Boundaries aren’t just protection, they’re STRATEGY. In Part 1 of The Corporate Code Series, Erin Braxton breaks down how Black women can set boundaries at work to protect their peace, preserve their energy, and stop being drained by coworkers who see them as their therapists or emotional crutches.This episode dives into:✅ Why boundaries matter for survival and success.✅ How emotional dumping and “white tears” drain our time and power.✅ Why Black women are misperceived as endlessly strong — with history and stats to back it up.✅ Practical ways to play along at work without oversharing or being used.✅ How boundaries give you back the time to invest in yourself and your next move.✨ Plus: Erin shares the launch of the Coffee No Cream Educational Resource Database — 1,000+ free courses to help you level up outside the workplace.The Code for this episode: The Boundary Code, protect your peace, your plan, and your power.

(00:00) Welcome & Episode Intro(01:10) The Corporate Code Series explained(02:20) Why boundaries matter(04:30) The helper/therapist trap at work(06:15) Viewer comment: “acting like a therapist”(08:00) Story: when emotional dumping drains you(10:25) Story: white tears & emotional fragility(13:40) What boundaries really do (protecting time & energy)(15:20) History: why Black women are seen as “strong”(17:00) Research & stats on pain perception(18:45) Boundaries as strategy, not just defense(20:15) Play along to get along (workplace strategy)(22:30) Protecting your energy for your own plan(23:45) Coffee No Cream Resource Database (tool plug)(25:15) Closing thoughts & today’s Code
Resources & Links👉 Get Our Free Courses Database👉 Join the Coffee No Cream Facebook Community👉 Subscribe for more stories & strategies for Black Women in business

Friendships in the workplace can feel complicated, especially for Black women. In this panel, Erin Braxton, Abby the Attorney, and Tracie Walker open up about their personal experiences with workplace friendships, performative allyship, microaggressions, and the ways racism, sexism, and colorism shape professional relationships.

From “nasty nice” coworkers to being excluded on work trips, this candid conversation is the survival guide we all wish we had earlier in our careers.

Timestamps

(00:00) First thoughts on friendships in the workplace

(00:18) Abby’s story about sharing personal info that backfired

(00:33) Tracie on competition and “nasty nice” coworkers

(00:58) Erin introduces Coffee No Cream and today’s panel

(02:40) Panel introductions

(03:54) What we would tell our younger selves about workplace friendships

(05:40) Abby’s law firm friendship story and betrayal

(09:16) Microaggressions and hair comments

(09:34) Erin’s ad agency story: promoted then fired

(11:57) Tracie’s first workplace and spotting red flags

(14:54) From enemies to friends: shifting dynamics

(17:07) Lessons from growing up in PWIs versus Black spaces

(20:00) Erin on jealousy and subtle digs at work

(21:19) Abby explains why no friendships lasted

(23:51) Secret friendships, forgiveness, and survival

(25:22) How our outlooks changed over the decades

(28:55) Racism in childcare and “is this for white people”

(32:13) The Black church college fair incident

(35:53) Corporate white people versus Air Force base white people

(37:55) Handling work lunches today

(40:37) Work trips, dinners, and being watched

(44:37) Firm retreats, boats, and uncomfortable bonding

(47:22) Exclusion and “team player” pressure

(50:22) Weddings, birthdays, and coworker invitations

(53:50) Why inviting coworkers into your home is a no

(54:40) Abby’s “last white friend” story

(57:37) Erin on explaining Coffee No Cream to white friends

(59:21) Why “leftovers” are not innocent offers

(1:00:13) “I thought racism was over” ignorance

(1:02:19) Performative allyship online

(1:04:56) The mammy role and propping others up

(1:07:49) Being constantly observed and the “Superwoman” trope

(1:09:37) Why Abby left law firms

(1:11:06) Tracie on workplace culture versus the work itself

(1:12:17) How praise sparks resentment

(1:13:20) Tracie’s lifelong perception skills

(1:16:09) Were we prepared by our parents

(1:20:27) Racism, sexism, and colorism colliding

(1:23:05) Growing up in PWIs versus Black communities

(1:26:50) Erin on moving to white neighborhoods and balance

(1:28:02) Abby on resentment and survival

(1:28:59) Why sharing these stories matters

(1:30:25) Closing thoughts and thank yous

CONNECT WITH TRACIE:TikTok YouTubeCONNECT WITH ABBY:TikTokInstagramYouTube LinkedIn April Holloway Resources & Links👉 Join the Free Courses Database Waitlist (Launching Oct 1)👉 Join the Coffee No Cream Facebook Community 👉 Subscribe for more stories & strategies for Black Women in business

Black Women — what’s next after leaving a toxic job? In this special Q&A episode, I’m answering YOUR direct questions from the comments:

✅ “I just left a toxic job — what now?”

• ✅ “How do you become an entrepreneur?”

• ✅ “How did you learn tech, and what steps did you take?”

• I’m sharing my personal journey — from being fired, broke, and embarrassed… to building a business, learning tech, and creating opportunities on my own terms. Plus, I’ll give you a sneak peek at the Coffee No Cream Free Courses Database, launching October 1st 🎉

  If you’ve ever felt stuck, pushed out, or ready for something new — this episode is for you.

  
  

  Timestamps

  (00:00) What’s Next After a Toxic Job?

  (09:30) What If You Don’t Have Money Saved?

  (18:00) Centering Yourself & Finding Creativity

  (25:00) How to Become an Entrepreneur

  (36:00) My Journey Into Tech

  (50:00) Preview: Coffee No Cream Free Courses Database (Launching Oct 1)

  (56:00) Finding Coaches & Getting Help

  (1:02:00) Closing Encouragement + Next Week’s Panel Preview

  
  

  ✨ If this spoke to you, follow the podcast and share it with another Black woman who needs encouragement right now.

  👉 Join the Free Courses Database Waitlist (launching Oct 1):

  👉 Join the Coffee No Cream Facebook Community