The First, the Few, the Only: How Women of Color Can Redefine Power in Corporate America

by Deepa Purushothaman

A deeply personal call to action for women of color to find power from within and to join together in community, advocating for a new corporate environment where we all belong—and are accepted—on our own terms. Women of color comprise one of the fastest-growing segments in the corporate workforce, yet often we are underrepresented—among the first, few, or only ones in a department or company. For too long, corporate structures, social zeitgeist, and cultural conditioning have left us feeling exhausted and downtrodden, believing that in order to “fit in” and be successful, we must hide or change who we are. As a former senior partner at a large global services firm, Deepa Purushothaman experienced these feelings of isolation and burnout. She met with hundreds of other women of color across industries and cultural backgrounds, eager to hear about their unique and shared experiences. In doing so, she has come to understand our collective setbacks—and the path forward in achieving our goals.   Business must evolve—and women of color have the potential to lead that transformation. We must begin by pushing back against toxic messaging—including the things we tell ourselves—while embracing the valuable cultural viewpoints and experiences that give us unique perspectives at work. By fully realizing our own strengths, we can build collective power and use it to confront microaggressions, outdated norms, and workplace misconceptions; create cultures where belonging is never conditional; and rework corporations to be genuinely inclusive to all. The First, the Few, the Only is a road map for us to make a profound impact within and outside our organizations while ensuring that our words are heard, our lived experiences are respected, and our contributions are finally valued. 

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Womens, Leadership, Feminism, Self Help, Professional Development

1 pages, Audio CD

Published March 1, 2022

Reviews

[Glenda Nelms · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first, the few, the only should be required reading in all industries. it is a Very important book to check out. It highlights experiences and challenges that women of color in the workplace. The author shares her firsthand experience as a senior executive.

[Natalie Park · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. I loved the ideas of co-conspirators, making our own “table”, and not buying into the scarcity ideal and helping other BIPOC women to our table. So much food for thought and how women can create more success in the corporate world and C Suite.

[ashareads · Rating 5 out of 5]

The First, the Few, the Only is a nonfiction business book that is explores themes of power, leadership, unlearning, and authenticity. This book really hit home for me. I really wish I had more books like this when I started my career. I found it comforting to know that I wasn’t the only one as a woman of color struggling to ask for what I want, pushing back, being in toxic environments and knowing when to leave when it no longer serves you, unlearning to be quiet and conforming, and learning to build my self-confidence. I loved that the author touches upon being passed for opportunities and listening to your instinct when it’s time to leave a place that isn’t serving your needs or is a toxic work environment. This is a book that is great for women of color in all levels. Highly recommend picking this one up whether you identify as a woman of color or not so you can broaden your horizons!

[Samaa Ahmed · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was hard to rate this, because to an extent, I don’t think I am the right audience for this book. I am a young(ish) woman of colour in the corporate world in North America, but I’ve been engaged with this type of work/critique/activism that the author describes, for so long that I don’t think there was anything new in this book for me. However, it’s not a bad text, and definitely a good primer for anyone at the beginning of their career, or someone who feels stuck. It’s well written, inspiring, and relevant, it just doesn’t offer anything unique (in my opinion).

[Joana Ospina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this on audiobook. I really liked it and found it was so uplifting and motivating I will definitely be listening/ reading this again!

[Tiffany Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best professional development books I’ve read!

[Minerva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any woc in corporate America NEEDS to read this
Very insightful

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are a lot of great ideas and resources for WOC here, but I encourage people who don't identify as WOC to read it as well. We can't do this work alone.

[Cassidy DeStefano · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provided to me by work really enhanced my perspective of women in corporate structures and gave me some takeaways on how to create a purpose driven environment. The interviews throughout were insightful.

[Yorm · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Decent listen. Could have been a really good article in The Atlantic…or a Ted Talk.

[Saadia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an extremely important non-fiction book that I highly recommend; however, please read with care as some incidents of racism, micro aggressions, etc. referenced in the book may be triggering for WOC.

IMO, this book should be part of college curriculum and should be mandatory reading in a business management course to help prepare WOC joining corporate America after graduation.

