Deborah Owens founded Corporate Alley Cat to provide a safe space where people of color can discuss and address challenging situations. It's a destination and a community that offers tools, strategies, and access to experts who offer individual coaching. 

 

While working as a corporate manager, Deb found herself challenged by a boss who seemed to be discriminating against her. She wasn’t comfortable sharing the situation with her peers and wasn’t exactly sure what to do. She attempted to directly address it with her supervisor but got no response. After several months, she reported her dilemma to the president of the company and was able to finally get resolution. 

 

Racism silences many. People fear the repercussions of speaking out in the work place.  Deb chose not to be silent, she chose not to give into fear.  Her motto, “Sometimes you got to get scrappy!” did not let her down. She used encounters with a boss who marginalized her as an opportunity to speak out, to change the culture in that company, and then go on to found an organization that invites others to do the same. 

 

In our discussion, Deb explains the steps she took to make a difference in her life and the lives of others. She says, “I think the world will be a better place when people are fulfilled, are able to give back, and able to be fully who they are.”

 

Listen to the podcast to hear Deb discuss:

• Why she founded Corporate Alley Cat and the steps she took to get there
• Challenges facing a person of color in the corporate world
• The importance of sharing our stories
• Playing the race card - it's not common...
• Dealing with passive aggressive behavior and perceived racism
• Documenting her experiences and why this is important when faced with a challenge
• Refusing to speak out can mean that your career is "over in place"
• Becoming a diversity inclusion advocate and working to change the attitudes in her company allowed her to be a productive and high performing
• Knowing you don’t have to quit, you don’t have to be miserable, and you don’t have to compromise who you are
• The steep learning curve involved in starting your own business
• The thrill of waking up each day excited about her work and contributions
• Working with Insight 180 to refine the Corporate Alley Cat brand and develop the website
• Investing in the early stages of your business to work with the best people you can
• Having a huge number of supporters - enough to fill the Verizon Center! 
• Sharing the wisdom you gain with others
• Why sometimes it is not about fighting, it’s about honoring who you are, and holding yourself and others accountable
• Why interviewees should ask how companies are achieving diversity and inclusion
• How everyone can benefit from Corporate Alley Cat - you don't have to be a person of color! 
• Video workshops offering career advice. See video below! 
• Managing your career before, during, and after performance reviews
• Bias, and how it can show up in the performance review process and how to address it
• Deb's inspiring parents! 
• • The pride of watching her parents continue to learn new things, be engaged with people and issues, travel, talk to people, and being committed to doing their very best work
  • Being taught at a very young age by her parents that one person can make a difference 

Quotes from Deb:

 

“My vision is to change the corporate experiences for people of color, one person at a time.”

 

“I would not be one of those people who just quit and quietly go away.  I just didn’t feel that it was right, for anybody.”

 

“When you use your voice and ask for what you want, and what you need, and what is right, oftentimes, you’ll get it.”

 

“I could fill the Verizon Center with the people who I rely on for support.  I mean, I don’t do this alone.”

 

“Sometimes you got to get scrappy!”

 

“It might be a little uncomfortable but we’re all big kids here.  We can handle it.  But it’s got to change!”

 

“The reason that we are focusing on being proactive is because if you’re proactive then these situations don’t have to escalate.”

 

“I don’t want to be retired, because my role models aren’t retired.  I want to be able to live my life in a way that allows me to make a positive change in this world.”

 

“There are going to be some rough patches but you’ll get through it.  I think we will see that this world will be a better place when people are fulfilled, and are able to give back, and they’re able to be fully who they are.”

 

Learn More:
CorporateAlleyCat.com

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