BLACK ENTERPRISE wrapped up its third annual Women of Power Summit hosted by State Farm by sending more than 700 empowered, inspired, and humbled business women back into the world to conquer obstacles, ignite change, and command respect—all while earning success. The sold-out leadership event provided workshops and seminars that examined the distinctive challenges minority women face in corporate America; and C-suite executives and savvy entrepreneurs offered business success strategies that focused on workplace politics, emerging business trends, management techniques, and workforce diversity.
The four-day summit that kicked off on Feb. 13 at the La Quinta Resort & Club near Palm Springs, California, began with a tribute to Academy Award nominated actress Ruby Dee Davis, corporate pioneer Ann M. Fudge, world renowned poet Nikki Giovanni, and activist Dorothy I. Height. In accepting her award, Height reminded those in attendance that they did not simply earn the positions they currently hold with the sweat of their own brow but also from the sweat and sometimes blood of the women and men that came before them. In that spirit, she encouraged everyone to help the next generation coming up behind them. As to why an event of this caliber is imperative, Height said it best: “The better you feel about yourself, the more you can help others. And the more you can help others, the better you will feel about yourself.”
Height added, “It is a great reminder to me that I have had the benefit of so many women who showed their power, who understood that power was neither bad nor good; it’s how you use it. I’m glad to see that women are rising up to realize that and to spend several days to think about is a wonderful thing.”
Giovanni agreed, “I’m a big fan of the black woman and I’ve often said that if we didn’t exist we would have to be invented. I think this gathering is a very important one.”
This year’s featured keynote speaker was Sheila Johnson, America’s first black female billionaire. As co-founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET), president and managing partner of the WNBA’s Washington Mystics, and a partner in Lincoln Holdings L.L.C., owners of the NHL’s Washington Capitals, Johnson serves as an inspiration for women in business across the country. She is also CEO of Salamander Hospitality L.L.C., a company she founded in 2005, where she oversees a growing variety of luxury properties while simultaneously serving as an ambassador for CARE, a humanitarian organization dedicated to fighting global poverty.
Johnson continued the message of mentorship, urging each of us to play a role in solving the challenges of today rather than allow them to hold us back. “Live in the light,” said Johnson, who added that as we gather to both follow and lead, we build upon the sacrifices of women before us. “Be a catalyst for good.”
The highlight of the conference, by far, had to be the exclusive interview with Anucha Browne Sanders with Star Jones. After being let go as senior vice president of marketing and business operations for the New York Knicks in January 2006, Browne-Sanders filed a sexual harassment suit against Madison Square Garden and Isiah Thomas. The parties eventually reached an $11.5 million settlement. Browne Sanders granted BLACK ENTERPRISE and Star Jones the first and only interview following the settlement.
When asked why she chose this forum for the interview, Browne Sanders said, “I felt empowered and I think it is so important to have a dialogue with women who are coming up through the ranks who at some point in their career are going to be faced with adversity and knowing that there is recourse. It’s so important to stand on integrity and stand on character and to have a strong backing.”
Browne Sanders added, “I think that the environment that I was in particularly, I really tried to focus on the things that I enjoyed about my job and not allow that to be the chip on my shoulder. And I think it is important for us black women, as women of color that are going to be constantly be faced with the need to be 20 times better than our male counterparts or our white counterparts, to have the resolve, to have a strong backbone, and to figure out from every situation what are you learning? What could you have done better? What can you do better in the next situation to avoid some of those pitfalls?”
One of the most popular sessions of the event was the Creating Your Playbook for Success: Why Talent is Not Enough, moderated by Andréa Bradford, senior vice president, organizational consultant, and executive coach with Right Management. Panelists included Shirley W. Bridges, CIO, president and CEO of Delta Airlines; Joyce M. Roché, president and CEO of Girls Inc.; and Debra A. Sandler, worldwide president of McNeil Nutritionals L.L.C.
Sandler suggests that all young women need the following three things in their playbook: “The first part of the playbook is how are you going to get the job done? Talent is critical. Ask yourself, ‘Do I need training? Who are the people in the company that are excellent at this? How do I model myself after what they do and how they do it?’ The second thing is how do I build a network? A personal and professional network is about having champions, mentors, and supporters. At the end of the day, when the door is closed, who’s going to be able to speak on your behalf?” “The other thing is really be flexible. Figure out how to be true to yourself and what are your strengths and what are your weaknesses and be open to criticism.”
The conference wasn’t without moments of fun. Acclaimed singers and songwriters Brian McKnight and Jill Scott headlined the all-star entertainment and each morning began with either a boot camp Cha-Cha or Latin Fusion, where instructors taught the latest dance moves. Evenings were filled with shopping excursions or a fashion show.