Focus on what you really want from negotiating before coming to the table. Does this fit within your career goals? Would it put you in the running for a promotion? Knowing what you want will make it clear what you should ask for.
Communicate your value to your employer. Don’t be afraid to brag on yourself and let them know why you are in the room to begin with. Layout your talents and contributions to the company and why they should be valued.
If you're early in your career, use mentors and career coaches as a beacon of advice for navigating salary talks. You don’t have to know everything. They’ve done this before and can be great encouragement for your negotiations.
Lastly, know when to walk away. Sometimes you’ve done all that you can and still the proposed salary doesn’t meet your expectations. Unless you really need the money, value yourself and look elsewhere for an employer whose salary respects what you bring to the table.
Despite the vast inequalities in the workplace, Black women are fighting for what they rightfully deserve. Our genius and talent should be compensated no matter what and it's up to us to advocate for ourselves.