Be Someone Better Each Day...Sidney Poitier

"I always wanted to be someone better the next day than I was the day before."

--Sidney Poitier

African American Film Critics Honor Sidney PoitierFebruary 2017

#LeadershipTuesdays: "Do or Do Not"...Mellody Hobson

"We don’t want to just admire problems, we want to try to find solutions to them. So, you have to truly believe that the world is changing and that you want your customers represented inside of your company, and you want to have different types of people and brains to come up with new and creative ideas. You have to truly believe that leads to a better outcome. ...Yoda said ‘Do or do not, there is no try.'”

--Mellody Hobson, President, Ariel Investments

On Tuesdays, womenatliberty.com presents #LeadershipTuesdays, a platform for a variety of voices and resources to develop, encourage and strengthen women leaders. Mellody Hobson, President of Ariel Investments, gave a courageous TED talk in March 2014 about an experience she had in 2006 of being mistaken for the "kitchen help" when she showed up with then Congressman Harold Ford for a lunch meeting at the offices of a highly regarded New York publication. Your first reaction is to chuckle and then you give a heavy sigh and side eye because you know that her experience is not funny at all.

Although Mellody has broken the glass ceiling and achieved success, she recognizes that other minorities and women are not being given the same opportunities to excel in their fields and reach the highest echelons of corporate power. With an authentic and courageous voice, she continues to champion diversity even though this is not her main gig. She actually runs an investment firm and sits on the board of a few firms including Starbucks and JP Morgan Chase. She says it’s time for less talk and more action. More of 'this is what we have accomplished' versus 'this is what we are trying to do'.

To watch her talk at Fortune's Brainstorm Reinvent conference in Chicago, go to our home page at womenatliberty.com. Or you may also view it here.

Follow #LeadershipTuesdays on Twitter @LeadershipTues to see daily posts with resources that help you develop and strengthen your leadership skills. Happy #LeadershipTuesdays.

Respectability Defined...Frederick Douglass

"A gentleman will not insult me, and no man not a gentleman can insult me."

--Frederick Douglass

Madame Tussauds' Frederick Douglass 

Your Mission & Challenge: Are You Willing To Accept It?...Cheryl Sanders

"But the challenge, particularly in a Christian perspective, is how do we get along? I mean, how do we make reconciliation work? How are we truthful about the things that have separated us, and then how do we chart our course for the future so that everybody has a fair opportunity for a good quality of life?"

--Rev. Dr. Cheryl J. Sanders, Pastor, Professor, & Mathematician

Cheryl J. Sanders

Dr. Cheryl Sanders is Professor of Christian Ethics at the Howard University School of Divinity and Senior Pastor at Third Street Church of God in Washington, DC. Her research and teaching focuses on African American religious studies, bioethics, pastoral leadership. and womanist studies. She is the author of Ministry at the Margins (1997); Saints in Exile: The Holiness-Pentecostal Experience in African American Religion and Culture (1996); and Empowerment Ethics for a Liberated People(1995), as well as numerous articles. Sanders earned her BA at Swarthmore College and MA and Phd at Harvard Divinity School; she also holds honorary doctorates from Asbury College and Anderson University.

Self Love...Tyra Banks

"Self-love has very little to do with how you feel about your outer self. It's about accepting all of yourself."

--Tyra Banks

Source: http://twitter.com/TyraBanks

ModelLand Announcement: Iconic Supermodel turned Super Entrepreneur Tyra Banks announces her biggest venture yet, Modelland. A first-of-its-kind experiential attraction, Modelland will intersect a fantasy version of the modeling world with state-of-the-art interactive entertainment, creative collaborations, curated retail, dining and special events. The breakthrough new attraction is set to open in late 2019 at Macerich’s Santa Monica Place, the iconic open-air shopping, dining and entertainment destination just blocks from the beach in Santa Monica.

As the godmother of breaking beauty barriers, Banks continues her mission to bring modeling to the masses and expand the definition of beauty. Banks first let...

