This Powerful Statement Will Change How You Job Search
Whether you know Bozoma Saint John by her radiant African prints, her voluminous natural 'fro or simply by her position as the Chief Brand Officer for Uber, you have to know she is the popping corporate "IT' girl right now.
She makes it chicly appropriate to thrive in the boardroom while fiercely wearing tribal patterned clothing.
Prior to working at Uber, Bozoma held several senior roles in Marketing for large major companies such as Ashley Stewart, Pepsi-Cola, and Apple Music. For all of my fellow Bey lovers, we have Bozoma's genuis to thank for Pepsi obtaining Beyonce for the halftime performance of Superbowl XLVII.
Bozoma is black girl magic on full display and definitely belongs on your radar. A simple scroll down her Instagram @badassboz will have you like, "Well dayum, I would love a day in her life!" (Well, maybe a little more than a day.)
She dazzles on the red carpets, rubs elbows with A-List celebrities, and then flips it to be fashionably perched on panels for numerous platforms as the resident branding expert. Her social media is full of proof of her black girl magic and her praise of other's magic. But outside of the glitz and the glam is pure substance.
I knew of Bozoma from her days at Apple because of my nerdy self-proclaimed love of business magazines. When she decided to work at Uber, I have to say I gave Bozoma, my mentor in my head, my best side eye, which looked a little like the Cruella Deville botox version of a raised eyebrow. To sum it up, I thought she was too badass to be down with Uber with all their internal turmoil, sexual misconduct allegations, and other shenanigans. But in true Bozoma fashion, she didn't hear my protest. Despite my unheard opposition, I learned a key point from Bozoma.
Who knew that would happen? Not me.
In addition to the way she sparkles and shines in her day-to-day life, Bozoma also sprinkles gems like magic dust in her interviews. My favorite interview of Bozoma's is the one she did with Oprah's bestie, Gayle King for CBS News.
During the interview, of course, the most obvious question was about Bozoma's decision to take the position with Uber. Her reply? Get ready for this gem...
"...It's about trying to be the representation for what I want to see. I want change. I want things to be great for people of color and for women."
That is BIG.
I have been guilty of just showing up to work for the fundamental basics like to feed my family and to have health insurance. I have to be honest, I never really thought of my career working in Human Resources as necessarily a field that was a total gamechanger in the world. I may have a little influence in the confines of our little office world but Bozoma's statement got me all the way straight.
Each little step we make as individuals challenges what the norm is and we all can be that change.
Here's the gamechanger in the spirit of her why. What if during your next job search, you seek out the opportunity to be the representation that you want to see? Say what? Yes, do not pass go from the companies that are doing some rebuilding. Instead, see the opportunities that could lie ahead.
Change Your Mindset
Companies that are in the rebuilding mode are eager to get away from the "sucks to be you" black cloud. They want new talent to change the culture. They want new leaders to lead the change. The opportunities are endless with companies fighting viciously to change, like Uber. And you can't be part of the change if you don't have a seat at the table. Be badass like Bozoma and take the bait, take the money, take the opportunity to see just where it could lead you.
Why should you even consider this? Glad you asked. Well, for starters, you might have the opportunity to build a team that represents who you want to see. You might even have the ear of the change-makers. Hell, you might be able to build liaisons with others that represent.
The opportunity is larger than what meets the eye.
On a smaller note, if Bozoma can do all she does wearing waist-length braids, large hoop earrings, and a bright ethnic print skirt reppin' Uber, she is winning the game. That's a far stretch from the stark white shirts, tailored pants, and clean-shaven faces that I see sitting across from me. Change your mindset to change their minds.
Change Agents Represent
Bozoma has the eyes of the world watching and she is fearless. Most of us don't have that extra type of pressure but, regardless, being the representation that you want to see is challenging, no doubt. Instead of focusing on the challenge, focus on the rewards. There are rewards for your career and for others that are on the ride and seated at the table with you.
The extra bonus for you is that being a change agent for a rebuilding company is your own personal gem to keep in your back pocket for your next amazing job offer. Add that to the fact that you get to create the change you wish to see. Talk about a win.
Bozoma's vast accomplishments roll on and on. The final takeaway is she does all of this by just being herself. In our own exclusive with the exec, Bozoma stated:
"People are always going to tell you that you should be something else."
