Let’s start with a quick dose of reality: Black professionals find solace in neither corporate America nor Big Law. To be blunt, both suck.

Vivia ChenThe numbers tell a sad story. African Americans account for just 0.8% of Fortune 500 CEOs and 3.2% of senior-level executives and managers, according to ”Being Black in Corporate America,” a report by the nonprofit Center for Talent Innovation. And just 2% of partners in the Am Law 200 are black—and that doesn’t even break out those without equity.