Read more: See Press Release, 

https://www.model-land.com

But Love...Elaine Welteroth

"We live in a world that trains women to believe the only love worth having is the kind that hurts. The love we must bend and shape-shift and perform for. 

But love—in its truest, purest sense—is just the opposite. Love is liberating. It is about expansion, not restriction. It creates even more space within you to actualize each and every part of you. When you give into it, when you GIVE it—to YOURSELF and to your partner—you expand in ways your old self never thought possible."*

--Elaine Welteroth

Elaine Welteroth is a former Editor-In-Chief of Teen Vogue, a speaker, journalist, and upcoming author. She made history twice: 1) She was named the youngest Editor-In-Chief in Teen Vogue history; and 2) In 2012, she was the first African American to hold the position of beauty and health director at a Condé Nast publication.

Her new book, More Than Enough, is due out June 2019. Follow her on Instagram at: http://instagram.com/elainewelteroth.

*This post is an excerpt from Ms. Welteroth's 2/14/2019 Instagram about her fiance, Jonathan Singletary.

Love's In Need Of Love Today

Good morn or evening friends
Here's your friendly announcer
I have serious news to pass on to every-body
What I'm about to say
Could mean the world's disaster
Could change your joy and laughter to tears and pain

It's that
Love's in need of love today
Don't delay
Send yours in right away
Hate's goin' round
Breaking many hearts
Stop it please
Before it's gone too far

--Stevie Wonder

Anyone Can Make A Difference...Mari Copeny

“Anyone can change the world no matter how small you are.”

--Mari Copeny, "Little Miss Flint"

MariCopeny.com

Mari Copeny is a eleven year who began her work as an activist when she, as an eight year old, wrote a letter to then President Barack Obama about the water crisis in Flint, Michigan. The President responded to her letter with a visit to Flint. Since then, Mari has been using her voice to advocate for clean water in her city as well as other projects that inspire and uplift children. You can follow her on social media at @LittleMissFlint.

Picture Credit: 

Lulu Brezzell

via Fortune, http://fortune.com/2017/09/12/include-u-challenge-day-12/

#LeadershipTuesdays: Lead By Example

“Lead by example. Don’t ask your folks to do something that you aren’t willing to do.”

--Rosalind Brewer, COO of Starbucks

On Tuesdays, womenatliberty.com presents #LeadershipTuesdays, a platform for a variety of voices and resources to develop, encourage and strengthen women leaders. Last week Rosalind Brewer, Starbucks' Chief Operating Officer, was in the news when her appointment to Amazon's Board of Directors was made public. She is only the fourth woman and the second African American woman to become a member of Amazon's Board.

Rosalind has held many leadership positions and had great success at leading at companies like Sam's Club, a $56 billion line of business owned by Walmart, where she was the President and CEO; and Kimberly-Clark where she spent 22 years rising up the ranks. As the quote above suggests, Rosalind believes in a leadership philosophy that incorporates respect, transparency and candour. She says that we shouldn't ask people to do things that we are not willing to do. Ethical leadership is a combination of integrity, respect for the individual, and the willingness to do what you have asked others to do.

Rosalind Brewer has demonstrated over time that she is a leader who is also willing to stand up for what she believes. How she handled the backlash over her comments in 2015 regarding a Sam's Club supplier's lack of diversity, even in the midst of receiving death threats, spoke volumes regarding her commitment to her core values and beliefs. Her skills and experience as well as her commitment to diversity will be a great asset for Amazon. Congratulations to her on this appointment and best wishes for continued success.

Follow #LeadershipTuesdays on Twitter @LeadershipTues to see daily posts with resources that help you develop and strengthen your leadership skills. Happy #LeadershipTuesdays!

Being Black...Leontyne Price

"The way I was taught, being black was a plus, always. Being a human being, being in America, and being black, all three were the greatest things that could happen to you. The combination was unbeatable."

--Leontyne Price, World renowned Opera Singer

On February 10th, Diva Leontyne Price celebrated her 92nd Birthday. Happy Birthday #DivaLeontyne!