Instead of listening to the naysayers, try using Bozoma's career mantra: be bold, fearless, and never compromise who you are just to please another.
Be yourself and be that change you want to see.
Featured image via Taylor Hill/WireImage
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Kim Turner is a Human Resource Manager. She is chasing knowledge as a serial reader, checking off destinations as avid traveler, and enthusiastically searching for the ultimate red velvet cupcake. Find her sharing positivity on IG @925blueprint and on 925blueprint where she is the CEO and Founder of the website for career women and entrepreneurs seeking down to earth advice.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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The Power Of Your Big 3: Understanding The Astrological Significance You Hold
Explore your sign’s 2024 horoscope predictions to learn what is in store for you this year in love, career, and more. Check out the love compatibility of each sign to learn more about zodiac pairings and all things compatibility.
Astrology has become even more mainstream and a phenomenon than it ever has in the past. We have gone beyond the, “What’s your sign?” and have moved into “What’s your big 3?” seemingly overnight, and rightly so due to the significance of knowing these important details. Your Big 3 in Astrology represents your sun sign, your moon sign, and your rising sign.
This trifecta is thought to be one of the most significant details of your birth chart and gives you and others more of a full-picture look at who you are beyond just your sun sign.
What Does Your Big 3 In Astrology Say About You?
Knowing your big 3 is important, especially if you are someone who has never really resonated with your sun sign. You read about what it means to be an Aries, but may not align with what you see or your experience with other Aries. Meanwhile, the whole time, you have a Libra rising, the complete opposite sign of Aries, and this is why you have always seen yourself as a more laid-back and less confrontational Aries.
Elements hold a key role in your birth chart and having a big 3 where the elements are all compatible or the same often signifies someone who knows who they are and is comfortable in their skin. Whereas someone with a different element for each part of their big 3 may have challenges with identity or defining who they are or how they want to present themselves. It’s a different type of perspective when looking into your big 3, and it helps you see where your strengths and needs are in life, and how to tap more into this potential.
Your Big 3 In Astrology Explained
Your big 3 can help you navigate life by understanding which part of you comes out more in different circumstances. At home, you are most like your moon sign, when you are out and about, you are most like your rising sign. Whether you are at home or out and about, your goals, purpose, and interests are most like your sun sign.
You can find out what your big 3 is by looking up a ‘Birth Chart Calculator’ on your search engine, typing in your birthday details (you will need to know your birth date, location, and the exact time you were born), and generating your birth chart.
Read below for your sun, moon, and rising signs.
YOUR SUN SIGN
Your sun sign represents the core of you and what motivates you to shine and be your best self. This is your personality, goals, purpose, identity, ego, interests, direction, and where you light up in life.
FIRE SUN (Aries Sun, Leo Sun, Sagittarius Sun)
If you are an Aries sun, a Leo sun, or a Sagittarius sun, you are outgoing, confident, fearless, and in tune with yourself and your personal goals and desires in life. You go after the things you want, and you are not afraid to take up space. You are someone who prefers to be more independent, and you are often in more leadership roles in life.
EARTH SUN (Taurus Sun, Virgo Sun, Capricorn Sun)
If you are a Taurus sun, a Virgo sun, or a Capricorn sun, you are grounded, dependable, loyal, hard-working, and logical. You prefer the finer things in life but also work hard to get where you are. You are someone others feel they can rely on, and you are often a support for other people in your life. You are very connected to the material sides of life, and have a gift for manifesting.
AIR SUN (Gemini Sun, Libra Sun, Aquarius Sun)
If you are a Gemini sun, a Libra sun, or an Aquarius sun, you are light-hearted, free-flowing, intelligent, and communicative. You speak what is on your mind, and you love to connect and communicate with others. People know you for the things you say and your out-of-the-box ideas, and you are someone who is open-minded and provides a safe space for people to be authentically themselves.
WATER SUN (Cancer Sun, Scorpio Sun, Pisces Sun)
If you are a Cancer sun, a Scorpio sun, or a Pisces sun, you are thoughtful, generous, emotional, loving, and compassionate. You care deeply about the people you love, and you are always there for others. You may be more emotional than most, and this is due to your strong intuition and open heart. You are creative, inspiring, and motivated towards connection in life.
YOUR MOON SIGN
Your moon sign represents your emotions. This is the way you express yourself emotionally, how you process your emotions, what you need in love, what makes you feel safe and nurtured, your desires, intuition, your inner world, and what’s going on beneath the surface.
