Black Women in Leadership

The audacious, bold woman!

I came across a brilliant post last week from John Graham Jr. in which he creatively used ChatGPT to analyse all the articles and allegations of plagiarism against Professor Claudine Gay. Check it out here 

Even, though she is no longer the president and despite claims she is a plagiarist, bigot and branded out of her mind, a terrible cheat, poacher turned gamekeeper. 

Claudine Gay maintains her role as a professor at Harvard with a salary of $900k!!

To say this was a farce or a complete waste of her brilliant mind and time is beyond me. And, let’s just be clear, this was never about Claudine Gay or even accusations of cheating. 

People will always claim that Black Women are not deserving and aren’t intelligent enough, so they must have cheated!!!!

But, the audacious bold woman will often have to bend.

I went back to study when I was 33

When reading the allegations against Dr Gay, a reference to Turnitin triggered a memory that I had buried long ago of an incident that happened to me at University.

It was a big sacrifice to go back to studying as an adult, as I was working full time, married, running a home etc…and wishing I had done this much earlier with no responsibilities.

However, I was in a middle management role, and I had been in it for a while. I knew I needed to push myself and was ambitious to get to the next level.

I had not written academically for over 10 years and quite frankly had never really enjoyed it anyway.

I am more of an experiential person and still believe the best learning is through experience.

Anyway, the first year was terrible, I was just achieving a pass on each paper by 1-2%. It had possibly been the worst year of my life and I was struggling with my mental health.

In my second year, I started working with a coach, who was extremely successful in academia. Her accolades were impressive it is why I picked her to be honest!

Meeting with her fortnightly, getting critical feedback, and then reiterating and refining. I put my heart and soul into that year, but had so many distractions it almost felt impossible to finish. But, I stuck with it. 

It was a game-changer and in the second year, I was getting distinctions.  

The hardwork, grit and perseverance had paid off. But, had it?

We’ve seen this all before!! 

Black excellence or being a Tall poppy will always come at a cost!!

I still found myself having to prove myself again! Obviously I had cheated!!!!

That was the only way I would succeed and I found myself in the tutor’s office explaining why my grades had improved,

To say I was offended is putting it mildly. I think I felt the most defeated and hurt I have ever felt in my life that day!

Not, because I was accused of cheating. But, because the undertone or unspoken message I felt was and still often is, was you don’t belong here, no matter how hard you work!

I went to therapy and sobbed that evening. I didn’t even say two words for the whole session, cried for the full 50 minutes, then got up and left.

I think I cried out every battle and brutal criticism I had ever experienced in that session, it was immense. I finally broke.

Black Women in Leadership

Today, let’s pray for Black Women in Leadership and every other audacious bold woman, who has ever dared to think big.

'Be empowered to discover, the great magnitude of the astonishing love of Christ in all its dimensions. How deeply intimate and far-reaching is his love!

How enduring and inclusive it is! Endless love beyond measure that transcends our understanding.

That extravagant love which pours into you until you are filled to overflowing with the fullness of God!'

Sending love, rest, fortitude, protection, favour and peace wherever you are - is it ever worth your sanity, health or peace?

If you are an audacious, bold woman who has experienced this level of unrelenting backlash or dares to want more in 2024 let's connect here

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PS If you want to hang out. Kinship is a Safe Space for Diverse Women. The First Friday of every month. Allies are welcome! Register here