Gatekeeping Hurts Us All

Why We’re Declaring a No-Gatekeeping Zone at Fly Savvy Sol

Gatekeeping is a community-wide problem, a barrier disguised as “standards” that holds us back. And it doesn’t just happen to us—it happens through us. Often unintentionally, we can be both gatekeepers and the gatekept, locked in a cycle that stalls our own growth and that of others. At Fly Savvy Sol, we’re saying “no more.” We’re building a No Gatekeeping Zone.

But first, let’s hold up the mirror. Ask yourself: Have I felt blocked, excluded, or kept in the dark about opportunities? On the other side, have I ever withheld information, doubted someone’s readiness, or been slow to invite others into spaces I value? It’s okay to admit it; awareness is the first step toward change. Let’s look at what gatekeeping is, why it happens, and how we can dismantle it.

What is Gatekeeping, and How Does It Show Up in Our Lives?

Gatekeeping refers to intentionally or subconsciously restricting access to knowledge, resources, or opportunities. It can be as overt as excluding someone from a networking event or as subtle as withholding information that could help someone succeed. A recent report shows that 74% of working women feel they don’t receive the support they need to advance in their careers, much of which is rooted in gatekeeping practices (Lean In, 2023).

It often hides under the guise of “protecting standards” or “waiting for the right fit,” but its impact is the same: people are held back. Especially within the Black community and among women, the barriers we place on each other only strengthen existing systems of exclusion. Rather than building each other up, gatekeeping locks us all in place.

Signs and Symptoms of Gatekeeping

Let’s reflect on the signs. Maybe you’ll recognize them in your experiences, whether you were the one enforcing them or on the receiving end:

• The “Prove Yourself” Cycle: Gatekeepers constantly move the goalposts, demanding others “prove” their worth again and again. A study on workplace culture reports that Black women are 58% more likely to feel scrutinized in their performance than their white counterparts, an indicator of this “prove yourself” phenomenon (Lean In, 2022).
• Lack of Transparency: Resources, steps to advancement, or access to tools are shrouded in secrecy. When knowledge is kept as currency, it keeps others in a dependent or subordinate role. This happens in workplaces, but also in personal networks where access to opportunities should flow freely.
• Subjective Judgments: Gatekeeping often relies on subjective standards that don’t align with actual skills or potential. It’s arbitrary and rooted in personal bias. Consider, for example, the pervasive idea of a “culture fit”—a concept often used to exclude people who don’t match an arbitrary or biased standard, hindering workplace diversity (Harvard Business Review, 2020).

Reflecting on these signs, does any of this sound familiar? Have you encountered or even upheld these practices? If so, know that it’s never too late to course correct.

The Consequences of Gatekeeping

Gatekeeping doesn’t just harm individuals; it harms us all. When we keep information, networks, and opportunities under lock and key, we weaken our collective potential.

For Black women, the impact is intensified. According to a study by McKinsey & Company, Black women in corporate America hold less than 2% of executive roles despite representing over 7% of the workforce. This gap is not due to a lack of talent but rather barriers reinforced by gatekeeping at every level.

Emotional Consequences: Being gatekept leads to feelings of inadequacy, erodes self-worth, and reinforces the fear that “there’s only room for one.” These feelings can spiral, leading to burnout, lack of trust, and disengagement.

Economic Consequences: When gatekeeping keeps capable individuals from advancing, we miss out on the economic growth and innovation that a diverse community brings. Studies show that inclusive teams outperform their less diverse counterparts by up to 35% (McKinsey & Company, 2021), illustrating the immense cost of keeping people out.

Why Black Women are Especially Affected

Black women have always had to fight not only external barriers but also the silent internal ones. When we gatekeep, intentionally or not, we replicate the exclusions we experience in society. In a survey by Lean In, nearly 60% of Black women report feeling “like an outsider” at work, exacerbating feelings of isolation and limited opportunity.

For Black women, each gate closed can mean a lost chance at advancement, diminished financial growth, and reduced access to essential networks. This isn’t a phenomenon that only impacts individuals—it reverberates across families, communities, and generations.

10 Fly Savvy Solutions to Combat Gatekeeping

Together, we can break the cycle and foster a space where every woman thrives. Here’s how we can start today:

1. Share Your Knowledge: Don’t hoard information. When you have valuable insights, share them freely. Knowledge grows when it’s given, not when it’s kept.
2. Create Open Networks: Actively invite others into your circles. This isn’t just networking; it’s power-sharing.
3. Ask, Don’t Assume: If someone is new or unsure, take time to understand their goals and encourage their growth.
4. Be Transparent: Share clear steps and paths to success. Ambiguity is a gatekeeper’s tool.
5. Mentor, Don’t Monitor: Instead of controlling others’ progress, guide them. Mentorship opens doors; monitoring closes them.
6. Challenge Biases: Self-reflect on any resistance you feel to sharing. Often, these are deeply ingrained biases at play.
7. Celebrate Each Other’s Wins: There’s enough room for everyone to succeed. When one of us shines, we all do.
8. Promote Collaboration: Build opportunities to work together instead of competing for scarce resources.
9. Encourage Self-Worth: Remind each other that we belong and are deserving of these spaces and opportunities.
10. Be Your Sister’s Keeper: Let’s uplift each other by actively celebrating our growth, achievements, and contributions.

Join Us in the No Gatekeeping Zone

Our “There Is Strength in Sisterhood” T-shirt is more than just a piece of apparel; it’s a statement. Wear it as a commitment to tear down the walls that keep us from thriving together. Show the world that you’re standing with us in the Fly Savvy Sol No Gatekeeping Zone. Together, we can reshape the narrative and create spaces where every woman has a voice, a role, and a chance to shine.

Shop the “There Is Strength in Sisterhood” T-shirt to make your statement.