One of the greatest media phenoms to ever hit the television airwaves was Oprah Winfrey. Winfrey grew up a poor Black girl in Mississippi and became the first Black female media personality to earn over $1 billion. She has given great voice and visibility to the numerous people whom she featured on her daily talk show. Doctor Oz, Rachel Ray, Doctor Phil, and interior designer Nate Burkus have all benefited by getting their own show per Winfrey's backing. (It was a bit curious to many that, in twenty-five years, a Black female wasn't in that lot, but...moving on...)
Fortunately, other women have used the vehicle open to them to give voice to women of color who are not so famously known, but perhaps should be. In the article, "Top African-American Women in Business...Other than Oprah," author Erin Abrams lists ten highly successful Black women who are movers and shakers in the finance and business industry. I, too, am one to readily support and endorse people who are hard-working, dedicated, and who have a good message to share with others. For too many years, Blacks have been accused of being a part of the "crab barrel syndrome." Not here.
As you know, crabs in a barrel don't help each other up; they climb over, and step on, each other--even kick others crab in the face--in order to make it to the top by themselves. While this may work for crabs, such an approach and psychology can be harmful to our people who continue to strive toward a higher level of financial stability and success in this country and around the world. We need to apply ourselves and also help each other on the upward climb to greater success and financial security.
You know of the pop icons. You know of prominent Black women who accompanied the Obamas to Washington DC; you likely know their names and recognize their faces. All of these public figures are great successes and greatly-accomplished powerhouses. But remember and recognize there are plenty more--thousands, even millions--of Black women with their own stories of personal and professional success.
I want to recognize some Black women whose names you may not know. Do I know these women? Only one. But I list the others to celebrate them. To give them voice and visibility. And some of their stories might be similar to yours, for not many were born with a silver spoon in their mouth; many had most humble beginnings.
As you read these mini-bios (plenty more are in Living Well), celebrate these women as you contemplate your desires and dreams for 2012. Just as they did, so can you. Whatever you set your mind to do, you can do it, but success takes a plan and hard work. Regardless of the negative images you see in the media, look around: Bountifully blessed, successful, accomplished, happy Black women are all around you. Even look within yourself--she just might be you--waiting to unfold. Enjoy:
Phenomenal Black Women...Doing Their Thing!
Laysha Ward is a 19-year veteran of Target, and has been the President of Community Relation, and the Target Foundation, at Target Corporation since August 1, 2008. She manages Target Corporation's domestic and international grant making and coordinates Target Corporation's civic activities, including volunteer opportunities for Target's more than 350,000 team members. In early 2011 Target Corporation announced the promotion of Ms. Ward to the company's executive committee.
Kimberly Anadikye, at age fifteen, made a record breaking flight across the United States of America, accompanied only by a veteran who flew with the Tuskegee Airmen. She's believed to be the youngest Black female to pilot an airplane from coast to coast.
Eva Jane Bunkley is a writer, producer, filmmaker, and an award-winning make-up artist who has worked on numerous celebrities.
Valerie Daniels-Carter owns 137 food service franchises worth $90 million. These include 37 Burger Kings, 68 Pizza Hut's and 27 Auntie Anne's Pretzels.
Lilly Boyd-Jarrett owns Color Me Beautiful, a cosmetic kiosk she started with funds from her savings account. She placed her business in malls with predominantly Black customers. After just a $5,000.00 entry fee, her revenues have ranged between $150,000.00 to $250,000.00 per annum.
Jasmine Lawrence. At the young age of thirteen, Lawrence became president and CEO of Eden Body Works. Her company manufactures and distributes hair and skin products to such retailers as Whole Foods and Wal-Mart stores.
Carol Rucker-Whitaker, M.D. is the former medical director of the hypertension center at Rush Medical Center in Chicago, IL and the current senior program officer for health at the Chicago Community Trust Foundation--an organization that supports health, education, and art programs for the metropolitan area. She oversees a $6 million budget.
Gina Ferguson-Adams is Senior Vice-President of Governmental Affairs at FedEx. Adams joined FedEx in 1992 as a managing attorney. One of her mottos is "If you work hard enough and think big enough, dreams do come true."
This is just a smattering of phenomenal Black women of all images and all backgrounds (some married, others not) who have risen above their circumstances to better themselves and to positively affect the lives of others. I know the list does not stop here.
If we leave it to the media to tell our stories, they may not do it justice. I believe if we support each other, recognize each other, and stop trying to bring each other down, we can show the world what Black women are all about. We can reveal our strengths and our successes. We can find encouragement when our spirits are low and we might hear a message that speaks directly to our heart.
Even some powerful Blacks with huge access to feature our stories of success, achievement and happiness-don't...or at least they haven't so far. If you wait for Black men to honor you, some of you, unfortunately, may have to wait a bit longer. True, that task shouldn't fall only on the shoulders of Black women to hold each other up; I look forward to the day when more Black men will rise up and honor their female counterparts; show reverence and appreciation for Black women. But in the absence of support from others, there is power within the ranks and hearts of Black women across the land. Be as sisters; stand as one.
Live Well in 2012 my sisters, and keep making us proud.
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To all...Be Healthy, Be Blessed... and make sure you are Living Well, Despite Catchin' Hell, a book about health, sex and happiness, with a foreword by Pauletta Washington, musician and wife of Academy Award winner, Denzel Washington, and endorsed by psychologist Dr. Jeff Gardere and others. [Get it now. It makes a great 'new year, new you' health guide for women--all women. The book includes current comparative data for Black, White, Hispanic, Asian and Native American women. Support books about you: "Like it" on Amazon. Are you Living Well in 2012?
Copyright © 2012 Dr. Melody T. McCloud. All rights reserved. Any excerpts reproduced from this article should include a hyperlink to this-my original post on Psychology Today, with author credit. Feel free to post the link to this, and any of my PT posts, to your social network pages. Follow me here at PT (mostly); and now (I'm finally joining the fray) on Twitter: @DrMelodyMcCloud.
