At an early age, I learned that growing up in the “right” zip (or postal) code could change your life trajectory. From the schools you could access, to the food options that were made available, I witnessed firsthand how your community can directly correlate with your life outcomes. I am a first-generation Bostonian, but my parents are from Jamaica. They raised my brother and I to understand the importance of education, and if it were not for their persistence to get us into high quality schools, our lives would be remarkably different today.
My upbringing made me deeply passionate about understanding why our country faced so much inequity, and how systemic inequities shaped my own life. This curiosity led me to pursue an undergraduate degree in urban studies, women's studies, and political science. I wanted to get a better understanding of my story and the stories of those surrounding me.
That path led me to Teach for America in Atlanta. I wanted to teach in Atlanta to understand the history of the Civil Rights Movement and how Black people came together to create a change. There was no better place than Atlanta to understand how systemic injustice plays out within education.
My experience with Teach for America led me to consider how I could have an impact on the larger systems impacting my students’ everyday experiences in the classroom. How could I build better communities for Black families? The pathway to answering this question led me to a number of potential career paths, but business school was the option that I felt would best prepare me to effectively lead in this space.
McKinsey seemed like an interesting option for someone who is passionate about systemic inequity. For one, McKinsey was the only firm I saw deeply investing in understanding the case for diversity, and they were very intentional about recruiting Black talent. I could feel the impact it was making, which led me to believe McKinsey was a place where my contributions would be valued and visible.
Secondly, I found that McKinsey would offer me a unique opportunity to shape both the public and private sector, while developing tremendous analytical skills and working on issues related to equity. I was fortunate to receive an offer to join the Washington, DC office in 2018 as a summer associate, and the rest is history!
During my summer with McKinsey, I discovered I could not only focus on pursuing the issues I’m most passionate about, but I could do so alongside some truly inspirational leaders within the McKinsey’s Black Network (MBN).
Upon my return to the firm after graduating, I started to lead a number of McKinsey Black Network efforts, both locally in Washington, DC as well as across North America. Within our DC office, there is an incredible group of Black leaders who plan events for our larger community. From deepening our financial literacy skills to providing mentorship programs for interns and hosting our holiday party, my McKinsey Black Network community has turned into an extended family.
I believe the beauty of working at this firm is that you can author your own journey. I’ve had a number of opportunities that are truly “only at McKinsey” moments, and nearly all of them have focused on addressing challenges that face Black and Brown people — whether it’s working with a state or local government whose constituents are predominantly people of color or working with educational institutions dedicated to the advancement of Black and Brown individuals. I have been vocal about our role in creating a more equitable world, and it has been well-received at the firm. I have big advocates, supporters, and leaders within the firm who share the same passion, and it reinforces my decision to join McKinsey (especially the Washington, DC office).
This firm has afforded me many things as a queer, Black woman. It has given me the opportunity to support the communities I believe in, and give back in ways I couldn’t have imagined. As I move forward in my career, I want to find more balance within the work, while continuing to build on my mission of building up Black and Brown communities within McKinsey and outside of the firm.
I also want to continue to infuse fun into my work and connect with my colleagues in a meaningful way. Our work is hard, but doing it alongside leaders and teams who care about us as individuals makes it meaningful. My advice for anyone at any stage of your career journey is this: don’t be afraid to make mistakes, take breaks, or fill up your cup – you need to do all three.
Who would have thought my obsession with zip codes would have brought me here? Now, I can relish in a career where I am doing the work that matters to me most, all while working with incredible colleagues.
I have spent my life trying to understand why where you live is important, and I’ll continue to do my best to dismantle the systems of inequity that face my community. McKinsey has given me an opportunity to unearth and address many of these inequities through research, client service, and the opportunity to engage with leaders who care about this fight, too. But the best part is — I’m just getting started.