I listened to the audiobook, which is very well-narrated by the author herself as she has a very soothing voice. It clocks at about 6 hrs given the book is less than 200 pages so definitely a quick read!

I appreciated that the author not only shared stories of WOC that she interviewed but also shared personal stories from her own challenging experiences in the workplace. Her vulnerability provided authenticity to the book.

What was most eye-opening for me was that “scholars found that perceived racism and discrimination are linked to increased risk for hypertension, infectious illnesses, and a lifetime of physical diseases.”

The author provides helpful advice to WOC on how to navigate difficult situations at work. She also points out that these experiences may be challenging not only because of the way the system is set up mostly in favor of white privilege but also because of the cultural beliefs that WOC may have been raised with, which may require shedding.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Until the last two chapters, this book was a 5 for me. I feel heard. My story is captured within these pages through the stories of other WOC relayed by the author. Chapter after chapter, I found myself saying that's me - whether it was about the early career, mid-career, or late-career stages (when you've arrived at the table), my lived experiences were captured. Where the book fell flat for me is what to do about it. I don't happen to believe that white men or the current system are the enemies that have to be taken down and replaced by some new, yet-to-be-defined system. I don't believe that capitalism is the issue. Ironically, the very women held up as role models and champions are women who are doing well within the system. I do believe that there is a better, proper use for power and WOC are well-positioned to demonstrate what that new use of power could look like to reshape our nation into conscious capitalists.

[Gopal Sadagopal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional, well researched, and thought through.

Good: Breaks the old mold of 'learn to go with the system'. Clearly outlines delusions that minorities have about the system. If nothing else, this book helps minorities understand it is not them, but the bias in people and systems that are limiting them.
While the author wrote this book aimed at women of color, most of her observations and action items apply to oppressed minorities in any culture.

Not so good: Framing everything as a result of racial bias is crying foul all the time and self-defeating. For example, people pile on work to people who are afraid to say no. It happens to anyone who is meek irrespective of race or gender.

Action items for the most part are good, but some are questionable.

It would be helpful to understand and identify when someone's biased action is because of racism, habit, system, or ignorance. Each scenario will best be handled with a different response.

[Hillary · Rating 4 out of 5]

My summary - Being a WOC is hard in the corporate world because it was built to suit white men and to perpetuate capitalism, both of which are geared towards the success of a few men, rather than the whole. As a result of the corporate structure, in order to not just survive but also thrive, WOC needs to acknowledge and shed delusions and unpaid work and roles Show up to work as yourself or else you'll come across as not personal but be careful what you share, so you can protect yourself and boundaries. Say what you want but if you don't get it to decide if you want to stay. If you stay, make sure you are getting something out of it.

Overall, good book but still walked away feeling like the TLDR is the corporate world is hard, it's not built for you, try harder to shape it into a space that is healthy for all rather than expecting the white men to change it. Sounds like a lot more unpaid work to tear down a structure created to tear women and POC down.

[Parker | simplybibliophiles · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: 4/5 |

This book was insightful and moving, interpolating current data and countless stories from BIPOC women working or previously working in Corporate America to create a toolkit and call to action for BIPOC women by BIPOC women.

The book was broken up into three parts. I enjoyed the latter part of Part 2 and all of Part 3 the most, as I thought these chapters provided the best substance. Part 1, IMO, was the slowest section. To be honest, while reading Part 1, I felt like I wasn’t the right audience because I kept thinking, “ I feel like BIPOC women know this.” This section focused on things that BIPOC women currently face or feel in Corporate America and its impact. I kept thinking, “this section has got to be for non-BIPOC women.”

But overall, an easy, inspiring read with action-oriented tools for challenging Corporate America as a BIPOC woman.

[Lucia · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book wasn’t terribly helpful if you are looking for ways or ideas to navigate the corporate environment as one of the few minority women in the room. There is one chapter about this that is 20 pages. The rest of it is mostly about how other women left the corporate world because it made them physically ill or they weren’t living their truth. Then it gets really philosophical talking about how women should be banding together (we aren’t a monolith) and capitalism being a sociopathy (maybe but I’m not able to fix that).
It’s good to get the affirmation that ‘it’s not you, it’s them or the system’. But there little practice use and given all the events that have happened post 2022 when the book was published the book already feels dated.

