by Kandiss Edwards

September 17, 2025

Despite Confirmed Sources, Trump Spokesman Denies The Removal Of ‘Scourged Back’ Portrait In Effort To Erase Black History

The Scourged Back shows enslaved man, Peter Gordon’s, scarred skin after an untold number of lashings.

The Trump administration is rumored to have ordered the removal of a Civil War artifact that displays extensive scarring on an enslaved man from the National Gallery of Art. The image titled The Scourged Back has been widely circulated since its production in 1983. It is one of many artifacts, related to slavery, that the Trump administration is attempting to erase.

White House spokesman Davis Ingle denied the allegations in statement to People.

“This is fake news. No decisions have been made on this exhibit – it is under review to ensure compliance with the Executive Order,” Ingles said.

However, the Washington Post cites four individual sources that confirm the image has been ordered removed.

This is just one of the many acts undertaken by the government to purge national parks of “corrosive ideology.” Under the executive order “Restoring Truth and Sanity To American History,” the administration wants to rid the country of “signs referring to racial discrimination and the hostility of White people.”

The Scourged Back shows an enslaved man, Peter Gordon’s, scarred skin after an untold number of lashings. The image was taken to emphasize the horrors inflicted upon enslaved people. Historians say it was widely distributed during the Civil War and helped garner empathy and awareness of the suffering enslaved Americans endured.

Photo of a former slave named Peter exposing his severely whipped back in 1863. The image became know as the "scourged back" photo and it became one of the most widely circulated photos of the abolitionist movement during the American Civil War. pic.twitter.com/SBxzNAlmg2
— Morbid Knowledge (@Morbidful) August 22, 2023

The executive order grants the Interior Department broad authority to remove interpretive signage, educational displays, and gift shop items deemed to present an incomplete or inaccurate portrayal of American history. There is a specific interest in minimizing exhibits that paint a full picture of racism, slavery, or systemic oppression. In several national parks, including Harpers Ferry Historic Park and the President’s House Site in Philadelphia, staff have identified more than 30 signs and exhibits for review or potential removal, according to The Washington Post.

Park Service spokesperson Rachel Pawlitz issued a statement about the review of artifacts that may fall under Trump’s executive order.

“Interpretive materials that disproportionately emphasize negative aspects of U.S. history or historical figures, without acknowledging broader context or national progress, can unintentionally distort understanding rather than enrich it.”

The Scourged Back is a striking image that reveals the violent nature of America’s past, telling a tale of horrors from a pivotal point in the country’s history. Horrors that many fear, if not acknowledged, may be repeated.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

September 17, 2025

Mrs. World Gets Real About Pressures Of Being First Black Winner In Pageant’s History

Tshego Gaelae had never competed in a pageant before becoming Mrs. South Africa.

When Tshego Gaelae become Mrs. World, she didn’t realize all the pressures that would come with the historic title.

The attorney from Johannesburg, South Africa, became the pageant’s first Black winner in January. Gaelae was a novice to the pageant world, never competing before securing the Mrs. South Africa title.

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While not underestimating its immense platform, Gaelae said the transition has come with a learning curve.

“You’d hear the sentiments that people share about pageantry and stereotypes, saying that pageantry women are catty. Women don’t want other women to succeed; women are mean to each other,” she told People. “I walked in as a blank canvas, and I really told myself that it will be what it is. It will be what it is, and it will be what I make of it, because it’s also my responsibility to make it what I want it to be for me.”

The 35-year-old swiftly engulfed herself in the world of pageantry. However, it was her experience as an attorney that drew her to the pageant scene for its “networking opportunities.”

She continued, “So I really allowed myself to be immersed in the [pageant] experience, to take it all in and not allow the misconceptions and people’s views and judgments cloud my view.”

With confidence and leadership skills in tow, Gaelae has embraced her new position to encourage others to reach their ambitions. Her pageant mentor prepared her on what to do if she won.

“She said, ‘Please just remember this is huge, because if you win—and should you win, and when you win—you will be the first Black woman to have won Mrs. World. So think about what you want that to mean to you and think about what you want that to mean to the world,’” Gaelae recalled her mentor saying.

Gaelae wants all women to forge a path where they feel empowered, and in turn empower others.

“It’s bigger than just me…It’s not just about me. It’s about every other Black woman or mixed race woman or Indian woman or even White woman who has dared to dream…It’s how you carry the crown, what you do with the crown and what kind of legacy you leave.”

