WEBVTT
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Do you ever wonder how faith fits into leadership or how to lead with both power and purpose?
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If you're looking for wisdom that bridges culture, confidence, and calling, then this podcast is for you.
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Here's Global Diplomat, Business Strategist, and Women's Empowerment icon, your host, Ambassador Susan Johnson Cook.
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Welcome to Ask Dr.
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Sujay.
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Now, when it comes to global leaders, there's no name better than Jerry DeVard, founder of Becca.
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Today's discussion will be with her, who has mentored so many young men and women in corporate America, and she's a presence in our community in the East End.
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And we just celebrate her and we celebrate you today.
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And thank you for tuning in with us, Dr.
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Sujay.
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I'm Dr.
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Sujay, Ambassador Sujay, and you're welcome to live with Suja.
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We are so excited to have you with us.
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We're here on Wednesdays at 5 30 LTV.
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Want to give a shout out to all the team that makes this possible.
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But today I am so excited to have my neighbor, someone I've greatly admired, Jerry DeVard.
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Welcome.
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Thank you.
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Thank you, Sujay.
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It's so nice to be here with you.
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So you're the founder of Becca.
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Tell us what that is and why you founded it.
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Oh, I love that question because you know it speaks to things that you never knew were possible that just kind of take over you.
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So Becca stands for the Black Executive CMO Alliance.
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And CMO is chief marketing officer.
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So you're known, I saw in one writing that you're known as the Rockstar CMO.
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Ah, so welcome, Rockstar.
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Yeah, but tell us what a CMO does and then how you got to again to Becca.
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So chief marketing officers are responsible for, in my view, the top and bottom line growth of the organization.
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They're responsible for the brand, the reputation, the image, what you think of when you think of a brand.
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Yes.
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And what marketers do and what great marketers do is they build preference and consideration.
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They want you to consider the brand when you're trying to make a choice about what to buy or what to use.
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And they want to build a preference.
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They want their brand to be the one that speaks to you.
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Because in this world of commodities, there's no one brand item company that has a monopoly on anything.
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So in a sea of choices, marketers want you to choose theirs and they want you to think that their product is better than the others.
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But what marketers really have to do is make sure that that's real.
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Okay.
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Because if you're just selling fluff, it doesn't make sense.
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And I've been, you know, marketing called upon me early on in my career at Spellman College to be a graduate of Spellman and a proud graduate of Spellman College.
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I know, I know.
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We Spellman grads are like, if you're talking to a woman and she says that she went to Spellman, you just kind of give her a hug.
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Yeah, exactly.
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And applause because everyone has to applause.
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And then the graduate degree from Clark Atlanta.
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Clark Atlanta.
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I am a double HBCU.
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And I am strong, stronger for it.
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Because this whole idea of instilling black excellence, understanding that you were going to potentially be a minority in a majority world, that I had probably gone to colleges that most people had not heard of.
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Right.
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But I never took a backseat to anyone else's, you know, education because both of those schools taught me that I was worthy, I was capable, and I was ready.
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Well, I heard you were really an influencer on both campuses, but in the sea of choices, how do you make a brand stand out?
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Well, so that is what distinguishes a good marketer from an okay marketer.
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Okay.
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And what it starts with is understanding what it is your customers or consumers want.
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Okay.
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What is it they want, and then what is it that you're delivering?
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You won't be able to deliver all of it, but you've got to know what your secret sauce is.
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Yes.
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Which takes me back to your original question, which was what is Becca and why did I start it?
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And the Black Executive CMO Alliance is made up of, you know, you kindly called me a rock star, but these 33 members are truly rock stars, Sujay.
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They are at the top of the house in their organizations, big organizations, where they manage hundreds of millions, if not billions of dollars on behalf of the corporation to make sure that their brand and their products stay relevant and desirable and compelling.
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And so I wanted to make sure that more people that looked like me were interviewed, were on main stages, were in the roundup of the best, and that we could come together collectively to make it better for those that would follow us, those young, you know, managers and analysts and not quite officer level yet, where they could see people that look like them so they could understand that they have a chance to be there and they could see it done in different ways.
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Yes.
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Because I remember when I was growing up, everyone said, Oh, you should be like, you should be more like.
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And it's like, no, the best thing you can be is your unique self.
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So we show them how to get to the C-suite, how to be a chief marketing officer, how to work for the CEO, and do it being authentically you.
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And the way we do it is also sharing mistakes we've made.
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Yes.
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Lessons we've learned.
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Yes.
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Um, and a lot of people don't talk about failing your way to success.
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There are mistakes, but I say they're lessons, not losses.
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That's very smart.
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Because I've learned more from my failure, Sujay, than any success.
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Exactly.
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It took me three times.
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I was a White House fellow under President Clinton.
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But what people don't know is I tried under Macon, I tried under George the Daddy Bush, but finally when Clinton got in, I knew how to do it.
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The door was not only open, I had a seat at the table.
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And I think that's really what you're doing.
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You're saying the door has been flung open for me.
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I've been on this trajectory for a long time, but I also want to make sure not only is it open for you, but you get a seat at the table of your choice.
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The only thing I would probably change is the door wasn't opened.
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I had to kick it open.
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Okay, right.
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So I want the the generation that follows me to push on an open door.
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I love it.
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Right?
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I love it.
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It's no one's gonna open it up and say, Oh, I'm so glad you came.
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We've been waiting for you.
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Maybe if you're lucky.
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But in the case that that doesn't happen, you know, and it's gotta be a little open because if you have to really kick it in, then is that really where you should be?
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Exactly.
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If you're recognizing talent and your personality and what you bring to the organization, you want to plant your seed in fertile ground.
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Yes.
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You want to go to the places that are gonna recognize, reward, acknowledge, appreciate, value your talent, not just say, okay, we can check the box.
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Exactly.
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So let me ask you this.
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You know, the Crown Act has passed in several states.
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Do you think that that's gonna have an impact on this generation, or do you think you still have to go in a certain way for the door, even if the door is half open?
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Well, first of all, I have to give a big up to one of our Becca members, AC at Unilever, and has been on this task for the Crown Act and has really put a lot of heart, sweat, soul, energy, tears, everything into making this happen.
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And so I'm appreciative of what she's done for women that look like me.
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I know for a fact it is impacting this generation because when I walk into offices and I see natural hairstyles, you know, I braids, everything, and it being, you know, part of them.
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Now, what we have to work on, and what I don't know, is that I'm not inside someone's head around what the page one is that comes up about someone when you see them like that.
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Yes.
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But that's never been our issue because I say when I walked into a room as a black woman, how you felt about that was secondary to how I felt about myself.
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I love that.
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And I wasn't going to, you know, buy into whatever you thought about me other than presenting who I really was.
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So when black women show up with natural hair and braids, they're showing the confidence to own who they are.
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Yes.
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And I think that gives them the freedom to speak about what it is that they know so well.
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I love it.
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So when we first met, or when I re first remember meeting you, we were at Jack and Jill.
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At all Jack and Jill.
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You were working for Verizon, but there have been so many corporations since then, and then you've been on corporate boards.
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So many people want the corporate board, but they don't want the sweat equity that goes into it.
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So if you had said what led to your first board and what did it really take?
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So my first board, and I tell the story, I didn't even know that much about corporate boards as a thing to aspire to or to want to be a part of.
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I got a call from a headhunter that said, you know, we're recruiting for the Tommy Hill figure board, and we'd like to talk to you about that.
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And I thought, oh, well, I knew the brand.
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I thought that'd be very cool.
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Yeah.
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And as I went through the interview process, I kind of got more and more excited about the ability to impact a brand that I thought was really, you know, important.
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They'd gone through kind of a, unfortunately, the brand had been characterized as having said something in the black community that they never said.
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Yeah.
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But it took a life of its own.
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And so coming into that, I was recognizing of what Tommy Hill figure needed to be in the black community, recognizing that.
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But it was led by Tommy, and I, you know, I was selected to join the board, and I really felt that it was a natural extension of what I was doing as an executive, a marketing executive in the company.
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And from that, then I think it's that first board that you get on that that opens the doors so people felt, okay, she's got the right operating role.
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She's got experience that we want, which is marketing and building desire and preference profitably.
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She's been vetted to be on a board.
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She understands what it's like to be in the boardroom because board directors give direction, not directives.
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Management.
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Management runs the company, and board of directors give advice and guidance around that.
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Okay.
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So then I got more calls around what I consider what I'd be interested in joining other boards.
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So does the boardroom still need some diversity?
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Of course.
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Of course.
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Absolutely.
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I mean, is the strides that we're making are still not enough.
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Okay.
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And when you look at the numbers, you know, women certainly, the gender, you know, when we talk about the diversity Olympics, certainly white women have won that because there's more representation of white women, but still there the balance of, you know, people of color and blacks in particular.