[Alysa Southall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an incredible source of knowledge. Hearing the stories of women of color throughout this book was extremely beneficial. As someone who works in the Human Resources/People Operations/Recruiting space, I will be recommending this book to anyone I know who is working on DEIB initiatives. The experiences of Deepa and the women she interviewed were impactful to hear. Deepa, I hope this is the beginning of change...because our world needs it and more importantly women of color deserve it!

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book so supportive and empowering because my experiences and perspectives as a women of color were reflected. In other words, it was wonderful to feel that I'm not alone. It was also eye-opening because it helped me understand the frameworks and individual actions that resulted those experiences, how I can unlearn internalized racism and misogyny, and learn a common language to use in my journey forward. A must-read for women of color and their co-conspirators!

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reads like a mix of literature review, her personal experience in corporate, and snippets of stories from some she interviewed. I see some of my personal experiences illustrated in the micro aggressions and racist remarks people make. A little triggering honestly. Doesn't give me a clear idea of what to do or try next though. Should be required reading for HR, managers, and senior leadership teams.

[Jessica Brusven · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a white woman who read this book to increase my understanding of the experiences of women of color in the work force. It offered me insights that hadn’t occurred to me because of my lived experiences and has given me ideas and actions for how to show up better for women of color at my job. This is a book I’ll revisit again and again as I seek to personally improve my allyship. Highly recommend for everyone to read to ensure more equitable workplaces.

[Charity Peets · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully empowering book that chronicles words of wisdom from the author and other women of color about their experiences in corporate America, why the system needs to change, and how we as women of color are suited to drive change forward when we step into our collective power. Highly recommend.

[Amanda Hopkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another woman of color in my industry recommended that I read this book. This book will remain in my annual rotation as I continue to navigate my industry as one of “the first, the few, the only.” I felt heard and seen while reading this book. This is a must read for any company that’s focused on DEI efforts but unable to fully understand the work ahead of us.

[moira · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very insightful book. It challenged me to rethink my own role in corporate America and how I have related to some of the situations while also perpetuating some of these situations. It was helpful for me to see I am complicit in the inequality WOC face in the world.

I thought the book itself was somewhat repetitive but still provided moving stories and clear, actionable knowledge.

[Lizette T · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't work in corporate - but the concepts apply to all areas of leadership. This book is relatable, compassionate and a bit of a nudge to the chin. Thank you for putting into words what so many WoC navigate as they push through systemic and social barriers. Thank you for motivating us to keep going, find the fire within ourselves and light it for others!

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are working inside a system of delusions: Just be yourself, just wait, I don't see color, please share your thoughts. Move past the delusions.

The final choice is yours: negotiate, Keep track, remind people of your contributions and know where to draw your line.

[she.epeolatry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a reminder: “ We will get advice, sometimes profound, but not know what to do with it at the time. That’s okay. Tuck it away and take it out when the time is right and you are ready.”

This poignant quote sums up my entire experience reading this amazing book.

[Rania · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book was transformational. It validated a lot of my experiences as a woman of color and provided the tools and insight to better equip myself moving forward. Thank you Deepa for writing such a groundbreaking book to empower women like myself to thrive in work and in life.

[Tedra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-written and supportive first-step approach to surviving and thriving amidst pervasive challenges in corporate spaces. Key takeaways are more about cultivating self-empowerment, safety, and wellness as a form of resistance and catalyst for necessary change. Recommended.

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book exceeded my expectations. It was so validating to hear the experiences of others and made me feel less alone in my journey. I actually work in education, however, I still found all the tips, self reflection, and strategies supportive in my interest to move up in leadership.

[Stacey Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have turned to this book over and over. My copy is dog-earred, starred, and underlined. Deepa is brilliant, and the points she makes and stories she shares are a clarion call for a better world. This book will hold a forever place on my bookshelf.