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 17, 2025

Diddy’s Former ‘Making The Band’ Artist Appeals Dismissed Sexual Assault Case

"Making the Band" star Star Rivers is pressing forward with her legal fight against Diddy after her sexual assault lawsuit was dismissed.

Sara Rivers, best known from her time on Making the Band and as a former member of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ group Da Band, is challenging the court’s decision to dismiss her sexual harassment and assault lawsuit against the Bad Boy mogul.

On Sept. 15, the singer filed a motion to appeal in Manhattan federal court after a judge recently dismissed her lawsuit alleging that Combs sexually harassed and groped her during the filming of the 2000s MTV reality series, Billboard reported. Rivers is now taking her case to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in hopes of reviving the suit.

Last month, U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff dismissed 21 of the 22 claims in Rivers’ lawsuit “finally and with prejudice,” preventing them from being refiled. The judge cited the statute of limitations, emphasizing how much time had passed since the alleged assault.

“It is important to remember the many positive purposes served by statutes of limitations,” the judge wrote at the time. “They promote justice by preventing surprises through plaintiffs’ revival of claims that have been allowed to slumber until evidence has been lost, memories have faded, and witnesses have disappeared.”

Rakoff delayed ruling on count 15 of the 148-page lawsuit, opting to wait for an appeals court decision on whether New York City’s Gender Motivated Violence Protection Act (GMVPA) could still allow claim-revival after the statewide Adult Survivors Act had closed its own window for time-barred sexual misconduct claims. The Adult Survivors Act is what enabled many of Combs’ accusers, including ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, to bring their allegations forward in his sex trafficking and racketeering case.

In her lawsuit, Rivers accused Combs of groping her and forcing her into encounters where he allegedly sexually harassed her during the filming of the hit MTV reality show. Under her GMVPA claim, she further alleged that Combs “cornered” her at his recording studio, later retaliating by blackballing her from the music industry when she rejected his advances.

Her lawsuit accuses Combs and co-defendants, including Bad Boy Entertainment, Janice Combs, Universal Music, Viacom, and MTV Productions, of conspiracy to commit racketeering. The defendants pushed back, arguing the statute of limitations barred the claims.

Meanwhile, Combs faces a wave of civil lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct while remaining in federal custody ahead of his Oct. 3 sentencing. He is still working to overturn his conviction on two counts of violating the Mann Act for transportation to engage in prostitution.

confederate, right wing, domestic terrorist

by Mitti Hicks

September 17, 2025

Report Missing: DOJ Quietly Deletes Study Showing Domestic Terrorists Are Majority Right Wing

When comparing the numbers, far-right extremists have killed over 520 people in at least 227 events. In the same period analyzed, far-left extremists committed 42 ideologically motivated attacks that killed 78 people.

Following the assassination of Charlie Kirk and unfounded claims that the left is responsible for inciting political violence, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) appears to have quietly removed the National Institute of Justice’s (NIJ) information online on how a majority of domestic terrorists consider themselves right-wing.

The study titled “What NIJ Research Tells US About Domestic Terrorism” is no longer on the DOJ website. It is, however, available on the Wayback Machine.

“Militant, nationalistic, white supremacist, violent extremism has increased in the United States,” the study reads. “In fact, the number of far-right attacks continues to outpace all other types of terrorism and domestic violent extremism.”

NIJ Research on Domestic Terrorists

According to researchers, far-right extremists have committed far more ideologically motivated homicides than far-left or radical Islamist extremists since 1990. When comparing the numbers, far-right extremists have killed over 520 people in at least 227 events. In the same period analyzed, far-left extremists committed 42 ideologically motivated attacks that killed 78 people.

The NIJ has played a vital role in developing a comprehensive terrorism database to inform criminal justice responses to terrorism, address the risk of terrorism to potential targets, and examine the links between terrorism and other crimes, as well as the organizational and cultural dynamics of terrorism.

In 2012, the U.S. Congress requested that NIJ build on its focal points by funding research on domestic terrorism. In its study on white supremacy, the team examined the complex social-psychological processes involved with entering, mobilizing, and exiting white supremacy in the United States.

“A key organizing principle is that inherent differences between races and ethnicities position white and European ancestry above all others,” researchers noted. “Those interviewed were authoritarian, anti-liberal, or militant nationalists who had a general intolerance toward people of color.”

Researchers added, “They had used violence to achieve their goals and supported a race war to eradicate the world of nonwhite people.”

