Thanks to the publisher for this eARC.

In “Gray Areas: How the Way We Work Perpetuates Racism and What We Can Do to Fix It,” Adia Harvey Wingfield delivers a compelling and insightful exploration of the subtle yet pervasive racial biases that continue to shape the American workplace. With a sharp sociological lens, Wingfield dissects the nuanced ways in which discrimination manifests, moving beyond overt acts to uncover the implicit attitudes and informal practices that systematically disadvantage Black workers.

The book is structured around the personal narratives of seven Black professionals, each representing a different sector of the workforce. From Constance, a chemical engineer grappling with academia’s hidden prejudices, to Max, an emergency medicine doctor facing racism from the public he serves, Wingfield paints a vivid picture of the challenges Black employees encounter. The inclusion of Alex, a gig economy worker, is particularly resonant, highlighting the false veneer of equality that independent contracting can present.

Wingfield’s analysis is rigorous and relatable, making “Gray Areas” an accessible read for anyone. Her examination of the gig economy and the deceptive progressiveness of academic institutions is enlightening, offering a fresh perspective on familiar issues. The book’s strength lies in its ability to connect individual experiences with larger systemic problems, thereby humanizing abstract concepts like institutional racism.

One of the most valuable contributions of “Gray Areas” is its actionable solutions. Wingfield doesn’t just diagnose the problem; she prescribes a series of practical steps that organizations can take to dismantle the barriers faced by Black workers. These range from rethinking hiring practices to reshaping organizational cultures to prioritize the experiences of Black employees.

While the book’s focus on Black workers provides clarity, it also leaves the reader curious about the experiences of other non-white groups. An exploration of these dynamics could have added another layer of depth to the discussion. Nevertheless, “Gray Areas” stands as a definitive work on the subject, offering a roadmap for creating a truly equitable, multiracial future in the workplace.

Wingfield’s “Gray Areas” is a must-read for anyone invested in understanding and combating racial inequality at work. It’s a timely reminder that the path to equity is not through grand gestures but through addressing the everyday “gray areas” that continue to uphold systemic racism.

This is an indispensable exploration into many of the ways DEI initiatives have fallen short, caused harm, or benefitted those who were already in the majority. This gave me so much to think about and concrete examples of evidence backed measures to advocate for in the workplace.

I’d recommend this for anyone who works with others, but especially for anyone in a decision-making or hiring position.

This is a timely and relevant book for all of us in any type of organizations to understand how entrenched are systemic issues of racial inequities. Through interviews with black professionals in many types of roles and industries she examines how work drives racial inequality through ,cultural, social and relational aspects - what she describes as the "gray areas." They are called gray areas because they are the unwritten rules and ambiguous behaviors and not overt so difficult to identify, pin-down and change. The book is divided into sections under each of the three aspects. At the end of each section, she identifies actions we can take - whether you are an employee, a leader, a HR leader or DEI practitioner. These actions are helpful to help address these gray areas because it will take multiple levers to address the underlying systems. Hopefully this book helps lead the way for each of us to start taking action to create a better present and future for all.

Thank you to Netgalley and Amistad for an ARC and I voluntarily left this review.

Gray Areas: How the Way We Work Perpetuates Racism and What We Can Do to Fix It is the newest book by Adia Harvey Wingfield, a Sociology professor at WashU in St. Louis. As the title suggests, Dr. Wingfield discusses some of the ways in which racial disparities persist in work settings through the "grey areas" of employment, including mentorship, networking, and evaluation of performance. Through a series of interviews with people in a variety of occupational settings, Dr. Wingfield lays out the cause of some of these disparities and suggestions for addressing them.

A fascinating book about racism in the workplace that would be especially beneficial for hiring managers and supervisors.

Thank you so much to Adia Harvey Wingfield and Amistad for this ARC through NetGalley. Gray Areas is available now!

Such a fitting title. Especially with people going back to work in offices, it's good insight and thought-provoking concepts.

This was a really nuanced, necessary, eye opening exploration of how workplace systems perpetuate racism. A must read.

I know as a woman that life is harder on me than it is for white men, but as a woman pointed out at a conference, life is a lot harder for her as a woman of color that it will ever be for me.
I get away with things she can't even consider.
I decided that I needed more education and this book fits the bill. I have a sociology degree so I know about how potential employers filter out resumes if the name sounds "ethnic" and I know about the history.
However, I never thought about the modern gray areas.
Thank you for letting me read this. I needed it.
I will recommend this to others.

This book delves into the complex interplay between labor and race in America. Though explicit discrimination has declined, workplace inequities persist for Black individuals in hiring, advancement, and leadership. Through a decade of research and 200+ interviews, the author spotlights seven Black professionals' stories, revealing how outdated models perpetuate injustices.

This informative and easy-to-read antiracist book offers new insights and provides concrete solutions—like inclusive hiring, cultural change, and leadership pathways—to build truly equitable workplaces ready for a diverse future.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I don't read a ton of non-fiction, and I'm really picky about what I do read. I'm a manager and, as a librarian, I'm in a (very) predominantly white profession. I'm always interested in considering racial and gender dynamics in the workplace, and I thought this would be an important read. While the content hits hard as it focuses on the titular "gray areas," the unwritten and unspoken structures that lead to racial inequity and inequality in the workforce and that reinforce racism, this was one of the most accessibly-written non-fiction books I've read in a long time. Adia Harvey Wingfield seamlessly integrates academic research with stories from Black employees in the workforce and personal reflection. She focuses on seven subjects, all working in different fields and at different points in their career, and really drives her key points home through their experiences. Each section also ends with several lists of action steps for people in different positions, providing practical guidance for people who want to make change. Well-researched, well-written, and balancing a critical perspective with clear, actionable recommendations, this is one of best and most impactful non-fiction books I've ever read.

I'm always on the lookout for new books to bring to my DEI workgroup, so I thrilled to read the ARC of this. In Gray Areas, the labor divide is discussed in terms of black vs white. I look forward to utilizing the anti racist themes written in this book in my own workplace.