Flourish, Prosper, and Ascend

Authority granted

Photo by Alex Nemo Hanse on Unsplash

Do you know that current US demographics suggest that Black women:

• Are the largest Democratic voting bloc;

• Own 21% of all women-owned businesses;

• Contribute approximately $3.8 billion annually to the GDP; and

• Have the highest labor force participation rate of the female demographic?

Yet, the row still needs tending because Black women also:

• Lag in homeownership;

• Are often the primary breadwinner;

• Earn $0.62 for every $1 earned by male counterparts;

• Are 13.8% more likely to be unbanked, credit invisible, and unable to build credit;

• Are subject to health care disparities due to higher rates of poverty and victimization from violence;

• Are the portion of the population who suffered the most significant job losses due to COVID-19; and

• Are twice as likely to use payday loans, and to become stuck in vicious/continual cash shortage cycles.

Because history is fabricated daily, in the six weeks leading up to Women’s History Month, take six minutes each day to instill one of the following in a young Black female:

• You’ve got this;

• You are enough;

• You are valuable;

• You are beautiful;

• You can depend on us;

• You deserve an education;

• You can perform poorly, alone;

• You must live a healthy lifestyle;

• Investing in yourself is always a good decision;

• You can build expertise in your chosen profession;

• You must maintain a professional reputation/personal brand; and

• Because you are worthy you have every right to negotiate your worth.

In doing so there is a greater probability that the next generation of Black girls will confidently rise above being (mis)labeled angry.

“I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life’s a b*tch. You’ve got to go out and kick ass.” — Maya Angelou