Career – Lence in Layers

“You Have to Be Ten Times Better:” The Black Survival Manual

For generations, many Black Americans have been raised with a message that was never meant to inspire per se, but primarily to protect: “you have to be ten times better than your counterparts just to be treated as equal.” It was strategy and a rational response to a society that routinely changed the rules the…
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Detroit’s Black Tech Saturdays (BTS): Where Innovation Meets Community

Photo credit: Dr. Dawn Batts, originally published in the Michigan Chronicle. When I first sat in on a Black Tech Saturdays (BTS) event, there were maybe 20 of us in the room, each carrying our own questions, ideas, and quiet ambition. I was curious, but reserved, simply trying to take it all in. I didn’t…
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Where to Work or Study in Detroit: Paid vs Free Spaces That Actually Get the Job Done

Whether you are finishing a research paper, leading a Zoom meeting, or writing your next great idea, finding the right environment can completely shift your energy. Detroit has a little bit of everything: polished co-working studios, public spaces filled with history, and cozy cafés that feel like a second home. This list highlights some of…
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No One Can Make You Settle

Not the person who seems perfect on paper.Not the family member who guilt-trips you in the name of love.Not the job that looks stable, but drains you before noon. One of life’s hardest reckonings is realizing that settling is never something done to you. It’s something you quietly agree to…out of fear, comfort, impatience, or…
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How to Learn R, Python, SQL, and SAS in a Few Months (Without Losing Your Mind)

Why Learning These Tools Matters Before you even open RStudio or install Python, it’s fair to ask: Why should I care? The short answer: data runs the world. Whether it’s healthcare, tech, government, or business, data drives decisions every single day. If you don’t understand the tools that shape that data, you’re stuck on the…
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How I Manage Anxiety and Stuttering in Public Speaking

Public speaking used to feel like standing at the edge of a cliff. My body betrayed me: palms sweating (*cue Eminem’s “Lose Yourself”*), voice catching, thoughts racing so fast I couldn’t keep them in order. Sometimes, I’d stumble over my words. Other times, an anxiety attack would creep in and my mind would go completely…
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If You’ll Go All Out for a Job, Go All In for Yourself Too

Many of us have done it. Set the alarm at 5:00 a.m., skipped meals, answered emails at dinner, and poured every ounce of energy into being the most reliable, available, high-performing employee in the room. The problem isn’t that you work hard. It’s that you’ve been taught to give your all to something that would…
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How to Finance Your Move Abroad as a Person of Color (Without Draining Your Savings)

Moving abroad sounds romantic, but passport stamps, new beginnings, and scenic views don’t come free. For many Black and Brown folks dreaming of a life outside the U.S., one of the biggest barriers isn’t desire, it’s dollars. But, what if funding your international leap isn’t as impossible as it seems? Whether you’re escaping burnout, political…
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How to Learn to Code in 6 Months—Even With a Busy Schedule

Learning how to code can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re juggling work, school, parenting, relationships, or all of the above. But, here’s the reality: you don’t need a computer science degree or 10 hours a day to become a confident, competent coder. With the right strategy, structure, and resources, you can learn how to code…
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The Art of Saying No: Graceful Ways to Decline in Any Situation

Saying no is a skill everyone needs and, yet, many of us struggle with it. We worry about hurting feelings, burning bridges, or seeming unkind. But, the truth is saying no is not rude or selfish. It’s an essential act of recovery and self‑respect. Whether you’re turning down a date, a work project, or a…
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How to Become an Online Consultant (& Get Paid for Your Expertise)

Online consulting has opened the door for professionals of all kinds to build careers on their own terms. Whether you’re a researcher, writer, data analyst, strategist, or creative professional, there’s a place for your expertise in the digital marketplace. This path allows you to turn what you already know into income, solve meaningful problems for…
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Beyond the Bonnet: Why Presentation Still Matters

We hear it all the time: Don’t let what other people think of you define who you are. It’s solid advice. Your value doesn’t magically vanish because someone else refuses to see it. But, here’s what we don’t say enough: just because you don’t need anyone’s approval doesn’t mean how you show up doesn’t matter.…
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Support Your People the Right Way: Pay Full Price

We love to chant “Support Black businesses,” “Shop small,” or “Buy local,” but when it comes to our friends and family, the approach sometimes shifts. Instead of showing up as paying customers, we might default to asking for favors or expecting special treatment, often without meaning harm. But, what we don’t always realize is that…
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Dealing With Bullies at Work, Especially as a Black Professional in a Post-DEI Era

As Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) efforts are rolled back, the systems meant to address workplace harm are fading and the impact is getting harder to ignore. DEI roles dropped 5% in 2023 and another 8% in 2024. By 2025, 1 in 8 companies plan to cut or reduce funding entirely. DEI was never just…
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Never Stop Growing: The Best Online Resources for Lifelong Learning (Including Free Harvard Courses)

Lifelong learning isn’t just empowering, it’s good for your brain. Studies show that continuing to learn as you age improves memory, cognitive flexibility, and overall mental health. It helps you stay sharp, adaptable, and engaged with the world. Thanks to today’s digital tools, you can grow your skills or dive into new topics on your…
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Yes, You’re Smart Enough, But Will You Show Up?

Let’s get this out of the way early: you’re probably smart enough. In fact, most people are. Intelligence, the kind you’re likely measuring in academic accolades, test scores, or natural problem-solving, is rarely the reason people don’t hit their goals. So why do some people thrive, create, launch, finish, lead, and evolve, while others stay…
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The Power of a Reframe: Seeing Value Even When It’s Not Reflected Back

Not every “no” is a reflection of your worth — sometimes it’s just a mismatch, a moment of misalignment, or a missed opportunity on someone else’s part. Still, it’s easy to internalize rejection or silence. When we don’t get the job, the callback, the compliment, or the invitation, our minds can spiral. But the truth…
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What Do Epidemiologists Do? A Look Inside the Profession — And My Work in It

When people hear the word epidemiologist, they either think of someone in a hazmat suit tracking a deadly virus… or they draw a blank. To be fair, infectious disease is one part of it—but that’s not the full story. Epidemiology is so much more than pandemic response. It’s about patterns. People. Prevention. It’s the science…
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How to Break Into Data Analysis: Real Pathways from Entry to Expert

So you want to work in data analysis (or even epidemiology) — but you’re not sure where to start. Maybe you’re pivoting from another field. Maybe you’re fresh out of undergrad. Or maybe you’ve been in public health for a while, but you’re ready to dig into the data side of things. Wherever you are,…
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Category: Career