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I think the last survey I saw was that we were about maybe three and a half to five percent of all seats.
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Oh my goodness.
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That is very small.
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That is very small.
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So, but more and more people are getting calls, and I, when people call me, I say, okay, I'm you know, I'm not interested, but here's someone to call.
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Yes, yes.
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So rather than calling me five times, call these five people.
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Yes.
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And when I get calls all the time, every week someone calls me about or emails me about an opening for a director, and they're looking for a marketer.
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And I say, Here are 33 people that you can speak to, and they're all Becca members.
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And so they are getting calls.
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So is marketing the best trajectory to a board seat, or what other kinds of roles?
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Actually, there are fewer marketers in board seats.
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I wouldn't say it's the best, but you know, as a marketer, I think marketing is the best profession to be in.
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Yes.
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Uh but boards are looking for some, they want financial experience, they want cybersecurity experience, they want um, you know, legal.
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It depends upon what they're looking for.
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But more companies are now recognizing that marketing and differentiation and purpose is really important and should be elevated to a board seat with that kind of expertise.
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So more marketers are joining boards, much like more marketers are becoming CEOs.
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Yes.
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So I run the Global Black Women's Chamber of Commerce, black women business owners, and more and more I see nonprofit women wanting to own their own businesses.
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COVID has certainly allowed people to pivot, as they say.
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But what's the role for the nonprofit woman who wants to go to corporate America?
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So, okay, that's a great question that I'm not qualified to answer.
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Okay.
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And I'll tell you why.
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Okay.
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Because my whole journey has been through corporate America.
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Yeah.
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And not just corporate America, but Fortune 500, Fortune 100.
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And that's a big So it's my experience.
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I say that I get paid on the 15th and the 30th, regardless of whether or not the company got paid.
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Yes.
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And even when I think about the boards I serve on, Under Armour, Dow, Cars.com, Root, they're all publicly traded, you know, companies.
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And so if you are a nonprofit leader trying to get on a corporate board or corporate role, just a lot of people.
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No, corporate role.
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Corporate role into corporate board.
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What I think somewhere along the way, I'm hoping that you had some experience outside of nonprofit.
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Yes.
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But if you've had nonprofit experience that you think is in a sector of an organization that needs that, then you're ripe for it.
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Okay.
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So now I'm talking about what I think versus what I know.
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Yeah.
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I believe that if you are running a nonprofit in a sector and there are corporations that are in that same sector, that there are areas that you can provide expertise in that they will need because you've been on the ground at that.
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Yes.
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And I would also look at other nonprofit leaders that may serve on boards and say, Exactly.
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Now how did they okay?
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So what was their background and how did they get there?
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Ah, I get it.
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And I would reach out to them.
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LinkedIn, you know what?
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LinkedIn is a beautiful thing.
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You can reach out to people and say, Hi, you know.
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Do we share something?
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We share.
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I'm interested.
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Would you have five minutes?
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If you have five minutes, and they respond.
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And they respond.
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And when you see people that have had a similar journey, having been on a nonprofit and going to a corporation, talk to them about how they did that.
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But I do believe it's about being able to characterize your experience in a way that makes it interesting and compelling for a company.
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Business school.
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So the young person is graduating from college, do they need it if they want to be a young entrepreneur?
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Do they need it these days?
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Or do you say, go out, try your entrepreneurship, and then maybe business school later?
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I mean, there's money to be made, but what would you suggest?
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I don't think they need business school, but they need to know business.
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Ah.
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So the question becomes, where are you going to learn business?
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Where are you going to learn, you know, all of what you're going to need to run your business?
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And is that that you're going to be an intern somewhere?
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Are you going to shadow someone?
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Are you going to You're going to have to learn an apprentice.
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Yeah.
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Learn the business.
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And if you've learned that through osmosis or watching or just sheer, just, you know, when I started Becca, I had never run anything my life.
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I, you know, I had to find out how to file for a 501c3 or a nonprofit.
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I had to trademark a name.
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I had to get office space.
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I had to create bylaws and amendment and build a board and all the things that you have to do and hire people and pay them.
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And so, you know, if you can learn that somewhere, then that's great.
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You have to learn it.
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But you have to learn it.
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Business school is a great way to do that, but you don't need it to be an entrepreneur.
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And I don't think you absolutely need an MBA to be successful in marketing.
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I've always said that I think companies use it as a screening tool.
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It's like, okay, I don't have to go through a hundred applications.
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I'll go through these 20 that have an MBA.
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But I do appreciate my MBA.
00:14:52.720 --> 00:14:56.399
I learned a lot from my MBA, but I don't think it's as necessary as it used to be.
00:14:56.480 --> 00:14:58.480
There's so many people that have brilliant ideas.
00:14:58.639 --> 00:15:04.639
And the tools that you can, you know, the barriers to starting a company now have kind of gone by the wayside.
00:15:04.720 --> 00:15:10.320
There's so many brands on Instagram that don't have a website, that don't have an office, that don't, but they can sell.
00:15:10.639 --> 00:15:14.960
They can sell, and they have that social media that helps them amplify their message or their platform.
00:15:15.200 --> 00:15:16.159
And people should go for it.
00:15:16.240 --> 00:15:18.480
If you have a dream to do that, do it now.
00:15:18.720 --> 00:15:19.120
Don't wait.
00:15:19.440 --> 00:15:19.679
Exactly.
00:15:19.759 --> 00:15:21.039
Especially young.
00:15:21.120 --> 00:15:21.440
Go for it.
00:15:22.159 --> 00:15:22.879
Your time, you know?
00:15:23.360 --> 00:15:27.519
So we're neighbors in a wonderfully historically African American community.
00:15:27.759 --> 00:15:30.639
So we've just celebrated a 75th anniversary.
00:15:30.799 --> 00:15:31.840
Talk to us about now.
00:15:31.919 --> 00:15:34.000
You've gone to historically black colleges.
00:15:34.240 --> 00:15:39.120
Talk to us about living in Azure, Sag Harbor, the village of Sag Harbor.
00:15:39.440 --> 00:15:45.200
Well, I first have to thank you for that amazing job that you did, Sujay, on our 75th anniversary.
00:15:45.600 --> 00:15:52.159
That film that you did interviewing so many of the people that have made our community so special was beautiful.
00:15:52.399 --> 00:15:55.440
It was touching, and it's something that we'll all live with.
00:15:55.600 --> 00:15:57.200
And you said how many hours did you spend on that?
00:15:57.440 --> 00:15:59.440
100 in editing, about two summers.
00:15:59.519 --> 00:16:05.840
Just take my beach time, two summers, but it's going to air on LTV and probably will have air by the time this airs as well.
00:16:06.320 --> 00:16:07.759
Okay, well that will be Must C TV.
00:16:07.919 --> 00:16:09.120
Yeah, thank you a few times.
00:16:09.360 --> 00:16:09.759
Oh, great.
00:16:09.919 --> 00:16:10.080
Okay.
00:16:10.240 --> 00:16:18.320
But no, you know, we built our house in Sag Harbor in 2003 after many years of visiting and being other people's guests.
00:16:18.399 --> 00:16:18.559
Yeah.
00:16:18.879 --> 00:16:21.600
The first person that invited us out was Susan Taylor.
00:16:21.840 --> 00:16:22.320
Oh my.
00:16:22.480 --> 00:16:23.759
And Susan Taylor invited us.
00:16:23.840 --> 00:16:33.279
I was, even though I'm a New Yorker born and raised, I lived other places, other countries, came to New York, and we were living in the city, and Susan invited us out, and we were like, wow, this is a beautiful community.
00:16:33.679 --> 00:16:36.399
This is an African-American, historically African-American community.
00:16:36.559 --> 00:16:38.480
And I saw so many people that I knew.
00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:41.200
And I thought, what a beautiful community to raise my children.
00:16:41.360 --> 00:16:42.399
Because you can live anywhere.
00:16:42.559 --> 00:16:42.799
Right.
00:16:43.039 --> 00:16:54.879
But the idea of being around people that I knew and that, you know, we shared this kind of rich heritage and appreciation for you know the people that went before us, the Maud Terries of the world that created this special community.
00:16:55.039 --> 00:16:55.600
So I love it.
00:16:55.679 --> 00:16:58.639
And you can walk out your door and be safe and wave.
00:16:59.120 --> 00:16:59.440
Exactly.
00:16:59.600 --> 00:17:00.480
Have the birds wake up.
00:17:00.960 --> 00:17:01.919
Have the birds wake you up.
00:17:02.000 --> 00:17:03.039
We're on the ocean.
00:17:03.200 --> 00:17:03.840
It's beautiful.
00:17:04.000 --> 00:17:07.759
And you know, raising my family and now my grandchild growing up there.
00:17:07.920 --> 00:17:08.240
I love it.
00:17:08.400 --> 00:17:09.440
It's just so special.
