I just HAD TO talk with Erika Jefferson, Founder of BWISE - Black Women in Science and Engineering. This episode of I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY was prompted by the need to get the word out about big-time “No-No’s” when the corporate sector and other White-led entities want to engage with leaders and talent that identify as people of color. After months and months of Erika and I hopping on brainstorming calls with fellow entrepreneurs and advocates for equity, following and supporting each other’s work via LinkedIn, and navigating our busy schedules, we FINALLY made it happen. Erika’s work encompasses making BWISE a leading forum for Black Women in Science and Engineering to connect with others who also have backgrounds in Science and Engineering. It’s a safe space to share lived experiences with current employers or in the current positions they have with the intention of being encouraged by their sister engineers (Mama, you are NOT imagining things…how you are being mistreated, judged, pigeonholed, and overlooked is REAL). What started as an audacious idea in 2015, is now a strong and healthy network of Black and Brown women in Science and Engineering that are focused on advancing their careers. Erika’s very own experiences as an Engineer in the corporate sector and throughout her life as an entrepreneur affords her first-hand knowledge of the key issues faced by women of color working in STEM. A recent observation we discuss is the interest and investments being made to find role models for girls in STEM when nothing has been done for women who have been working and performing in STEM industries for years. Underrepresentation, dead-end jobs, and menial levels of responsibilities continue to negatively impact many women with 10+ years of experience who want and expect more from their employers. Erika shares that as professional women of color, we need to stop accepting the added role of office party planner – something she has seen regularly in organizational settings, and which distracts us from the type of work that will lead to career advancement. We simply need to learn how to say “No, I can’t.” She also takes this approach to set healthy boundaries with leaders from entities that BWISE has been trying to engage with for the past 7+ years with no response. Now, suddenly, requests are coming in for her to “share” available jobs with her network. “Organizations pay for what they value”, Erika states. “I don’t see people asking for FREE help in accounting, finance, safety, or sales.” So, I learned from Erika that we need to start saying “No, I can’t help you identify diverse talent for free.”