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With each passing year, there is always a “first” black someone. The first black mayor. The first black billionaire. The first black astronaut. No matter where we look, Black Americans are breaking barriers as “firsts” in many major industries. Those who have broken barriers know firsthand how powerful you can feel in the arenas of business, education, and science when you are the “first” to do something.
But there are also burdens, some of which affect not only the individual making the waves, but also many generations of entrepreneurs and leaders to come. Here are some of the benefits and dangers that come with being first.
Power: Break barriers
One of the most renowned entrepreneurs was Mrs. CJ Walker. She was the first black millionaire to earn her fortune as a beauty entrepreneur by popularizing one-of-a-kind hair tools aimed at black women. Today, the black hair industry is a multibillion-dollar industry filled with black entrepreneurs from every corner of the country selling everything from styling products to lace front wigs. These entrepreneurs stand on the shoulders of Madam CJ Walker, whose entrepreneurship employed more than 40,000 Black women at the time and left a lasting legacy in the hair care industry. We all need a “first” that breaks barriers in one industry for doors to open for the rest.
Related: 5 Qualities of Black Excellence Overlooked in the Workplace
The weight: they try to bring you down
The persistent challenge of being first has come from adversity, within and without institutions. The late president of Harvard University, Claudine Gay, is a good example. After serving the shortest term as president in the institution’s history, Gay was ousted by conservative writer, director and activist Christopher F. Rufo. Fueled by Rufo’s plagiarism accusations and controversial congressional testimony about whether Harvard’s free speech policies allowed or prohibited speaking about harm to the Jewish people, Gay was ousted. Flames of anger and protest over Gay’s being a black female president, as well as her controversial views, have made her a target from the day she took office. After much scrutiny and a plagiarism investigation, Gay resigned on January 2, 2024. Being first, especially in institutions accustomed to being led by a certain gender, race, or class of people, can make some feel threatened and scared. edit. This is just one of the burdens that individuals like Claudine Gay have faced.
Related: Handling a black woman? Here’s how to become her partner and successful ally.
The power: you influence change
Considered one of the foremost abolitionists of his time, Frederick Douglass is a powerful example of how being first can lead to lasting change. After escaping slavery in Maryland in the 19th century, Douglass used his extraordinary ability to read, write, and speak to influence and organize the abolition of slavery in Massachusetts and New York. At the time, not all current or freed slaves were so articulate. The abolitionist movement needed a leader who spoke well, was highly intelligent, and could communicate the future of the abolitionist movement to those who wanted to take part. Frederick Douglass was that individual. His first autobiography, An account of the life of Frederick Douglassan American slave, published in 1845, immediately became a bestseller and offered him the financial means to legally regain his freedom. Thanks to Douglass’s galvanizing words and ideas, the North became a crucial region for thought leadership on the abolition of slavery. Being the first to open a conversation about change and using your voice to catalyze that change is a power that firsts, like Douglass, can enjoy.
The burden: you become “the exception”
While many entrepreneurs stand on the shoulders of others, not every entrepreneur can reach the same level as Jay-Z. Known for his iconic rap music and later his entrepreneurial endeavors, Jay-Z has amassed an impressive net worth of $2.5 billion. While Jay-Z has used his fame and fortune to give back, open doors for other Black artists and entrepreneurs, and contribute significantly to the music industry, he carries the burden of being “the exception.” Many Black entrepreneurs struggle to make ends meet as they work to realize their dreams. They still experience tough battles with racial stereotypes, glass ceilings and funding challenges. While other entrepreneurs struggle, the mainstream can say, “Well, Jay-Z made it; why can’t you?” Being the first and the “exception” can make the journey to entrepreneurial success seem difficult for others to achieve. It can also give rise to a toxic narrative filled with stereotypes and perceptions about race, ability, and success. Sometimes, being “first” raises the bar to a level that others struggle to reach.
Related: 6 Ways to Offer Allyship to Black Entrepreneurs
Final thoughts
For Black Americans, the battle to become free and be seen as fully human and worthy of respect and success has been a battle that history has told well. We have many examples of excellence and perseverance to reflect on, from owning a record label to helping abolish slavery. The power that the former have enjoyed is contagious and has inspired many Black entrepreneurs and changemakers to do something great. But adversity, barriers to entry, exclusion, fear of change, and other problems have taken their toll even on those who have achieved great success. Black Americans should continue to strive for greatness even at the risk of being cast down and labeled the “exception.” But institutions that place the first Black president or diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) officer in positions of power should have the awareness and courage to protect and uphold these firsts, even when calls for his resignation ring out or departure. from every corner of the institution. Only through the perseverance of the first and the protection and courage of the institutions in which they serve can significant discoveries be maintained and preserved for generations to come.