The Robyn Graham Show - Success without Social - Life and Business Growth Strategies for Christian Women, Coaches and Service Providers - Racism: A Hidden Characteristic You May Unknowingly Have. How Can We as Female Leaders and Entrepreneurs Bridge the Gap and Decrease Racism?

Racism: A Hidden Characteristic You May Unknowingly Have. How Can We as Female Leaders and Entrepreneurs Bridge the Gap and Decrease Racism?

07/02/20 • 56 min

The Robyn Graham Show - Success without Social - Life and Business Growth Strategies for Christian Women, Coaches and Service Providers

Our goal with this interview was to bridge the gap between the black woman and the privileged white woman and discuss how can we work together to decrease racism and build healthy relationships across communities and between individuals, personally and professionally?

Vulnerability June's Thoughts

Acknowledging that I don’t know everything. There’s much left for me to learn. Even as a black woman, there is much left for me to learn about relationships and inclusion that’s left for me to learn. In the state of vulnerability, it’s about being patient, trusting that I can learn, reaching out, asking questions and having conversations. And sometimes, getting feedback about something that I did as a leader and not taking it as a personal attack upon myself for the sake of being vulnerable. Being vulnerable allows us to learn things that we don’t know. Learning is positive and what we’re in taught in the moment is valuable.

Right now, in our society, we are at a vulnerable state.

Tracy's Thoughts

When doing the racism evaluation at Bucks County Community College, Tracy received results that surprised her. She didn’t think she had any racists tendencies, but she wasn’t as tolerant as she thought she was. One thing she learned was that saying “I don’t see color” actually takes away from a black person’s identity. Not having bad intentions, Tracy felt like since she and her black colleagues worked together, and they were friends they were all the same. Tracy had never thought about the color of her skin being an advantage. She hadn’t never thought of back women she went to school with were any different than her.

Timing

God has a knack with timing. The COVID pandemic has forced us to face the issue of racism and really learn and be educated. Learning is more powerful than a training on racism that you have to do. Education is more sustainable than trainings so if we can work together to educate others on racism, we will have a better chance of bridging the gap for good.

White Privilege and Racism

Being privileged is not about money. It’s about access. The important thing is to recognize privilege and not pretend it isn’t there.

Both Tracy and Robyn admit they were ignorant as to what white privilege is. Neither one of them associate with racism, but they also didn't recognize white privilege.

June points out the difference between her upbringing in an impoverished area with little resources. College was a dream, not a reality. Minimum wage was considered success. It took being outstanding in order to make it out of the neighborhood and go to universities. There is much more pressure for the impoverished black people who have to do ten times the amount of work to be able to get to college.

Leadership

How can we as female leaders change the landscape of racism?

Take the entrepreneurial mindset of risk taking and channel that energy into conversations about racism like the one we have on the podcast.

It would be easier to keep quiet instead of getting uncomfortable, but if we are going to channel the entrepreneurial mindset, we have to bring it into conversations. That is the only way any measurable change is going to happen. Female entrepreneurs are the people who can do this because we have the support of other women who are willing to come together and work with each other. Bring the spirit that drove us into entrepreneurship is what is going to do it.

We must be willing to take the risk and be supportive when other women are taking the risk and let the uncomfortable conversations happen.

Being a Leader Comes from Within

Being a leader of ourselves must happen first. Open the channels to improve and build relationships. It must start with the individual. We must take the action to improve ourselves first before we can lead others. Take the time to reach out, ask questions and seek resources to education ourselves and then use our knowledge to lead.

Assumptions

We can assume that others are in the same situation we are in. Once we focus on our-selves we can realize that there are differences and accept the things we don’t know.

Accountability

We need to have accountability partners to ensure that we are taking action and not only listening but taking the necessary action. As women we need to hold each other accountable for taking action. But also, if we do something or say something in accordance with what I’m saying about mutuality and inclusion and decreasing bias, then also call each other out on that.

Micro-aggressions of Racism

Behaviors or things done or said that are offensive but not directly done or said towards someone. Doesn’t have to be directed at you but will offend you.

Being aware of what we say and do is critical to avoid committing microaggressions.

Humanity

We should live with humanity as a core value. Human decency may not be measurable, but we can certainly hold each othe...

Vulnerability June's Thoughts

Right now, in our society, we are at a vulnerable state.

