Does Serving on a Prestigious Corporate Board Actually Hurt Women’s Future Prospects?
New research by Harvard Business Review suggests that serving on a prominent corporate board decreases women’s likelihood of securing additional board appointments.
We all know how important it is to have women represented in the boardrooms of corporate America. Study after study has underscored the benefits of diverse perspectives on a corporate board, including improved decision-making.
Shellye Archambeau, a 2026 Women of Power Legacy Award honoree, who sits on the boards of Verizon, Roper Technologies, Okta, and Lineage, summed it up perfectly: “The broader set of perspectives you have in making any decision and hashing through any idea, will give you a broader way of thinking about it, will give you both opportunities as well as risks.”
“If everybody’s thinking the same, then every idea is going to sound perfect,” she told BLACK ENTERPRISE. “So you want people that bring different views.”
But new research from Harvard Business Review looks beyond representation and the impact diverse directors have on an organization to the effect that board service has on the directors themselves.
In a review of almost 2,000 board directors from the FTSE-100 (the 100 largest companies on the London Stock Exchange), where women now hold approximately 45% of corporate board seats, HBR found that women who serve on these boards are generally more likely than men to be appointed to additional boards. However, as the prominence of the board they serve on increases, women directors’ likelihood of getting additional board placements begins to decrease.
What’s causing this? HBR’s exploration of why this gender divide exists suggests two reasons that many women executives are already familiar with—increased workload and increased scrutiny:
“Our research suggests that this scrutiny is often more intense for women, raising expectations around preparation and performance and requiring greater effort to demonstrate competence. Women may also be more likely to take on additional responsibilities, such as mentoring, representing the organization externally, or contributing to diversity initiatives. These demands are rarely formalized, but they add up. They can shape how women are evaluated and how willing they are to pursue further opportunities, which helps explain why prestige can sometimes become a constraint rather than a springboard.”
Unrelated research shows that those extra responsibilities come at a steep cost for women, as female board members on the FTSE-100 are paid 69% less than their male counterparts, according to employment lawyers Fox & Partners. Even an apples-to-apples comparison of pay for executive (full-time) board members and non-executive (part-time) board members reveals that women earned 26% and 33% less, respectively.
HBR experts Isabel Fernandez-Mateo, Adecco Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at London Business School; Hans Frankort, professor of strategy at Bayes Business School, City St George’s, University of London; and Raina Brands, professor of organizational behaviour at University College London’s School of Management, shared their recommendations for what organizations can do to ensure elite corporate board placements lead to advancement for women directors. Those suggestions include clarifying expectations around roles, assessing how responsibilities are distributed, and pairing visibility with sufficient support and sponsorship.
Lester McPherson Challenges African Americans and Minorities to Embrace this Explosive Technology
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become part of much of today’s society: entertainment, customer service, manufacturing, and — yes — even medicine. It’s transforming how Americans live, work, and lead. No one knows it better than Lester McPherson, director of Global Specialized Delivery at AWS. He says AI is here to stay and encouraged everyone who attended last year’s XCEL Summit For Men to embrace it.
Understanding the opportunities and risks associated with its development and integration will be critical to tomorrow’s career success. And while a heated debate centers on AI ultimately replacing the human workforce, instead, McPherson wants today’s Black men and women to learn how humans can collaborate with AI. Noting that there aren’t enough African Americans and minorities in this space, but opportunities are everywhere.
As BLACK ENTERPRISE approaches its 10th anniversary of the XCEL Summit For Men this year, both the editors of BLACK ENTERPRISE and the many panelists who attended this past Summit encourage everyone to stand out as leaders in the age of AI. Listen to McPherson, one of last year’s panelists, make his case in this short clip from his on-stage interview with moderator Dwayne Dixon, managing principal of Dwayne Dixon International.
Atlanta Senior Carries Historic Family Legacy To Georgia Institute Of Technology
Ralph Long IV, a graduating senior at Benjamin E. Mays High School, will attend Georgia Tech this fall after earning top academic honors, years after his grandfather helped to desegregate the university.
An Atlanta high school senior is preparing to continue a family legacy more than six decades in the making at Georgia Institute of Technology, CBS News reports.
