The challenges women of color in leadership positions face are daunting because most are based in conscious and unconscious biases which are difficult to root out. The solutions include bias training and executives willing to let the women talk.

There are more women of color in business leadership positions than ever before, and studies have proven they bring new perspectives and ideas that flow right to the bottom line. Yet, conscious and unconscious biases continue to hold them back from fully participating on leadership teams or contributing to their organizations. Stereotyping, like the 'angry black woman,' and biases, like 'a white woman or man could do a better job,' remain deeply embedded in many businesses, forcing the women of color to find ways to succeed without alienating others in the organization. It is a tightrope walked daily simply because they violate the stereotypes that executives and peers hold on to as to what a business leader should look like and how the person should act. Rooting out the biases begins with recognition of the problem followed by developing and implementing strategies that systematically address and overcome them.