The FemPower Newsletter – Black and Proud

Heeeey,

Guess what is back? (Drumrolls…….) The FemPower Newsletter.

As usual, we come bearing amazing reads for you.

As you know, every February, we join the United States in celebrating a special holiday. And no,  I’m not talking about Valentine’s Day. I’m referring to the 28 (or 29) days dedicated to honoring Black History Month to show respect and recognition for the hard work of and sacrifices made by African Americans.

This year, the celebration of the contributions of Black people comes in the wake of widespread protests over the death of George Floyd and a racial reckoning across the United States, coupled with a highly polarized recent election.

If you are not in the US, you are probably thinking, “How does this concern me?”

Black History Month is a reminder to every person of color of our duty to be great.

It reminds us of the struggles we’ve overcome, and the struggles we still have to conquer. It’s a yearly remembrance of the strength, wisdom and courage it took to go from being the least valued in society to being the heads of companies, industries and even the nation itself.

Black History Month should rekindle the flame in you that you can do anything!

Words that matter: Amanda Gorman’s inaugural poem

On Jan 20., Amanda Gorman, the youngest poet ever to perform at a presidential inauguration, made history with her poem titled “The Hill We Climb.”

The poem was completed the night after the capitol hill riot. With this in mind, Gorman added several lines, including one about “a force that would rather shatter our nation than share it.” >>READ MORE 

Walgreens’ new CEO will be the only Black woman leading a Fortune 500 company

Walgreens has tapped Starbucks executive Roz Brewer as its new CEO, which will make her the only Black woman leading a Fortune 500 company.

Coffee giant Starbucks announced Tuesday that Brewer was departing after a little more than three years as its chief operating officer. Walgreens later confirmed that Brewer will take over as its CEO on March 15. >>READ MORE 

Pioneering US actress Cicely Tyson dies aged 96

96-year-old stage and screen icon Cicely Tyson opens up to Gayle King about her impressive career and personal life, which she wrote about in her new memoir, “Just As I Am.”

 >>WATCH MORE 

How to find the person who can help you get ahead at work 

The workplace is often presented as a meritocracy, where you can succeed by putting your head down and working hard. Wall Street veteran Carla Harris learned early in her career that this a myth. The key to actually getting ahead? Get a sponsor: a person who will speak on your behalf in the top-level, closed-door meetings you’re not invited to (yet). Learn how to identify and develop a productive sponsor relationship in this candid, powerful talk. >>WATCH MORE 

8 basic money lessons you should have learned but never did

Where should we learn how to handle money? School. But we don’t.

Instead, what you know — or don’t know — about finances stems from a number of factors: how you were raised and what you learned from friends, financial advisors, a spouse, random Internet searches, and so on.  >>READ MORE