Ralph Long IV, a graduating senior at Benjamin E. Mays High School, will attend Georgia Tech this fall after earning top academic honors, including a Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR), and ranking among the top 10% of his class. The achievement carries historical significance for the Long family because his grandfather, Ralph Long Jr., was one of the first Black students admitted to the university in 1961.
Long IV said he chose Georgia Tech for its engineering opportunities and plans to study computer engineering with a focus on artificial intelligence and hardware systems. He also received several scholarships ahead of enrollment.
His grandfather, alongside Ford Greene and Lawrence Williams, became known as “The Three Pioneers” after integrating Georgia Tech during the height of the Civil Rights Movement. The three men were later honored with statues on campus recognizing their role in desegregating the institution.
Ralph Long Jr. told CBS Atlanta that his time at the university was marked by isolation and intense scrutiny. He recalled avoiding much of campus life because of safety concerns and racial tensions during the era, but looks forward to Ralph IV experiencing his own journey.
“The legacy is there but it’s Ralph’s will now,” said Long Jr. “He has to prove himself. Hopefully, he realizes he has the capabilities to do a lot of things that enable other Blacks to follow him and continue the legacy.”
For his grandson, the experience is expected to look very different.
Long IV said comparing his acceptance process to his grandfather’s underscored how much access and opportunity have changed for Black students pursuing higher education in STEM fields.
“I want to make sure I get a lot of hardware and software experience there. I definitely want to see what their AI machines are looking like.”
Georgia Tech’s history with Black students has become a broader symbol of educational progress in Atlanta. The university has continued recognizing trailblazing Black alums, including Ronald Yancey, who became the school’s first Black graduate in 1965.
As Long IV prepares to enter the Georgia Institute of Technology, his grandfather said he hopes the milestone inspires more Black students to pursue higher education and careers in technology and engineering.
Tourism is far more than a leisure industry in Jamaica; it is the economic heartbeat of the island nation. As Jamaica’s primary source of foreign exchange earnings, tourism contributes more than 30% to Jamaica’s GDP both directly and indirectly, while supporting approximately 175,000 jobs across hospitality, transportation, agriculture, construction, banking and finance, entertainment, and utilities.
Jamaica’s tourism relevance is amplified by the broader Caribbean market, where travel is a major economic force. According to the Caribbean Tourism Organization, the region welcomed approximately 35 million stay-over visitors in 2025, signaling continued momentum across Caribbean destinations.
For Jamaica, however, that momentum was interrupted by one of its most devastating natural disasters in recent history.
Hurricane Melissa’s Devastating Economic and Human Toll
Hurricane Melissa delivered a historic blow to Jamaica, exposing the vulnerability of tourism-reliant economies to climate disasters.
According to a United Nations recovery assessment, current estimates place total damage and economic losses between US$8 billion and US$15 billion—nearly one-quarter of Jamaica’s GDP. Dennis Zulu, UN Resident Coordinator for Jamaica, the Bahamas, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, and Turks and Caicos, described the scale as catastrophic. The hurricane impacted more than 626,000 people, claimed 45 lives, and left widespread damage across the island.
The storm’s destruction was severe. At least 120,000 buildings lost roofs, primarily across southwestern Jamaica, while 90 emergency shelters remained operational, housing nearly 950 displaced residents unable to return home.
Entire communities were left vulnerable. “Western parishes were left without electricity for weeks on end,” the UN report noted.
The damage extended into Jamaica’s education system as well, with approximately 450 schools—nearly two-thirds of schools nationwide—reporting significant damage, including roof loss, structural failure, and major disruptions.
Within just five days of the storm, Jamaica successfully accommodated approximately 25,000 visitors, minimizing disruption and preserving traveler confidence. Within weeks, the country announced reopening plans, sending a strong signal to international markets.
According to Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, recovery is rooted in trust.
“Confidence and trust define tourism,” Bartlett said to BLACK ENTERPRISE. “Hospitality is in the DNA of Jamaican people.”
That trust is supported by Jamaica’s hospitality infrastructure, particularly in Kingston, which experienced limited storm damage and continued operating as a critical business and tourism hub.
Kingston Hotels as a Stabilizing Force
As recovery efforts accelerated, Kingston’s hotel sector played an important role in maintaining tourism continuity.
