Black Staffers Fleeing White House Jobs in ‘Blaxit,’ Cite ‘Toxic’ Work Environment, Lack of Black Mentors

The exodus of African-Americans from White House staff positions, dubbed “Blaxit,” is being attributed to institutional problems, such as a lack of Black mentors and leadership.

Nearly two dozen Black White House staffers have either left, or are preparing to leave, their positions – and the work environment is a major reason – Politico reported Tuesday:

“At least 21 Black staffers have left the White House since late last year or are planning to leave soon. Some of those who remain say it’s no wonder why: They describe a work environment with little support from their superiors and fewer chances for promotion.

“The departures have been so pronounced that, according to one current and one former White House official, some Black aides have adopted a term for them: ‘Blaxit.’”

“They described an operation in which mentorship is hard to come by and opportunity to move up the ranks of a tight-knit operation is exceptionally rare,” Politico reports, noting the departures of Vice President Kamala Harris senior aides Tina Flournoy, Ashley Etienne, Vincent Evans, and public engagement head Cedric Richmond.

Richmond’s absence has been particularly harmful to Black employees, who have described him as a “mentor,” “big brother” and “nucleus” for African-American staffers. “Black folks need some person to go to, to strategize and be a mentor, and we just don’t have as many folks who can be mentors to us,” one staffer told Politico.

Vice President Kamala Harris’ office has been hard hit. In April, Harris’ Chief of Staff Tina Flournoy left, “joining a growing list of Harris aides who have called it quits over the past year,” The New York Post reports, citing a “toxic environment” in her office.

“Questions have been raised as many of the departures from Harris’ office coincided with increased criticism over her reported treatment of her staff,” The New York Post reports. 

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