00:17:09.519 --> 00:17:11.839
And I was talking to my husband the other day, and I said, you know what?
00:17:12.000 --> 00:17:16.880
When we were living in New York and coming on the weekends, we didn't take advantage of everything and all the races.
00:17:16.960 --> 00:17:20.480
And so I said, I feel bad that my kids didn't run in the races when they were little.
00:17:21.119 --> 00:17:24.960
But my grandson and my grandchildren will definitely be in the races.
00:17:25.359 --> 00:17:26.640
They have to, that's the big deal.
00:17:26.880 --> 00:17:28.400
The races on Labor Day weekend.
00:17:28.720 --> 00:17:28.880
Yes.
00:17:29.039 --> 00:17:30.000
It's a big deal.
00:17:30.240 --> 00:17:33.039
So let's talk about children and motherhood.
00:17:33.119 --> 00:17:36.400
And now our children, when we were in Jack and Jill, were children.
00:17:36.480 --> 00:17:36.640
Right.
00:17:36.880 --> 00:17:37.759
Now they're adults.
00:17:37.920 --> 00:17:40.559
So what's it like mothering a mother?
00:17:41.759 --> 00:17:45.759
Well, you know, mothering, because I have two children, my son and my daughter.
00:17:46.079 --> 00:17:49.759
And but mothering, watching my daughter mother, has been beautiful.
00:17:50.240 --> 00:17:52.640
She is kind, she is patient.
00:17:52.880 --> 00:17:56.400
She, our grandson's name is Mavi, which means blue in Turkish.
00:17:56.480 --> 00:17:57.440
His father is Turkish.
00:17:57.599 --> 00:17:58.079
Oh wow.
00:17:58.400 --> 00:18:01.039
Amut and Brooke are loving parents.
00:18:01.200 --> 00:18:05.119
They talk to Mavi in a way that is soothing, and they talk to him like an adult.
00:18:05.200 --> 00:18:07.759
They say, Well, Mavi, you're gonna have to put that down, or that's dangerous.
00:18:08.480 --> 00:18:09.680
And when I grew up, it was like, no.
00:18:10.880 --> 00:18:12.160
Put it down, put it down, put it down.
00:18:12.480 --> 00:18:13.519
But they say, No, that's dangerous.
00:18:13.599 --> 00:18:14.319
And she'll walk him over.
00:18:14.559 --> 00:18:15.279
You can't do that.
00:18:15.359 --> 00:18:16.000
You should do that.
00:18:16.079 --> 00:18:20.240
And he has the patience to sit down and have a book read to him because he's not in front of devices.
00:18:20.400 --> 00:18:22.480
He has no electronic devices.
00:18:22.799 --> 00:18:24.799
So you can read him and he points and he talks.
00:18:25.039 --> 00:18:26.640
He's gonna be too soon.
00:18:26.799 --> 00:18:33.920
But so it's beautiful to see, and also beautiful to watch how I need to evolve as a grandparent, right?
00:18:34.000 --> 00:18:35.200
Because I'm now number two.
00:18:35.279 --> 00:18:35.519
Right.
00:18:35.680 --> 00:18:36.799
I'm now num number one.
00:18:36.960 --> 00:18:41.119
And so my only desire is to put forth their desires.
00:18:41.279 --> 00:18:45.359
And I always say, I want to be that, he calls me Mimi, or I I tell him to call me Mimi.
00:18:45.599 --> 00:18:47.279
I want to be that Mimi that gets invited back.
00:18:47.599 --> 00:18:49.839
So I don't have any opinions other than what they want.
00:18:50.160 --> 00:18:50.559
Exactly.
00:18:50.720 --> 00:18:57.599
You know, my favorite moment in life was my mother standing over me as I became a mother, just to have those three generations.
00:18:57.680 --> 00:18:59.200
I was just like, this is wonderful.
00:18:59.279 --> 00:19:00.559
And I have sons now too.
00:19:00.640 --> 00:19:01.680
So I have two sons.
00:19:01.920 --> 00:19:05.279
So I have a different experience because they will have wives, hopefully.
00:19:05.680 --> 00:19:11.119
But I say this I have to learn how to mother and not smother because they're boys, they're men.
00:19:11.279 --> 00:19:13.920
And so giving them the room to be the men they need to be.
00:19:14.000 --> 00:19:15.839
So how do you parent differently with your son?
00:19:16.160 --> 00:19:20.079
Well, the one thing that you made me think of is my mother is alive at 88 years old.
00:19:20.480 --> 00:19:23.119
Not just alive, but sharp, witty.
00:19:23.279 --> 00:19:23.359
Wow.
00:19:23.599 --> 00:19:28.319
All of they she and my father, who are who was 99, they just drove to Nashville.
00:19:28.480 --> 00:19:31.759
No, and they still drive, they still travel, they fly, everything.
00:19:31.920 --> 00:19:32.240
Oh my god.
00:19:32.480 --> 00:19:36.720
So it's four generations my mother, me, my daughter, and my grandson.
00:19:36.799 --> 00:19:36.880
Wow.
00:19:37.119 --> 00:19:42.319
And we all in this, you know, this family are appreciative of what it is the parents want.
00:19:42.799 --> 00:19:48.640
And so, you know, I I think um with my children, I definitely was a helicopter mom.
00:19:48.799 --> 00:19:53.759
I had a lot of guilt about being a working mom and and not being there for all of the activities.
00:19:53.839 --> 00:19:56.640
And so when I was there, I probably did smother.
00:19:57.039 --> 00:20:03.119
But certainly my children have put me in my place around what's my business and what's their business.
00:20:03.519 --> 00:20:04.160
They make sure of that.
00:20:04.319 --> 00:20:06.160
So now I've learned when to step back.
00:20:06.319 --> 00:20:07.759
I never stop parenting.
00:20:07.920 --> 00:20:09.119
I'm still giving lessons.
00:20:09.200 --> 00:20:11.920
I'm still, and my son will sometimes say, I've got this mom.
00:20:12.400 --> 00:20:17.359
Or my daughter was telling me the other day, well, if you don't want to take, you know, feedback, I was like, no, no, I want to hear.
00:20:17.680 --> 00:20:20.559
I want to hear because I'm learning now, it's the reverse learning.
00:20:20.640 --> 00:20:21.440
I'm learning from them.
00:20:21.599 --> 00:20:21.920
Exactly.
00:20:22.079 --> 00:20:25.200
And of course, my mom is always filled with wisdom.
00:20:25.359 --> 00:20:26.640
Every day I talk to her.
00:20:26.799 --> 00:20:32.400
If I give her, and I talk to her every day, if I give her a situation, she rolls it through and she says, you know what?
00:20:32.640 --> 00:20:37.200
What I'm thinking is or what I'm feeling is, and she's got this intuition about people and situations.
00:20:38.319 --> 00:20:38.960
That's just beautiful.
00:20:39.119 --> 00:20:43.279
So yeah, I knock on wood because I am fortunate and I have an amazing husband.
00:20:43.359 --> 00:20:44.799
We've been together 38 years.
00:20:45.519 --> 00:20:52.079
So two beautiful children, a grandchild, my parents, you know, life wonderful friends that I love.
00:20:52.319 --> 00:20:52.400
Yeah.
00:20:52.640 --> 00:20:54.400
So you're like, my countenance is beautiful.
00:20:54.480 --> 00:20:59.119
So if you had to say A plus B plus C is success, what's your A B?
00:20:59.680 --> 00:21:00.480
And maybe C.
00:21:00.799 --> 00:21:02.160
Sujay, what a great question.
00:21:02.400 --> 00:21:03.119
I try to ask you.
00:21:03.359 --> 00:21:09.279
You're doing more than trying, because I've had I've done several interviews, my A, B, and C of what equals success.
00:21:09.519 --> 00:21:14.240
Well, I think the first thing is knowing that you're worthy of it, right?
00:21:14.400 --> 00:21:15.519
Wanting to be successful.
00:21:15.839 --> 00:21:17.519
Because the desire fuels what you get.
00:21:17.839 --> 00:21:18.559
What do you want?
00:21:18.960 --> 00:21:24.559
And early on I used to ask for things that I wanted, but then I found the peace to ask God for what I needed.
00:21:24.960 --> 00:21:26.480
Don't give me what I want, give me what I need.
00:21:26.640 --> 00:21:30.000
But I felt that I was worthy of being happy and successful.
00:21:30.160 --> 00:21:30.960
I was worthy of that.
00:21:31.200 --> 00:21:32.000
I'd say the first thing.
00:21:32.160 --> 00:21:40.240
The second thing, and and I credit my mom with give instilling me with that confidence and understanding because there are a lot of things that she had to make sure that I did well.
00:21:40.480 --> 00:21:43.680
I followed that then with having picked the right partner in life.
