Normalizing the Prioritization of Talents and Unconventional Paths of Black Girls

It’s time to normalize prioritizing the nurturing of Black girls’ talents and allowing them to explore unconventional paths, rather than forcing them into traditional jobs. For too long, women and girls, especially Black women, have had their futures mishandled. I can speak to this truth personally. I’ve heard countless stories of women who, from a young age, were pushed into jobs long before they had the chance to even discover their true passions or what truly lit them up. This toxic cycle continues today, and I know it all too well because it was my story too.

I remember being 16 years old, landing my first fast food job, and immediately feeling as if it was a matter of survival. It wasn’t something I had dreamed of or aspired to. It wasn’t a passion, it was simply a necessity. I needed my own money, and a friend who had gotten a fast food job helped me land one too. But once I was there, I quickly realized this wasn’t it. I dreaded going to work every single day. There was no financial planning, no support, no guidance. I quickly found myself job-hopping, trying to balance school and work, and feeling constantly overwhelmed. Society glorifies this dynamic, calling it “responsibility,” but I challenge that view and the toxic cycle it creates.

This culture of pushing children, particularly Black girls, into the workforce too soon is harmful. We celebrate young people working as soon as they are legally able to, but do we truly understand the environments they’re entering? Are we considering the mental health toll it takes? Are we examining the numbers of Black girls exposed to these work environments so early on? I know firsthand that it takes a significant toll, and as a grown woman, I can still feel the effects of that toxicity. So, why hasn’t this conversation been a part of the larger discourse? Why haven’t we discussed the abuse and negativity that Black girls are often forced to endure in these spaces?

What follows is the search for “meaning” or that one job that will be “the career.” Many of us try to climb the career ladder, only to discover that it’s not as straightforward as simply getting a job and advancing through ranks. And even when you do make progress, you often find yourself undervalued and underpaid for your time and effort. It’s about more than just the work—it’s about dealing with office politics, corporate egos, jealousy, and emotional and mental strain. This cycle of highs and lows, financial instability, and emotional exhaustion can leave us trapped in the rat race, with little to show for it, no real savings or retirement contributions, and a sense of unfulfillment.

The reality is that many of those “safety nets” we think we’ve secured—like a pension or retirement fund—are not as safe as we believe. The game can shift at any time. A policy change, a shift in political decisions, or corporate restructuring could destabilize those systems we thought were reliable. So, where does that leave us? How long will we continue riding the clock, hoping for job security, only to realize that the system is not set up to provide that security, especially for Black women?

We are at a crossroads. The days of relying on outdated systems and structures are coming to an end. Black girls have been growing up in a system that barely considers their needs or aspirations, and it’s time for change. Right now, we have the opportunity to build something better.

This system has long been dependent on the productivity of Black women. Now, it’s time for us to reclaim our power and use it to improve ourselves and our futures. We have the ability to define our own paths, to explore careers that align with our true interests and passions, and to nurture the talents that have long been overlooked or dismissed. By doing so, we can create a future where Black girls are not limited by traditional expectations, but are free to explore and excel in whatever path they choose.

The time for change is now. The future of Black women and girls depends on it. Let’s prioritize nurturing their talents, allowing them to explore unconventional paths, and building a world where they can thrive, not just survive.