Owning Your Voice – Overcoming Misogynoir in Pitch Meetings and Business Negotiations

For Black women founders, the act of walking into a pitch meeting or a business negotiation is not just about presenting our business ideas—it is about challenging the narratives that have been placed upon us. Too often, we are underestimated, spoken over, or treated as if we are in the room as a token rather than as experts. This is the reality of misogynoir, the intersection of racism and sexism that Black women face in professional spaces. It is the reason why, even when we are more than qualified, our competence is questioned. It is why, even when we are assertive, we are labeled aggressive. It is why, despite our talent, we are often dismissed.

In "Tracing My Black History", Bayo Adelaja reflects on how historical erasure and misrepresentation have shaped the way Black people are perceived. This distorted view does not disappear when we step into business spaces. If we are to take ownership of our stories and reclaim our voices, we must be intentional about how we communicate our worth.

Speaking with Authority and Setting Boundaries

Black women are often expected to downplay their expertise to make others comfortable. But we do not need to shrink ourselves to fit into spaces that already seek to exclude us. When negotiating, whether for investment, contracts, or partnerships, we must enter the room with a clear understanding of our worth and refuse to accept anything less.

Owning our voice means refusing to be derailed by microaggressions, condescending tones, or attempts to diminish our expertise. It means reclaiming control over the narrative in the room and ensuring that we set the terms. We are not seeking validation—we are presenting value.

Creating Spaces Where Our Voices Are Heard

Instead of relying solely on traditional business networks, we must also cultivate spaces where Black women’s voices are amplified and respected. Whether through community-based funding initiatives, peer mentorship, or Black-led investment circles, we can create ecosystems that do not require us to constantly prove ourselves to people who were never willing to see us in the first place.

The Power of Reclaiming Our Space

We know that corporate masculinity and misogynoir will not change overnight. But we can refuse to let them silence us. We can build businesses that thrive on our own terms, secure funding without begging for a seat at the table, and negotiate from a place of power rather than defensiveness.

At Do it Now Now, we are invested in your success. We see you, we hear you, and we are here to support you as you own your voice and demand what you deserve.