Blank Post discusses racism in the job market

Campaign uses AI to highlight the lack of racial diversity and the need for greater plurality.

In this White January, a month dedicated to raising awareness about mental health, theBlank Post launches the “Imagine a CEO” campaign, focused on addressing the impact of structural racism on the mental health of black professionals in the job market.

This action comes in response to alarming facts published in the media illustrating the reality of the lack of racial diversity in leadership positions in Brazil and how this affects anxiety among the black population in the corporate environment.

The lack of black representation at the top of the pyramid confirms the educational and social gaps of the black population at the base of the pyramid. And it discourages young black men and women from trying to take bigger flights due to a lack of references, points out Rodrigo Esteves, co-founder of Post em Branco.

Imagine a CEO highlights the absence of black CEOs in the 423 companies listed on the São Paulo Stock Exchange until 2022. Even on the Forbes list of the Best CEOs in Brazil in 2023, which presents successful leaders in various aspects, There is a complete lack of black representation. Additionally, a search inGoogle by ‘Brazilian CEOs’ reveals that of the first 36 listed, none are black.

NoLinkedIn, despite there being 210,000 profiles with ‘CEO’ in the title, the 10 most influential CEOs, according to Veja, are all white men. This scenario not only demonstrates the lack of opportunities for black professionals at the base, but also aggravates anxiety and other mental health problems, such as the manifestation of psychosomatic illnesses and impostor syndrome, resulting from exclusion and prejudice.

The campaign intrigues people to imagine a CEO of a bank, a business holding company or a technology company, with the answer being the possibility that they may not have thought of a black professional, with the aim of exposing the structural racism. Reflecting the existing barriers at the base and the neglect of the potential of black people, resulting in a negative impact on mental health.

As shown by studies from Harvard University, which show that in sectors such as medicine, the burnout rate among black professionals is 30%, compared to 18% among white professionals, with prejudice and isolation worsening emotional exhaustion.

I, as a woman, black, mother and peripheral, have the power to speak and experience situations of structural racism in my daily life, and how much this has an economic and psychological impact on us. The Imagine a CEO campaign raises many questions and measures the size of the gap we have in relation to other races as black people. This action is a way of clarifying and raising awareness in society in a real way, without marketing the reality we live in, highlights Thais Regina, contributor to Post em Branco.

Furthermore, images generated by artificial intelligence were used, highlighting the technological bias and the lack of black Brazilian representation in this field. The result portrays the need for greater plurality and inclusion in emerging technologies.

“Imagine a CEO” is a call to action to address structural racism that affects the mental health, well-being and career advancement of black professionals in the job market, encouraging actions for a more equitable and healthy future .

Change begins with anti-racist attitudes and education, affirmative action from companies and the commitment, and duty, of everyone in society to create a more egalitarian future with less anxiety, concludes Daniel Portuga, Founder of Post em Branco.

The event will take place between January 20th and 25th, and will be available in the feed and highlight of the @post.branco profile on Instagram.

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