These Professional Portraits Compare Black Women at Home and Work
Charlotte Joyce Kidd — November 3, 2015 — Social Good
References: endiabeal & refinery29
Emerging photographer Endia Beal created this series of young black women's professional portraits.
Called 'Am I What You're Looking For?' the professional portrait series highlights the alienation and discrimination young black women can face when applying for jobs. Beal was inspired by students who approached her in her position as a professor to ask for advice on job interviews. Black female students who went to interviews were returning with negative criticism about their looks: the way they dressed, their hair, their makeup and some were even told that their heels were too high.
In response, Beal decided to photograph young women in a professional portrait style in their own homes. Behind her subjects, she placed an artificial backdrop of a typical corporate environment. The contrast created shows the difference between the nurturing, accepting home environment and the cold alienation of the systemic discrimination encountered in the established workforce.
Called 'Am I What You're Looking For?' the professional portrait series highlights the alienation and discrimination young black women can face when applying for jobs. Beal was inspired by students who approached her in her position as a professor to ask for advice on job interviews. Black female students who went to interviews were returning with negative criticism about their looks: the way they dressed, their hair, their makeup and some were even told that their heels were too high.
In response, Beal decided to photograph young women in a professional portrait style in their own homes. Behind her subjects, she placed an artificial backdrop of a typical corporate environment. The contrast created shows the difference between the nurturing, accepting home environment and the cold alienation of the systemic discrimination encountered in the established workforce.
Trend Themes
1. Systemic Discrimination - Opportunities for disruptive innovation exist in creating solutions to address systemic discrimination in hiring practices.
2. Diversity and Inclusion - There is a need for disruptive innovation in promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace to foster a more inclusive environment for all employees.
3. Humanizing the Hiring Process - Disruptive innovation opportunities lie in developing technologies and strategies that humanize the hiring process and remove biases or discriminatory practices.
Industry Implications
1. Photography - The photography industry can explore innovative approaches to capture the essence of diversity and challenge societal stereotypes.
2. Human Resources - The human resources industry can benefit from disruptive innovation in creating inclusive hiring processes and ensuring equal opportunities for all candidates.
3. Technology - The technology industry can contribute to combating systemic discrimination by developing AI-powered tools that facilitate unbiased candidate evaluation and selection.
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