Bozoma Saint John

And when I went on that stage, I know it would have been easier for me too, by the way, if I had just put on the jeans and the button down. If I had just tried to look like everybody else, maybe that would be one less barrier.

And when I went on that stage, I know it would have been easier for me too, by the way, if I had just put on the jeans and the button down. If I had just tried to look like everybody else, maybe that would be one less barrier.

you know, than even how I appear to be. Not even, I hadn't even opened my mouth yet. I had not even presented one idea yet. Just how I look. And so for all of us who are showing up in these spaces, of course you just want to align. In that little moment of like just walking in the door, knowing everybody's going to turn and look at you.

you know, than even how I appear to be. Not even, I hadn't even opened my mouth yet. I had not even presented one idea yet. Just how I look. And so for all of us who are showing up in these spaces, of course you just want to align. In that little moment of like just walking in the door, knowing everybody's going to turn and look at you.

you know, than even how I appear to be. Not even, I hadn't even opened my mouth yet. I had not even presented one idea yet. Just how I look. And so for all of us who are showing up in these spaces, of course you just want to align. In that little moment of like just walking in the door, knowing everybody's going to turn and look at you.

If you didn't have that hair, if you didn't have on that crazy outfit, if you weren't wearing those daggone earrings, if your nails weren't painted a certain way, if you weren't wearing those shoes, clickety clack, clack, clack. Here I come down the hallway. You know I'm coming because you heard my heels clicking. It would be so much easier. But I refuse. To do that.

If you didn't have that hair, if you didn't have on that crazy outfit, if you weren't wearing those daggone earrings, if your nails weren't painted a certain way, if you weren't wearing those shoes, clickety clack, clack, clack. Here I come down the hallway. You know I'm coming because you heard my heels clicking. It would be so much easier. But I refuse. To do that.

If you didn't have that hair, if you didn't have on that crazy outfit, if you weren't wearing those daggone earrings, if your nails weren't painted a certain way, if you weren't wearing those shoes, clickety clack, clack, clack. Here I come down the hallway. You know I'm coming because you heard my heels clicking. It would be so much easier. But I refuse. To do that.

Because I do know all the people who are walking behind me. I am very aware of that. And it still hurts. Both of those things can be true. So no, I am not like some, you know, like humble martyr out here. I want my roses. Yes. I want them now. I can, yes, both can be true that I want it for them too, but I want mine. Mm-hmm. You know, and that's why I choose.

Because I do know all the people who are walking behind me. I am very aware of that. And it still hurts. Both of those things can be true. So no, I am not like some, you know, like humble martyr out here. I want my roses. Yes. I want them now. I can, yes, both can be true that I want it for them too, but I want mine. Mm-hmm. You know, and that's why I choose.

Because I do know all the people who are walking behind me. I am very aware of that. And it still hurts. Both of those things can be true. So no, I am not like some, you know, like humble martyr out here. I want my roses. Yes. I want them now. I can, yes, both can be true that I want it for them too, but I want mine. Mm-hmm. You know, and that's why I choose.

That's why when I'm sitting there and I'm like, oh, you know what? This ain't right. Let me just, where's my purse at? Let me just pack my things and get up the hell out of here. Because I recognize that unless I do that, I will be that hidden figure. Nobody will know my name.

That's why when I'm sitting there and I'm like, oh, you know what? This ain't right. Let me just, where's my purse at? Let me just pack my things and get up the hell out of here. Because I recognize that unless I do that, I will be that hidden figure. Nobody will know my name.

That's why when I'm sitting there and I'm like, oh, you know what? This ain't right. Let me just, where's my purse at? Let me just pack my things and get up the hell out of here. Because I recognize that unless I do that, I will be that hidden figure. Nobody will know my name.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

That's right. That's right. Or when we are creating strategies, right. Or telling stories, especially as a, as a marketer, right. That's my whole job is to create narratives about things. And you have to make it for. the mass market, right? Meaning that my story doesn't matter in it. But how can that be? Very early on in my career, I contemplated that.

That's right. That's right. Or when we are creating strategies, right. Or telling stories, especially as a, as a marketer, right. That's my whole job is to create narratives about things. And you have to make it for. the mass market, right? Meaning that my story doesn't matter in it. But how can that be? Very early on in my career, I contemplated that.

That's right. That's right. Or when we are creating strategies, right. Or telling stories, especially as a, as a marketer, right. That's my whole job is to create narratives about things. And you have to make it for. the mass market, right? Meaning that my story doesn't matter in it. But how can that be? Very early on in my career, I contemplated that.