Born in Laurel, Mississippi in 1927, Leontyne Price was first influenced by her mother's musical ability. She played the piano and sung at church and school at an early age. When she was nine years old, she heard opera singer Marian Anderson sing in concert; that, Price said, "was what you might call the original kickoff" of her pursuit of a vocal career in opera.

By 1961, her debut as Leonora in Verdi's Il Trovatore at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City landed her on the cover of Time magazine and made her a bonafide legend. However, she was already well known to opera lovers in major cities in the U.S, such as San Francisco, and abroad. Ms. Price has received numerous awards including 19 Grammys and three Emmys.

For more info on Ms. Price, visit:
https://www.arts.gov/honors/leontyne-price

Somehow, God...Frederick D. Haynes

"Faith means you keep on going anyhow. Faith means you don't feel it, but you do it anyhow. If I go on anyhow, God will handle the somehow.

Somehow God will make a way.

Somehow God will give you peace.

Somehow God will give you strength."

--  Dr. Frederick D. Haynes, III, Pastor, Friendship-West Baptist Church, Dallas TX

Frederick D. Haynes, III

Excerpt from Sermon, "Walk By Faith", see here: http://ow.ly/Ey4V30nE6ZC
Slightly edited for clarity.

My Focus, My Goals...Venus Williams

"I don't focus on what I'm up against. I focus on my goals and I try to ignore the rest."

--Venus Williams

CREDIT: Miller Mobley

In case you're not up to date on what Venus Williams has been up to especially with her business, EleVen by Venus, and her motivation for becoming an entrepreneur, check out this INC magazine profile, "What Made This Tennis Champion Become an Entrepreneur? Her Dad's Cassette Collection".

When God Gives You A Vision...Nadia Lopez

"When God gives you a vision: pray, prepare, and put all your fears aside. Your light was never intended to be dimmed; there will always be distractions, haters, and all type of doubt, but your assignment is to step out on faith and walk in your purpose." 💜

--Nadia Lopez, Educator, Principal, Author, & Speaker

Nadia Lopez
The Lopez Effect

Ms. Lopez is the founder and principal of Mott Hall Bridges Academy in Brooklyn, New York. Her commitment to educating and changing the course of the lives of her scholars, the term she calls them instead of students, has been recognized with numerous awards and commendations at the highest levels of government. She is the author of "The Bridge to Brilliance: How One Woman and One Community Are Inspiring the World". 

Follow Nadia Lopez on Instagram at: @thelopezeffect. You may also view her TED Talk here: Why Open A School? To Close A Prison.

No. Thank You...Yara Shahidi

"What modeling taught me at a young age was how to say 'no,' which is something girls - we're not always good at saying 'no.' We want to be nice, and then we forget to look out for ourselves."

--Yara Shahidi, Actress and Model

Image credit: http://instagram.com/yarashahidi
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjYlUHanKGS

#LeadershipTuesdays: A Formula For Success...Arnold Donald

"Diversity is a business imperative. The key to innovation is diversity of thinking. Having people from different backgrounds and different cultural experiences who are organized around a common objective is far more likely to create breakthrough innovation than a homogenous group.

A diverse group aligned on a common goal with a work process that fosters true inclusion, equal respect, equal voice and an equal opportunity for each team member will outperform a homogeneous group every time." 

--Arnold Donald, CEO, Carnival Corporation 

On Tuesdays, womenatliberty.com presents #LeadershipTuesdays, a platform for a variety of voices and resources to develop, encourage and strengthen women leaders. February is one of the most wonderful times of the year because it is the month that the United States has set aside to honor the history and contributions of African Americans. And we Carter G. Woodson to thank for creating this sacred practice. We are forever indebted to those him and the countless number of ancestors who came before us and never stop fighting for progress and a better life for those who would come behind them.

To day we recognize Arnold Donald who is the CEO of Carnival Corporation, a company most known for its Carnival Cruises and large luxury ships. However the company has rebranded themselves in recent years as a travel and leisure company. Donald is one of only three African American CEO's in the Fortune 500. His quote emphasizes that diversity and inclusion is not charity, but it makes good business sense. 