“The Jamaica Pegasus is literally the grand dame of Kingston—a timeless beauty with a rich tradition of impressive service,” says Group Director of Marketing & Sales for Courtleigh Hospitality Group, Nicola Madden-Greig. Often referred to as the Protocol Hotel of Kingston, Jamaica Pegasus Hotel has long served as a cornerstone for dignitaries, executives, and high-profile events.
“We’ve hosted royalty, presidents, and dignitaries from around the world,” Madden-Greig explains. “We’re known for executing high-stakes, high-profile events with ease.”
Its sister property, The Courtleigh Hotel & Suites, complements that offering with a boutique-style experience while supporting Kingston’s growing MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) market.
Tourism’s Ripple Effect Across Jamaica
For Madden-Greig, tourism’s economic impact is broad and deeply interconnected. “Tourism touches so many industries,” she says. “From agriculture, manufacturing, to the creative industry, we rely heavily on Jamaican businesses.”
That interdependence makes tourism recovery especially critical after climate-related events, helping reactivate local suppliers, transportation providers, entertainers, restaurants, artisans, and entrepreneurs.
Repeat Visitors and Jamaica’s Emotional Brand Advantage
Jamaica’s recovery is strengthened by one of its most valuable tourism assets: visitor loyalty. According to Bartlett, approximately 45% of Jamaica’s visitors are repeat travelers, reinforcing the island’s strong emotional brand equity.
“The repeat visitor is critical to the tourism sector and industry,” Bartlett says.
Many travelers return with family, driving intergenerational travel patterns that sustain long-term tourism demand.
“We are more than an island and geography,” Bartlett says. “We are a living organism with eyes, ears, warmth, emotion, and love.”
He summarizes Jamaica’s tourism essence in three words: food, music, and love.
Building a More Resilient Tourism Future
Jamaica is not simply rebuilding—it is reimagining.
Recovery plans include highway improvements across the North and South Coasts, expanded maritime tourism experiences in Lucea, and a new inland airport planned for Vernamfield to reduce vulnerability to coastal weather disruptions.
Meanwhile, Port Antonio is being positioned as Jamaica’s next luxury destination.
A new medical campus in Montego Bay and expanded Destination Assurance protocols are also strengthening Jamaica’s tourism resilience strategy.
“What you eat and drink, hospitality—the tourism product is Jamaica,” Bartlett says.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica has demonstrated that resilience is not simply about restoring buildings, but restoring confidence, protecting people, and evolving its tourism infrastructure for the future.
Jamaica’s message to the world is clear: the island is open, resilient, and ready for its next chapter.
New Harvard Course Studies Beyoncé, Cowboy Carter To Educate Students On Public Policy
The course is titled "American Requiem: Beyoncé, Benefits and the Gap Between Promise and Delivery"
A new course at Harvard Kennedy School is using Beyoncé and Cowboy Carter as a lens to examine gaps in America’s public policy system, highlighting how pop culture continues to shape academic conversations around race, inequality, and government services.
The course, titled “American Requiem: Beyoncé, Benefits and the Gap Between Promise and Delivery,” was developed by adjunct lecturer Ayushi Roy and focuses on how federal aid programs often fail the communities they are intended to support. According to the university, the class draws connections between themes explored in Beyoncé’s 2024 album and shortcomings in social safety-net programs such as Medicaid and SNAP.
Roy said the class encourages students to analyze the disconnect between government policy intentions and the lived experiences of marginalized Americans. The curriculum reportedly uses the album’s exploration of overlooked Black contributions to country music as a framework for broader discussions about systemic inequities and institutional erasure.
“She frames the album as a conversation about the erasure of African American people from country music. But after seeing Beyoncé perform, you realize that she’s actually making a commentary about Black erasure from ‘country,’ the body politic, not country as a genre of music, and that really inspired me.”
The course is being offered through Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, during a time when colleges across the country are increasingly incorporating contemporary music, film, and media into public policy and social science coursework. Beyoncé’s album, which won Album of the Year at the 2025 Grammy Awards, has already generated extensive academic and cultural discussion surrounding race, Americana, and representation in country music.