00:21:44.000 --> 00:21:48.640
A lot of where you go and what you can do is who's on that journey with you.
00:21:48.799 --> 00:21:49.119
Yes.
00:21:49.279 --> 00:21:58.000
You know, and if I had picked someone other than Greg Smith to be my partner, where he'd say he would check me when I was wrong, he'd support me and cheerlead me when I did things that were well.
00:21:58.079 --> 00:21:58.960
There was no competition.
00:21:59.119 --> 00:21:59.759
Yes, yes, you know.
00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:02.960
I could salute and celebrate him, and he could do that with me.
00:22:03.279 --> 00:22:08.960
We have the same values about the children that we wanted to raise and how we wanted to raise them and making time for that.
00:22:09.279 --> 00:22:14.799
And so I would say, you know, desire and then the right kind of network and group.
00:22:15.119 --> 00:22:21.200
And then putting myself in situations where I could flourish, where I could be myself and be valued and respected.
00:22:21.440 --> 00:22:21.839
That's good.
00:22:21.920 --> 00:22:24.799
And they say, what's good to success if you have no one to share it with?
00:22:24.960 --> 00:22:26.640
So you have many villages.
00:22:26.799 --> 00:22:31.599
You have your work village, your Becca village, your family village, Sack Harper Village.
00:22:31.920 --> 00:22:35.039
So is there another village we don't know about that brings you joy?
00:22:35.200 --> 00:22:35.759
I live in Boca.
00:22:35.920 --> 00:22:38.400
I live in Boca Ratone, Florida, part of the time too.
00:22:38.720 --> 00:22:41.119
So that brings me a lot of joy, especially in the winter.
00:22:41.359 --> 00:22:42.559
Oh, I know that's right.
00:22:42.720 --> 00:22:46.480
I spent last winter in Fort Lauderdale, and I think I'm gonna be a snow bearer.
00:22:46.720 --> 00:22:47.039
Oh, really?
00:22:47.759 --> 00:22:48.960
I'm leaning towards it.
00:22:49.279 --> 00:22:50.000
We'd love to have you.
00:22:52.160 --> 00:22:52.960
Oh, it's wonderful.
00:22:53.119 --> 00:22:54.079
Yeah, it's wonderful.
00:22:54.400 --> 00:22:59.119
You hosted me, you and Greg hosted me when I came to London as the U.S.
00:22:59.279 --> 00:23:00.000
Ambassador.
00:23:00.240 --> 00:23:02.000
What were you doing in London at that time?
00:23:02.240 --> 00:23:05.039
So when I was in London, I just moved from Helsinki, Finland.
00:23:05.519 --> 00:23:11.119
I moved to from New York to Helsinki to be the executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Nokia.
00:23:11.440 --> 00:23:11.599
Yes.
00:23:11.920 --> 00:23:16.319
And so Nokia is based in Helsinki, and that was an amazing experience.
00:23:16.559 --> 00:23:19.279
And after living in Helsinki, then I moved to London.
00:23:19.440 --> 00:23:20.720
And so that's where I was.
00:23:20.799 --> 00:23:24.960
And we really, you know, as a New Yorker, you thought that I lived in a very diverse world.
00:23:25.039 --> 00:23:25.279
Yes.
00:23:25.519 --> 00:23:34.640
You moved to London and you realize that it's such a rich environment of cultures and languages and customs.
00:23:34.880 --> 00:23:37.920
And you know, even though we speak the same language, it's very different.
00:23:38.079 --> 00:23:38.240
Yeah.
00:23:38.400 --> 00:23:39.359
But I really loved it.
00:23:39.440 --> 00:23:43.359
And the beauty of London is like it's the center of the universe in terms of traveling to Europe.
00:23:43.440 --> 00:23:45.839
And so you could get to anywhere in an hour.
00:23:45.920 --> 00:23:47.119
And we took full advantage.
00:23:47.519 --> 00:23:47.920
Oh, yeah.
00:23:48.000 --> 00:23:49.119
Well, thank you for the invitation.
00:23:49.279 --> 00:23:51.519
The night I came was the barrister's dinner.
00:23:51.759 --> 00:23:52.480
Right, that's right.
00:23:52.640 --> 00:23:52.880
Yes.
00:23:53.200 --> 00:23:53.359
Yes.
00:23:53.839 --> 00:23:54.880
You are good, CJ.
00:23:55.119 --> 00:23:56.079
You are good, Sujay.
00:23:56.160 --> 00:23:56.720
You don't forget.
00:23:57.039 --> 00:23:57.920
I try not to.
00:23:58.079 --> 00:23:59.759
But it was just good to see you flourishing.
00:24:00.240 --> 00:24:04.240
Well, you're a world traveler, so we were honored to have you to have us on one of your stops.
00:24:04.400 --> 00:24:06.160
Yeah, you know, I'm glad to be back home now.
00:24:06.240 --> 00:24:07.920
I'm glad that we have Sag Carver.
00:24:08.079 --> 00:24:08.240
Yes.
00:24:08.400 --> 00:24:11.279
You know, I had all 199 countries in my portfolio.
00:24:11.359 --> 00:24:12.480
So they had me on a plane.
00:24:12.559 --> 00:24:13.599
They were like, where do you live?
00:24:13.680 --> 00:24:15.519
Or on whatever airline I was flying on.
00:24:15.680 --> 00:24:16.960
But what an experience, though, right?
00:24:17.119 --> 00:24:17.839
Quite an experience.
00:24:17.920 --> 00:24:20.160
And you know, to see the family also enjoy it.
00:24:20.319 --> 00:24:22.960
Now there was a day you talk about going to the events.
00:24:23.119 --> 00:24:24.799
I was trying to be a helicopter mom.
00:24:24.880 --> 00:24:28.160
I flew from China to my son's pin relays.
00:24:28.400 --> 00:24:29.119
He was a shot put.
00:24:29.680 --> 00:24:34.720
And you know, you try to do the things you could as a mother, you know, and when he looked up, boys only look up for four seconds.
00:24:35.039 --> 00:24:39.119
But they see there, I was like, you know, I love being a parent and I love what I'm doing.
00:24:39.359 --> 00:24:42.160
So what's a highlight for you of your life?
00:24:42.480 --> 00:24:43.759
Just being a grandmother.
00:24:44.000 --> 00:24:47.680
It is, it is, oh my God, it brings me so much joy.
00:24:48.079 --> 00:24:56.000
And you know, there are things that I would have done and could have done where I would not have been as present as I am now in his life.
00:24:56.480 --> 00:25:01.039
And at the time I looked at it as like disappointing, but now I see God's plan.
00:25:01.359 --> 00:25:03.920
Like if I had done that, I wouldn't be able to be here.
00:25:04.079 --> 00:25:09.039
They live in the city in Chelsea, so they come and they spend, you know, Thursday through Sunday with me.
00:25:09.359 --> 00:25:11.119
Oh, I just love it.
00:25:11.200 --> 00:25:13.200
And I can go to the city and spend time with them.
00:25:13.279 --> 00:25:17.200
And if I was doing some of the things that I would have done, I wouldn't have been able to do that.
00:25:17.279 --> 00:25:20.799
So I'll never get this time back in his life, and I'm enjoying it.
00:25:21.039 --> 00:25:21.839
I'm so glad.
00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:22.960
You mentioned God.
00:25:23.119 --> 00:25:24.799
Does faith play a role in your life?
00:25:25.039 --> 00:25:25.519
Absolutely.
00:25:25.680 --> 00:25:32.960
And you know, the thing about it is that I have so many friends that how religion lives either outwardly or inwardly.
00:25:33.200 --> 00:25:35.359
And I would say I'm more inwardly than outwardly.
00:25:35.920 --> 00:25:40.079
But what I know is that I have always embraced the fact that God has a plan for me.
00:25:40.240 --> 00:25:40.559
Yes.
00:25:40.720 --> 00:25:44.240
That I believe that what he does for me is divine for me.
00:25:44.319 --> 00:25:44.559
Yes.
00:25:44.720 --> 00:25:50.960
And that I have to be able to recognize, appreciate, celebrate, and love him as he loves me.
00:25:51.119 --> 00:25:51.359
Yes.
00:25:51.599 --> 00:25:59.039
And so when I think about my parents and my children and my gifts and my blessings, I do thank God for that.
00:25:59.359 --> 00:26:00.559
Wow, what a blessed woman.
00:26:00.720 --> 00:26:06.720
So SAC Harbor allows me to live my faith inwardly because I'm so outwardly on all the time.
00:26:06.880 --> 00:26:11.119
So to find a place where I can have just my time with God is wonderful.
00:26:11.279 --> 00:26:16.720
So the beauty of the ocean, the beauty of the bay is wonderful, and the beauty of wonderful neighbors and friends.
00:26:16.799 --> 00:26:18.720
So I thank you for being a guest with us.
