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Mandela - Long Walk to Freedom
What has made me "successful"? I like to share with my mentees, a passion for always learning. Strangely, I rarely have the time to read for pleasure and this is something I want to carve out more time for. I love reading but find myself reading and constantly brushing up on topics like economics, business, cybersecurity, and technology. Now that fall is upon us and leaves are falling from the trees, I am excited to sit in the corner of my comfy couch and just let my mind wander in a good book. The book I chose is about Nelson Mandela's life and called "Mandela's Way". I'm currently on a section that describes his inhumane and criminal imprisonment for 27 years because he was advocating for black South Africans. So, to racially intolerant and impatient people that often use cliche statements like "Slavery was 400 years ago, turn the page", I remind them that in the 1980s apartheid was alive and well and a man can be locked up for advocating for equality. I am still early into the book but some words of wisdom I'd like to share from Mandela is his how prison changed him. The book described how prison taught him discipline, focus, and self-control. These are basic characteristics I tell my mentees they need to lead, and the irony is prison was his teacher. So when I get asked what is it like to be a person of color in Corporate America, I often tell people I was molded into a disciplinarian. I am tough on my mentees because the march or should I say 'walk' through Corporate America is bumpy. I currently support many corporations and very happy to add value to their businesses and when I get described as successful -- I'd rather remind others that I'm simply focused, determined, self-controlled, self-aware, and disciplined.
Fearless Funds
Next, I am keeping an eye on the developments surrounding the Fearless Funds. This story came to my attention because it's honestly in my wheelhouse, my backyard, my lane of economics -- investing, and equity. A few years ago, I was drawn into the establishment of this fund when I was listening to some phenomenal women describe how they wanted help scale companies that are run by women of color. These women are: Arian Simone, Ayana Parsons, and Keshia Knight Pulliam (yes Rudy from the Cosby show). To be honest, when I tuned it I came for Rudy but left impressed with the mission. I've then gone on to read stories or watch these ladies live on CNBC and somehow on one of the morning talk shows which I typically do not tune in to. I was shocked when I learned affirmative action was under assault and then gutted when I heard this fund was under attack as well. I've constantly listened to investment company after company pitch that they are targeted scaling business in nice or underserved areas. Heck there are funds that target companies in Europe, Middle East, and Africa known as the EMEA region,
Asia Pacific, and Israel. I've listened to funds that are targeting women and veteran owned businesses, so I was in utter shock to hear that someone had an issue with a fund catering to African American women owned business. It's no secret that number of women in business is rising and definitely no secret that Corporate America is specially targeting women as men seem to be trailing academically. The numbers are the numbers. It no secret part of this marketing started with Sheryl Sandberg, a white woman, invoking the phrase "Lean In" to women in business. This entire movement of supporting ALL underrepresented groups was so empowering, I 'leaned in' by mentoring, training, and hiring persons from underrepresented groups in the technology field. So if investments can target LATAM, EMEA, APAC, and women owned businesses, why do we have an issue with leaning into affirmative action and more importantly the Fearless Funds?
I leave you with an article from AfroTech to learn more: Man Behind U.S. Supreme Court's Affirmative Action Decision Sues VC Fund Supporting Black-Women-Owned Businesses - AfroTech
No African American Women CEOs Running S&P 500 Companies
Finally, I'll end with my thoughts on Roz Brewer resigning from Walgreens Boots Alliance. She inherited a tough job and I was disappointed that she couldn't get a longer tenure to turn around the organization. This moment represents an interesting time in Corporate America. There were 8 African American CEOs running S&P 500 companies and this number was a record. I always tell people to celebrate good news! But this news should be celebrated with a caveat --- we can still do better. With the resignation of Brewer, this number is now down to 7 and also means there are no black women running our top 500 companies. On the heels of Fearless Funds being sued for investing and advocating for women learning how to grow their companies, I think there is a silver lining. We need to continue to move the culture, our culture to being accustomed to creating, growing, and investing in companies started by the African diaspora. An influx of investments is happening in Africa and tech companies are going there by increasing numbers to tap the economy and cheaper labor. That needs to happen here in the US as there are many communities that need uplifting. I've learned so much by running my own business and enjoy leaning into working with vendors from underrepresented groups. I'm a firm believer we need to build a pipeline of talent that comes from and grows the culture.
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