In 2014, former teacher turned recruiter, April Christina Curley, got offered her dream job - a major tech company asked her to come on board specifically to create a talent pipeline for overlooked tech talent at historically black colleges and universities. Without hesitation, April said yes, packed up her things, and moved from Baltimore to NY. At first, things were great - the program April helped create was a success. She was driving real change and making a real difference.
But it didn’t last. Despite its good intentions, April saw policies and practices within the company itself that were rooted in historic biases. And when she spoke out, she was increasingly chastised by management for being “angry, insubordinate, uncooperative, unwelcoming” and more. This despite the fact that her work was objectively successful and her peers had no problem with her. By 2020 April’s dream job had become a nightmare. And then, just like that, she was let go.
In this episode, April opens up to Brenda about what it’s like when you speak truth to power at the office and months later find yourself out of a job. You’ll also find out how to pick yourself back up after you’ve lost what was supposed to be the perfect opportunity.
For more on April and her work check out...
LinkedIn - /aprilchristinacurley
Bluesky - @realabril.bsky.social
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Our guests contribute to this podcast in their personal capacity. The views expressed in this interview are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology or its employees (“AnitaB.org”). AnitaB.org is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of the information provided in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute legal or other professional advice or services.
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B The Way Forward Is…
Hosted and Executive Produced by Brenda Darden Wilkerson.
Produced by Avi Glijansky
Associate Produced by Kelli Kyle
Sound design and editing by Ryan Hammond
Mixing and mastering by Julian Kwasneski
Additional Producing help from Faith Krogulecki
Operations Coordination for AnitaB.org by Quinton Sprull.
Creative Director for AnitaB.org is Deandra Coleman
Executive Produced by Dominique Ferrari, Stacey Book, and Avi Glijansky for Frequency Machine
For more ways to be the way forward, visit AnitaB.org