What Black Women Leaders Are Reading
As the CEO of Forté, an organization working to advance women in business, I look for ways to uplift women — ALL women. February is Black History Month, and this year, it comes at a time when many of us are still sheltering in place to protect ourselves from the coronavirus. The pandemic has made it more challenging to connect with our communities and listen to diverse voices, but one way we can still do this is through books.
I’m fortunate to have countless talented women leaders with diverse backgrounds in my network, and I find their perspectives invaluable. In addition to being fabulous business leaders in their own fields, they regularly share their experience and knowledge with the women in Forté's community, serving as role models, coaches, donors, and board members. I’ve seen these courageous women step outside of their comfort zones, take risks, and demonstrate what real leadership looks like.
In honor of Black History Month, I wanted to highlight a few of these inspiring women and give them an opportunity to share their insights with a larger audience. With their help, I compiled the following list of book recommendations. If you’ve binge-watched your way through the pandemic, you’re not alone (I loved One Night in Miami on Amazon Prime), but why not put down the remote and pick up a book?
Lead from the Outside: How to Build Your Future and Make Real Change by Stacey Abrams
“This book breaks down how ambition, fear, money, and failure impact our leadership. Although during Black History Month it’s vital to know how we’ve gotten here, it’s also important to unlearn harmful behaviors and pick up tools that help us use our leadership positions for good.”
– Johanna Key, Product Marketing Management
The Color of Money: Black Banks and the Racial Wealth Gap by Mehrsa Baradaran
“This book provides insight into the history of why there is a racial wealth gap in America and why the disparity for African Americans continues. I’m interested in designing solutions that will help close the racial wealth gap, the reason for this read.”
– Keitha Pansy, Managing Director, Women of the World Endowment
Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell
"I am a Malcolm Gladwell fan — Outliers resonated with me. Humans falsely attribute our success and failure to irrelevant things, and Gladwell articulates the correlations that contribute to success. Your zip code has more to do with your success than anything else."
– Stephanie Lampkin, Founder and CEO, Blendoor
Business Secrets from the Bible: Spiritual Success Strategies for Financial Abundance by Rabbi Daniel Lapin
“The book beautifully explains the principles of success through the power of connection for a purpose greater than ourselves. These principles are not new, however the author's explanation of why these principles have stood the test of time affirms our determination to succeed and improve lives.”
– Nogie Udevbulu, MD Financial Services, Forté Board Member
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
“To Kill a Mockingbird is one of my all-time favorite novels. I find myself rereading it every few years and I recently finished it again. I think I sought it out this time because, given all that has transpired over this last year, I needed a reminder of some of the themes that resonate throughout this beautifully written book: People are inherently good. We should seek to judge people by their character and their actions, not by their outward appearance, and we should all find the courage to do what’s right.”
– Carole L. Brown, Chief Executive – Asset Management Group, PNC Financial Services
My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies by Resmaa Menakem
“I believe that whoever picks up this book, if she is willing to stretch outside of her comfort zone, will develop a deeper understanding of herself and others. I like to underline what I read and I realized I had to put my pen down and simply focus on putting my learning into practice!”
– Shamis Pitts, MBA, CPC, ACC, SHRM-SCP, Pitts Leadership Consulting LLC
So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
“This book breaks down race and racism (as well as related topics like privilege, intersectionality, etc.) in a direct, easy-to-understand way, while still capturing the complexity of these issues and their implications on our society today. With everything that has been going on with regards to racial injustice, this book provides valuable insight into how we need to acknowledge and engage in discourse about these issues (which I believe is a necessary step for us to move forward). As a biracial (half-Black, half-white) woman, I found Oluo gave me language to better convey my experiences and beliefs, and insight into how to engage others who have differing viewpoints from my own.”
– Titi Harley, CEO, Harley Consulting Group
Heads of the Colored People by Nafissa Thompson-Spires
“Heads of the Colored People is one of the best short story collections I have ever read in my life — no exaggerations. Thompson-Spires shows Black women in the most complex ways, from issues resulting from class mobility to the constraints some feel by their religious beliefs. I have never felt more seen in a collection of fiction!”
– Vonetta Young, Investment Readiness & Fund Formation Advisor.
Relationship Goals: How to Win at Dating, Marriage, and Sex by Michael Todd
“Relationship Goals is a great read that my friends have raved about for months. I’m only on the first chapter, but so far, I really like it. I often listen to Michael Todd’s sermons, and I'm looking forward to diving into perspectives on being intentional in relationships from someone who had a less than perfect start to his own — and learned hard lessons as a result. I especially appreciate how this book challenges society's typical view of #relationshipgoals.”
– Nicole Gwanzura, Program Manager, MBA & Professional (Early Career), Forté
Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson
“As an international workplace strategist & speaker committed to building inclusive and equitable bridges within organizations, Isabel Wilkerson's Caste, has served as an incredibly valuable and rich resource to me. I have gained a deeper understanding of topics around identity, equity, privilege and power. Caste is a must read for those who want to truly make a difference and forge opportunity and access for all. The book was also featured on Oprah's 2020 Book Club.” – Chelsea C. Williams, Workplace Strategist, Founder & CEO, College Code
“I recommend it because Wilkerson's prose is excellent and her perspective on race and its history in the United States is profound. It couldn't be more topical for the state of our country right now. All should read it.”
– Tyeise Huntley, Manager, Office of Access & Enrollment at Chicago Public Schools