00:26:18.799 --> 00:26:24.160
So we didn't get a chance the other night, but can you look right there and say, Happy 75th anniversary Azure?
00:26:24.799 --> 00:26:26.880
Happy 75th birthday, Azure Est.
00:26:27.200 --> 00:26:29.279
And happy 75th anniversary Azure.
00:26:29.839 --> 00:26:31.039
And thank you for sharing with us.
00:26:31.119 --> 00:26:34.640
And my special guest has been Jerry DeVard, founder of Becca.
00:26:34.960 --> 00:26:36.559
And we are so glad that you joined us.
00:26:36.720 --> 00:26:37.680
You can join us Wednesdays.
00:26:37.839 --> 00:26:39.200
We're also going to be on the website.
00:26:39.359 --> 00:26:44.160
A shout out to my crew who made this happen, and a shout out to you for sharing this time with us.
00:26:44.319 --> 00:26:48.559
You can find me at globalblackwomencc.org or you can find me right here.
00:26:48.720 --> 00:26:50.319
Until the next time, be well.
00:26:50.400 --> 00:26:51.759
Take care and God bless.
00:26:52.480 --> 00:26:56.000
It's been an amazing, an amazing show today.
00:26:56.160 --> 00:26:58.640
Jerry DeVard, founder of Becca.
00:26:58.960 --> 00:27:01.440
It's been amazing also because you've been with us.
00:27:01.599 --> 00:27:07.279
And so we thank you so much for all that you do to share with us and tune in each week.
00:27:07.440 --> 00:27:13.440
Continue to send in your comments to askdrsuj.com and just visit my website, Dr.
00:27:13.599 --> 00:27:14.640
Sujay Global.
00:27:14.720 --> 00:27:17.839
That's D-R-S-U-J-A-Y Global.com.
00:27:18.079 --> 00:27:19.279
Find out what we're up to.
00:27:19.440 --> 00:27:25.680
We've got exciting things for men and women who are leaders in this world that are making a difference.
00:27:25.839 --> 00:27:31.039
We want to help take you to your next level of impact and influence.
00:27:31.279 --> 00:27:32.480
That's what I do.
00:27:32.559 --> 00:27:33.680
That's who I am.
00:27:33.759 --> 00:27:34.720
That's my mission.
00:27:34.880 --> 00:27:35.759
And Ask Dr.
00:27:35.920 --> 00:27:39.839
Sujay and Soul Fully Sujay are helping to take us farther.
00:27:40.000 --> 00:27:43.680
So visit us, stay in touch with us, share it.
00:27:43.920 --> 00:27:49.119
A share is better than a comment, and a comment's better than a like, but we need all three of them.
00:27:49.279 --> 00:27:52.240
So do that and stay tuned with Ask Dr.
00:27:52.480 --> 00:27:53.200
Sujay.
00:27:53.359 --> 00:27:56.480
Until next time, stay well.
00:27:59.279 --> 00:28:02.000
So that's it for today's episode of Ask Dr.
00:28:02.160 --> 00:28:02.799
Sujay.
00:28:02.960 --> 00:28:08.720
Head on over to Apple Podcasts iTunes or wherever you subscribe to listen to the show.
00:28:08.960 --> 00:28:21.839
One lucky listener every single week who posts a review on Apple Podcasts or iTunes will win a chance in the grand prize drawing to win a fifteen thousand dollar private VIP day with Dr.
00:28:22.000 --> 00:28:23.200
Sujay herself.
00:28:23.920 --> 00:28:29.839
Be sure to head on over to askdrsujay.com and pick up a free copy of Dr.
00:28:30.000 --> 00:28:33.519
Suja's gift and join us on the next episode.
00:00:03.120 --> 00:00:10.400
Do you ever wonder how faith fits into leadership or how to lead with both power and purpose?
00:00:10.640 --> 00:00:18.480
If you're looking for wisdom that bridges culture, confidence, and calling, then this podcast is for you.
00:00:18.879 --> 00:00:29.199
Here's Global Diplomat, Business Strategist, and Women's Empowerment icon, your host, Ambassador Susan Johnson Cook.
00:00:29.839 --> 00:00:31.280
Welcome to Ask Dr.
00:00:31.440 --> 00:00:32.159
Sujay.
00:00:32.320 --> 00:00:38.000
Now, when it comes to global leaders, there's no name better than Jerry DeVard, founder of Becca.
00:00:38.399 --> 00:00:50.719
Today's discussion will be with her, who has mentored so many young men and women in corporate America, and she's a presence in our community in the East End.
00:00:50.880 --> 00:00:54.000
And we just celebrate her and we celebrate you today.
00:00:54.079 --> 00:00:56.799
And thank you for tuning in with us, Dr.
00:00:56.960 --> 00:00:57.840
Sujay.
00:00:58.159 --> 00:00:58.560
I'm Dr.
00:00:58.640 --> 00:01:02.159
Sujay, Ambassador Sujay, and you're welcome to live with Suja.
00:01:02.479 --> 00:01:04.400
We are so excited to have you with us.
00:01:04.480 --> 00:01:07.519
We're here on Wednesdays at 5 30 LTV.
00:01:07.680 --> 00:01:11.040
Want to give a shout out to all the team that makes this possible.
00:01:11.200 --> 00:01:17.120
But today I am so excited to have my neighbor, someone I've greatly admired, Jerry DeVard.
00:01:17.439 --> 00:01:17.840
Welcome.
00:01:18.079 --> 00:01:18.480
Thank you.
00:01:18.560 --> 00:01:19.439
Thank you, Sujay.
00:01:19.519 --> 00:01:20.640
It's so nice to be here with you.
00:01:20.959 --> 00:01:22.239
So you're the founder of Becca.
00:01:22.480 --> 00:01:25.200
Tell us what that is and why you founded it.
00:01:25.439 --> 00:01:32.560
Oh, I love that question because you know it speaks to things that you never knew were possible that just kind of take over you.
00:01:32.719 --> 00:01:36.560
So Becca stands for the Black Executive CMO Alliance.
00:01:36.879 --> 00:01:39.040
And CMO is chief marketing officer.
00:01:39.280 --> 00:01:43.680
So you're known, I saw in one writing that you're known as the Rockstar CMO.
00:01:43.840 --> 00:01:45.599
Ah, so welcome, Rockstar.
00:01:46.079 --> 00:01:50.239
Yeah, but tell us what a CMO does and then how you got to again to Becca.
00:01:50.879 --> 00:01:57.280
So chief marketing officers are responsible for, in my view, the top and bottom line growth of the organization.
00:01:57.439 --> 00:02:03.680
They're responsible for the brand, the reputation, the image, what you think of when you think of a brand.
00:02:03.760 --> 00:02:03.920
Yes.
00:02:04.159 --> 00:02:08.800
And what marketers do and what great marketers do is they build preference and consideration.
00:02:08.960 --> 00:02:13.439
They want you to consider the brand when you're trying to make a choice about what to buy or what to use.
00:02:13.599 --> 00:02:15.199
And they want to build a preference.
00:02:15.280 --> 00:02:19.039
They want their brand to be the one that speaks to you.
00:02:19.199 --> 00:02:25.759
Because in this world of commodities, there's no one brand item company that has a monopoly on anything.
00:02:26.240 --> 00:02:33.759
So in a sea of choices, marketers want you to choose theirs and they want you to think that their product is better than the others.
00:02:33.919 --> 00:02:36.400
But what marketers really have to do is make sure that that's real.
00:02:36.560 --> 00:02:36.800
Okay.
00:02:36.960 --> 00:02:39.439
Because if you're just selling fluff, it doesn't make sense.
00:02:39.919 --> 00:02:47.919
And I've been, you know, marketing called upon me early on in my career at Spellman College to be a graduate of Spellman and a proud graduate of Spellman College.
00:02:48.159 --> 00:02:48.719
I know, I know.
00:02:48.800 --> 00:02:54.319
We Spellman grads are like, if you're talking to a woman and she says that she went to Spellman, you just kind of give her a hug.
00:02:54.560 --> 00:02:55.199
Yeah, exactly.
00:02:55.280 --> 00:02:57.840
And applause because everyone has to applause.
00:02:58.159 --> 00:02:59.919
And then the graduate degree from Clark Atlanta.
00:03:00.240 --> 00:03:00.719
Clark Atlanta.
00:03:00.800 --> 00:03:02.319
I am a double HBCU.
00:03:03.120 --> 00:03:05.759
And I am strong, stronger for it.
00:03:06.240 --> 00:03:17.680
Because this whole idea of instilling black excellence, understanding that you were going to potentially be a minority in a majority world, that I had probably gone to colleges that most people had not heard of.
00:03:17.840 --> 00:03:18.000
Right.
00:03:18.319 --> 00:03:27.360
But I never took a backseat to anyone else's, you know, education because both of those schools taught me that I was worthy, I was capable, and I was ready.
