为了庆祝黑人历史月,我们赶上了一些积极进取的企业家和创新者在黑人社区询问是什么激励着他们和火花快乐,什么挑战他们,他们对未来的希望,以及更多。满足个人改变世界创造历史。
6缺乏
“黑人社区创建从一个纯粹的意图,“说音乐家6所缺乏的。“一旦触摸世界,它传播快。”The singer-rapper-songwriter, known for his melancholy tunes and lyrical vulnerability, said it's important to remember and be grateful for the good things. "I try to stay as close to the light as I can." And he stays busy. In 2020 alone, he released his own single, collaborated on tracks with Selena Gomez, Gorillaz, and Sir Elton John, and even launched his own signature brand of hot sauce. He said creativity is key, and in today's "anything goes" music landscape, it's easier than ever for creators to find an audience for something that is unique and personal.“流行音乐的规则已经改变了,”他说。“现在更多关于我们,我们说,我们将选举人人们效仿。”Despite his successes, 6LACK remains humble, finding inspiration in self-improvement. "Every day is practice for who you are as a person."
博士Aleron香港
创造世界一直畅销奇幻作家Aleron香港博士的第二天性,即使在他以前的职业是医生。今天,他的喜剧幻想系列,“土地”,卖出了一百万册,包容和代表性的重大胜利领域不是一般黑creators-or人物而闻名。“这对我来说真的很重要,当人们读我的书,他们这是一个黑色的字符,”香港博士说。尽管香港博士的工作这些天可能是超凡脱俗,它在我们讲一些非常现实的问题。“从性别平等种族,我希望我的书有真正的对话。”Dr. Kong believes in the power of literature to lift up underserved communities, and he draws constant motivation and joy from readers who are connecting emotionally with his work, including those who have written to tell him that his stories have been life changing.“我从未想到我有影响或能够与世界各地的人们,”他说。“我只是感到非常幸运,我甚至能够做到这一点。”
莎朗·库珀
作者莎朗·库珀和她一样兴奋社会变革人物对油井,彼此。浪漫小说家,沙龙的工作所固有的激情对黑人权利经常回响她真实的激情。“我们有创造力的人,”她说,“但有时我们的创造力不是感激。”In addition to the usual challenges faced by writers ("Writing is hard!"), Cooper said that young Black creators face extra hurdles, such as a lack of representation in media and culture, which may not encourage them to follow their dreams.“重要的是要看到人看起来像我创造自己的命运,提醒那些即将到来,一切皆有可能,”她说。“黑创业留下的东西为下一代建立。”
Ellana特纳
”的影响,我希望看到的是很少有机会被提供,“Ellana特纳说,他认为黑人社区的创新是至关重要的。“这是世界上如何保持竞争力。”Turner is the founder and designer of Cloth & Cord, a website that sells "wearable art" inspired by her African ancestry. She points out the importance of Black-owned businesses that show younger generations a path to prosperity besides more stereotypical routes such as athletics or music. “When a child sees Black people not only working for companies but owning them, it shows them that they can also do that."特纳使用她的平台作为一个成功的企业家回馈社会,支持年轻一代的黑人创作者通过金融贡献以及指导。“有福的人必须找到一个方法来成为一个祝福,”她说。“所以,我们都蓬勃发展。”
Danyel Surrency琼斯
“集体智慧的解决方案。积极的思想会产生积极的行动,”说Danyel Surrency琼斯,联合创始人兼首席执行官Powerhandz,在线训练产品来源。“心是如此强大,我们如何使用它可以改变我们的生活的轨迹。”Jones acknowledges the many hurdles faced by the Black community but believes that change is possible—and that Black innovation can help lead the way. "When innovation is fostered in the Black community, we close gaps on all social disparities." She commends those who are getting out there and making their voices heard—getting into "good trouble," as she puts it—and said that knowledge is key to creating lasting change.“现在,我明白了信息获取的关键是创建我自己的自我价值的估价,”琼斯说。“你不知道你不知道,直到你决定不知道是灾难性的。”
马特·伊斯顿
黑色表示在商业世界至关重要,根据房产中介公司的马特•伊斯顿AWS Sales-not仅仅是因为它可以为更大的经济健康的黑人社区也因为内自治带来的感觉。“它为社区提供了一个声音这么久有别人替他们说话。”Fueled by his faith, and a belief in the power of science, Easton mentors young people through Amazon's Future Engineer program, hoping to provide the next generation with increased access to technology as a way of thinking about problem solving.“黑人社区独特的挑战,可以通过社会责任解决创新”。Despite his own considerable contributions, Easton is humbled by the legacy of his heritage. "I have no desire to disrespect those who have gone before me by giving less than my very best."