Tracy's Thoughts

Timing

White Privilege and Racism

Being privileged is not about money. It’s about access. The important thing is to recognize privilege and not pretend it isn’t there.

Both Tracy and Robyn admit they were ignorant as to what white privilege is. Neither one of them associate with racism, but they also didn't recognize white privilege.

Leadership

How can we as female leaders change the landscape of racism?

Take the entrepreneurial mindset of risk taking and channel that energy into conversations about racism like the one we have on the podcast.

We must be willing to take the risk and be supportive when other women are taking the risk and let the uncomfortable conversations happen.

Being a Leader Comes from Within

Assumptions

We can assume that others are in the same situation we are in. Once we focus on our-selves we can realize that there are differences and accept the things we don’t know.

Accountability

Micro-aggressions of Racism

Behaviors or things done or said that are offensive but not directly done or said towards someone. Doesn’t have to be directed at you but will offend you.

Being aware of what we say and do is critical to avoid committing microaggressions.

Humanity

We should live with humanity as a core value. Human decency may not be measurable, but we can certainly hold each othe...

Previous Episode

Is Your Brand Getting Lost in the Online Crowd? You Probably Need a Visual Content Revamp to Become Recognizable and Memorable!

Are you tired of client's not finding you online? Your visual content probably needs a revamp! Melissa LeMay tells us how to use Canva to create a recognizable and memorable brand.

Mélissa is a Canva Certified Creative and Content Strategist who loves to work with solopreneurs. She helps them achieve their visual goals easily (and fast) and saves them 10+ hours every week by creating custom Canva graphics! After being in sales and customer service for over 15 years, Mélissa pursued her desire for more freedom by starting her own business. Born creative, she loves designing different graphics for her clients and coming up with the right solutions. With her strong background in customer service, helping other business owners to succeed is what she's passionate about. Mélissa loves calligraphy, dancing and travelling but home to her and her 3 silly kids is Ottawa, Canada.

First Phase

Melissa was a salon and sales manager in her 9 to 5. There was a moment in time that really triggered her desire to leave the 9 to 5 to have freedom to be available for her kids when they needed her.

Second Phase

Melissa’s first attempt was to consult in the salon industry. She became a salon management coach. It was a difficult start because she wasn’t well known in the industry. However, she was determined to make it work and was able to make the same income that she made in her 9 to 5 job.

She found her clients by tapping into her existing network. Melissa started small, as is often necessary for entrepreneurs.

Networking online and hiring a business coach were two additional resources she used to grow her business and gain clients.

As time went by, people started to notice the graphics Melissa was creating for her own business content. She started creating graphics for her clients and then realized, if people are asking for this, there is clearly a need.

Melissa then slowly transitioned into the graphic design and became a Canva Certified Creative.

Canva for Creating Visual Content

Canva has a community of creatives who test their designs and tools. This is now an invitation process but at the time, it was an application process.

Melissa now creates Canva graphics for solopreneurs for use online. She creates the templates and then her clients can edit the graphics as need as their brands or businesses change.

Canva is a fabulous tool. You can do brand editing with the free version, but you must have the paid or pro version to manipulate fonts.

Melissa works with her clients to create graphics that are brand specific and help engage and create an emotional connection with their audience.

The Benefits of Using Visual Content for Branding

Brand colors are a strong component of a brand and necessary to create and convey the message of the brand. Having brand colors helps with consistency and staying on brand. It is easier to be recognized when you have consistence with brand colors and having them prevents confusion.

Likewise, having branded colors saves time. You don’t have to guess about the colors you are going to select every time you create or use a graphic.

In addition, consistency across social media platforms is so important. Having branded graphics can help with this.

The Benefits of Having a Niche for Identifying your Ideal Clients

It’s really important to identify who you are serving and how you are going to serve them. Melissa niched down to only work with solopreneurs. Specializing has helped her business grow and has simplified her processes and consolidated her offerings.

Melissa works with solopreneurs who are primarily female and business coaches. Graphics are one of the easiest and first things that business owners can outsource. Delegating is very important and can make your business run more efficiently and saves you valuable time to focus on your expertise.

Book Recommendation

Blue Fishing by Steve Simms

Favorite Quote

“Just Do It” - Nike

Learn more about Melissa and connect with her:

Website: www.graphicmaven.ca

Instagram: www.instagram.com/graphic.maven

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GraphicMavenShop/

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/graphicmaven

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/graphicmaven/

Learn more about your host, Robyn Graham, click HERE.