00:03:27.599 --> 00:03:35.039
Well, I heard you were really an influencer on both campuses, but in the sea of choices, how do you make a brand stand out?
00:03:35.439 --> 00:03:40.479
Well, so that is what distinguishes a good marketer from an okay marketer.
00:03:40.639 --> 00:03:40.879
Okay.
00:03:41.439 --> 00:03:45.520
And what it starts with is understanding what it is your customers or consumers want.
00:03:45.680 --> 00:03:45.919
Okay.
00:03:46.080 --> 00:03:48.560
What is it they want, and then what is it that you're delivering?
00:03:49.120 --> 00:03:53.039
You won't be able to deliver all of it, but you've got to know what your secret sauce is.
00:03:53.120 --> 00:03:53.360
Yes.
00:03:53.599 --> 00:03:58.319
Which takes me back to your original question, which was what is Becca and why did I start it?
00:03:58.479 --> 00:04:07.280
And the Black Executive CMO Alliance is made up of, you know, you kindly called me a rock star, but these 33 members are truly rock stars, Sujay.
00:04:07.599 --> 00:04:22.000
They are at the top of the house in their organizations, big organizations, where they manage hundreds of millions, if not billions of dollars on behalf of the corporation to make sure that their brand and their products stay relevant and desirable and compelling.
00:04:22.399 --> 00:04:49.839
And so I wanted to make sure that more people that looked like me were interviewed, were on main stages, were in the roundup of the best, and that we could come together collectively to make it better for those that would follow us, those young, you know, managers and analysts and not quite officer level yet, where they could see people that look like them so they could understand that they have a chance to be there and they could see it done in different ways.
00:04:50.079 --> 00:04:50.240
Yes.
00:04:50.480 --> 00:04:54.480
Because I remember when I was growing up, everyone said, Oh, you should be like, you should be more like.
00:04:54.639 --> 00:04:57.680
And it's like, no, the best thing you can be is your unique self.
00:04:58.720 --> 00:05:07.680
So we show them how to get to the C-suite, how to be a chief marketing officer, how to work for the CEO, and do it being authentically you.
00:05:07.920 --> 00:05:11.279
And the way we do it is also sharing mistakes we've made.
00:05:11.360 --> 00:05:11.600
Yes.
00:05:11.839 --> 00:05:12.720
Lessons we've learned.
00:05:12.879 --> 00:05:13.040
Yes.
00:05:13.360 --> 00:05:17.439
Um, and a lot of people don't talk about failing your way to success.
00:05:17.600 --> 00:05:20.079
There are mistakes, but I say they're lessons, not losses.
00:05:20.480 --> 00:05:21.519
That's very smart.
00:05:21.839 --> 00:05:25.519
Because I've learned more from my failure, Sujay, than any success.
00:05:25.759 --> 00:05:26.000
Exactly.
00:05:26.240 --> 00:05:27.120
It took me three times.
00:05:27.199 --> 00:05:29.519
I was a White House fellow under President Clinton.
00:05:29.600 --> 00:05:37.040
But what people don't know is I tried under Macon, I tried under George the Daddy Bush, but finally when Clinton got in, I knew how to do it.
00:05:37.199 --> 00:05:39.839
The door was not only open, I had a seat at the table.
00:05:40.079 --> 00:05:41.519
And I think that's really what you're doing.
00:05:41.680 --> 00:05:44.240
You're saying the door has been flung open for me.
00:05:44.399 --> 00:05:51.120
I've been on this trajectory for a long time, but I also want to make sure not only is it open for you, but you get a seat at the table of your choice.
00:05:51.519 --> 00:05:54.079
The only thing I would probably change is the door wasn't opened.
00:05:54.160 --> 00:05:54.879
I had to kick it open.
00:05:55.199 --> 00:05:55.519
Okay, right.
00:05:56.240 --> 00:06:00.879
So I want the the generation that follows me to push on an open door.
00:06:01.120 --> 00:06:01.360
I love it.
00:06:01.519 --> 00:06:01.600
Right?
00:06:01.759 --> 00:06:02.000
I love it.
00:06:02.720 --> 00:06:05.279
It's no one's gonna open it up and say, Oh, I'm so glad you came.
00:06:05.360 --> 00:06:06.319
We've been waiting for you.
00:06:06.639 --> 00:06:07.839
Maybe if you're lucky.
00:06:08.000 --> 00:06:16.079
But in the case that that doesn't happen, you know, and it's gotta be a little open because if you have to really kick it in, then is that really where you should be?
00:06:16.319 --> 00:06:16.639
Exactly.
00:06:16.879 --> 00:06:25.199
If you're recognizing talent and your personality and what you bring to the organization, you want to plant your seed in fertile ground.
00:06:25.279 --> 00:06:25.439
Yes.
00:06:25.680 --> 00:06:33.360
You want to go to the places that are gonna recognize, reward, acknowledge, appreciate, value your talent, not just say, okay, we can check the box.
00:06:33.600 --> 00:06:33.920
Exactly.
00:06:34.079 --> 00:06:34.879
So let me ask you this.
00:06:34.959 --> 00:06:37.680
You know, the Crown Act has passed in several states.
00:06:37.920 --> 00:06:45.439
Do you think that that's gonna have an impact on this generation, or do you think you still have to go in a certain way for the door, even if the door is half open?
00:06:45.759 --> 00:06:59.120
Well, first of all, I have to give a big up to one of our Becca members, AC at Unilever, and has been on this task for the Crown Act and has really put a lot of heart, sweat, soul, energy, tears, everything into making this happen.
00:06:59.920 --> 00:07:04.000
And so I'm appreciative of what she's done for women that look like me.
00:07:04.160 --> 00:07:14.879
I know for a fact it is impacting this generation because when I walk into offices and I see natural hairstyles, you know, I braids, everything, and it being, you know, part of them.
00:07:15.040 --> 00:07:24.879
Now, what we have to work on, and what I don't know, is that I'm not inside someone's head around what the page one is that comes up about someone when you see them like that.
00:07:25.040 --> 00:07:25.279
Yes.
00:07:25.439 --> 00:07:34.000
But that's never been our issue because I say when I walked into a room as a black woman, how you felt about that was secondary to how I felt about myself.
00:07:34.240 --> 00:07:34.720
I love that.
00:07:34.879 --> 00:07:41.519
And I wasn't going to, you know, buy into whatever you thought about me other than presenting who I really was.
00:07:41.680 --> 00:07:46.399
So when black women show up with natural hair and braids, they're showing the confidence to own who they are.
00:07:46.480 --> 00:07:46.639
Yes.
00:07:46.800 --> 00:07:50.720
And I think that gives them the freedom to speak about what it is that they know so well.
00:07:50.959 --> 00:07:51.439
I love it.
00:07:51.600 --> 00:07:55.519
So when we first met, or when I re first remember meeting you, we were at Jack and Jill.
00:07:55.839 --> 00:07:56.639
At all Jack and Jill.
00:07:56.879 --> 00:08:02.879
You were working for Verizon, but there have been so many corporations since then, and then you've been on corporate boards.
00:08:03.120 --> 00:08:07.839
So many people want the corporate board, but they don't want the sweat equity that goes into it.
00:08:07.920 --> 00:08:12.160
So if you had said what led to your first board and what did it really take?
00:08:12.800 --> 00:08:21.920
So my first board, and I tell the story, I didn't even know that much about corporate boards as a thing to aspire to or to want to be a part of.
00:08:22.160 --> 00:08:28.720
I got a call from a headhunter that said, you know, we're recruiting for the Tommy Hill figure board, and we'd like to talk to you about that.
00:08:28.800 --> 00:08:30.959
And I thought, oh, well, I knew the brand.
00:08:31.040 --> 00:08:32.159
I thought that'd be very cool.
00:08:32.320 --> 00:08:32.559
Yeah.
00:08:32.799 --> 00:08:41.039
And as I went through the interview process, I kind of got more and more excited about the ability to impact a brand that I thought was really, you know, important.
00:08:41.120 --> 00:08:47.519
They'd gone through kind of a, unfortunately, the brand had been characterized as having said something in the black community that they never said.
00:08:47.600 --> 00:08:47.759
Yeah.
00:08:48.080 --> 00:08:49.840
But it took a life of its own.
00:08:50.080 --> 00:08:55.919
And so coming into that, I was recognizing of what Tommy Hill figure needed to be in the black community, recognizing that.
00:08:56.080 --> 00:09:08.639
But it was led by Tommy, and I, you know, I was selected to join the board, and I really felt that it was a natural extension of what I was doing as an executive, a marketing executive in the company.
00:09:08.879 --> 00:09:17.919
And from that, then I think it's that first board that you get on that that opens the doors so people felt, okay, she's got the right operating role.
