

The legend James Brown once said, "This is a man's world, but it would be nothing without a woman or a girl."
Since JB declared that statement in his 1966 hit, it's not just a man's world anymore. While women have been and are still the minority in many industries, we are are increasing in numbers and are making impressive strides in male-dominated industries. However, despite our triumphs, we still struggle at times. Because it can be difficult to demonstrate our leadership skills while maintaining our femininity and sense of self, we sometimes struggle when working in spaces where males are the majority.
We recently caught up with four girl bosses from varied professions, and they shared their biggest tips on affirming and empowering themselves in male-dominated industries - high heels and all. Click through the gallery below.
1.Sheridan Labbé
What She Does:
Forrmer Director of Marketing for the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce, Founder of Southern Kouture
What She Says:
"I believe that you should always maintain your femininity in whatever respect that means. Do not feel like you have to tone down who you are or be someone you're not. Your employer hired you because of who you are, not someone who they are forcing you to be (or who you think they want you to be). [To me] femininity means different things for every woman, and you should be comfortable in your own femininity and own it. If your boss wanted to hire someone else, they would have. They hired you because of the diverse perspectives you can bring to the table. My advice?
"Be a boss babe and bring your light, amazing hustle, and energy to every space you occupy."
2.Marquetta Moore
What She Does:
Director of Music & Celebrity Relations at REVOLT TV
What She Says:
"One challenge that I have faced and have overcome is making sure that my voice is always heard. I know my job better than anyone else at the table, which is why I am there, so I had to learn to not let my suggestions be swept to the side. I have affirmed myself as a leader by remaining consistent and truthful, and always standing by my beliefs."
"As women, our femininity is maintained by being who we individually are."
"Every woman's feminine side is expressed differently, and it is unique to the individual, which is why it is important to always be yourself."
Her Advice To Boss Women:
- Always speak up, no matter who is in the room. Your opinion matters!
- Maintain a healthy work/life balance.
- Find your tribe of sisters and cherish them. You will keep each other going when things seem impossible.
3.Sherita Nzali
What She Does:
Experienced HR professional, working in Silicon Valley
What She Says:
"My strength is that I am okay with being me. I am very clear on what type of leader I want to be and how I want people to see me in the workplace. I think sometimes we get in our own heads when it comes to what leadership should look like. My perspective is, find out what works for you and own it!"
"When you're comfortable in your own skin, it's hard for people to knock you off your square."
"While Corporate America certainly is male-dominated, I don't see male leaders or coworkers as roadblocks, I see someone who has a different perspective or someone I'd like to collaborate with on a project. Mutual respect goes a long way and when I'm challenged by a male leader or coworker, I take the same approach as I would with anyone."
Her Advice To Boss Women:
- Don't try to think like a man. Embrace your femininity and think like a woman; that, in itself, is powerful.
- Be confident, but don't fake it. Get to know yourself and get comfortable in that space. Whether you are truly confident or "pending" confident, people will listen to you and they will have expectations that you can deliver. If you plan to keep your brand intact, you must deliver – so be prepared.
- Be self-compassionate. It's important to know your strengths and areas of opportunity. It's also important to actively work on those growth areas – and forgive yourself when you're not quite there.
- Be a champion – for yourself AND other women. Celebrate others' accomplishments and put the practice of shade aside.
4.Brittney Hill
What She Does:
Transformational HR Operations Leader
What She Says:
"An organization I once worked with was not only predominantly male, but also more senior in age. Admittedly, at first, I questioned myself a lot thinking, 'How do I get them to see me?' Not only see me as an equal, but also see me as an individual that is able to provide value of substance."
"At the time, the organization was in transformation and growth mode, which presented the opportunity for me to assist in strategic projects. So I took this challenge as an opportunity to demonstrate my capabilities and values, in spite of my gender and age. I was able to lead and implement a series of strategic initiatives that gave me attention, which helped me gain credibility."
"I believe there is a constant battle when you are the minority in gender and age, fighting to be an equal at the table, especially when alignment of management is needed for consensus to move the organization forward. But instead of feeling defeated and accepting that I was seen as inferior, I persisted. I soon realized my competence and my confidence in myself was my greatest asset in gaining confidence by my peers, superiors, and company as a whole."
"Through the years, I've maintained my femininity by displaying to my peers and leaders that I don't have to take on the role of a male in order to be a valued contributor. I always celebrate my values and what I bring to the table as a female, and see those as strengths."
"I don't conform by participating in male-driven discussions or activities, if it borders on the loss of who I am and compromises me as a respectable, professional female."
"It's important for females like myself and others to remember not to play into the good ol' boy segment. When you think the only way to survive and advance is to start playing into the good ol' boy network, then you've lost your feminine identity to become one of them. Find a way to celebrate your femininity and use every opportunity to ensure that other people around you understand that you approach things with the professional views of being a female."
How do YOU maintain your femininity in a male-dominated workplace? Share your tips below!