Roy collaborated with historian Trey Walk while reshaping the course, according to reports. Together, they designed lessons examining how bureaucratic systems can unintentionally exclude vulnerable communities despite promises of equity and access.
The class reflects a growing trend among universities using modern cultural touchstones to engage students in conversations about public policy, technology, and social justice. Harvard officials said the course aims to help future policymakers better understand how government programs function in practice, not just in theory.
AI Could Turn Your Selfies Into A Security Risk, Experts Warn
The warning gained renewed attention after reports surfaced that scammers could extract biometric data from photos taken within five feet
Artificial intelligence (AI) tools are raising new concerns about online privacy after cybersecurity experts warned that fingerprints may be recoverable from high-resolution selfies, particularly photos showing the popular peace sign pose. According to Gadget Review, advances in AI image enhancement now make it easier for criminals to sharpen and reconstruct fingerprint details captured in everyday social media photos.
The warning gained renewed attention in May after reports surfaced that scammers could potentially extract biometric data from photos taken within roughly five feet of a camera lens. According to the site, AI-powered editing software can enhance ridge patterns on exposed fingertips and turn blurry images into more detailed biometric templates.
Experts say the threat is particularly concerning because fingerprints, unlike passwords, cannot easily be changed once compromised. Criminals could theoretically use reconstructed prints to bypass fingerprint authentication systems tied to smartphones, banking apps, smart locks, and other connected devices.
The concept itself is not entirely new. Security researcher Jan Krissler demonstrated more than a decade ago that fingerprints could be recreated from publicly available photos, including images of political figures. However, analysts say modern AI tools and increasingly powerful smartphone cameras have dramatically lowered the technical barriers required to perform such attacks.
Still, some digital forensics experts caution that the risk may be overstated in average real-world conditions. Researchers interviewed by Euronews said successful fingerprint extraction typically requires ideal lighting, high image quality, and precise camera angles, making widespread abuse difficult for most cybercriminals.
Cybersecurity specialists nevertheless recommend limiting the amount of biometric detail shared online. Suggested precautions include avoiding close-up photos with fingertips facing the camera, reducing image resolution before posting selfies, and enabling additional authentication methods beyond fingerprint recognition.
The growing concern reflects a broader trend of AI-assisted cybercrime, as experts warn that scammers are increasingly using AI to automate fraud, phishing, and identity theft.
A Message from Our CEO: ‘It’s Extraordinary Times’
Earl “Butch” Graves, Jr., Spells Out Why the XCEL Summit for Men is for Extraordinary People Like You!
As Black Enterprise continues its journey toward the 10th anniversary of the XCEL Summit for Men, we take a moment to hear an important message from CEO Earl “Butch” Graves, Jr., about why a summit of this magnitude is needed today more than ever. And while he emphasizes that XCEL is about celebrating the excellence of Black leadership in corporate America and beyond, it’s also designed to help identify, invest, and maximize the value of each person as a potential executive leader. The summit offers tools and insight into what it takes to rise in corporate America and the strategies needed to thrive in its demanding roles. Yes! It’s extraordinary times for the Black community, but Butch Graves challenges everyone in attendance at the XCEL Summit for Men to be part of the solution. Black Enterprise didn’t create the XCEL Summit to be nice; he says it’s because it’s necessary. Do you share in Butch Graves’ belief? If so, then let Black Enterprise help lift you up in your career. Hear it directly from the CEO himself.
Dr. Brandy Williams of Revolution RX Compounding Pharmacy talks perimenopause
Dr. Brandy Williams, the first Black woman to own a sterile compounding pharmacy in Texas, shares what Black women need to know about perimenopause
Could perimenopause be the reason you’re not performing like you used to at work? Absolutely, says pharmacist Dr. Brandy Williams—the first and only Black woman to own a sterile compounding pharmacy in the state of Texas and the second in the nation.
Never heard of a compounding pharmacy? Unlike traditional pharmacies, which dispense mass-manufactured medications (one strength, one dosage form, one standard formula for everyone), compounding allows pharmacists to customize medications. That may mean adjusting the strength, changing the form from a capsule to a cream or injection, removing allergens or unnecessary dyes, or combining ingredients to improve outcomes.
“I discovered the power of compounding during my pharmacy training, and it completely changed the way I viewed patient care,” Dr. Williams says.
