Black Women Deserve the World and so Much More!!!
Over a year and a half ago, I started implementing gratitude into my spiritual practices. This change was inspired by a youtube video by Queen Po where she discussed having gratitude as a means of connecting deeper to God, your Ancestors, and Spirit Guides. As someone who has often felt a lack in my life, at first this change was hard for me because I was unhappy with my circumstances. I was dissatisfied with my retail job, the city I lived in, my pay, and I was struggling with knowing what was next for me. While I had career connections, I felt as though nothing would shake out for me because of my non-traditional career path. Instead of heading straight into law school during the onset of Covid, I decided to follow what actually made me happy. I am deeply passionate about people, culture, beauty, fashion, music, media, and social impact. I went all in on my dream of a creative career that allowed me to follow my passions and do good for the world. Though I do like studying the law, at the time, my heart was somewhere else. Plus, paying for law school online as someone who thrives in an in-person classroom experience was a disaster waiting to happen. Looking back at this time, I cannot even count the number of jobs I applied to and the amount of people I set up informational interviews with. I had multiple spreadsheets, lists, out-reach goals, plans, and I LIVED on linkedin. On top of that as a young professional, so many jobs LIE and say that they are entry level when really they are seeking someone with Associate level experience.
I will completely own that there were easier solutions to my job dilemma. Though I knew what I wanted and I chose to find a way to make it happen as best as I could. Hints the retail job and other remote positions I held at the same time. The choice to follow a less linear career trajectory was rooted in not wanting to live with regret and deciding to cut off remnants of my political undergraduate experience (which is a whole nother story in itself). Regardless of my reasons, I reached a breaking point. I felt stuck and unmotivated but also deeply stressed and desiring a change. I was not making enough and I was not sustaining myself at all. Fast forward to now and I am in a much better job and in an industry that fits everything I am passionate about. Before the holiday seasons began in 2024, I sat with myself and started to think about what it took for me to get where I am and what would it take for me to move forward. While I love my job, there is still ample work that I want to accomplish and I am nowhere near my lifestyle goals.
During this time, I thought about all the lessons I had learned prior to my current role and what new lessons I need to embody to continue flourishing. This blog post is titled Black women deserve the world because I would not be here without their love, support, generosity, patience, talent, wisdom, and grace. Over the course of my life, I have had the privilege of being a mentee to so many insightful and world changing Black women. My mom being the best and most important teacher and supporter from day one. Below I want to recount the lessons/ wisdom I have learned from them because their guidance will forever remain with me. Also, some of these lessons are not direct statements to me but more so lessons I have learned from observing
*There will also be a podcast accompanying this blog post that dives deeper into each lesson.
Reminder these are not all direct quotes but they are listed with quotations for style purposes and uniformity. Not all lessons are a direct quote but also observations I have made from my mentors or influential women who have made an impact in my life. Not everyone's full name will be listed for privacy.
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“You deserve it all and can have it all” My Mom
“Give grace where grace is due” Charlotte
“Authenticity will always be an option- be yourself and you will be free” - Helen
“Breathe life into people and they will breathe life into you” - H. G
“Poise will hold you together” - Caroline
“You are not meant to be everybody’s favorite or even a liked person by everybody and that's fine. Know yourself.” - Dr. W
“Study, be observant, ask questions with intention. Be as if you are already there.” - Bobby
“Fashion, beauty, culture, art, expression, and innovation is all Black! Period!” - D. B
“Details matter, pay attention to them and always be willing to dive deeper.” - Sabrina
“Community is key to the revolution! Show up, show up in person, stick to your word, and be unapologetic about being Black.”- D. D
“Step into your power or lose what you are!” - A. A
“Abundance is your birthright and it is easy and well.” - Queen Po
“Remain steady in yourself, as the world will test you and people will test you and you must remain steady.” - Grandma
“You are an executive, act like one.” S. D
“Care, if you do anything in your life, just care.” - R.
“Don’t let these jobs or people stress you out.” - C.
“Be mystical and magical. Everything is within your capacity and you can have it all.” - N.
“Be creative and define what creative means to you.” - Beyoncé
“Tap into yourself, don't limit yourself, you are everything and don’t ever think less of yourself.” - Ancestors
“You are special and deserve all beautiful things!” - Mom
Image cover link here.