- Women in Male-Dominated Industries and Occupations | Catalyst ›
- Women who succeed in male-dominated careers are often seen ... ›
- Women in Male-Dominated Careers — Cornell HR Review ›
- Success Tips For Women In A Male-Dominated Industry ›
- Women in male-dominated industries - what it's like to experience ... ›
- 10 Powerful Ways Woman Can Succeed in a Male-Dominated World ›
- The Skills You Need As A Woman In A Male Dominated Industry | Time ›
- 30 Women Who Have Revolutionized A Male-Dominated Industry ... ›
Adrian Marcel On Purpose, Sacrifice, And The 'Signs Of Life'
In this week's episode of xoMAN, host Kiara Walker talked with R&B artist Adrian Marcel, who opened up, full of heart and authenticity, about his personal evolution. He discussed his days transitioning from a young Bay Area singer on the come-up to becoming a grounded husband and father of four.
With honesty and introspection, Marcel reflected on how life, love, and loss have shaped the man he is today.
On ‘Life’s Subtle Signals’
Much of the conversation centered around purpose, sacrifice, and listening to life’s subtle signals. “I think that you really have to pay attention to the signs of life,” Marcel said. “Because as much as we need to make money, we are not necessarily on this Earth for that sole purpose, you know what I mean?” While he acknowledged his ambitions, adding, “that is not me saying at all I’m not trying to ball out,” he emphasized that fulfillment goes deeper.
“We are here to be happy. We are here [to] fulfill a purpose that we are put on here for.”
On Passion vs. Survival
Adrian spoke candidly about the tension between passion and survival, describing how hardship can sometimes point us away from misaligned paths. “If you find it’s constantly hurting you… that’s telling you something. That’s telling you that you’re going outside of your purpose.”
Marcel’s path hasn’t been without detours. A promising athlete in his youth, he recalled, “Early on in my career, I was still doing sports… I was good… I had a scholarship.” An injury changed everything. “My femur broke. Hence why I always say, you know, I’m gonna keep you hip like a femur.” After the injury, he pivoted to explore other careers, including teaching and corporate jobs.
“It just did not get me—even with any success that happened in anything—those times, back then, I was so unhappy. And you know, to a different degree. Like not just like, ‘I really want to be a singer so that’s why I’m unhappy.’ Nah, it was like, it was not fulfilling me in any form or fashion.”
On Connection Between Pursuing Music & Fatherhood
He recalled performing old-school songs at age 12 to impress girls, then his father challenged him: “You can lie to these girls all you want, but you're really just lying to yourself. You ain't growing.” That push led him to the piano—and eventually, to his truth. “Music is my love,” Marcel affirmed. “I wouldn’t be a happy husband if I was here trying to do anything else just to appease her [his wife].”
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by xoNecole/YouTube
Colman Domingo’s Career Advice Is A Reminder That Our Words Shape Our Reality
When it comes to life, we are always here for a good reminder to shift our mindsets, and Colman Domingo just gave us one we didn't know we needed.
In a resurfaced clip from an appearance at NewFest shared as a repost via Micheaux Film Festival, the Emmy award winner dropped a gem on how he has navigated his decades-spanning career in Hollywood. The gem in question? Well, Colman has never identified with "struggle" in his career. Let that sit.
Colman Domingo On Not Claiming Struggle
"I’ve never said that this career was tough. I’ve never said it was difficult. I’ve never said it was hard," Colman said. "Other people would say that—‘oh, you're in a very difficult industry. It's very hard to get work and book work.’ I’m like, I’ve never believed that."
Instead of allowing himself to be defined by other people's projections about their perceptions of what the industry is or was, Colman dared to believe differently even if his reality was playing catch up with his dreams:
"Like Maya Angelou said words are things. And if you believe that, then that's actually what it is. Actually I've just never believed it. Someone told me some years ago, they said, 'I remember you were, you're a struggling actor.' I'm like, 'I don't.'"
"I wasn't attached to a struggle. I was attached to living..."
He continued:
"Even when I was bartending and hustling and not having opportunities or anything, I never believed that I was struggling because I wasn't attached to a struggle. I was attached to living and creating and being curious."
Colman’s philosophy of attaching to living instead of struggle has blossomed into an enduring career. He first made his mark on stage in acclaimed Broadway productions before transitioning to the screen, where his star began to rise in the 2010s following his role as Victor Strand in Fear The Walking Dead. From there, his presence only grew, landing memorable supporting roles in If Beale Street Could Talk, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and the hit series Euphoria.
In more recent years, Colman has stepped fully into the spotlight with standout leading performances in Rustin and Sing Sing, both of which earned him widespread critical acclaim and Academy Award nominations for Best Actor.
With all that said, Colman's advice is no doubt powerful, especially for those who are chasing their dreams, building something from the ground up, or have question marks about what's next in their careers. Words shape our realities, and how we speak about our journeys even in passing matters.
Words Create Our Reality & Colman Is Living Proof
"I tell young people that. To remember the words that you say about yourself and your career are true. So, I choose to make it full of light and love and it's interesting and every day I'm going to learn something new even if it looks like I don't have what I want but it's important to be in the moment... you really build on the moments moment to moment.
"And you're looking back at your career as I've been in it for what 33 years and you're like, 'Wow, that's what I've been doing.' And I've stayed strong to that so I think that is truly my advice."
Let this be your sign to give your path a reframe. When the path you're on feels uncertain, the journey is still unfolding. Like Colman said: "I wasn't attached to a struggle. I was attached to living."
That's a Black king right there.
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Featured image by Soul Brother/Soul B Photos/Shutterstock