A 2015 McKinsey study stated that companies in the top 25th percentile for gender diversity on their executive teams were 15% more likely to experience above-average profits.  A later January 2018 report released by McKinsey presented data showing the likelihood had grown to 21%. (1) So, for businesses and leaders who want a competitive edge and want to outperform their competition, as Mr. Donald says, diversity is a business imperative. Diversity must not only be present in the top leaders, but it also must be visible throughout the company to be highly effective. When diversity wins, the business is more likely to be an innovator and winner, too.

Follow #LeadershipTuesdays on Twitter @LeadershipTues to see daily posts with resources that help you develop and strengthen your leadership skills. We look for and examine leadership everywhere, in politics, business, communities and entertainment. For more on #LeadershipTuesdays, go to womenatliberty.com.

Reference:
(1) Strauss, Karsten, "
More Evidence That Company Diversity Leads To Better Profits", Forbes.com, January 25, 2018
https://www.forbes.com/sites/karstenstrauss/2018/01/25/more-evidence-that-company-diversity-leads-to-better-profits/

Of The People...Ta-nehisi Coates

"The question is not whether Lincoln truly meant “government of the people” but what our country has, throughout its history, taken the political term “people” to actually mean."

--Ta-Nehisi Coates, Writer, Journalist and Author of Between the World and Me

Be The Queens That You Are...Suzan Johnson Cook

We come from a great people. Start thinking big, off the chain thoughts. Don't think about boxes, don't think about ceilings. Crush them, break them. We're crushing this thing, baby. Don't think about a box. Who says there has to be a box, anyhow? Start thinking big, huge thoughts.

I am a queen.

You don't know like I know, what [God's] done for me.

I'm fierce.

I'm fabulous.

I'm phenomenal.

I'm faith-filled.

I'm fun-filled.

I'm action-oriented.

And I've got a made up mind.

I'm a queen!

Oh yes I am!

--Rev. Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook, Author, Charisma Speakers CEO & 3rd U.S. Ambassador at large International Religious Freedom 

*Excerpt from "Be The Queens That You Are" sermon, January 26, 2019 (slightly edited for clarity) 

As A Black Woman...Tamron Hall

"I remember reading the cruelest, most awful thing about my hair online. A person speculated about who I was as a person and even read into my personal life based solely off my hairstyle. He or she said I must be lazy because I have short hair. It was just devastating.

We all have these challenges and stereotypes that exist, but you can't let that hold you down... If that's the first thing you think about as a black woman - the challenge that lies ahead - you are thinking in the wrong direction, in my opinion.

...I cannot - we cannot look at the roadblocks and see the road at the same time."

--Tamron Hall, Journalist, Philanthropist, & Talk Show Host

Tamron Hall is wearing a purple turban made by @thehatshopnyc to honor her late sister, Renate. It is available from thehatshopnyc.com and proceeds benefit SafeHorizon.org.

This Fall in September 2019, Tamron Hall will debut as the host of her own self-titled talk show and we're super excited! Tamron made history as the first black woman to co-anchor NBC News' Today Show in February 2014. Now this veteran journalist gets to bring her vision to life in a Disney/ABC syndicated talk show.

Stellar journalism skills, she's got that. Upbeat and engaging personality, she's got that. Award-winning Executive Producer, oh that would be former "The View" and Barbara Walters' Executive Producer Bill Geddie. So, she got that, too. 

Tamron, we can't wait to see the show and watch you shine. We're rooting for you!

For a sneak peak at the new show, "Tamron Hall", click here.

📷: http://instagram/tamronhall
https://www.instagram.com/p/BojVmPzFPHa/

Why We Must Protest...Mary McLeod Bethune

"If we accept and acquiesce in the face of discrimination, we accept the responsibility ourselves and allow those responsible to salve their conscience by believing that they have our acceptance and concurrence. We should, therefore, protest openly everything... that smacks of discrimination or slander."

--Mary McLeod Bethune (1875-1955)
"Certain Unalienable Rights," What the Negro Wants, edited by Rayford W. Logan (1944)

The Statue of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune
stands on the campus of
Bethune-Cookman University
in Daytona Beach, Florida.