AI-generated image via Magnific Career by Selena Hill Her Name Is Christopher: How This Black Woman’s Parents Used Strategy To Challenge Hiring Bias This woman's unconventional name illustrates the lengths Black families take to level the playing field for their children. Christopher Stewart is accustomed to getting surprise reactions every time she introduces herself or walks into a job interview. The 40-year-old New York hospitality professional has spent her entire life explaining that, yes, Christopher is her legal first name—and yes, she’s a Black woman. It also points to the calculated decisions many Black families have made to help their children navigate systemic barriers. She told TODAY that employers have often expressed confusion when they realized Christopher Stewart was a woman.