When Excellence Becomes Expectation, the Cost Can Be Personal
Washington DC based therapist Jonathon Carringon, in his 2025 article for Medium, “Rethinking Black Excellence: Breaking Free From The Pressure To Be Perfect and Popular”, writes, “the truth is, the way we’ve framed Black excellence has often been a double-edged sword. On one side, it’s a powerful response to systemic oppression- a declaration that we can achieve greatness despite the odds. On the other, it can become a form of perfectionism, demanding that we meet impossible standards to gain respect and validations”.
The “Twice as Good” Mantra
Think about the “twice as good” mantra many Black professionals have heard during their developmental stages and beyond. It has been referenced in various television and films and continues to be something largely discussed within the Black community. But what does it mean when these standards, though well intentioned initially, slowly start to breed detrimental unintended consequences? These could include – high bouts of anxiety, high blood pressure, lack of clear boundaries between professional and personal, and the disillusionment of the Black identity.
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Militant Loyalty and Obedience
The Black Identity is certainly not a monolith. The Black Identity is rooted in multiplicity and variations. But many of those multiplicities and variations are not always welcome in professional and public spaces. Oftentimes, the factory setting within the Black community is militant loyalty and obedience. Going along to get along. Historically, this was seen as a means of survival. But since many Black individuals have garnered social and cultural capital, a discourse on the Black Identity has widened.
In January 2021, LinkedIn surveyed 2,000 Black professionals ages 18-69 to uncover challenges faced in the workplace. Nearly half (46%) of Black professionals ages 18-34 have faced blatant discrimination and/or microaggressions at work. Many of whom voiced facing uncertainty in career path and advancement.
Outcome Has Become a New Currency
What does it mean to be a Black professional and be in spaces where they have worked hard to earn only to feel unwanted and unwelcome? What does it mean that there isn’t a professional language that accurately articulates this feeling? In this current professional climate, expectation and outcome has become a new currency. Outcomes immediately impact funding opportunities and expectations immediately impact growth opportunities. With the Black Identity being rooted in militant excellence, there is little room for error or things not working out.
Often, Black professionals don’t know how to handle uncertainty because there is no room for uncertainty in Black excellence.
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