DOJ Targeting One Side of Political Violence

Kirk, a right-wing political commentator, was killed on Sept. 10 during a speaking event at Utah Valley University. It was the first stop on his American Comeback Tour.

Tyler Robinson, 22, was charged with killing Kirk after allegedly confessing to his roommate and romantic partner that he shot him because he “had had enough” of Kirk’s “hatred.” While Robinson’s own political ideologies are unknown, he described his own father as a “pretty diehard MAGA member.”

Rather cool about what feels like a boiling political climate, President Donald Trump said during an appearance on Fox and Friends that he “couldn’t care less” about bringing people back together amid political division and tensions.

“The radicals on the left are the problem,” he stated. “They’re vicious, and they’re horrible, and they’re politically savvy.”

While Trump ordered American flags to fly at half-staff in honor of Kirk, many Americans have pointed out that Trump remained silent when Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot and killed in their home on June 14. Investigators believe it was a politically motivated homicide.

Minnesota state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were also shot in their home. Authorities believe it was by the same gunman. Both have recovered from their injuries.

Trump did not order that flags fly half-staff for the Hortmans.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

September 17, 2025

Mark Zuckerberg Let School For Underserved Children Shut Down Despite Being Worth Almost $260 Billion

The school stated the shut down stemmed from lack of funding.

Mark Zuckerberg is listed among the world’s richest men. His net worth is nearly $260 billion.

However, his surplus of riches could not keep his school for underserved children afloat. Developed in 2016 by Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, the Primary School served in-need children from struggling families within the Silicon Valley and East Bay areas of California.

The billionaire couple’s philanthropic arm, The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, sustained the project with a roughly $100 million investment until 2024. According to Leravi, it allowed the school to fulfill its founders’ lofty mission of providing education, healthcare, and social services to the area’s most vulnerable community members.

However, the school could never find its own legs as CZI remained its primary support pillar. While the school aimed to level the playing field for young learners, the venture failed to secure funding outside of Zuckerberg. In fact, donations for the school were reduced by over half, with only $3.7 donated in 2023, and a steady decline was occurring.

With no money to maintain its budget, the school announced a closure in April. It will keep its doors open through 2026, but with no word on why CZI let the mission-fueled project fall.

However, sources told the New York Times that the final straw was CZI pulling out of their monetary commitment. The news disgruntled parents, part of The Primary School’s community, who expressed frustration with the choice given, Zuckerberg’s sizable pockets.

“He’s a billionaire. Why would he close a school for poor kids?” questioned one parent.

The Primary School did note that CZI would provide $50 million to sustain its legacy, including 529 education savings plans for its current students. Moving forward, CZI emphasized that it will shift its efforts and finances to support scientific research and artificial intelligence advancement.

However, parents called out Zuckerberg and Chan for scrapping their unsustainable education venture. They emphasized a responsibility on the billionaire founders to keep these promises, especially if their surplus of money allows it. They were also left confused by the monetary allotments granted to each student upon the news of the closure.

“If money was an issue, why are they offering up to $10,000 to each student? Where is that money coming from?” asked parent Sbeydy Pacheco to the San Francisco Chronicle.

The parting gift is meant to help parents find new schooling for their children after the following school year. These families say it’s not enough to cover any private schools in the area.

Now, as Zuckerberg and Chan shift their focus and funding away from local education, those left in their wake must forge their own way to a better future.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

September 17, 2025

‘Severance’ Star Tramell Tillman Makes HBCU Pride After Historic Emmys Win

Tillman attended not one but two HBCUs as he makes history for Black actors.

The 2025 Emmys ceremony had a historic night, with one of its winners taking an award home with HBCU pride.

A highlight of the Sept. 14 event was Tramell Tillman, who became the first Black man to win Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. Tillman won the award for his acclaimed performance as Seth Milchick in the Apple TV+ series Severance.

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Tillman is not only making Black history with the win, but also HBCU history. An alum of Jackson State University, he graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications. However, ahead of his graduation, Tillman attended another HBCU before becoming a household name.

Born in Washington, D.C., yet raised in neighboring Maryland, Tillman first enrolled at Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans. He majored in pre-med before taking on a craft that would become his acting career. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Tillman transferred to a Mississippi HBCU, according to HBCU GameDay.

However, the actor decided to continue his education at the University of Tennessee. While also becoming the first Black man at the school to complete his master’s in fine arts, Tillman recalled the racism that impacted his experience.

