I think back to June 1, 2020 often. We were collectively grieving the loss of yet another innocent life when members of the companys Black employee resource group received an invitation to a video call. My employer at the time wanted to know how we were feeling, and offered her support. She also asked what the company should do next to address the growing racial tensions and protests.

I logged on, clad in the armour that I had forged over seven years of corporate communications and a lifetime of being a Black woman in Canada. I had a list of messaging tactics at the ready, but I didnt get to them. Instead, I cried ugly cried. There was no amount of code switching or armour that could save me from the trauma of watching innocent people who look like me get murdered, time and time again.