This article was originally published as the Black at the Office newsletter on January 30, 2026.
Right now, in conference rooms you’re not invited to, decisions are being made about 2026. Not announced. Made. Budget allocations. Headcount priorities. Who gets developed, who gets managed out, and who gets labeled “solid contributor,” which is corporate speak for expensive and replaceable.
Your title isn’t changing. Your workload is about to increase. And your pay? That’s going to depend entirely on whether leadership sees you as mission-critical or budget-flexible.
Here’s what they won’t tell you: The people who will be paid well in 2026 are being positioned right now. And if you’re Black in corporate America, you already know how this story goes. We’re the last ones positioned and the first ones told to wait.
We get put on “development plans” while others get put on fast tracks. We’re asked to prove our value while they’re asked about their career goals. We’re told our performance speaks for itself, right up until it’s time to pay us, and suddenly it needs three more data points and a benchmarking study.
This isn’t about effort. It never was. Its about leverage. It’s about timing. And it’s about who leadership believes they cannot afford to lose.
If you wait to think strategically about your compensation, you’ll be negotiating from a position someone else designed, one where you’re already priced at a discount.
This week isn’t about working harder. It’s about positioning yourself so that higher pay becomes inevitable, not a favor you have to keep asking for.
Let’s get to work!
In Case You Missed It
Big Tech Is Taking On Record Debt to Fund AI — And Workers Could Feel It Next
When corporate priorities shift toward AI spending, it often shows up internally as tighter budgets, slower hiring, fewer promotions, and “restructuring” language that conveniently delays raises. And when organizations start cutting costs or freezing growth, Black professionals are often the first to feel the impact, especially those already fighting to be paid at their true market value.
Black Jobs Deficit Cost Black America $87 Billion in Lost Income in 2025
This isn’t just a statistic — it’s a snapshot of how persistent employment gaps continue to erode income, bargaining power, and long-term wealth potential for Black talent. Fewer jobs and higher unemployment mean fewer opportunities for raises, promotions, and the kind of stability that supports career growth and fair pay.
How Black Professionals Can Position Themselves for Higher Pay in 2026
Higher pay isn’t about asking nicer, it’s about positioning smarter. In this week’s featured article, we break down how Black professionals can set themselves up now for better compensation in 2026—without burnout, shame, or hustle myths. This is the playbook they don’t teach at work.
Hidden Jobs at Tomorrow’s Breakout Companies
The best opportunities for Black professionals aren’t always where you’d expect. While major corporations cut headcount to appease shareholders, well-funded startups and growth-stage companies are scaling rapidly and building their leadership teams, often through private networks that bypass traditional job boards.
What makes these opportunities exceptional? Competitive salaries that reflect true market value, clear paths to senior leadership roles, and meaningful equity packages that could transform your financial future. This is where you position yourself not just for a job, but for generational wealth.
Below, we’ve curated companies currently raising capital or positioned for stellar growth with unadvertised positions specifically suited for experienced Black professionals ready to make their mark.
Capital One — This major U.S. bank is doubling down on fintech innovation after acquiring Brex (a leading corporate card + spend management platform) at a steep discount to its peak valuation. The move signals Capital One is investing in the future of business banking, payments, and AI-enabled finance — which could translate into new growth roles across product, data, risk, and tech as the integration scales. For Black professionals, this is a reminder that the next wave of career opportunity may come from companies modernizing fast. View Open Positions
Tulip Manufacturing — This AI-powered frontline operations platform just raised $120M in Series D funding led by Mitsubishi Electric, signaling strong momentum in the industrial tech space. As Tulip scales, it could open up new career opportunities across product, engineering, data, operations, and customer success — especially for Black professionals looking to grow in high-impact AI roles tied to real business outcomes (not just hype). View Open Positions
Cubby — This fast-growing fintech just raised $63 million in Series A funding led by Goldman Sachs, boosting its mission to modernize small business financial tools and expand its platform. As Cubby scales, it could open up opportunities in engineering, product, data, operations, and customer success — offering pathways for Black professionals to shape the next wave of fintech innovation while negotiating competitive pay and leadership roles. View Open Positions
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