亚历山德拉Mitchelson
“无论你觉得你值得,双!”For Alexandra Mitchelson Events Product Manager at Amazon, adopting a healthy entitlement is something she had to learn and instills in her junior colleagues. "It's become clear to me that Black people undervalue ourselves, especially in corporate America." Mitchelson wants her mentees to know that the struggle doesn't have to be the norm, that they can achieve absolutely anything, and that their voices matter.“我希望我的工作有一个可持续对青年的影响,以及他们如何思考和行动。”Recently named Vice President of Amazon's Black Employee Network, it's clear that Mitchelson practices what she preaches, with a little help from one of her biggest inspirations: "Beyoncé is bae."
盖号
“黑人文化的基础,”盖号说,亚马逊的嘻哈和R&B主管音乐和旋转的创造者,一个策划的播放列表,黑人音乐的地方。“我们的声音,我们的想法,我们的存在。”Growing up in a tough neighborhood in Compton, Hinshaw credits the support of family and friends for the inspiration it took to go beyond mere survival and create avenues to success. "My mom and my grandmother made so many sacrifices to see that I had opportunity," he said. "I owed it to them to make the best of those opportunities." These sorts of opportunities grow with increased knowledge, Hinshaw said, and the first step is cultivating the innovation that occurs naturally in the Black community, educating young people on potential career paths outside of entertainment.“如果你参观一些最缺医少药的黑人社区在美国,你会发现各种形式的创造力在一个非常高的水平。”Above all, he encourages aspiring Black creators to stay true to themselves. "Never be afraid to embrace your Blackness."
丽诺尔香槟Beirne
“现状是不可接受的。”
丽诺尔香槟Beirne明亮的创始人是一位企业家,企业在挑战的时候发现快乐看到黑人社区团结,是社会变革的或者仅仅是团结和愈合。“这是快乐的见证,即使催化剂是悲痛,”她说。她作为文化移器严重,反思自己的父亲的遗产,他作为一个黑人企业家的先驱,是一个“持续不断的灵感的源泉。”她的建议对有抱负的黑色的创造者?“尊重自己,相信自己,强迫自己。永远不要停止学习。”
Quanique Toston
“当别人数你告诉他们,他们不知道如何数数。”
在艰苦的环境下长大,Quanique Toston决心不成为统计。”,而不是被这一切,这些人生经验给了我动力去争取伟大。”With an adventurous spirit and the support of her faith, Toston defied the overwhelming odds to become a successful entrepreneur as the founder of LQ Logistics, an Amazon Delivery Service Partner. Toston believes strongly in the power of Black entrepreneurship to improve society and help close the racial wealth gap. She said the idea of Black success should be the norm, not the exception. "It should not be a 'wow' moment when our culture is spotlighted."她鼓励她的黑人企业家冒险,她警告说,虽然并不是每一个梦想最终可能会成为一个成功,“不要让这阻止你做梦。”
卢尔德莉斯
“这是可以从小事做起。想做就做”。
黑人历史月是一个时间的感恩和灵感卢尔德利兹,护肤品公司的创始人16 j有机物和坚信黑人商业的力量。“这是至关重要的,我们鼓励年轻一代追求创业的事业,”她说。虽然有些可能感觉被他们缺乏资源,她鼓励他们继续。“现在开始你能做什么。”Liz hopes more Black people will consider taking the first step into owning a business, considering the crucial role Black-owned businesses can play in strengthening Black communities. "Feeding jobs into our local economies strengthens our community, our voices, and our political empowerment."今天,莉斯希望自己的遗产。“如果我能激励他人采取在推出他们的商业婴儿的第一步,我就会幸福。”