00:09:18.080 --> 00:09:22.879
She's got experience that we want, which is marketing and building desire and preference profitably.
00:09:23.120 --> 00:09:24.799
She's been vetted to be on a board.
00:09:24.879 --> 00:09:31.200
She understands what it's like to be in the boardroom because board directors give direction, not directives.
00:09:31.679 --> 00:09:31.919
Management.
00:09:33.440 --> 00:09:38.639
Management runs the company, and board of directors give advice and guidance around that.
00:09:38.879 --> 00:09:39.200
Okay.
00:09:39.519 --> 00:09:46.639
So then I got more calls around what I consider what I'd be interested in joining other boards.
00:09:46.879 --> 00:09:50.399
So does the boardroom still need some diversity?
00:09:50.639 --> 00:09:51.120
Of course.
00:09:51.600 --> 00:09:52.080
Of course.
00:09:52.240 --> 00:09:52.720
Absolutely.
00:09:52.879 --> 00:09:55.600
I mean, is the strides that we're making are still not enough.
00:09:55.840 --> 00:09:56.080
Okay.
00:09:56.240 --> 00:10:11.360
And when you look at the numbers, you know, women certainly, the gender, you know, when we talk about the diversity Olympics, certainly white women have won that because there's more representation of white women, but still there the balance of, you know, people of color and blacks in particular.
00:10:11.519 --> 00:10:16.080
I think the last survey I saw was that we were about maybe three and a half to five percent of all seats.
00:10:16.320 --> 00:10:16.879
Oh my goodness.
00:10:17.759 --> 00:10:18.399
That is very small.
00:10:18.879 --> 00:10:19.600
That is very small.
00:10:19.919 --> 00:10:27.600
So, but more and more people are getting calls, and I, when people call me, I say, okay, I'm you know, I'm not interested, but here's someone to call.
00:10:27.759 --> 00:10:28.080
Yes, yes.
00:10:28.399 --> 00:10:31.200
So rather than calling me five times, call these five people.
00:10:31.360 --> 00:10:31.600
Yes.
00:10:31.840 --> 00:10:39.600
And when I get calls all the time, every week someone calls me about or emails me about an opening for a director, and they're looking for a marketer.
00:10:39.679 --> 00:10:45.919
And I say, Here are 33 people that you can speak to, and they're all Becca members.
00:10:46.240 --> 00:10:47.600
And so they are getting calls.
00:10:47.840 --> 00:10:52.559
So is marketing the best trajectory to a board seat, or what other kinds of roles?
00:10:52.960 --> 00:10:55.519
Actually, there are fewer marketers in board seats.
00:10:55.679 --> 00:11:01.519
I wouldn't say it's the best, but you know, as a marketer, I think marketing is the best profession to be in.
00:11:01.759 --> 00:11:02.000
Yes.
00:11:02.159 --> 00:11:09.519
Uh but boards are looking for some, they want financial experience, they want cybersecurity experience, they want um, you know, legal.
00:11:09.840 --> 00:11:11.679
It depends upon what they're looking for.
00:11:12.080 --> 00:11:23.519
But more companies are now recognizing that marketing and differentiation and purpose is really important and should be elevated to a board seat with that kind of expertise.
00:11:23.679 --> 00:11:27.600
So more marketers are joining boards, much like more marketers are becoming CEOs.
00:11:27.840 --> 00:11:28.080
Yes.
00:11:28.240 --> 00:11:35.919
So I run the Global Black Women's Chamber of Commerce, black women business owners, and more and more I see nonprofit women wanting to own their own businesses.
00:11:36.080 --> 00:11:39.200
COVID has certainly allowed people to pivot, as they say.
00:11:39.360 --> 00:11:43.519
But what's the role for the nonprofit woman who wants to go to corporate America?
00:11:44.480 --> 00:11:47.919
So, okay, that's a great question that I'm not qualified to answer.
00:11:48.159 --> 00:11:48.320
Okay.
00:11:48.559 --> 00:11:49.440
And I'll tell you why.
00:11:49.600 --> 00:11:49.759
Okay.
00:11:50.000 --> 00:11:52.559
Because my whole journey has been through corporate America.
00:11:52.639 --> 00:11:52.799
Yeah.
00:11:53.120 --> 00:11:56.240
And not just corporate America, but Fortune 500, Fortune 100.
00:11:56.559 --> 00:11:59.200
And that's a big So it's my experience.
00:11:59.360 --> 00:12:03.919
I say that I get paid on the 15th and the 30th, regardless of whether or not the company got paid.
00:12:04.000 --> 00:12:04.320
Yes.
00:12:04.480 --> 00:12:12.399
And even when I think about the boards I serve on, Under Armour, Dow, Cars.com, Root, they're all publicly traded, you know, companies.
00:12:12.799 --> 00:12:19.279
And so if you are a nonprofit leader trying to get on a corporate board or corporate role, just a lot of people.
00:12:19.360 --> 00:12:19.919
No, corporate role.
00:12:20.240 --> 00:12:21.200
Corporate role into corporate board.
00:12:21.600 --> 00:12:26.799
What I think somewhere along the way, I'm hoping that you had some experience outside of nonprofit.
00:12:26.879 --> 00:12:27.120
Yes.
00:12:27.360 --> 00:12:34.159
But if you've had nonprofit experience that you think is in a sector of an organization that needs that, then you're ripe for it.
00:12:34.320 --> 00:12:34.480
Okay.
00:12:34.639 --> 00:12:37.120
So now I'm talking about what I think versus what I know.
00:12:37.279 --> 00:12:37.440
Yeah.
00:12:37.840 --> 00:12:49.840
I believe that if you are running a nonprofit in a sector and there are corporations that are in that same sector, that there are areas that you can provide expertise in that they will need because you've been on the ground at that.
00:12:49.919 --> 00:12:50.159
Yes.
00:12:50.399 --> 00:12:54.559
And I would also look at other nonprofit leaders that may serve on boards and say, Exactly.
00:12:54.720 --> 00:12:55.600
Now how did they okay?
00:12:55.679 --> 00:12:57.519
So what was their background and how did they get there?
00:12:58.240 --> 00:12:58.799
Ah, I get it.
00:12:58.879 --> 00:12:59.679
And I would reach out to them.
00:12:59.840 --> 00:13:00.799
LinkedIn, you know what?
00:13:00.960 --> 00:13:02.159
LinkedIn is a beautiful thing.
00:13:02.559 --> 00:13:05.039
You can reach out to people and say, Hi, you know.
00:13:05.440 --> 00:13:06.159
Do we share something?
00:13:06.559 --> 00:13:06.960
We share.
00:13:07.039 --> 00:13:07.600
I'm interested.
00:13:07.840 --> 00:13:08.639
Would you have five minutes?
00:13:08.960 --> 00:13:10.639
If you have five minutes, and they respond.
00:13:10.879 --> 00:13:11.519
And they respond.
00:13:11.759 --> 00:13:18.960
And when you see people that have had a similar journey, having been on a nonprofit and going to a corporation, talk to them about how they did that.
00:13:19.039 --> 00:13:25.679
But I do believe it's about being able to characterize your experience in a way that makes it interesting and compelling for a company.
00:13:26.080 --> 00:13:27.120
Business school.
00:13:27.360 --> 00:13:32.240
So the young person is graduating from college, do they need it if they want to be a young entrepreneur?
00:13:32.399 --> 00:13:33.600
Do they need it these days?
00:13:33.759 --> 00:13:38.399
Or do you say, go out, try your entrepreneurship, and then maybe business school later?
00:13:38.559 --> 00:13:41.360
I mean, there's money to be made, but what would you suggest?
00:13:41.600 --> 00:13:44.240
I don't think they need business school, but they need to know business.
00:13:44.480 --> 00:13:44.799
Ah.
00:13:45.440 --> 00:13:48.559
So the question becomes, where are you going to learn business?
00:13:48.720 --> 00:13:52.799
Where are you going to learn, you know, all of what you're going to need to run your business?
00:13:53.039 --> 00:13:56.240
And is that that you're going to be an intern somewhere?
00:13:56.399 --> 00:13:59.039
Are you going to shadow someone?
00:13:59.279 --> 00:14:02.480
Are you going to You're going to have to learn an apprentice.
00:14:02.559 --> 00:14:02.720
Yeah.
00:14:03.039 --> 00:14:03.759
Learn the business.
00:14:03.919 --> 00:14:12.159
And if you've learned that through osmosis or watching or just sheer, just, you know, when I started Becca, I had never run anything my life.
00:14:12.399 --> 00:14:17.759
I, you know, I had to find out how to file for a 501c3 or a nonprofit.
00:14:17.840 --> 00:14:19.440
I had to trademark a name.
00:14:19.519 --> 00:14:20.720
I had to get office space.
00:14:20.799 --> 00:14:27.519
I had to create bylaws and amendment and build a board and all the things that you have to do and hire people and pay them.
