Episode 36: Underbelonging™—The Hidden Corporate Experience for Black Women | Crystle Johnson, Part 2

Nicole S. Palmer continues her conversation with Crystle Johnson, founder of Kinory® and creator of Underbelonging: the hidden experience of being included in corporate spaces without ever feeling fully seen.

Crystle defines Underbelonging and explains why so many Black women spend their careers shrinking themselves, overperforming, and carefully calibrating how they show up at work. Together, Nicole and Crystle examine how Underbelonging manifests in corporate America, including within DEI roles, where practitioners are often caught between executives and employees without meaningful decision-making authority.

The conversation explores why organizations must move beyond performative commitments toward greater clarity and accountability, and how Kinory is creating spaces where Black women can experience genuine belonging through community dinners, workshops, retreats, and courageous conversations. 00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:41 Part Two Intro 01:46 Defining Underbelonging 03:04 Why It Resonates 04:41 Origins Through Kinory 07:19 Taking Up Space 09:42 Kamala As Case Study 12:15 DEI Caught In Middle 15:58 Corporate Honesty 17:26 What Comes Next 19:05 Protecting The Work 21:32 Make Your Own Table 23:58 Where To Find Crystle 25:53 Retreat And Resources 27:47 Closing And Outro To learn more about Crystle: Visit Kinory: Follow Her on LinkedIn: Connect With Her on Instragram: Find Her on TikTok: