Empowering Women to Succeed

By Maya Mackey

Women in power.  Women empowered. What does that mean for Inglewood and the rest of Black Los Angeles?

Issa Rae is the most prominent example we have to boot of a Black woman holding it down for her community and for Black culture at large. Organically building her legacy from screenwriter and actress to business mogul, Issa is setting the foundation for Black people to prosper; whether it’s being inspired by her, patronizing her Inglewood-based Hilltop Cafe, or working directly on her team.  

Issa’s ascension has got me thinking about the importance of investing in women. Women, for better or worse, know how to take care of others; to be considerate of the community. 

 A recent survey showed that men and women alike find countries run by women are often better managed. And while the U.S. has a long way to go in terms of gender parity, we can make a personal commitment to empowering women we know. 

It’s been proven that women-backed corporations tend to be the most altruistic. We see the evidence in the WNBA, where players were on the forefront of leading protests following the assassinations of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. We see this in beauty companies like Rare Beauty, which has an adjunct impact fund that pledges to donate over 100 million dollars to mental health services. We see this in the 15 Percent Pledge, which fights to put 15% of black-owned products in stores across the land. Empowered and supported women reciprocate that care right back into the local and global community time and time again. 

This all ties into the Black LA community in several ways. When we recycle our dollars back into the community (like frequenting Issa Rae’s restaurant), it creates opportunities for generational wealth.. 

Outside of consumerism, Black girls and women need to be empowered to embrace leadership. Encourage black girls to serve in student government. Push Black women to get involved in their neighborhood councils. Support that Black women or girl trying to improve literacy rates by donating books from your personal library. 

These are a few of my personal suggestions, but I encourage you to think of ways you’d like to empower the girls and women in your circle of influence to help serve and lead the greater Black LA area, alongside our powerful men.