In today’s dynamic and diverse workforce, women of color are making remarkable strides and achieving extraordinary success. However, even as we navigate our way through the corporate maze, we often encounter unique challenges that can hinder our professional growth.
Additionally, the pressure to conform to cultural norms and expectations can discourage us from actively engaging in self-promotion, perpetuating a cycle of modesty and hesitancy to advocate for our accomplishments.
As capable women of color, we must begin to dismantle the culture of modesty that is holding us back and embrace self-promotion as a powerful tool for personal and professional development.
Society often overlooks the accomplishments of marginalized people. Let’s not help them by minimizing the value we bring to the table. When we take control of our narrative, we become resilient women who shatter stereotypes and forge a path of empowerment.
The Benefits of Self-Promotion for Women of Color
Self-promotion has lasting effects. It isn’t just about you and your accomplishments. When we allow our lights to shine, we can impact generations to come.
Author Marianne Williamson once said, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?”
Here are a few reasons you should embrace self-promotion.
- Self-promotion challenges the status quo: Owning your accomplishments and sharing your success is more than self-validation; it is a way to not only represent but empower women like you. Doing this will aid in building supportive networks, and challenging bias.
- Sharing your accomplishments drives systemic change: The media depicts persons of color in limited ways. That’s why many people continue to perpetuate harmful stereotypes of diverse communities. Promoting our accomplishments shows the world that we are much more than their limited beliefs about us. When we stand up for who we are, we are challenging negative perceptions based on our gender and race.
- Self-promotion is an opportunity to build supportive networks: Sharing your successes will attract like-minded individuals who may be willing to collaborate with you, or even provide mentorship. It also invites others to celebrate your successes and become a part of your support system. In turn, you will have the chance to uplift and promote the successes of those within your network. This will create a cycle of support, which will grow over time.
- Representation motivates other persons of color: You’ve probably heard this many times but representation matters. It wasn’t long ago that women of color saw very few like them in successful positions. When we unapologetically share our accomplishments, it motivates other women to pursue their dreams and challenge societal norms as well. You are showing others that success is possible for them too.
Vice President Kamala Harris: A Woman of Color Who Isn’t Afraid to Shine
Born to a Jamaican father and an Indian mother, Vice President Kamala Harris defied societal expectations when she embarked on her legal career. As a result, she paved the way for others and made history in the process.
Her accomplishments include:
- First African American woman to hold a prosecutor role at Alameda County District Attorney’s Office in California.
- First African American and Asian American to serve as the District Attorney of San Francisco.
- Elected as a United States Senator to represent California.
- Became the first woman of color to hold the title of Vice President of the United States.
Vice President Harris didn’t accomplish any of her goals by dimming her light. She believed she could accomplish the impossible, owned her successes, and used practical strategies to get ahead. By taking control of your narrative, we believe you can do the same.