Growing up, my vision was to become a doctor and it wasn’t until the day before taking the MCAT of my junior year in college, that I decided that was not the path I wanted to follow. My work in science began with Producing and Researching Medical devices for brain and dental surgery while leading a team. Though I moved up relatively quickly, it was here that I experienced Being Black in the Workplace.

“I was told to remove my things from my desk and the promotion I was to receive, was given to someone else. ”

My colleagues had noticed me on the news peacefully protesting beside my fellow members of Black Lives Matter Paterson for the killing of an Unarmed Black Man. A few days following the rally, I entered work and my manager notified me that I would be transferred to the company’s sister facility. I was told to remove my things from my desk and the promotion I was to receive, was given to someone else.

Fortunately, when that door closed, another one opened. I was offered a position as a Pharmaceutical Chemist. As a Chemist, I conduct research and analysis on raw materials used for pharmaceutical drugs, using a variety of instrumentations (HPLC, GC, Viscometers, etc). During the pandemic, my workload never stopped and increased tremendously. That being said, it was necessary to incorporate self-care into my daily routine. Sometimes that looks like treating myself to my favorite dinner, getting a massage, journaling, disconnecting from social media, but most times that looks like practicing yoga; my safe space.

My practice in yoga began in 2014, at a time when it seemed the visibility of Black yogis were lacking. I made the decision to practice yoga for my mental health, to assist in healing from generational trauma and a sense of peace.

During these hectic times, a successful balance between work life and self-care can be achieved by creating a schedule and sticking to it. For example, if you say your work will end at a specific time, that should absolutely happen. Try your best to remain committed to your needs and goals.

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