“I met a woman who had been struggling to find a hormone therapy that actually worked for her. The commercially available options contained fillers and inactive ingredients that her body simply could not tolerate, and no traditional pharmacy could customize the medication she needed,” she continues.
“I formulated a personalized compound specifically for her, and a couple of weeks later, she called me emotional, saying, ‘I finally feel like myself again.’ That moment stayed with me. It showed me that personalized medicine is not a luxury—for many patients, especially women navigating hormonal changes, it’s necessary healthcare.”
Dr. Williams went on to pursue advanced sterile compounding training and then built Revolution RX Compounding Pharmacy with a focus on precision medicine, hormone optimization, wellness therapies, and innovative compounded treatments, primarily through sterile preparations such as injectables, IV therapies, peptide formulations, and bioidentical hormone therapies.
Here, she shares what all Black women should know about their midlife hormonal health, and especially how it may be affecting them professionally.
What do you wish every woman knew about perimenopause?
Perimenopause does not begin the day your periods stop. It begins years before menopause, and many women are experiencing symptoms without even realizing their hormones are shifting. For some women, those changes can begin as early as mid-30s or early 40s.
The earliest signs are often subtle and frequently dismissed: disrupted sleep, waking up in the middle of the night, brain fog, increased anxiety, mood changes, unexplained weight gain, fatigue, heart palpitations, low libido, or changes in menstrual cycles. Many women start questioning themselves because nobody connected these symptoms to hormonal changes.
I want women to understand that these experiences are real, they are common, and they are not signs that you are “losing your mind.” They are often signs that hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are fluctuating and declining.
Most importantly, I want women to know they do not have to suffer in silence or accept feeling unlike themselves as their new normal. There are options. There are solutions. Whether that involves lifestyle changes, nutrition, supplementation, stress management, bioidentical hormone therapy, or personalized wellness support, women deserve education, support, and access to care that helps them maintain their quality of life through every stage of womanhood.
Sometimes we feel like we’re losing our minds because doctors aren’t taking us seriously.
Medical gaslighting is a very real issue, and unfortunately, many Black women experience it far too often within the healthcare system. It happens when symptoms are minimized, dismissed, or explained away without a deeper evaluation of what may truly be happening in the body. Women are often told they’re “just stressed,” “just getting older,” or that their symptoms are simply something they have to live with.
For many Black women, this experience creates frustration, delayed treatment, and a loss of trust in healthcare altogether. Research continues to show disparities in how Black women’s pain, symptoms, and hormonal concerns are addressed compared to other populations, despite often experiencing more severe or longer-lasting symptoms during perimenopause and menopause.
One of the things I hear most from patients is, “I knew something was wrong, but I felt like nobody was listening to me.” That’s why patient advocacy and education are such a major part of what we do at Revolution RX Compounding Pharmacy. I believe women deserve to be heard, properly evaluated, and included in conversations about their own health. We are no longer suffering in silence!
My role is not to replace the physician, but to collaborate with healthcare providers to help patients access individualized solutions and feel empowered throughout their wellness journey. Sometimes healing begins the moment a woman finally feels seen and validated.
How are unmanaged perimenopause symptoms affecting women, specifically when it comes to work?
The impact of unmanaged perimenopause symptoms in the workplace is significant, yet often invisible. Many women are navigating brain fog, sleep disruption, chronic fatigue, anxiety, mood changes, and difficulty concentrating while still managing demanding careers, leadership roles, businesses, and families.
These symptoms can affect productivity, confidence, decision-making, communication, and overall workplace performance. Sleep disturbances alone can leave women functioning on exhaustion while still being expected to perform at a high level professionally.
What makes it even more challenging is that many women suffer silently because perimenopause and menopause are still stigmatized. Instead of seeking support, many begin questioning themselves personally and professionally. Normalizing these conversations is critical because women should not have to choose between their wellness and their professional success.
Can you share some effective strategies for managing those symptoms?
One of the most effective things women can do is start tracking their symptoms. Pay attention to patterns—such as sleep changes, anxiety, brain fog, fatigue, mood shifts, cycle irregularities, or hot flashes—because that information helps both the patient and the provider better understand what’s happening hormonally. Data is power.
