It’s All Good: CEO, Author Minda Harts on Success, Surprise and the Future
Minda Harts, founder and CEO of The Memo, on a recent MSNBC appearance.
What a year it has been—and in a very good way—for Minda Harts, best-selling author and CEO, founder of The Memo, LLC.
This is true in 2020, an exceptionally challenging year particularly for women of color on so many levels. As the country faces COVID-19 fallout, racial justice atrocities and the need to rebuild and create new infrastructures and patterns with fairness, equity and inclusion, hers is a voice and stance validating the power of BIPOC and the urgent need for change.
“As the country faces COVID-19 fallout and #racialjustice atrocities, @MindaHarts is a voice and stance validating the power of #BIPOC and the urgent need for change. ”
The author of The Memo: What Women of Color Need To Know To Secure A Seat At The Table, has been showered in accolades, applause and appreciation for her book that was praised by Time magazine—and so many more outlets, organizations, companies and businesses—earning her the #15 spot on the Top 40 Women Keynote Speakers of 2020.
“Success is not a solo sport,” is her original adage so closely associated with her, it has its own swag.
Candid and competent, Harts, who also launched the Women Of Color Equity Initiative, has been featured in New York Times, Harvard Business Review, Forbes, Wall Street Journal, Black Enterprise, NBC News, NPR, MSNBC's Morning Joe, Fast Company, Essence, The Guardian, and hundreds more outlets. Her weekly career podcast for professional women of color, Secure The Seat, is well-respected for her genuine and informative approach.
Harts, now a Career Advice Columnist for the media platform Well & Good, is the featured guest on Take The Lead’s Power To Change Conversation January 12, with host Felicia Davis.
“@MindaHarts, now a Career Advice Columnist for the media platform @iamwellandgood, is the featured guest on @Takeleadwomen ‘s #PowerToChangeConversation January 12, with host Felicia Davis. #womenleaders”
Defined by Real Leaders as “a well-connected, sought-after speaker and thought-leader who frequently speaks on topics of advancing women of color, leadership, diversity, and entrepreneurship. In 2018, she was named one of 25 Emerging Innovators by American Express. She was also chosen by the General Assembly to serve as one of their Dream Mentors, alongside women such as Cindy Gallop.”
Read more in Take The Lead on Minda Harts.
An assistant professor of public service of New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, Harts’ speaking schedule has included Microsoft, Levi's, Google, and Bloomberg.
The Women Of Color Equity Initiative lists this as its mission, “We are committed to equity for women of color and black women in the workplace. We are a diverse team in ethnicity, age, and gender with over 30 years of experience in the workforce. We take pride in creating sustainable tools that impact racial justice.”
According to the website, “Roughly 11 percent of Women of Color hold a Managerial position, less than 8 percent hold a Sr. Managerial position, and less than 4 percent are represented in the C-Suite. We believe that in order to change the ratio, we must be intentional about finding equitable solutions. The Women of Color Equity Initiative is committed to seeing more Women of Color advance into management and senior roles across industries. Let’s partner and make the future of work—more equitable.”
Read more in Take The Lead on Minda Harts’ keynote for Future For Us
Harts’ messaging and advice to women of color entrepreneurs and leaders is essential forever—but particularly now as the country and the world launches into economic recovery from COVID that has more deleteriously affected BIPOC communities, especially women.
“@MindaHarts’ advice to #woc #entrepreneurs and #leaders is essential forever—but particularly now as the country launches into economic recovery from #COVID that has more deleteriously affected #BIPOC communities.”
”It’s no exaggeration to say that the pandemic has decimated small businesses and early-stage ventures, especially those owned by women and people of color. Black women sit at this juncture, bearing a disproportionate share of the virus’ impact,” according to Forbes.
“For years, Black women have created new businesses at a rapid clip, far outpacing other racial and ethnic groups. But strong financial headwinds from the pandemic and a lack of access to new funding sources threaten to wipe out decades of economic progress, leaving Black female business owners in a state of perpetual uncertainty, waiting for relief they fear will never come.”
While pre-pandemic the growth of Black businesses was remarkable, recovering from COVID economically will be challenging.