FIRE MOON (Aries Moon, Leo Moon, Sagittarius Moon)
If you are an Aries moon, a Leo moon, or a Sagittarius moon, you are someone who is not afraid to communicate your emotions or how you are feeling, and you can feel your emotions from a mile away. You are confident in yourself and are someone who stands up for what you feel is right. You have a strong need to be seen and heard in your relationships, and a certain type of understanding is needed for you to emotionally thrive. You may have some challenges with anger or high energy and are working through emotional impulses in this lifetime.
EARTH MOON (Taurus Moon, Virgo Moon, Capricorn Moon)
If you are a Taurus moon, a Virgo moon, or a Capricorn moon, you are someone who is emotionally grounded, safe, comforting, and logical. You aren’t overly emotional and may not show your emotions to people much at all, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have them. You think before you speak, and you process your emotions before acting on them, and you tend to be more down-to-earth and understanding when it comes to other people’s emotional worlds as well. You are someone people go to when they need someone to talk to you as you are a very good listener.
AIR MOON (Gemini Moon, Libra Moon, Aquarius Moon)
If you are a Gemini moon, a Libra moon, or an Aquarius moon, you are someone who is fun, outgoing, and emotionally open-minded. You don’t like heavy emotions or too much emotional drama, and you tend to be more go-with-the-flow in this area of your life. Good conversation and mutual understanding are very important to you in your relationships and you want funny banter and inspiration in your connections with others.
WATER MOON (Cancer Moon, Scorpio Moon, Pisces Moon)
If you are a Cancer moon, a Scorpio moon, or a Pisces moon, you are someone who lives by their heart and values your emotional world deeply. You crave a deep type of intimacy in your partnerships and you need a partner who is going to give you that type of emotional connection. You are more private with your emotional world and you tend to hold a lot in, but this can often lead to sudden outbursts as well. Overall, you are the definition of emotion and others learn a lot from you on what it means to love and to feel.
YOUR ASCENDANT (RISING SIGN)
Your ascendant sign represents your perception and the energy you put out into the world. This is the way you come across to others, the way you express yourself, your physical traits and aesthetics, how you manifest, society, and what you expect from the world around you.
FIRE ASCENDANT (Aries Rising, Leo Rising, Sagittarius Rising)
If you are an Aries rising, a Leo rising, or a Sagittarius rising, you come across to others as confident, bold, and stylish. You are known for the way you look or the way you present yourself, and you are usually adorned in bright colors or wearing something that others take a lot of notice of. You are someone who walks into a room, and all eyes are on you, and you love that. You want to be on the move and on the go, and you love to show up in the world exactly as you are today. You see the world with a lot of possibilities and like it's yours to have fun and enjoy yourself in.
EARTH ASCENDANT (Taurus Rising, Virgo Rising, Capricorn Rising)
If you are a Taurus rising, a Virgo rising, or a Capricorn rising, you come across to others as responsible, beautiful, natural, and dependable. You are a hard worker, and you may be known for your career or the work that you do. You are someone who walks into a room and people feel an immediate sense of comfort and like you are someone they can trust. You have strong values and goals, and you are someone who knows what they want. People love to be around your down-to-earth energy, and you make others feel safe and grounded.
AIR ASCENDANT (Gemini Rising, Libra Rising, Aquarius Rising)
If you are a Gemini rising, a Libra rising, or an Aquarius rising, you come across to others as outgoing, friendly, and talkative. You see the world as a place to learn, connect, and be inspired, and you are on a quest for knowledge and understanding. You connect with people from all walks of life, and you tend to have a pretty open-minded and unique friend group. You care a lot about your style and aesthetic and always strive to be authentically you wherever you are. You can talk to people for hours and are often meeting new people and making new friends wherever you go.
WATER ASCENDANT (Cancer Rising, Scorpio Rising, Pisces Rising)
If you are a Cancer rising, a Scorpio rising, or a Pisces rising, you navigate life through the lens of your emotions, and you are deeply connected to the undercurrents of life. You are ruled by your emotions, and this side of you is not something you can keep hidden away easily. You get emotional when you think about society and others at large, and you want to be known for the kind and sincere person you are. When you walk into a room, you feel other people's energy right away and are highly empathic and intuitive.
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Featured image by We Are/Getty Images
