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Qualified: How Competency Checking and Race Collide at Work – Exposing Institutional Racism and the Scrutiny of Black Professionals in the Workplace
A groundbreaking work challenging the false narrative that diversity equals a lack of qualifications by uncovering the impact of “competency checking,” a practice that unjustly scrutinizes Black people and other people of color, forcing them to repeatedly prove their worth, intelligence, and even their right to be in the workplace.
The advancement of Black and other people of color in the workplace is under attack as there is a turn away from the promise of the "racial reconciliation" of 2020. This period saw Black talent rise in the workplace from DEI managers to CEOs to junior-level hires. Yet, the post-2020 workplace is seeing an alarming retreat from creating workplaces and leadership that reflect the nation’s diversity.
That retreat is characterized by underemployment, cracked glass cliffs, toxic work environments, and claims of “empty pipelines.” More concerning, Black professionals and other people of color often face greater scrutiny than their peers regarding job applications, work experience, and qualifications to even be considered for employment or advancement. And that scrutiny has a Competency Checking.
When it comes to hiring Black talent, the pipeline isn’t broken; rather, it is the assumptions we make about who is competent and qualified. In Qualified, award-winning executive and journalist Shari Dunn combines deep research with enlightening interviews and anecdotes from across the broad spectrum of her career to uncover the history of Competency Checking, how it manifests in the workplace, and what can be done to change it. Competency checking, Dunn argues, continues to be practiced consciously and unconsciously and is the key reason why Black people and other people of color are underrepresented in so many industries and why there continues to be a revolving door of Black talent even after the hiring surges of 2020.
The advancement of Black and other people of color in the workplace is under attack as there is a turn away from the promise of the "racial reconciliation" of 2020. This period saw Black talent rise in the workplace from DEI managers to CEOs to junior-level hires. Yet, the post-2020 workplace is seeing an alarming retreat from creating workplaces and leadership that reflect the nation’s diversity.
That retreat is characterized by underemployment, cracked glass cliffs, toxic work environments, and claims of “empty pipelines.” More concerning, Black professionals and other people of color often face greater scrutiny than their peers regarding job applications, work experience, and qualifications to even be considered for employment or advancement. And that scrutiny has a Competency Checking.
When it comes to hiring Black talent, the pipeline isn’t broken; rather, it is the assumptions we make about who is competent and qualified. In Qualified, award-winning executive and journalist Shari Dunn combines deep research with enlightening interviews and anecdotes from across the broad spectrum of her career to uncover the history of Competency Checking, how it manifests in the workplace, and what can be done to change it. Competency checking, Dunn argues, continues to be practiced consciously and unconsciously and is the key reason why Black people and other people of color are underrepresented in so many industries and why there continues to be a revolving door of Black talent even after the hiring surges of 2020.
- GenresNonfictionRacePolitics
317 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 25, 2025
About the author
Shari Dunn
1 book18 followersShari Dunn is a polymath, an accomplished journalist, former attorney, news anchor, CEO, and university professor.
Shari brings cross-sector experience from the law, media, education, and social enterprise to create several new “takes” on issues such as “Imposter Syndrome” and original scholarship, giving voice to what has for too long had no name, Competency Checking.
Born and raised in a working-class, blue-collar, African-American neighborhood in one of the most segregated cities in the nation, Milwaukee, WI. Growing up, she witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of racial discrimination on housing, health care, and employment for Black people. As part of the second wave of students bused to suburban schools, Shari understood that others had fought and died for her right to access education and opportunity. Her parents and family instilled in her the knowledge that the struggle for Civil Rights and affirmative action had created programs like the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), which helped her and many other first-generation college students access higher education—not because they were unqualified, but because of historical inequities that provided an opportunity advantage to white people.
Among the most meaningful highlights of her career was the opportunity to interview and thank civil rights icons Harry Belafonte and Julian Bond. These conversations were profound moments where Shari felt it was her turn to pick up the baton and move the country forward.
https://thesharidunn.com/about-me
Shari brings cross-sector experience from the law, media, education, and social enterprise to create several new “takes” on issues such as “Imposter Syndrome” and original scholarship, giving voice to what has for too long had no name, Competency Checking.
Born and raised in a working-class, blue-collar, African-American neighborhood in one of the most segregated cities in the nation, Milwaukee, WI. Growing up, she witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of racial discrimination on housing, health care, and employment for Black people. As part of the second wave of students bused to suburban schools, Shari understood that others had fought and died for her right to access education and opportunity. Her parents and family instilled in her the knowledge that the struggle for Civil Rights and affirmative action had created programs like the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), which helped her and many other first-generation college students access higher education—not because they were unqualified, but because of historical inequities that provided an opportunity advantage to white people.
