By Megan Sayles
AFRO Staff Writer
msayles@afro.com
Back in 2008, Sherry Sims was in search of a mentor who looked like her—but it proved difficult. She started an online forum to find people in similar positions only to face little interest. Undeterred, she decided to create the support she needed.
Sims became a career coach, and in 2012, she launched the Black Career Women’s Network (BCWN), a national professional development organization dedicated to empowering Black women through culturally-competent mentoring, career management strategies and workplace advocacy skills. The network now provides guidance for Black women navigating everything from early-career challenges to executive leadership roles.
“I have a specific framework that I use when I work with women. We go through self-awareness and advocacy. We talk about workplace power skills, career security and strategic advancement,” said Sims. “These are what I call career anchors. There are certain times in your career where you may be using all four—or just one.”
These anchors, Sims said, are designed to help women understand their identity, stand up for themselves, and navigate the complexities of workplace politics and culture.
Across workplaces, Black women often face unique challenges, shaped not only by their gender but also their race. According to McKinsey and Company’s 2025 Women in the Workplace study, Black women are promoted at significantly lower rates than men—just 60 for every 100 men. Eight in 10 senior-level Black women also report experiencing burnout while worrying about job security.
Microaggressions – subtle, often unintentional slights or comments – can also be common in workplaces. Sims advised that when women encounter these behaviors, they should create a dialogue, letting colleagues know that their words or actions were unacceptable and expressing a desire to move forward differently.
“You always have to make sure you’re confident, able to advocate for yourself and that you’re not afraid to speak up and help others understand who you are,” said Sims. “I always say that we control the perception of how people see us in the workplace.”
One key to career advancement, Sims highlighted, was self-assurance. She noted that Black women sometimes limit their own mindsets, waiting for external validation to confirm they are talented and prepared to take the next step.
Though workplace allies are important, Sims said Black women cannot perpetually wait for permission to pursue promotions.
“We cannot leave our careers to chance in someone else’s hands. We should not be waiting for a manager or someone to say, ‘Yes, you’re ready for this,’” said Sims. “If that opportunity is not happening where you are, then you should be looking for it somewhere else. If someone doesn’t see the value where you are currently, there is another opportunity out there that will see the value.”
One woman who has sought Sims’ support is Domonique Broomfield. Earlier in her career, the Cincinnati resident said she encountered a workplace that tested her resilience.
“Like many Black women navigating leadership spaces, there were moments where expectations were high, yet the level of support and alignment did not always match the demands of the role,” said Broomfield. “Professionally, I remained committed to delivering results and maintaining excellence. Mentally and emotionally, however, it required me to be very intentional about protecting my well-being while continuing to lead and perform at a high level.”
During that challenging period, Broomfield leaned on her training in mental health first aid, which allowed her to approach the situation with “intention” rather than “reaction.”
Through her work with Sims, Broomfield said she strengthened her leadership voice, refined her professional strategy and gained clarity about the type of workplace environments where she would thrive.
Today, Broomfield is a financial center manager, operations leader and bank officer at Fifth Third Bank, where she works to bridge gaps in banking access for community members and businesses.
“What once felt like a difficult professional chapter ultimately became a turning point that opened the door to new opportunities where my leadership, expertise and community impact are fully recognized and supported,” said Broomfield. “Sometimes the breakthrough in your career doesn’t come from avoiding the challenge, it comes from having the right community and leadership around you while you move through it.”
