The Girlbosses You Should Be Following To Expand Your Horizons
ICYMI: it’s time for white Americans to engage in some meaningful self-reflection. I know that as a white woman, I benefit from the privileges given to me by the institutions that govern our lives. I will never understand what it is like to live in fear because of the color of my skin.
As a PR expert and career coach, this only amplifies the importance of listening to others who have different identities and experiences from my own. This includes anyone of another race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, socioeconomic status, age, geographic location, or physical or emotional ability.
I know and appreciate the value of those who do not share the same background as me, and I am inspired every day by their success stories. To a large extent, we are what we consume — the content we view impacts how we view the world around us, whether we are aware of it or not.
Far too often, white influencers seem to dominate social media while others are pushed to the side. To help you diversify your feed and expand your horizons, I compiled a list of some of my favorite girl boss influencers who have motivated me to be a better entrepreneur, coach, and expert in my field.
Akilah Cadet
Akilah Cadet (aka the Olivia Pope of diversity) is the founder of Change Cadet, which strives to promote more women and people of color at the forefront of the workforce.
Payal Kadajia Pujju
New Jersey native and first-generation Indian American, Payal Kadajua Pujji is the founder and Chairman of ClassPass, a subscription-based on-demand workout platform worth over $500 million. As a dancer, she was inspired to improve the existing platforms to schedule workout classes online, so she launched her own and entered a field that is dominantly white males.
Tae Mckenzie
Tae Mckenzie has spent her whole life battling a rare form of epilepsy that causes her to have strokes. When experiencing her second stroke, she fell to the floor and hit her head hard enough to lose 80% of her memory and is now bound to her wheelchair. Tae had to relearn how to count, say the alphabet, walk, and talk. She now is a role model, model, actress, activist, and entrepreneur despite her disability. She is the CEO of 3 companies, a philanthropist, and the 2016 Ms. Heels for Wheels winner.
Dayna Bolden
Baltimore based beauty blogger and entrepreneur Dayna Bolden left her corporate 9-5 job and took a risk to pursue her true passions of beauty, hair, and fashion. Her big move paid off and she now encourages other women to also go after their dreams. She has become a big name in the influencer market while also maintaining her own high-end clientele. A true icon!
Vanessa Lau
Vanessa Lau uses her experience to teach budding entrepreneurs how to build wildly influential coaching businesses using social media, but without using sleazy sales tactics. Much like me, Vanessa got burned out by the 9-5 life and wants to empower women to build the biz of their dreams.
Hayet Rida
Hayet Rida is an Instagram influencer with her own fashion, beauty, travel, and lifestyle site. She is also the founder of The Rida Collective and Thellshift. The Rida Collective is a space where influencers, brands, and content creators can learn and link up.
Jereshia Hawk
Jereshia’s feed is full of the advice and content you need. She’s a pro at helping experts articulate their value, raise their rates and launch high ticket coaching programs. Don’t miss any of her words of wisdom — be sure to follow her on the ‘gram!
Candace Read
Candace Read found her passion for fashion when at school in New York City. She is a stylist influencer on Instagram with a following of more than 80k followers and is also the founder of her own business.
Molly Ho
If you are looking to up your game on Pinterest, Molly Ho is your gal. Molly’s IG shares tips on how to build a sustainable and thriving business that supports your dreams, ambitions, and the lifestyle you really want.
Hello Luci
Notre Dame graduate and graphic design expert Luci started her brand “Hello Luci” in 2018. She helps her clients “show up through authentic branding, web design, and community” while also sharing insightful and informative blogs on her website.
Tomi Obebe
Tomi started her blog in 2015 to share her passion for fashion, travel, and lifestyle. She soon hit the ground running and turned her brand into her full-time career. At 23, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and shares her journey in finding peace with her chronic illness. She shares her beauty secrets, favorite fashion items, and more on her platforms.
Mattie James
If you're looking to be a full-time influencer, start by checking out Mattie James. Mattie started her own business to assist influencers in obtaining brand sponsorship. She knows everything (yes everything) about being an influencer.
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