We
are living is a unique time in the United States. Over the last ten years or so, we have
witnessed what I call Black Woman Excellence (BWE) . While we extol the emergence of Black Girl
Magic, Black women are affecting U. S. society in so many ways, that it has
gone beyond magic and has become a Profile in Excellence.
Black
women are excelling in so many areas including Science and Technology, the
Judiciary, Government and Politics, Entrepreneurship, Corporate Governance,
Education, Entertainment, Medicine, Sports, and many, many more.
One
example of BWE in technology and entrepreneurship is Patrice Banks, the founder
of Girls Auto Clinic in Philadelphia. Ms
Banks took her knowledge of automotive technology and started GAC, a
full-service repair shop designed to empower women in the care and repair of
their cars.
When
we consider BWE in science and medicine, we have to look no further than Dr.
Kizzmekia S. Corbett, Assistant Professor of Immunology and Infectious Diseases. She is credited with leading the team of
scientist at the NIH that developed the COVID-19 vaccine in 2020. No doubt her work saved thousands of lives.
Over
the last several years there has been no greater manifestation of BWE than in politics. More Black women are active in politics than
ever before, which has put more Black women in positions of governance power at
all levels of government. We start with
Vice-President Kamala Harris, then consider U. S. representatives like Ayanna
Presley of Massachusetts and Cori Bush of Missouri. Karen Bass is the mayor of Los Angeles, Muriel
Bowser is the mayor of Washington, D. C., and Tishaura Jones is the mayor of
St. Louis. We should also remember the
impact Black women had on recent elections in Alabama, Georgia, and South
Carolina. Life would look a lot
different in those places had it not been for BWE.
BWE
has always been evident when it comes to educating our children. Black women teachers have always been adept
at educating, while simultaneously, nurturing students from pre-school through
college. In recent years we have seen a
greater impact on higher education as more Black women serve as the heads of
their universities. Dr. Claudine Gay was
recently named president of Harvard University, becoming the first Black Woman
president for the university. We also
have more Black women presidents at HBCUs than at any other time in
history. Consider the following HBCU
presidents: Dr. Brenda Allen, Lincoln University PA; Dr. Felicia Nave, Alcorn
State University; Dr. Javuane Adams-Gatson; Norfolk State University; Dr.
Helene Gayle Spelman College; Dr. Kimberly Ballard Washington, J. D., Savannah
State University; Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover, Tennessee State University; Dr.
Charlotte Morris, Tuskegee University.
These Black women educators, and countless others are making sure this
generation gets a comprehensive and inclusive education.
The
history of Black women in professional sports has been well documented over the
years. Most of the discussion has
revolved around outstanding athletic performance, but today, Black women are
exhibiting excellence in other lanes of professional sports. For instance, Nicole Lynn became the first
Black woman sports agent to represent a player in the Super Bowl. Sandra Douglass Morgan of the Las Vegas Raiders
is the first Black woman to be named president of a National Football League team. Maia Chaka became the first Black woman to
officiate a National Football League regular season game. Then there are Simone Jelks and Danielle Scot
who are currently refereeing in the National Basketball Association. This discussion also needs to include Tara
August who recently served as SVP of Talent Relations for Turner Sports.
The
history of Black Woman Excellence in the entertainment industry is both rich
and long. Black women have always been
outstanding performers whether it be singing, acting, or dancing. We are used to the excellence that Angela
Bassett and Viola Davis bring in front of the camera, but today we have more
Black women behind the camera. Consider
writer/producer/director Gina Prince-Bythewood who directed “The Woman King”. There is Ava DuVernay, the creator and
producer of the television show “Queen Sugar”.
She used her power to hire women to direct all 88 episodes of the show. We must also recognize women like Kerry
Washington and Robin Thede who not only act, but also write and produce their own projects. Besides more Black women writers, directors,
and producers, we also have more Black women Talent Agents representing some of
the most recognized stars in Hollywood.
And Kim Godwin resides in the C-Suite at ABC News as its president.
Finally,
let’s look at Black Woman Excellence in the judiciary, and to do that we start
with Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman confirmed to the U.S
Supreme Court. The vitriol Justice Brown
Jackson was subjected to during her confirmation is well documented, yet this
woman of excellence stood firm and endured. There is Judge Dana Douglas who serves on the 5th U. S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, and Doris Pryor who serves on the 7th U. S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Indiana. We
should also recognize the work of state legal officials like Attorney General
Letttia James in Georgia, and District Attorney Fani Wills in New York. And Black women are leading several police
departments across the country including Chief Keechant Sewell in New York,
Chief Harvette Smith in North Mami Beach, and Commissioner Danielle Outlaw in
Philadelphia.
By
no means is this essay an exhaustive discussion of Black Woman Excellence. On
the contrary, this essay only scratches the surface. Black women have always been the guiding
light, and their historical significance to the development of this country has
always been understood, but this is a different day. Black women have been Divinely destined to
lead this country and we need to recognize and acknowledge that fact. More importantly, we need to appreciate all
that Black women do for us. Yes, we know
Black women have always led our homes, our churches, and our neighborhoods, but
that leadership has progressed well beyond those places. Black women are exhibiting excellence in all
areas of our society, and we are all the better for it. As long as Black Woman Excellence continues
to guide us, we’re going to be just fine.
S.
A. Miller
3.31.2023
Soul
Perspectives is written by S. A. Miller, a movie producer, director, author,
and educator who has been writing commentary on Social, Economic, Educational,
and Political topics for over forty years.
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