How You Can Secure Your Seat at the Table

Career development pro Minda Harts has advice on navigating work as a WOC

Photo: Cavan Images / Getty

Over the last few years there’s been a plethora of career advice books aimed at women: Lean In, Girlboss, Leave Your Mark, and more. However none of them have been specifically focused on women of color. Minda Harts, the founder and CEO of The Memo LLC, a career development company for women of color, is aiming to change that. Her first book, What Women of Color Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the Table, set for release on August 20th, has been described as a “no-BS look” at the obstacles that women of color face in professional settings. In advance of its release, we spoke with Harts about why Lean In doesn’t work for women of color, the importance of building relationships, and her advice for women of color looking to secure a promotion before the end of the year.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

ZORA: Before founding The Memo LLC, you worked in development at the University of California, Los Angeles. What motivated you to become an advocate for women of color in the workplace?