In Afro in the Boardroom, I explore the lived experiences of Black professionals navigating the complexities of corporate life spaces where we are often the “only one” in the room.
Amid the microaggressions, unconscious bias, and institutional gatekeeping, there’s another silent battle many of us face: imposter syndrome.
This invisible weight carried in boardrooms, strategy meetings, and performance reviews whispers that we’re not good enough, that we don’t belong, or that our success is somehow a mistake.
Imposter syndrome isn’t just self-doubt it’s a chronic feeling of intellectual fraudulence,
despite evidence of success.
People experiencing it fear being “found out” as undeserving or unqualified.
It’s especially prevalent among high-achieving women and professionals from underrepresented backgrounds because when the system doesn’t reflect your identity, your presence can feel like a performance rather than a right.
They often dismiss praise, internalize failure, and attribute achievements to external factors like luck or timing.
For Black Professionals, the Stakes Are Higher
In predominantly white institutions, Black professionals often feel pressured to overperform just to be seen as “competent.” We navigate double standards, code-switching, and unspoken expectations all while dealing with the cultural isolation of not seeing ourselves represented in leadership.
This environment can reinforce the belief that we don’t belong, even when we’ve earned every right to be there. And that’s where imposter syndrome becomes more than personal it becomes structural.
5 Empowering Strategies to Overcome It
1. Name It Without Owning It
The first step is awareness. Recognize when the feeling arises and label it for what it is a feeling, not a fact. Say to yourself: “This is imposter syndrome talking.” By naming it, you start to separate your identity from the insecurity.
2. Create a ‘Credibility’ File
Keep a running list of your accomplishments, positive feedback, testimonials, and milestones. Revisit it when doubt creeps in. You’ll quickly realize that your success didn’t happen by accident it happened because of your skills, resilience, and talent
3. Reframe the Narrative
Instead of asking “Why me?”, start asking “Why not me?” Flip the script. If you’re in the room, it’s because you have something valuable to contribute. Remember, many people with less talent and fewer credentials are confidently occupying space.
4. Surround Yourself with Affirming Voices
Community is your power source. Connect with people who see you, uplift you, and reflect your worth back to you. Whether it’s a mentor, coach, or peer network having others validate your journey is essential.
5. Step Into Visibility
Sometimes, the only way to defeat imposter syndrome is to act in spite of it. Apply for the role, pitch the idea, speak at the event. Courage isn’t the absence of fear it’s moving forward even when fear is present.
Reclaim Your Power
Imposter syndrome is not a sign of inadequacy, it’s often a symptom of being in spaces that weren’t built with you in mind.
You are not the problem. The problem is the system that made you question your innate abilities.
In Afro in the Boardroom, I remind readers that reclaiming our voice, value, and visibility is not just a personal victory, it’s a radical act of leadership.
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