It’s also important to work with a healthcare provider who listens and takes your concerns seriously. Women should feel empowered to advocate for themselves and ask questions about all available treatment options, including hormone support when appropriate.
Lifestyle matters, too. Prioritizing protein intake to help maintain muscle mass, focusing on quality sleep, incorporating stress-reduction practices like deep breathing or mindfulness, and staying hydrated can all make a meaningful difference in symptom management during perimenopause.
Strategic supplementation is important as well. Magnesium can support sleep quality, mood regulation, muscle function, and stress response, while vitamin D plays a critical role in immune health, mood support, and maintaining bone strength. Calcium and vitamin K2 are also beneficial, especially as hormonal changes increase the risk of bone loss. Vitamin K2 helps direct calcium into the bones where it belongs, supporting both bone density and cardiovascular health.
For some women, bioidentical hormone therapy can also be a valuable tool. Through a compounding pharmacy, therapies can often be customized to fit an individual patient’s needs, symptoms, and treatment goals.
And finally, community matters. So many women think they’re experiencing this alone, when in reality millions of women are navigating the same transition. That’s one of the reasons I created the Midlife Method RX (a Skool community)—to give women education, support, and a safe space to have honest conversations about midlife wellness, hormones, and healing.
At the time, the 34-year-old attorney was working at a law firm handling contingency work when cases and court activity began drying up. Morgan decided to pivot.
After a cousin asked him to help register a trademark for a business, he started offering trademark services on Fiverr, the freelance platform, and within months, demand exploded.
By 2021, Morgan had left his law firm job entirely.
His company, Morgan Business Solutions, LLC, now handles trademark searches, filings, and brand protection for companies worldwide. Because trademark law is federal, Morgan can operate remotely anywhere as long as he maintains a U.S. law license.
Today, he splits his time between Dallas and Mexico City, where he now spends most of the year. Morgan runs a remote trademark law business from Mexico City. He also earns rental income from a condo he owns in Chicago.
Morgan said he first visited the Mexican capital in January 2020 and immediately connected with the city’s culture and energy.
The political climate in the United States following the murder of George Floyd also influenced his decision to relocate abroad.
“I wanted a change of environment, but I also wanted to be somewhere that felt alive, creative, and culturally rich. Mexico City gave me that. It’s a global city with incredible food, art, history, and energy, but it also still feels rooted in community,” he told BLACK ENTERPRISE.
He adds, “At the same time, I didn’t want to be out of reach from my family. With my family in Dallas, Mexico City is about a 2.5-hour flight.”
The move wasn’t entirely seamless. Morgan admitted one of the biggest challenges early on was finding community and adapting to life without fluency in Spanish.
“Initially, finding community was the biggest challenge early on. When I first arrived, I didn’t speak Spanish, so my ability to connect with locals was limited. That changed once I became intentional about learning the language,” says Morgan, who took online courses and later studied at a local university.
Morgan also found a growing community of African Americans living in Mexico City, something he says barely existed when he first arrived several years ago.
He also had to adjust to the pace of life in Mexico City. “Life feels more intentional and less transactional than what I was used to in the U.S. That took some adapting,” he admits.
“I educated myself early and ensured I was moving with respect for the local rules and systems,” he noted. “Financially, the adjustment was pretty smooth. I usually rent furnished apartments, which can be more expensive, but it’s a great investment for moving ease and making sure your home feels comfortable. Overall, the cost of living is lower, so I have more disposable income.”
Morgan invests heavily in real estate and entrepreneurial ventures. One of his biggest projects is Casa Papalotl, a boutique hotel development in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca. He has also invested in Ofrenda Spirits, a mezcal company, and Aver Network, a Mexico City-based marketing platform.
In addition to his law practice, Morgan also co-owns Imbiss, a restaurant in Mexico City he helped revitalize.
“Imbiss actually opened in 2021, before I moved to Mexico City. I used to frequent the restaurant because I loved the ambiance, the people I met there, and the food. I was introduced to the owner and my business partner, Ramses, who is an incredibly talented Mexican chef,” says Morgan. “The business was well established, but he was neck deep in the day-to-day and was looking for a partner who could bring a different perspective and help fill operational gaps. For me, it was about taking something that was already good and seeing how we could make it great. I’ve focused on introducing more events, streamlining operations/systems, and introducing a new audience to Imbiss.”