约翰尼Delvar和克里斯托弗·曼迪
“没有什么是不可能的。”
有时灵感源于最普通的情况。当约翰尼Delvar和克里斯托弗·曼迪观察他们的邻居竭力携带多个食品在朋友的房子和家庭活动,灵机一动:“我们决定必须有更好的方式。”And so Lock It Plates was born. It's no surprise that the original inspiration came in the observation of a simple act of community like sharing a meal, given the co-founders' belief in the power of Black community. They say it's crucial to encourage more Black innovators to pursue their ideas, and representation is a key factor. "If there are people in leadership roles who look similar to you—share similar background and experiences as you—that gives you hope."那么,给他们快乐吗?“快乐就像和平;你必须有它深处。”
Latasha Gillespie
“所有黑人的贡献使…不可能包含仅一个月。”
Latasha吉莱斯皮是多样性,股本和包容在亚马逊Studios-as霍华德创造者的娱乐节目,旨在为黑人学生在娱乐业创造机会。她认为创新与企业家精神在黑人的DNA。“需要是发明之母,”她说。她还认为,在黑色的创新在于改变世界的力量。“黑人定义文化。我们创建一个文化,然后自由分享它。”Gillespie wants to hand down the best possible world to future generations, and she hopes that the legacy of Black people is one of hope and cultural autonomy.“今天是至关重要的,我们不仅拥有自己的企业,但我们拥有我们自己的家庭,自己的故事和故事。”
肖恩罗彻斯特
“这是矫正。”
高成本可以有“黑色”生活在美国,和肖恩·d·罗彻斯特的使命是来证明这一点。在他的书中,“黑税收,”他描述了沉重的经济负担,几个世纪的压迫放置在黑人社区和他的支持提供了一个解决方案。“人们需要看到所有这些歧视性行为有什么迷路。”He also points out the need for a change in the popular image of Black people: "It's like a funhouse [mirror]. It's all distorted. That's not who you are." Though he acknowledges serious hurdles in the path of progress for Black people, including major gaps in unemployment rates and not enough Black-owned businesses, he remains optimistic.”,激励我。我认为这是矫正。”
托尼·韦尔登
“如果我的工作和时间,我可以解决任何问题。”
“越来越好”的美德一直是重要的托尼•韦尔登商业架构师的AWS云说他以同样的方式方法的业务方法一英里跑。“我认为挑战证明改进的机会。”Similarly, he believes that the Black community, and society in general, can benefit from the continued empowerment of Black business owners. "If we cultivate this talent instead of stifling it, it's a win for everyone." Reflecting on the past, and the somewhat random nature of his career experience, he offers the following advice for aspiring Black entrepreneurs:“不要害怕尝试。犯错误。”
安吉丽娜霍华德
“黑人文化是黑人自己。”
社区支持她是安吉丽娜霍华德,高级产品经理对于亚马逊数字视频游戏,激情尤其是关于在2020年的艰难时期。“能够利用我的声音和平台,推动改变给了我很多动力不能放弃。”As former President of Amazon's Black Employee Network, Howard has been a dedicated advocate for BIPOC employees and continues to push for inclusion and representation at all levels within Amazon and in the community at large. Howard is optimistic, predicting a near future where Black platforms are empowered to "showcase and benefit from their culture instead of asking permission."
