moving to white neighborhoods and balance
(1:28:02) Abby on resentment and survival
(1:28:59) Why sharing these stories matters
(1:30:25) Closing thoughts and thank yous
CONNECT WITH TRACIE:TikTokYouTubeCONNECT WITH ABBY:TikTokInstagramYouTubeLinkedIn April Holloway Resources & Links👉 Join the Free Courses Database Waitlist (Launching Oct 1)👉 Join the Coffee No Cream Facebook Community 👉 Subscribe for more stories & strategies for Black Women in business
Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
For a complete disclaimer, please see our Full Disclaimer on the archive page. The Podcast Collaborative bears no responsibility for the podcast’s themes, language, or overall content. Listener discretion is advised. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for more details.