To learn about The Brand Insider by Robyn Graham, click HERE.

The Etsy Shop

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It takes more than creativity and passion to build a business, you need a brand!

About Lori Rosolowsky

Living out her passion for music and art, Lori helps others navigate their journey to the stage, the concert hall, the theater and other venues.

Lori Rosolowsky is a Bozeman, Montana-based pianist, singer-songwriter, educator, performer, producer. She is the CEO and founder of Open Sky Artists, LLC, an arts management and consulting firm. Lori and her team at Open Sky Artists create flourishing partnerships for artists and venues while producing captivating events. She supports the work of dozens of artists and venues across the country.

Lori is committed to excellence and integrity. Both stem from her education in science and music at Oberlin College (B.A.) and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School (Ph.D.).

Connector of People and Ideas

Lori is a connector of people and ideas. She believes in lifelong learning. As a connector and someone who loves to serve others, Lori created and chairs Wonderlust’s Preludes and Performances, a series of public events for lifelong learners. The series is designed to increase audience engagement of arts offerings in the Gallatin Valley and Big Sky regions of Montana.

Similarly, she initiated and hosts RIVERs, (Rhapsody-in-View Events and Retreats). These private house concerts and shows connect socially conscious organizations with professional performers to increase the flow of resources (audience, awareness, and funds) to all participants.

She is a collaborative pianist (a.k.a, "accompanist") for students and faculty at Montana State University. Lori is also involved in other musical and theatrical ventures in Bozeman.

Likewise Lori serves are as Music Director for Verge Theater's production of Fun Home and as a Board Member of Bozeman Actors Theater.

Lori is married to Dr. Mark Rosolowsky, a scientist, and together they have raised two sons (Kurt, b. 1994) and Cody (b. 2002). In addition to music and art, Lori enjoys yoga, skiing, biking, hiking and is a competitive US Masters swimmer.

The First Phase

Lori earned a PhD in Pharmacology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in 1991 and worked in an environmental consulting firm in Princeton for 5 years, before the work/life balance became dangerously unstable. Her marriage was in trouble. The toddler she adored was in full time day care. She was working in a high-pressure, non-affirming environment.

Lori was miserable. Because she wanted to save her sanity and her marriage, and be the parent she wanted to be, she quit. In the midst of the fear of leaving a secure job, Lori began teaching piano again (a profession she had since age 16). She also began studying piano again. That led to her second phase.

The Second Phase

Lori began performing classical piano professionally, and over the next 20 years, grew her artistic skills. She became a singer/songwriter and released her first CD two months before delivering their second child. Lori also did community theatre for 11 seasons. She joined a jazz band with her first concert with them being a week after she joined--scary. Gradually, she led or collaborated on several ensembles of her own, including a jazz quartet, a vocal trio, and a two-woman musical theater show, among others.

Consequently, she needed to promote the shows, and she found she had a passion for words and spreading the word. Lori is a self proclaimed "incurable connector” and wonders how many tickets she sold or business cards she exchanged in the locker room at her gym!

Another love of Lori's is creating fundraising concerts and other impactful events. This love resulted in Lori spending more time producing and promoting events than practicing her craft. When she and her family moved from PA to Montana in 2016, Lori decided to take those skills and use them to champion her colleagues in the performing arts. Ironically, her first client at Open Sky Artists was her classical piano teacher from PA.

The Darkness Amidst the Light

Despite the passion for what she was doing and the impact she was making for others in the arts, Lori experienced some dark days. After her move to Montana, anxiety and depression resurfaced and powerfully took hold of her.

Recovered and thriving, Lori is now on a mission to share her experience and encourage others not to hide or feel shame if they are struggling with mental health challenges. Like Robyn, Lori feels that mental health illnesses are no different than diabetes, cancer or heart disease. They should be discussed and treated. There is no shame in mental illness, nor should there be judgement.

The Miraculous Escape

As an artist, Lori is a storyteller. Her family members escaped the holocaust of Nazi Germany. Using her talents and gifts, Lori curated a musical to share her family’s experiences. She shares her passions and talents in so many ways.

Along those lines, as a passionate person, Lori believes that cr...