“The head of acting warned it might be a deal breaker — I’d be the only Black person in that program, and nearly the only Black male among faculty, staff and students,” he told Variety in an interview. I thought, “Hey, free education; I’ll learn.” But, I didn’t grasp what I was signing up for until I moved there. It was never intimidating — more frustrating, overwhelming and isolating.

He continued, “I endured being called the N-word, followed and taunted with ‘White power!’ There were countless microaggressions. When I reported incidents, some in the community would say, ‘Well, I didn’t see it,’ or ‘I didn’t think it was racist.’”

Now, Tillman reigns as a trailblazer for the Emmys, beating out his co-star and fellow historic nominee Zack Cherry. Tillman also reigns as the first openly gay Black man to earn the recognition. In his acceptance speech, the 41-year-old spoke of the first person who believed in his gift, his first acting coach.

“You remember what you want to remember. You make time for what you want to make time for, do the work, show up, and most importantly, for the love of God, don’t embarrass me in public,” Tillman joked before revealing who inspired his speech.

He continued, “My first acting coach was tough, y’all, but all great mothers are. Mama, you were there for me when no one else was and no one else would show up. Your loving kindness stays with me, and this is for you… As my mama would say, ‘look at God.’”

Uncle Nearest , whiskey, fawn weaver, barriers business

by Kandiss Edwards

September 17, 2025

New Receiver Accesses Uncle Nearest Finances

Consultants to assess the company’s outside assets for possible liquidation.

The lawsuit against Uncle Nearest is moving toward a possible bankruptcy.

Court filings show that Phillip G. Young Jr. has hired turnaround firm Newpoint Advisors Corporation to assess the business’s financial health. Young, who was appointed as receiver in August, now has the authority to initiate bankruptcy proceedings if necessary.

Young’s firm has hired consultants to assess the company’s outside assets for possible liquidation. Thoroughbred Spirits Group was retained as an operational consultant, and Belcher, Sykes & Harrington will serve as alcoholic beverage counsel.

The initial lawsuit against Uncle Nearest was filed in late July by Farm Credit Mid-America PCA, a Kentucky-based lender that claims the brand and its founders, Fawn and Keith Weaver, defaulted on more than $108 million in loans. The lender also alleges the company inflated the value of whiskey barrels by at least $24 million. Farm Credit is calling in payments, as the barrel value was used as collateral for the loans. The current allegations are raising questions about Uncle Nearest’s previous financial reporting and rapid company growth.

Farm Credit is challenging Weaver’s purchase of a cognac distillery in France and a home in Martha’s Vineyard, calling the move misappropriation of funds. To manage those assets, Young has brought on a French law firm to evaluate or liquidate the estate’s assets in France and another to handle properties in Massachusetts.

The Weavers have responded to Farm Credit, claiming that a former executive defrauded the company during his tenure. The case continues to make its way through the Tennessee Eastern District Court.

Uncle Nearest is not the only distillery in financial turmoil. Since January 2025, three major distilleries have hired a turnaround firm, according to International Business Times. LMD Holdings, parent of Luca Mariano Distillery, Garrard County Distilling, and Stoli Group, owner of Kentucky Owl, has all folded in the face of billion-dollar overhead.

There’s a lot of speculation about the downturn of the $9 billion industry. The changing tastes of Gen Z and the rising tariffs on imports and exports have drastically changed the spirits landscape.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 17, 2025

Holly Robinson Peete Calls Out Emmys For Leaving Danielle Spencer Out Of ‘In Memoriam’ Segment

Holly Robinson Peete blasts the Emmys for leaving Danielle Spencer out of the televised "In Memoriam" segment.

Actress and philanthropist Holly Robinson Peete is sounding off about Dr. Danielle Spencer’s omission from the Emmys’ “In Memoriam” segment.

The 77th Emmy Awards, held Sept. 14, featured its customary “In Memoriam” tribute to Hollywood figures who died over the past year. Notably absent was actress and veterinarian Danielle Spencer, best remembered for her role as Dee Thomas on the sitcom What’s Happening!!

After spotting the exclusion, Peete took to X to speak out and pay tribute to the late actress, who passed away in August at age 60 from gastric cancer and cardiac arrest.

“How could the Emmys forget to mention my friend Dr. Danielle Spencer—our beloved & HILARIOUS Dee Thomas from What’s Happening!! in their ‘In Memoriam’??💔 We will honor her, even if they didn’t. ✊🏾” Peete wrote.

