Rules of Chésus: Making the System Fit You

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Nine Black women, nine different careers, and nine stories with striking similarities, of career struggle, self-doubt, mental and physical health issues, and general unhappiness caused by varying forms of work-related stress; nine stories of fortitude and resilience that eventually morph into nine stories of rejuvenation. These women form the inaugural part of a multi-layered interactive media project titled BlackFemaleProject—a project attempting to peel back the skin of the often unseen effects of racism and sexism, not only in the workplace, but also in terms of how these issues elbow their way into other areas of Black women’s daily lives.

In Rules of Chésus: Making the System Fit You, Ché Abram shares guidelines informed by her experience as a college student and her career in higher education. These rules have helped her identify and navigate workplace racism while creating a plan to find a more fulfilling position.

All of the women who share their stories in our inaugural collection have found themselves in a battle for sanity, cultural autonomy, or simply professional courtesy. These women have also found their own strategies of success; some are still developing these methods and share their experience with us in real time. Let’s join them now.

Rules of Chésus:

Making the System Fit You

Ché Abram

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AUTHOR'S STATEMENT

Who are you and where do you live?
Ché L. Abram, Oakland, California

What’s your career focus?
Over 15 years working in education

What’s something positive that came out of writing your story?
I have overcome the fear I often felt around owning my leadership experience and abilities. I know that even in the most difficult moments, my resiliency always wins. I no longer see myself as the entry-level little girl hungry to learn from those older than me; I am the expert consulted for insight and wisdom.

Three words of advice for your 18-year-old self?
Trust your intuition.

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