Black History Month: The Immigrant Impact
Black History is comprised of many stories. Countless perspectives and experiences remind us, we often under express the impact Black lives have on our society when we overgeneralize. Bonding over the similarities while appreciating and learning from the differences help us grow with compassion, strength, understanding, problem solving, and in love. This month, Zebra Strategies would like to explore the nuances of Black duplicity and individuality by honoring the Black Immigrant experience.
- Denene Rodney
Rosemarie Ingleton's journey from a working-class family in Jamaica to a renowned dermatologist and entrepreneur in New York City is a testament to the power of hard work, perseverance, and a supportive community. Despite facing limitations related to economics and social class, Rosemarie's father's early encouragement and her mother's constant support nurtured her innate drive to succeed.
Venice Ishibashi, an immigrant, focused on work to survive and pursue the American dream. She went back to school in her late 30s, graduated with two degrees, and got a master's degree in a year. As a proud American citizen, she never thought her story could be a chapter of Black History, but she is now proud to be contributing to it.
In an interview with Wendy Peters, a child of Grenadian immigrants, we explore how her family's migration to the United States influenced her career aspirations and shaped her approach to success. Wendy's experience as an immigrant shaped her perspective on success, driving her to pursue a college degree and achieve independence. Success, for her, meant creating a better life for herself and her family.
My analogy for entrepreneurship is likening it to a theme park. Each ride offers a different experience - the good, the bad, and the ugly. In summary, entrepreneurship can be uncomfortable, unexpected, and challenging, but it can also bring small and significant wins that make you feel like you're on top of the world.
Tope Ajala's experience growing up in a Nigerian immigrant household in the UK shaped her immigrant mindset, instilling in her a belief that there were no barriers to her success. However, as a black immigrant, Tope has also had to navigate the complexities of race and identity in her career. Despite these challenges, she is now a Global Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, driven by a goal to create a more equitable world for all. Her story is a testament to the power of hard work and determination in the face of adversity.
Judy Jackson, President of JLC Ventures, shares her experience as an immigrant and how it impacted her career possibilities. She believes that being an immigrant child made her feel that she could achieve anything. Resilience plays a key role in overcoming obstacles. She shares her guiding principles and her favorite childhood, working, and current theme songs. She never saw herself as making history but hopes she has made a difference in the companies and organizations she has supported.