“While pre-pandemic the growth of #Black #businesses was remarkable, recovering from #COVID economically will be challenging. #womeninbusiness #progress ”
Charisse Conanan Johnson writes in Fortune, “As of 2019, women of color account for 50%, or 6.4 million, of the 13 million women-owned businesses; they account for approximately 20% of the 31.7 million proprietor-owned firms in the United States. American Express calculated that four million new jobs and $981 billion in revenue would be added if the average revenue of all women-owned firms owned by persons of color matched that of businesses owned by white women. These achievements would be incredibly impactful on the overall economy.”
Johnson continues, “And when you consider what types of businesses are growing the fastest, it’s those owned by women of color. Specifically, the number of firms owned by women of color grew 43% from 2014 to 2019, according to American Express. Black-women-owned businesses grew the fastest at 50%, followed by Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (41%), Latina/Hispanic (40%), Asian American (37%) and Native American/Alaska Native (26%). Women of color employ 2.4 million people and generate $422.5 billion in revenue (23% of total women-owned businesses’ revenue of $1.4 trillion).”
In the Power To Change Conversation January 12, Harts will discuss how women of color can contribute to the changes in structures and systems that are in desperate need of transformation.
“In the #PowerToChangeConversation January 12, @MindaHarts will discuss how #woc can contribute to the changes in structures and systems that are in desperate need of transformation. #womenleaders”
Q: How do you see the role of Black and brown women leaders expanding in the country's economic recovery post-COVID?
MH: I believe 2020 allowed many Black and brown women to set the table, and in 2021 and beyond I am excited to see them (us) leading at these tables. 2020 exposed a lot of workplace inequity and allowed for many companies and organizations to have honest and candid conversations. I believe we are just getting started in terms of the legacy that women of color will leave in the workplace. But with that said, it will take active allies and sponsors to help continue to move the equity needle forward.
Q: What are your top three learnings since the launch of your book, The Memo?
MH: I have learned so much. But the main things are 1) Run your own race. It's easy to start to compare yourself to other authors and miss out on the journey. I have enjoyed seeing the impact in the workplace and the lives of women of color. 2) I have more to say. I thought after writing The Memo, that I didn't have anything else to say. But now I am working on two additional books. I was definitely wrong. Ha Ha. and lastly, 3) Always make time for the readers. I receive a lot of messages from women who've read The Memo and I love hearing from them. I read every message and appreciate the time they took out to write to me.
““Run your own race. It’s easy to start to compare yourself to other authors and miss out on the journey. I have enjoyed seeing the impact in the #workplace and the lives of #woc. “ —@MindaHarts. #adviceforwriters #womenleaders”
Q: What advice do you have to women at any point in their career when they face self-doubt or fear?
MH: “I would say that fear can't go where you are headed. I recently read a quote somewhere that said, is "faith is fear that said its prayers." We get to define success on our own terms and run our own race. Fear has the ability to stunt our growth and the world needs your gifts.”
“When asked what advice to give women facing self-doubt or fear, @MindaHarts said: “I would say that fear can’t go where you are headed. I recently read a quote somewhere that said, is ‘faith is fear that said its prayers.’” #women #careersuccess”
Q: Has your success surprised you in any way? What has happened that you least expected?
MH: “I am extremely humbled and blessed by the success of The Memo. I know that success is not a solo sport and I wouldn't be able to experience half of the things I have without my community. And Take the Lead has been part of that as well. I would say having the opportunity to meet Mrs. Michelle Obama right before the pandemic. That moment was surreal.
Q: Have you changed at all?
MH: “I don't think so.. In the words of the Notorious BIG: "Same number, same hood, it's all good."
Q: I see you are working on two new books, including a young adult book. Why is it important to write a book for a younger audience?
MH: “I am currently working on my first young adult book, and I can't wait to transfer the knowledge that I have to them, so they have fewer skinned knees along their journey. They can learn from our mistakes.”
Q: I see you have a Writer’s Retreat coming up in 2021. Why is it important to have a writers retreat?
MH: So many people want to know the behind the scenes of writing a book. Writing a book is kind of a mysterious thing and I wanted to take the mystery out of it.
Q: What are you most proud of that you have accomplished?
MH: “I am most proud of establishing a scholarship at my undergrad university for women of color students. I established that endowed scholarship in 2018 and it helps transfer students and first-year women of color.”
Check back here to register for The Power To Change Conversation with Minda Harts January 12.
