Dear Erika and Kristin:
I must confess that I burst with pride now that you’ve grown into intelligent, beautiful young women who have graduated from college and launched careers as educators. As both of you embark on the next leg of life’s journey, let me offer some fatherly advice. Now is the time for you to take those critical steps to develop into women of power.
African American women have come a long way since both of you entered this world 22 years ago. Today, Ursula Burns represents one of the most powerful executives in global business as chairman and CEO of Xerox Corp. Janice Bryant Howroyd, CEO of Act-1 Group, operates a thriving BE 100s company that grosses more than $1 billion in annual revenues. Ruth Simmons rose to become president of Brown University and gained recognition as the nation’s best college administrator. And in her role as first lady, Michelle Obama, a Princeton undergrad and Harvard Law School graduate, serves as chief adviser to the president as well as the most prominent woman on the planet.
Both of you are fortunate that you need not look beyond our family for role models; I can think of no better examples of women of power than your grandmother, mother, and aunt. I am so proud you’ve chosen to begin your professional lives as teachers, following in Gramma’s footsteps. However, Mom displayed so many other qualities worthy of emulation: selfless dedication to family and business; unwavering support to Poppa as a true partner in working to realize their shared dreams;
and a relentless drive to uplift the less fortunate. Your mother, too, represents this grand tradition. Her belief in education led her to an M.B.A. from one of the nation’s most prestigious business schools. And although she decided to devote much of her life to the care and development of you and your brothers, she used her business acumen to impact fundraising and philanthropic efforts, helping the disadvantaged gain access to quality education.(Continued on next page)
Your Aunt Caroline has been a guiding force within our family and business as well. She continues to demonstrate the highest standards of excellence as an editor and television host, and she’s representative of the women who make up 70% of BE’s workforce and 50% of our senior management team. Not only do
these diligent professionals contribute to all aspects of our operation, they offer a diversity of experiences and perspectives invaluable to driving our company’s growth. Such professional inspiration abounds: Black Enterprise has covered hundreds of female achievers who have broken the glass ceilings in business, government, media, technology, and education. In fact, you will find other accomplished women as subjects in this issue and at our Women of Power Summit in Orlando from Feb. 27—March 2.In following your career aspirations, I have always stressed that you develop a long-term plan and aim high. That same principle holds true in your personal pursuits. As the two of you bloom into women of power, it is only fitting you select nothing less than men of power–individuals of character, ambition, and substance instead
of flash, bravado, and style. Believe me, the glitter and empty words will not last. Find a mate who will treat you as an equal partner, sharing your values, championing your dreams, and comforting you through stormy days. Don’t ever comprise your standards.I’m sure you are starting to discover that life brings unexpected challenges. Be comforted by the fact that you don’t have to make your journey alone and that my love, support, and counsel are only a phone call or a text away. Whatever course you decide to take or obstacles you face, I am fully confident that if you commit yourself to hard work, education, spiritual strength, and a purpose-driven life, you will emerge as true women of power who will impact the lives of many.