How could the Emmys forget to mention my friend Dr. Danielle Spencer—our beloved & HILARIOUS Dee Thomas from What’s Happening!! in their ‘In Memoriam’??💔 We will honor her, even if they didn’t. ✊🏾 #DanielleSpencer #WhatsHappening #emmys @TelevisionAcad @JesseCollinsEnt pic.twitter.com/sJuUy3TlHq
— Holly Robinson Peete 💃🏾♍️ (@hollyrpeete) September 15, 2025

In follow-up tweets, Peete suggested that future Emmy tributes consider excluding a performer from the segment, allowing the audience to fully focus on the photos of those who have passed.

“Easy Solution: don’t have a performer at all and just run the package with 1 song in the BG so we don’t need to cut away to the performers’ faces & background singers and we can just focus on the photos!” she quipped. “That gives more time and more coverage! Nobody will mind 30 more seconds.”

She also questioned why the Emmys found time to honor producers and managers while leaving well-known screen stars out of the televised memorial, instead relegating them to a website post, which she noted few people actually see.

“And putting it on the website is even more insulting bc who looks at that? I saw agents, managers & others. They are ALL important,” Peete wrote. “But we can celebrate them all with a little more time and a little less production. That package should be only about those who are gone. Fix it!”

Another noticeable omission from the “In Memoriam” segment was actor Tony Todd, best known for his roles in Candyman and Final Destination, as well as numerous TV appearances throughout his career. Todd, who passed away from cancer in November 2024, was publicly missed by his widow, Fatima Cortez Todd, who issued a statement criticizing the snub.

“Tony had a long list of TV credits, but he was not respected as much by the industry he gave his artistic life,” she said. “He was classically trained and always given great support by his fans. Ultimately, he gave his all because he loved his work. Many times he was told that he should have had a role he didn’t get. He still maintained his generosity of spirit. The award shows look over many who should be honored. That’s on them.”

by Ahsan Washington

September 17, 2025

9 Black Designers Showed Collections At New York Fashion Week, Get To Know Them

New York Fashion Week’s (NYFW) unveiling of upcoming fashion collections for the Spring and Summer seasons in 2026 (SS26), has come to a close. The highly anticipated event ran from Sept. 11–16, with over 60 runway shows and presentations. Memorable moments included Lanny Smith’s athleisure wear Actively Black, which produced a fashion show that featured Dr. Bernice King and Dr. Ilyasah Shabazz, the daughters of civil rights leaders Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King and Malcolm X, walking hand-in-hand, modeling the brand.

The Council of Fashion Designers of America’s (CFDA) official calendar featured several Black designers who made a strong impression at NYFW. BLACK ENTERPRISE celebrates these designers for their excellence in the fashion and style industry and for representing Blackness.

Sergio Hudson

Designer Sergio Hudson, recognized for his refined tailoring and sophisticated women’s wear, started the brand in 2016. Hudson’s red-carpet and ready-to-wear appeal established him as a prominent American designer, in the fashion industry, attracting both buyers and media attention. Hudson’s animal prints and pencil skirts were a highlight at his show.

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LaQuan Smith

LaQuan Smith is renowned for his body-conscious designs and athleisure wear. His regular presence on the runway makes him a favorite among stylists, fashionistas and celebrities alike. Smith’s apparel has been worn by Usher, Serena Williams, and Teyana Taylor, to name a few.

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A post shared by LaQuan Smith / Designer (@laquan_smith)

Diotima (Rachel Scott)

Diotima is a luxury brand founded by Rachel Scott in 2021. Diotima’s artisanal designs and Caribbean-inspired elements resonate with the season’s focus on craftsmanship. Texture was the focal point in Scott’s NYFW viewing.

Theophilio (Edvin Thompson)

Theophilio, created by Edvin Thompson, made its comeback to NYFW. Theophilio showcased its vibrant, culturally rich ready-to-wear on Sept. 11. The blend of Caribbean heritage and New York street style was palpable as it was present in the show. Adding to the overall creative appeal, Rihanna’s hairstylist, Yusef Williams, was on deck.

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House of Aama

House of Aama, a mother-daughter label, has gained attention in this season’s previews and reviews surrounding New York Fashion Week (NYFW). The brand’s designs delve into historical and identity-related themes, striking a chord both culturally and commercially. Pieces from the collection embody a demure and spry aesthetic.

