Why Black Women Should Not be Modest About Their Talents
Being born and raised in the UK, is to grow up in an environment that doesn't like to see people show off. British culture is very much rooted in humility and not making grand declarations that will draw too much attention to oneself. It's OK to be great but don't be too loud about your greatness. From a very early age I realised that that wasn't quite making sense even if I couldn't quite work out why. I'm Nigerian, Yoruba specifically, inherently we are a proud and vibrant people. We celebrate ourselves and each other boldly and so to be born in a country where that is frowned upon (unless of course you're a sportsperson who has won a medal for the nation) is challenging. To make it more difficult is the constant knowledge that there are unspoken rules which dictate who is allowed to be boastful and who must always be "know their place". It was clear and never really hidden that anti-black racism and discrimination and working class prejudice were going to be barriers not only to progress and entry to certain spaces but also to my confidence as a Black woman in the UK. I grew up watching Black Hollywood or as I call it Amerinollywood films and content from the US, like The Oprah Winfrey Show, in which Black women were given space to boldly declare their greatness. I grew up on Nollywood films and Nigerian music videos in which women were highly visible and never hidden. So seeing that and knowing intrinsically what I was capable of, I have often felt boxed in as a Black woman in the UK; like the environment in which I am living, though home, wants to contain me but not necessarily let me shine beyond a certain point. When I first started my business I was extremely gregarious, I knew what I wanted to accomplish and where I wanted to go. I was so full of ideas and energy and light, light that I think has been dimmed slightly along the way but I often find new ways of reigniting that light . I know I am not alone in this feeling I have often had conversations with other Black women in my network who have wondered whether their best bet is to leave this country. From my own personal experience the constant questions about what I'm doing, why I'm so active on certain social media platforms, why I'm so intentional about self-promotion, have always to me come across as another way to remind me of my place in this society. This is not to say that there are not extremely successful Black women in the UK, but if you look around how many of them are allowed to take up space at any one given time. In fact I would argue that by allowing this one at a time unspoken rule it not only gives the impression that the UK is a "meritocracy" (this is not the case, hard work is not enough) but it makes those of us who are not given a spotlight despite being good at what we do, question whether we're good enough and so we continue to "work twice as hard" to the point of exhaustion even though we are more than good enough. As someone who proudly represents Black business owners, mainly but not exclusively women, I am a champion of ensuring that Black women receive their proverbial flowers. I am also an advocate for not waiting for those flowers to be given to you which is why I undertake personal brand coaching and training for high-functioning professionals and entrepreneurs.
As a Black woman in this country you have to have a strong sense of self. You must rate yourself and give yourself your flowers otherwise you'll be bamboozled and led astray.
By nature I am a confident person but the environment and society which I have been raised in made me question that confidence many times, I am not necessarily someone who requires a vast amount of attention to validate me in fact I do not require external validation to know what I am capable of. I have the humility of someone who knows that nothing in life is promised and this world is tough but I have the confidence to know that I can overcome - not immediately and not easily but I can overcome. I am not modest about my talents; I know that I am gifted, multi-faceted and that I do not wish to be contained to the limitations of society. I want all Black girls and Black women who read this to know that they do not have to be modest about their talents and gifts either - you do not have to wait for anyone to celebrate or recognise you. It's absolutely OK to admit that you're proud of yourself and even if you're the only one in this moment who recognises it make sure you pat yourself on the back and give yourself the credit that you deserve. So many of us have been conditioned to downplay our achievements and accept the crumbs of opportunity that this country offers us when in fact we deserve more than crumbs we deserve the entire cake with tea.
I am a personal branding coach, passionate about seeing Black women professionals and entrepreneurs thrive. If you would like support on how to boost your confidence and become more visible through your personal brand get in touch.
Personal Brand 3 Month Deep Dive Coaching Package is ideal for business owners, entrepreneurs, creatives or professionals who want to raise their visibility and business credibility through dedicated and intentional personal brand coaching.
This coaching package is for you if:
You have been working hard in your sector for many years but do not get the recognition that you feel like you deserve.
You are tired of doubting yourself and limiting yourself in your sector.
You are often overlooked for exciting new opportunities in your sector.
You are ready for a breakthrough as a leader in your sector.
You have goals that you have buried because of your lack of confidence and are constantly concerned with what other people will think.
You want to widen your circle of influence beyond the people who currently know you.
You are frustrated with the way your online footprint represents you.
You know something is holding you back and need a passionate, honest and pragmatic personal branding coach to take you to the next level.
Clients who have booked this package have left with renewed confidence in their goals and aims; established clarity as it pertains to how they position themselves in their industries and have attracted exciting opportunities which have led to career and business growth. Read what past clients have to say about the personal brand coaching sessions here.
What we will cover over the course of our 3 months:
The Power of a Personal brand - how having a strong personal brand can open up new opportunities in your business or career journey.
Mindset and confidence review - discuss barriers and limitations and how to overcome them.
Harnessing your voice - Knowing and understanding what your message is, who your audience is and how to reach them.
Using PR to enhance your profile - Using public relations strategies to enhance your public profile.
Media training and visibility - how to engage with the press
Identifying your values & Knowing your purpose - Understanding what your brand is and how you can maintain your integrity and authenticity.
Social Media strategy - How to use social media platforms to raise your visibility.
Understanding your audience - unpacking who your audience is and why you want to engage with them
Public Speaking Tips - Advice and guidance on becoming a more confident public speaker.
Measuring Success - Assessing Long term goals and celebrating success.
How it works:
Conducted within 3 calendar months or 12 weeks - must be taken consecutively unless otherwise agreed.
60 minute preparation and brainstorming call - personal branding questionnaire
Two 90 minute coaching calls/face to face meet ups each month or 3 × 1 hour sessions per month
Email check-ins in between calls/meet ups
Assignments and shared document to review progress
Key goals and targets designed to improve progress
Cancellations* must be made within 7 days of order being placed. After which point a refund will be made less a £50 termination fee. This is based on no work being undertaken. If work has already commenced services are not refundable but transferable.
Cancellations on the grounds of a change of business circumstances.