Living and working abroad is an option for many African Americans, says Morgan. But leave with an open mind.
“The biggest misconception is that you have to be rich or extremely well off to move abroad. You don’t. You need a plan, just like you would with any major move,” he says. “Another misconception is that life will automatically be cheap. It can be less expensive, but a lot of people inflate their standard of living once they arrive and end up spending the same amount.”
He adds that being less safe can also be a misconception. “People sometimes assume another country is less safe than their U.S. city, but depending on where you’re from, the opposite can be true. There are things I’m vigilant about in the U.S. that aren’t major concerns abroad, and vice versa. It really depends on the country and the city,” he points out.
Morgan has found it easier to build wealth internationally compared to the U.S. “For me, it’s been easier, mainly because I have more disposable income now. When I lived in Chicago, I was investing around 40% of my income. Now it’s closer to 50%, which accelerates my investment goals,” he says, but adds, “That said, changing countries doesn’t automatically change your habits or who you are. If you’re disciplined in one place, you’ll likely be disciplined in the next. But a more affordable country, whether that’s Mexico, in Europe, Africa, or elsewhere, can create more flexibility and breathing room.”
Mr. ChimeTime Went From Verizon Employee To Popular Food Influencer
Mr. ChimeTime often critiques restaurants that locals have complained about for years, viewing his platform as a way to hold businesses accountable.
Rashad Morton’s journey from a corporate employee to food influencer “Mr. ChimeTime” began with a massive pay cut and a leap of faith during the COVID-19 pandemic. While working for Verizon, the Charlotte native saw his annual commission-based earnings decrease from $140,000 to just $49,000 following a company restructure. After a bout with COVID-19 left him facing a difficult return to work, he decided to pursue food reviewing full-time.
Morton started by simply recording himself eating on his phone. His content quickly gained traction. In the early days, Morton invested his own money. He poured approximately $1,000 a month into Facebook ads to boost his videos and help local restaurants stay visible during pandemic lockdowns. Today, that effort has evolved into a lucrative business involving a full support team, including an editor, an assistant, and managers for his various platforms. He spoke with BLACK ENTERPRISE about his journey to the top of the food chain.
Mr. ChimeTime attributes his success to being relatable and honest, even when his opinions are unpopular. He often critiques restaurants that locals have long complained about, viewing his platform as a way to hold businesses accountable.
“I think I’m relatable, right? So, like a lot of these, and it’s sad to say, but a lot of these restaurants do suck. And when a person like me comes in and says it’s trash, now you’re ready to fight. These restaurants do know they suck, because if you go to the comments, it’s people locally that tell you suck. So if I gotta come down, OK, it shouldn’t take me to come to a city for how, like, however long I stay, to put it on my platform for you to change. Don’t please me, please them.”
This bluntness has occasionally caused friction closer to home. Morton admitted that he sometimes judges the food at family reunions, noting that his critiques once upset his mother and other relatives during Christmas.
Beyond reviews, Morton has made philanthropy a cornerstone of his brand. He has donated thousands of dollars to service workers, including a 15-hour tipping spree in Dallas, where he gave away roughly $13,000 to DoorDash drivers. He also recalled helping Uber drivers in Charlotte during the holidays.
“I understand how hard it is out there for people,” he said, explaining that his desire to give back stems from a sense of appreciation for the audience that put him in his current position.
While he continues to travel the country—expressing particular ambivalence for the “overrated” food scene in New Orleans—Morton expressed confusion about the overwhelming love for Crescent City cuisine.
“I love their beignets. They had me in a chokehold the whole time. But we’re talking about food. No,” he told BE.
His influence now attracts major corporate partnerships. Morton has collaborated with several high-profile brands, including KFC, Wing Stop, Taco Bell, Bojangles, Domino’s, and Verizon (his former employer)
Despite his success in the digital space, Morton is mindful of the volatility of social media monetization. To ensure long-term financial stability, he has begun investing his earnings into real estate, focusing on short-term rentals.
With a potential television show on the horizon, the former salesman is proving that a “leap of faith” can lead to a career far beyond the traditional nine-to-five.