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Advisry (Keith Herron)

Advisry, the label of designer Keith Herron, was highlighted as an emerging name in NYFW previews. Advisry presented pieces on Sept. 12, that are bold, striking, comfortable and represent the fresh wave of conceptual, youth-driven style that is gaining traction at New York shows.

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Off-White (Ib Kamara)

Off-White, founded by Virgil Abloh and now creatively guided by Ib Kamara, showcased a collection that unites streetwear with high fashion. As a highlight of NYFW’s global focus, Off-White carries on Abloh’s tradition of cultural disruption and innovation within the fashion industry.

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L’Enchanteur

L’Enchanteur, a returning brand for SS26, is definitely a fan favorite with its storytelling, craftsmanship, and exquisite spin on accessory design. Hands down, L’Enchanteur adds to the diverse perspectives and aesthetics of NYFW.

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Frederick Anderson

Frederick Anderson is a notable talent who previewed a stunning Spring/Summer 2026 collection. The designer’s presence at NYFW underscores the significance of both emerging and established Black designers, thereby broadening the creative voice of Fashion Week.

5 Tips To Survive Your 9-5 With A Side Hustle

by Black Enterprise

September 17, 2025

Entrepreneur Burnout Is Real: Here’s How To Protect Your Energy

Audit where you’re displacing the most energy

Reader’s Question:

Dear Fairygodmentor,
As an entrepreneur, I feel like I’m always “on.” How do I avoid burnout while running my business?
– Burning the Candle

Dear Burning the Candle,

Can I tell you how much I understand your question?! Being an entrepreneur is not for the faint of heart. Between being in every department in a business and finding time to live my best life, Beyoncé’s “You Can’t Break My Soul” plays on repeat in my head daily. You are not alone!

I entered the world of entrepreneurship while working full-time in my corporate job. When I created my coaching and consulting practice, I figured I would just do what I used to do at my corporate job. Rinse, then repeat. Wow! Was I wrong? And social media doesn’t do you any favors. It can do a doozy on your psyche as you see people living a laptop lifestyle. Entrepreneur life isn’t always what it appears to be online.

Mind your Time

My work hours were even more sporadic than my corporate job. It was hard to keep things straight. Once I started working full-time as an entrepreneur, my time was no longer my own. I thought that I could make it all fit, but there didn’t seem to be enough time in the day to do it all. Then I discovered Time Chunking.

Chunk out time for business development. Do what works best for you. For me, Mondays are my admin time (where I answer emails, write proposals and schedule appointments). Wednesdays are for networking. I make it a point to connect with folks in person or virtually once a week. If you have trouble meeting people, join professional organizations like your chamber of commerce, small business administration, etc., to be in spaces and places where you can grow your business and find colleagues who are going through what you’re experiencing.

Manage your energy

Take an audit of where you’re expending the most energy and customize your workdays to align with when your energy is the highest. I can’t speak in complete sentences until after 10 a.m. During my morning routine, I carve out time to meditate and visualize what success will look like for the day. I also have the Client X time. I go the extra mile to ensure that my clients have everything they need to be successful. (Shhh! Client X is me. I’m Client X)

Show Your Ask

Being an entrepreneur can be very isolating. Make sure you show your Ask — and ask for help! Misery may love company, but there’s also success in numbers. Create your Personal Board of Directors. Having several accountability buddies and people I can reach out to for resources and support has been key to my ability to stay motivated as we climb the ladder of success.

Celebrate Often

You’ve heard me talk about this many times, but I can’t deny the DIG Folder. (DIG stands for ‘Damn I’m Good’). I celebrate daily with my DIG Folder. As entrepreneurs, we will experience plenty of ups and downs. We need to celebrate it all. I celebrate the rejections. I ask myself, “Where’s the gift?” “What’s the lesson learned from this?” “Why do I do that?” Because those rejections remind me that I took a chance and tried.

Going into business for yourself is not an easy task. Hey, if it were easy, they wouldn’t call it work. If you build your empire on a solid foundation of self-care, community, and celebration, the sky’s the limit on what you can achieve.

You got this!

Yours truly,

Your Fairygodmentor®

About Joyel Crawford:

Joyel Crawford, fairygodmentor, contributor — (Photo: Kirten White Photography/BE)

Joyel Crawford is an award-winning career and leadership development professional and founder of Crawford Leadership Strategies, a consultancy that empowers results-driven leaders through coaching, training, and facilitation. She’s the best-selling author of Show Your Ask: Using Your Voice to Advocate for Yourself and Your Career.

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