Self-Care Culture

How Corporate America can Honor Black History

Author

Cassandra Juniphant
February 03, 2025

You do not have to be Black To learn from the Black community’s long-standing fight for rest, freedom, and liberation from oppressive leadership and systems. The battle to be treated with dignity while maintaining wellness goes far beyond any single racial group or ethnicity.  It is a human journey routing us back to our birthright. This is especially true in our modern work environments where productivity is often prioritized over our mental and physical wellbeing.

No matter how your company chooses to celebrate Black History Month, if at all, you have the ability to honor the legacy of self-care in the Black community.  A legacy that has made powerful strides toward progress that ultimately benefit everyone. The fight for mental and physical health, wellness, and equity is more than just a matter of justice for Black people.  It’s a matter of justice for all people who deserve to be treated with care so they can not just survive, but thrive.  And as we continue to face an increasingly fast-paced, high-pressure society, we can all learn from the men and women who fought for their rights during the Civil Rights Movement.

Maybe we take a page from the revolutionary self-care playbook of one of the most progressive voices during the 1960’s, the Black Panther Party.  They very notably made self-care a cornerstone of their fight for justice and freedom. Understanding that resilience, forward progression and fighting for change requires a healthy mind, body, and spirit.   They prioritized the health of the community while navigating and speaking against an oppressive system.

Programs like the Free Breakfast Program and holistic health clinics were revolutionary for their time, providing not just physical care, but also mental health support. These clinics offered counseling and wellness resources understanding that the community was experiencing mental and emotional trauma, not just physical violence.   The Black Panthers also knew that physical activity was key to their wellbeing.  Martial arts were promoted as a way to stay strong and focused while advocating for justice. And iconic leaders like Angela Davis, Rosa Parks, and Ericka Huggins practiced yoga to maintain balance, calm, and clarity in the midst of revolution.

This powerful connection between physical health and social activism demonstrated an understanding that self-care goes far beyond spa days and relaxation. It was about thriving in a system that was designed without our wellbeing in mind.  And it is a mindset that is still just as relevant today, especially for people in leadership roles and corporate environments.

What does this mean for you?

As you navigate your career, whether you're leading the way as a C-suite executive or providing essential support in departments like IT or HR, the key to your success lies in prioritizing your health and wellness. You deserve to work at a pace that allows you to care for yourself, so you can continue showing up as your best self.

Corporate America would do well to appreciate that there is no real progress or meaningful mission without the health of the individuals behind it. So what can a holistic approach to your work look like? How can this mindset apply to the community that makes up your company?

In today’s corporate world, it’s easy to feel like the constant push for productivity leaves little room for self-care. But what we often overlook is that true productivity starts first from a place of rest, recovery and rejuvenation. The pressure to always be "on" or to do more can lead to burnout, stress, and compromised decision-making. By adopting a holistic approach to self-care—just like the Black Panther Party did—you’re not only strengthening yourself but also your work environment and your company’s ability to fulfill its mission.

So, how do you create a holistic workplace?  It starts with genuine curiosity and interest about what might be possible.  The solutions are not a one person job.  The best decisions are reached when fully informed with a diversity of information, understanding that we all have equity in the outcome therefore prioritizing the inclusion of many voices.  

Creating a Healthier Work Environment

  • How does our current work environment support or hinder employee wellness?

  • Are there elements in the physical workspace (lighting, air quality, noise levels) that could be improved to create a more restorative atmosphere?

  • What physical wellness opportunities (e.g., exercise programs, fitness breaks, walking groups) can we integrate into the workday to help employees maintain both physical and mental health?

  • Can we encourage a balance of mental and physical health practices throughout the day, such as a brief stretch before meetings or after long sitting periods?

Incorporating Rest into the Workplace

  • Do we provide employees with enough time to rest and recharge during the day (e.g., lunch breaks, quiet spaces)?

  • How can we normalize taking breaks or naps as a tool for boosting energy and focus throughout the workday?

Building Community and Connection

  • How can we foster a sense of community and belonging within our organization?

  • Do we have platforms or events that encourage team building and collaboration (e.g., wellness challenges, group activities)?

Starting with Yourself: Leadership’s Role in Employee Wellness

  • How can we as leaders model holistic wellness behaviors for our team?

  • Are leaders prioritizing their own self-care and well-being, and if not, what is preventing this?

Self-Care as a Group Effort

  • How can we create an organizational culture that supports self-care not as an individual pursuit, but as a collective effort?

  • Do we offer resources, events, or workshops that teach employees about the importance of self-care and help them develop their own self-care plans?

Take Action

As you step into your leadership role, whether in the boardroom or as a support pillar in your organization, remember that self-care is not selfish—it’s essential.  And the next generation of successful businesses will recognize self-care as the foundation for professional development.  The legacy of the Black Panther Party reminds us that wellness is the foundation needed to be resilient as a change agent. No person or organization can effectively, consistently or profitably change the world if they’re not practicing self-care in the process.

It’s time to look at self-care as not just a personal choice, but as a strategic tool for career and organizational success. Remember, we can be the change.  We have the power to influence the environment and the culture we work in—one where rest, nourishment, and wellness are prioritized just as much as productivity.

So, let’s continue to advocate for wellness, inside and outside of the workplace, and remember that your best self is your most powerful self.

Welcome to Holistic Hustle, where we redefine success to honor our ambition, while prioritizing our well-being. True success is not just about what we achieve but how we feel while achieving it. It’s time. Let’s create a world where ambition and wellness go hand in hand.

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