During the context of daily working lives and the constant challenges navigating issues with workload, team members, and roles in the workplace, it can seem that your challenges are the most difficult to navigate. Know that you are not alone. In fact, historically for African Americans and other marginalized communities, many face additional workplace issues, including microaggressions, overt workplace bullying, routine incivility and outright racism. How did they handle these issues? What challenges did the endure and somehow succeed? How did the “show up” in spite of the challenges? Here are a few movies to watch (some based real events) to gain insight you can use.
1. Hidden Figures (2016) Based upon historical fact, this movie highlights three African American women mathematicians—Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson—who played a pivotal role in NASA’s space race, overcoming workplace discrimination.
Themes: Gender and racial barriers, workplace perseverance, teamwork, and recognition.
2. The Banker (2020) Based on true events, this film follows two African American entrepreneurs in the 1960’s who hire a white man to pose as the head of their business to combat systemic racism in the real estate and banking industries.
Themes: Workplace ingenuity, entrepreneurship, and civil rights.
3. Sorry to Bother You (2018) Centered on a Chicago barbershop owned by Calvin Palmer Jr., this comedy-drama highlights the barbershop as a workplace and community hub for African American culture.
Themes: Workplace identity, systemic oppression, and the ethics of ambition.
4. Barbershop (2002) Centered on a Chicago barbershop owned by Calvin Palmer Jr., this comedy-drama highlights the barbershop as a workplace and community hub for African American culture.
Themes: Entrepreneurship, workplace camaraderie, and community values.
5. Boomerang (1992) Marcus Graham, a successful advertising executive, faces professional and personal challenges as he navigates workplace relationships and learns lessons about integrity and respect.
Themes: Corporate life, workplace romance, and self-discovery.
6. Lean on Me (1989) The story of Joe Clark, an African American principal, who turns around a struggling inner-city high school through unconventional but effective leadership.
Themes: Leadership, workplace resilience, and education reform.
7. The Best Man Holiday (2013) While not solely focused on the workplace, this film highlights the professional and personal lives of a group of African American friends, showcasing career challenges and successes.
Themes: Friendship, work-life balance, and career ambition.
8. The Great Debaters (2007) Professor Melvin B. Tolson mentors an African American debate team in 1930’s Texas, helping them excel against overwhelming odds.
Education as a workplace, mentorship, and overcoming systemic challenges.
9. Brown Sugar (2002) This romantic drama follows Sidney and Dre, childhood friends turned professionals in the music industry, exploring their careers and relationships.
Themes: Creative collaboration, workplace passion, and professional integrity.
10. Think Like a Man (2012) While focusing on relationships, the film also highlights the professional lives of its characters, touching on workplace challenges and aspirations.
Themes: Career growth, workplace competition, and personal ambition.
These films not only showcase workplace dynamics. Additionally, they explore the intersection of race, culture, and professional identity within African American communities. They provide insight into challenges and successes in various industries on a daily basis as a lived experience.
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