Throughout history, Black women have faced systemic barriers and inequalities, yet shattered ceilings and set new standards of excellence against all odds.
When we didn’t have a seat at the table, we built our own. Despite financial challenges, Black women have made a significant impact in driving business creation with growth rates for employment and revenues outpacing the market, according to a newly published 2024 Wells Fargo Impact of Women-Owned Business Report.
We’re shining a light on “Power Agenda” women who have made a remarkable impact across industries like business, sports, entertainment, media, and politics. From the first Black woman reporter at The Washington Post to the first Black woman to own a billion-dollar company, these trailblazers shared their secrets to success with Her Agenda to inspire the next generation of impactful leaders.
No matter where you are on your journey to greatness, bookmark these words of wisdom to stay inspired.
Tamron Hall On The Power Of Using Your Platform
Tamron Hall grew up watching trailblazers like Iola Johnson, the first woman and first Black news anchor in Dallas, Texas on TV. Fast forward, the award-winning host and executive producer of The Tamron Hall Show made history as the first Black woman to host NBC’s Weekday Today, continuing to inspire the next generation of media mavens.
In a sit down with Her Agenda, Tamron reflected on the power of using social media to revive her brand when she was between jobs so she wouldn’t become a distant memory to many. Growing her social media presence allowed Hall to control her narrative and engage audiences when opportunities weren’t coming her way.
“You are more powerful now than ever. And that’s the thing that is so remarkable. You can build your own digital brand and your own voice. [Social media is] a power tool to define yourself. And other people can’t take that from you. You have weapons to even the playing field. Now, we don’t all get a chance to be on Oprah to tell our side of the story. But you have other ways to tell your side of the story and note your value. You now have the ability to create your own content. You don’t have to depend on the establishment to provide your meal.”
Read more: A Peek Inside Her Agenda: Tamron Hall
Megan Piphus Peace On The Power Of Manifestation And Visualization
At just ten years old, Megan Piphus Peace knew it was her purpose to share love with the world through puppetry and ventriloquism. Years ago, she pinned things like Sesame Street and Emmy awards on her vision board, unknowingly calling in her future achievements. Today, she’s a two-time Emmy-award-winning puppeteer and the First Black Woman Puppeteer On Sesame Street.
“The key to manifesting is faith. Faith in believing that it can happen. [Also] envision what you want to happen. I make a vision board each year and I visualize what I want my year and my life to look like. All of that manifestation has been a result of me dreaming and believing that I’m capable of the biggest dreams coming true.”
Read more: A Peek Inside Her Agenda: Megan Piphus Peace
Dorothy B. Gilliam On The Importance Of Building A Community For Yourself
Being a trailblazer is no easy feat, especially while facing the harsh racism and segregation of the 1960’s. Dorothy B. Gilliam, the first Black woman reporter at The Washington Post,opened up with Her Agenda about the challenges she faced being the ‘only’ in a predominantly white organization.
“My message also is the importance of being part of a community, being a part of the Black community to the extent that it is possible. From there, one can get so much support, hope, and strength that helps to arm you to return to the battle in your office or in your organization. I think that there is a richness and depth in our culture. Really take advantage of it. You can be in white spaces, but you can also bring with it who you are. If you don’t have your own posse, you better get one.”
Read More: A Peek Inside Her Agenda: Dorothy B. Gilliam
Janice Bryant Howroyd On Turning Adversity Into Strength
Janice Howroyd took a $1,500 investment and turned it into the largest privately held, woman-owned workforce solutions company in the world. With over 2,000 employees across more than twenty countries, Janice became the first Black woman to own a billion-dollar company. In a conversation with Her Agenda, she shares advice with ambitious Black women everywhere. “Find the similarities in other people you’re going to work with, not just the differences, and make all of that your advantage point. You package it up so that all of it works well for you. And then that frees you to be an innovative thinker. It frees you to be friendly, sometimes in competition where friendship doesn’t exist. It allows you to learn how to compete with versus competing against.”
Amanda Edwards On Leading With Courage
As a former Houston city council member, Amanda Edwards turned what people believed to be impossible into reality.Now she’s a candidate for Texas’ 18th Congressional District. But when we sat down with her, she was in the running to become the next Democratic U.S. Senator from Texas. If she won, she would have been the first Black woman to hold the seat. Amanda spoke to Her Agenda about her vision to transform the way we look at politics in this country.“My motto is ‘Be the solution.’ We can talk about problems all day long but the real question is, ‘What is the solution to the problem and how are you a part of it?’ Being the solution summarizes that proactive approach to creating the community you want to see.”
Read more: A Peek Inside Her Agenda: Amanda Edwards
