Black History Month: Meet over 30 Media Friendly Black Female Entrepreneurs
19 of whom feature in moving film recorded during lockdown. Each contributor shares a personal experience of racism followed by announcing her entrepreneurial role.
On July 1st a meeting was held on Zoom with 19 black female entrepreneurs. It was an extremely moving session and the contributors commented they had never attended such a meeting before where a large group of black businesswomen shared the everyday racial prejudices that they encounter.
Some of the women reported to have first experienced racism at the age of 4 and 6 years old. It was eye opening to hear the stories being told and to see how against all odds and with countless more everyday microaggressions as they grew up, these women have flourished in their careers.
The meeting was filmed and hosted by Amanda FitzGerald, a media trainer who helps businesswomen to secure their own press coverage so that they can reach more people beyond social media.
View the trailer, movie and directory here: https://amandapr.com/blackentrepreneurs/
Amanda is committed to using her platform and expertise so that she can help amplify black voices by shining a spotlight on black female entrepreneurs.
The roll call of the attendees is impressive, two MBEs, headmistress, singer songwriter, HR expert, marketing expert, style coach, publisher, speaking coach, swimwear designer, business strategist, authors, financial expert and educational activist. These women are role models.
The objective for the Spotlight is to show young black women what they can aspire to career-wise and to show non-black people vignettes of black people's experiences of being brought up in a country where you are a minority.
The movie trailer which is under 2 minutes shows several contributors sharing their inspiring elevator pitches and has an invitation at the end for the view to watch the full-length movie.
The full-length movie is 1 hour 45 minutes and is compelling viewing.
Michelle Fanus, The Conference Director relayed how she was selected to the county netball trials yet wasn't picked as no one passed her the ball. So she didn't experience playing at county or national level due to racism.
The first time Dr Yvette Ankrah MBE was called the N word was when she was 6 years old, she didn't know what it meant but knew it meant she was different. She says micro aggressions (which occur on a daily basis) can take 7 years off your life and how learning to navigate in places where you're the only black person has an effect on your energy and to wellbeing.
Katharine Birbalsingh, head of Michaela School, revealed that at Oxford University, upon entering a college, she and other black friends would be asked by the porters if she was a student because it didn't seem believable.
Dr Ruth Oshikanlu MBE said she realised how racist the NHS was when she was a student nurse as she had so many white people ask her not to touch them as they thought her colour would rub off onto them. In the NHS, she personally knew 12 of the professionals who have died during the pandemic.
Lavinia Osbourne, Blockchain expert, says the idea of beauty growing up being a black woman can be hard to actually know you are beautiful as she has had many comments in her life of "You are really pretty, for a black girl." She said that you subconsciously grow up looking for validation of what your beauty is as a black woman. Then on top of that to be reprimanded by her teacher for having her afro hair out made her feel ashamed.
In total there are 19 women who shared their stories as well as their successes and as part of Black History Month, we'd like to invite you to watch the movie and to help shine a spotlight on black owned businesses.
Go to: https://amandapr.com/blackentrepreneurs/ to see the trailer and the movie as well as the directory.
-ENDS-
Bio
PR Strategist Amanda FitzGerald, is known by her clients as The Ultimate Door Opener.
She empowers them with her PR secrets on how to knock down doors to long sought-after dream influencers and media contacts.
She is passionate about helping ambitious and inspirational entrepreneurs to self-promote with confidence and ease, as she trains them on how to succeed at media pitches so they can be seen everywhere.
www.amandapr.com
Email hello@amandapr.com
Tel 07711 419595