Among the most meaningful highlights of her career was the opportunity to interview and thank civil rights icons Harry Belafonte and Julian Bond. These conversations were profound moments where Shari felt it was her turn to pick up the baton and move the country forward.
https://thesharidunn.com/about-me
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 14, 2025
i randomly found this gem on libby but i can’t believe there are only 14 reviews of this book… it’s so good. i enjoyed it immensely.
March 30, 2025
I can’t imagine being this author. Writing this book about racism in the workplace the importance of DEI policies and ending it with an epilogue about Harris taking over the democratic nomination just to have this book published one month into trumps second term where he is ending these policies and the broader culture is watching most large companies roll back their initiatives in this area. It was devastating for me to read as well knowing we’ve lost this future for an indefinite period of time.
The book didn’t offer much that I didn’t already know but for someone ignorant to this areas this is definitely a great introduction to these topics. It’s well researched and well written and it flows well.
The book didn’t offer much that I didn’t already know but for someone ignorant to this areas this is definitely a great introduction to these topics. It’s well researched and well written and it flows well.
October 22, 2025
I really enjoyed reading this book, and recommend it 👍🏽
Shari’s writing feels grounded and conversational…approachable without losing depth. The book comes at such an important time, when so many DEI efforts are being peeled back or written off as performative. It’s a needed reminder of why this work exists in the first place and of the foundation so many people have built to make workplaces more equitable and inclusive.
Shari was one of my professors during my MBA, and her class (Social Venture Enterprise) has always stood out to me. Reading this, I could see her same clarity, warmth, and charisma come through on the page. A thoughtful, timely read I’d recommend to anyone who wants to reconnect with the “why” behind equity work.
Shari’s writing feels grounded and conversational…approachable without losing depth. The book comes at such an important time, when so many DEI efforts are being peeled back or written off as performative. It’s a needed reminder of why this work exists in the first place and of the foundation so many people have built to make workplaces more equitable and inclusive.
Shari was one of my professors during my MBA, and her class (Social Venture Enterprise) has always stood out to me. Reading this, I could see her same clarity, warmth, and charisma come through on the page. A thoughtful, timely read I’d recommend to anyone who wants to reconnect with the “why” behind equity work.
February 25, 2025
As a journalist, I rely on reporting that is factual, accurate, and enlightening. Shari Dunn's new book QUALIFIED couldn't be more. timely and insightful. White cynicism about Black employees' abilities, and “competency checking,” assumes Black inferiority. It's a false and racist trope upon which the war on diversity is based. Black employees are subjected to increased but baseless scrutiny -- and in some cases, employment is even terminated. Citing studies that show the prevalence of racism in the workplace, Shari Dunn's book is a must-read for anyone focused on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace or in any setting.
August 23, 2025
I was initially captivated by the title, anticipating insights into professional life that might prove beneficial. However, the content diverged significantly from my expectations.
While it touches on professional themes, the focus centers on racism and gender-based inequalities, primarily in Western contexts, particularly the United States. The author articulates compelling arguments from her perspective, making it a valuable read for those in relevant regions.
For me, however, it offered limited personal relevance or practical value. This is by no means a reflection of the book’s quality, which remains commendable.
While it touches on professional themes, the focus centers on racism and gender-based inequalities, primarily in Western contexts, particularly the United States. The author articulates compelling arguments from her perspective, making it a valuable read for those in relevant regions.
For me, however, it offered limited personal relevance or practical value. This is by no means a reflection of the book’s quality, which remains commendable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2025
Really, really excellent coverage of the newly-coined (by Dunn herself!) but centuries-old phenomenon of competency-checking. This book is not mere coverage, either, but offers a guide - particularly to the people in positions where they have the power to change things. The amount of grace Dunn has for those uninformed in her audience is truly commendable; she explains things so well and patiently.
Her chapter on "imposter syndrome" (and the fact that it probably doesn't exist - just insecurity and competency checking do!) was so incredibly eye-opening to me. I'm going to be thinking about it and this book for years to come.
Her chapter on "imposter syndrome" (and the fact that it probably doesn't exist - just insecurity and competency checking do!) was so incredibly eye-opening to me. I'm going to be thinking about it and this book for years to come.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews