RESEARCH FUELED BY ADVOCACY
Cost of It All:
The Impact of Workplace Culture on Black Women’s Health & Wellbeing
Expanding on Black women’s health and well-being in relation to their livelihoods
You're showing up, delivering, and still running on empty. This research dives into the why.
Many studies highlight the unique challenges Black women face in the workplace, especially in corporate-structured organizations.
These studies have underscored the nuances of microaggressions across work cultures, the pet-to-threat pipeline, and the systemic barriers Black women face, in great detail – giving us substantial evidence to finally name these experiences. There are still intricate details of that story that can provide a deeper look into the health and wellness patterns of Black women at work, which could lead to better health outcomes and resources for Black women.
Very little data tells the story of what happens to Black women’s relationships with nutrition, sleep, emotional balance, and health practices, all of which are vital to a healthy, sustainable life. If Black women struggle to maintain their health and well-being amid workplace pressures and barriers, what is the true cost of their livelihood?
The Cost of It All: The Impact of Workplace Culture on Black Women’s Health & Wellbeing (COIA) insights aims to provide a clear picture of how workplace culture and systemic barriers affect Black women’s overall health and well-being.
COIA is an independently funded and managed research study — no personal data will be recorded or sold to third-party vendors.
Eligibility for this study includes identifying as Black and as a woman.
Employed FT/PT, Recently Laid Off/ Resignation (Up to 18 months)
The survey takes 7–10 minutes, and all responses are anonymous and confidential.
Responses will be published in the COIA Research Report — a first-of-its-kind data resource designed to inform wellness programming, workplace advocacy, and culturally aligned support for Black women.
COIA Focus
Why are we talking about COIA?
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69% of Black women report that work-related stress impacts their health.
COIA examines how workload, pace, and workplace expectations directly influence daily nourishment, rest, and emotional regulation.
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Black women on predominantly white teams experience an 8.9% higher turnover gap, often linked to inequitable access to authority, recognition, and influence.
COIA examines how these structural barriers intersect with wellbeing and the conditions under which Black women’s expertise is validated or constrained.
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68% of Black women report limited access to wellness tools created with their specific needs in mind.
COIA identifies where existing systems fall short and how culturally aligned resources can better support Black women’s wellbeing at work.
*Stats are from external research
Unraveling Data to Improve Outcomes
PERSONAL NOTE
When I earned my holistic nutritionist and health & wellness coach certification, I knew I wanted to center Black women’s relationships with our bodies and experiences that interrupt our ability to care for ourselves as a baseline — in both work and personal settings.
From my own story, I noticed that the moments I was most stressed at work, navigating microaggressions, being overlooked, or managing constant pressure, were the same seasons I neglected my well-being the most.
COIA grew out of a desire to understand these patterns more deeply, identify common threads, and honor the wide range of experiences Black women hold in professional spaces.
Our stories are not a monolith, but they often intersect at many triumphs and challenges. My hope is that COIA helps give understanding, clarity, and visibility to those shared experiences and inspires better resources.
Thank you in advance for participating and sharing!
Queneisha J. Harvey
Founder, LE BLEU BODYCARE | Certified Holistic Nutritionist | COIA Research Director
Join COIA
Cost of It All: The Impact of Workplace Culture on Black Women’s Health & Well-being (COIA) is an independently funded and managed research study — no personal data will be recorded or sold to third-party vendors.