Over the past couple weeks, we’ve seen the unlikely rekindling of the Friends vs Living Single beef. Things got started when Friends actor David Schwimmer was asked in an interview about a Friends reboot. He gave an answer saying he’d want to see an all-Asian or all-black reboot of the show. While well-meaning, it…
Featuring a broad cross-section of women who have distinguished themselves across a rich variety of careers, our Portraits of Power series is a celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Black Enterprise, and of black women. It’s a place for today’s businesswomen to share their own favorite images and their own stories, in their own words. Today’s portrait is Minda Harts, an Adjunct Professor of Public Service at NYU’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service and author of The Memo: What Women of Color Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the Table.
Minda Harts
CEO/Author
My first job was delivering yellow pages phone books.
My big break came when I leaned into my courage—articulated my value and quantified my worth.
I’ve had to work hardest at public speaking. I took classes and coaching for many years before I felt comfortable owning the stage.
I never imagined I would become a bestselling author of a career book written with the experiences of women of color and black women at the center of the career narrative.
I wish I’d learned sooner that I am my best advocate, no one can tell your career story better than you.
The risk I regret not taking is not taking a job opportunity in Australia. I think it would have added to my leadership résumé.
If I could design my fantasy self-care day, it would be spent waking up listening to Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday podcast while sipping my favorite green tea. Then reading a couple of my favorite books while wrapped up in a quilt my grandmother made for me with Thelonious Monk playing in the background. My day would be spent at home, surrounded by love and great snacks.
Hoping that I made the workplace better for the women who are coming behind me keeps me up at night.
When I’m struggling, I say to myself, in the words of Audre Lorde, beware of feeling like you’re not good enough to deserve it.
I am unapologetically Black and Proud.
Portraits of Power is a yearlong series of candid insights from exceptional women leaders. It is brought to you by ADP.
On every day of Black History Month this February, we will provide you with a daily fact that occurred on the same day in a past year in history.
– On this day in 1644, the first black legal protest in America passed by eleven blacks petitioned for freedom in New Netherlands.
– On this day in 1961, Robert Weaver was sworn in as administrator of the Housing and Home Finance Agency, highest federal post at the time ever achieved by a black American.
– On this day in 1971, Whitney L. Young died. He was named the Executive Director of the National Urban League in 1961.
– On this day in 1976, Clifford Alexander Jr is confirmed as the first black Secretary of the Army.
– On this day in 1990 Nelson Mandela is released from prison.
Calvin “Snoop Dogg” Broadus is claiming to be a non-violent person after his posting an irate, profanity-laced video criticizing CBS This Morning’s Gayle King last week.
The controversy began after CBS posted a clip of King questioning former WNBA player Lisa Leslie about the rape allegations levied against Kobe Bryant in 2003. In response, Broadus released an Instagram clip bashing King for allegedly disrespecting Bryant’s legacy.
“Hey, Gayle. (expletive) u. Kobe was our superhero. (expletive),” said Broadus in the video. “How dare you try to tarnish my (expletive) homeboy’s reputation. It also appeared like he was threatening her when he warned King to “back off b—h before we come get you.”
LeBron James, 50 Cent and Vivica Fox are just a few of the bigger names who commented on King’s interview, which she stated was taken out of context by the editors. The criticism launched against Snoop was due to his comments being among the most vicious attacks against King. Oprah Winfrey had come out against the critical nature that was being used against King.
Among those who came to the defense of King was former national security adviser Susan Rice, who gave Snoop a warning of her own. Rice tweeted, “This is despicable. Gayle King is one of the most principled, fair and tough journalists alive. Snoop, back the **** off. You come for @GayleKing, you come against an army. You will lose, and it won’t be pretty.”
In a follow-up Instagram post, Snoop gives a response to the criticism. “I’m a non-violent person. When I said what I said, I spoke for the people who felt like Gayle was very disrespectful towards Kobe Bryant and his family. Now with that being said, what do I look like wanting some harm to come to a 70-year-old woman? I was raised way better than that.”
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P. S. A. From the peoples champ now carry on and be nice to others
KB8/24.