00:14:27.679 --> 00:14:31.679
And so, you know, if you can learn that somewhere, then that's great.
00:14:32.320 --> 00:14:32.960
You have to learn it.
00:14:33.120 --> 00:14:33.759
But you have to learn it.
00:14:34.159 --> 00:14:37.759
Business school is a great way to do that, but you don't need it to be an entrepreneur.
00:14:37.840 --> 00:14:42.000
And I don't think you absolutely need an MBA to be successful in marketing.
00:14:42.159 --> 00:14:44.720
I've always said that I think companies use it as a screening tool.
00:14:45.039 --> 00:14:47.679
It's like, okay, I don't have to go through a hundred applications.
00:14:47.759 --> 00:14:50.480
I'll go through these 20 that have an MBA.
00:14:50.720 --> 00:14:52.639
But I do appreciate my MBA.
00:14:52.720 --> 00:14:56.399
I learned a lot from my MBA, but I don't think it's as necessary as it used to be.
00:14:56.480 --> 00:14:58.480
There's so many people that have brilliant ideas.
00:14:58.639 --> 00:15:04.639
And the tools that you can, you know, the barriers to starting a company now have kind of gone by the wayside.
00:15:04.720 --> 00:15:10.320
There's so many brands on Instagram that don't have a website, that don't have an office, that don't, but they can sell.
00:15:10.639 --> 00:15:14.960
They can sell, and they have that social media that helps them amplify their message or their platform.
00:15:15.200 --> 00:15:16.159
And people should go for it.
00:15:16.240 --> 00:15:18.480
If you have a dream to do that, do it now.
00:15:18.720 --> 00:15:19.120
Don't wait.
00:15:19.440 --> 00:15:19.679
Exactly.
00:15:19.759 --> 00:15:21.039
Especially young.
00:15:21.120 --> 00:15:21.440
Go for it.
00:15:22.159 --> 00:15:22.879
Your time, you know?
00:15:23.360 --> 00:15:27.519
So we're neighbors in a wonderfully historically African American community.
00:15:27.759 --> 00:15:30.639
So we've just celebrated a 75th anniversary.
00:15:30.799 --> 00:15:31.840
Talk to us about now.
00:15:31.919 --> 00:15:34.000
You've gone to historically black colleges.
00:15:34.240 --> 00:15:39.120
Talk to us about living in Azure, Sag Harbor, the village of Sag Harbor.
00:15:39.440 --> 00:15:45.200
Well, I first have to thank you for that amazing job that you did, Sujay, on our 75th anniversary.
00:15:45.600 --> 00:15:52.159
That film that you did interviewing so many of the people that have made our community so special was beautiful.
00:15:52.399 --> 00:15:55.440
It was touching, and it's something that we'll all live with.
00:15:55.600 --> 00:15:57.200
And you said how many hours did you spend on that?
00:15:57.440 --> 00:15:59.440
100 in editing, about two summers.
00:15:59.519 --> 00:16:05.840
Just take my beach time, two summers, but it's going to air on LTV and probably will have air by the time this airs as well.
00:16:06.320 --> 00:16:07.759
Okay, well that will be Must C TV.
00:16:07.919 --> 00:16:09.120
Yeah, thank you a few times.
00:16:09.360 --> 00:16:09.759
Oh, great.
00:16:09.919 --> 00:16:10.080
Okay.
00:16:10.240 --> 00:16:18.320
But no, you know, we built our house in Sag Harbor in 2003 after many years of visiting and being other people's guests.
00:16:18.399 --> 00:16:18.559
Yeah.
00:16:18.879 --> 00:16:21.600
The first person that invited us out was Susan Taylor.
00:16:21.840 --> 00:16:22.320
Oh my.
00:16:22.480 --> 00:16:23.759
And Susan Taylor invited us.
00:16:23.840 --> 00:16:33.279
I was, even though I'm a New Yorker born and raised, I lived other places, other countries, came to New York, and we were living in the city, and Susan invited us out, and we were like, wow, this is a beautiful community.
00:16:33.679 --> 00:16:36.399
This is an African-American, historically African-American community.
00:16:36.559 --> 00:16:38.480
And I saw so many people that I knew.
00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:41.200
And I thought, what a beautiful community to raise my children.
00:16:41.360 --> 00:16:42.399
Because you can live anywhere.
00:16:42.559 --> 00:16:42.799
Right.
00:16:43.039 --> 00:16:54.879
But the idea of being around people that I knew and that, you know, we shared this kind of rich heritage and appreciation for you know the people that went before us, the Maud Terries of the world that created this special community.
00:16:55.039 --> 00:16:55.600
So I love it.
00:16:55.679 --> 00:16:58.639
And you can walk out your door and be safe and wave.
00:16:59.120 --> 00:16:59.440
Exactly.
00:16:59.600 --> 00:17:00.480
Have the birds wake up.
00:17:00.960 --> 00:17:01.919
Have the birds wake you up.
00:17:02.000 --> 00:17:03.039
We're on the ocean.
00:17:03.200 --> 00:17:03.840
It's beautiful.
00:17:04.000 --> 00:17:07.759
And you know, raising my family and now my grandchild growing up there.
00:17:07.920 --> 00:17:08.240
I love it.
00:17:08.400 --> 00:17:09.440
It's just so special.
00:17:09.519 --> 00:17:11.839
And I was talking to my husband the other day, and I said, you know what?
00:17:12.000 --> 00:17:16.880
When we were living in New York and coming on the weekends, we didn't take advantage of everything and all the races.
00:17:16.960 --> 00:17:20.480
And so I said, I feel bad that my kids didn't run in the races when they were little.
00:17:21.119 --> 00:17:24.960
But my grandson and my grandchildren will definitely be in the races.
00:17:25.359 --> 00:17:26.640
They have to, that's the big deal.
00:17:26.880 --> 00:17:28.400
The races on Labor Day weekend.
00:17:28.720 --> 00:17:28.880
Yes.
00:17:29.039 --> 00:17:30.000
It's a big deal.
00:17:30.240 --> 00:17:33.039
So let's talk about children and motherhood.
00:17:33.119 --> 00:17:36.400
And now our children, when we were in Jack and Jill, were children.
00:17:36.480 --> 00:17:36.640
Right.
00:17:36.880 --> 00:17:37.759
Now they're adults.
00:17:37.920 --> 00:17:40.559
So what's it like mothering a mother?
00:17:41.759 --> 00:17:45.759
Well, you know, mothering, because I have two children, my son and my daughter.
00:17:46.079 --> 00:17:49.759
And but mothering, watching my daughter mother, has been beautiful.
00:17:50.240 --> 00:17:52.640
She is kind, she is patient.
00:17:52.880 --> 00:17:56.400
She, our grandson's name is Mavi, which means blue in Turkish.
00:17:56.480 --> 00:17:57.440
His father is Turkish.
00:17:57.599 --> 00:17:58.079
Oh wow.
00:17:58.400 --> 00:18:01.039
Amut and Brooke are loving parents.
00:18:01.200 --> 00:18:05.119
They talk to Mavi in a way that is soothing, and they talk to him like an adult.
00:18:05.200 --> 00:18:07.759
They say, Well, Mavi, you're gonna have to put that down, or that's dangerous.
00:18:08.480 --> 00:18:09.680
And when I grew up, it was like, no.
00:18:10.880 --> 00:18:12.160
Put it down, put it down, put it down.
00:18:12.480 --> 00:18:13.519
But they say, No, that's dangerous.
00:18:13.599 --> 00:18:14.319
And she'll walk him over.
00:18:14.559 --> 00:18:15.279
You can't do that.
00:18:15.359 --> 00:18:16.000
You should do that.
00:18:16.079 --> 00:18:20.240
And he has the patience to sit down and have a book read to him because he's not in front of devices.
00:18:20.400 --> 00:18:22.480
He has no electronic devices.
00:18:22.799 --> 00:18:24.799
So you can read him and he points and he talks.
00:18:25.039 --> 00:18:26.640
He's gonna be too soon.
00:18:26.799 --> 00:18:33.920
But so it's beautiful to see, and also beautiful to watch how I need to evolve as a grandparent, right?
00:18:34.000 --> 00:18:35.200
Because I'm now number two.
00:18:35.279 --> 00:18:35.519
Right.
00:18:35.680 --> 00:18:36.799
I'm now num number one.
00:18:36.960 --> 00:18:41.119
And so my only desire is to put forth their desires.
00:18:41.279 --> 00:18:45.359
And I always say, I want to be that, he calls me Mimi, or I I tell him to call me Mimi.
00:18:45.599 --> 00:18:47.279
I want to be that Mimi that gets invited back.
00:18:47.599 --> 00:18:49.839
So I don't have any opinions other than what they want.
00:18:50.160 --> 00:18:50.559
Exactly.
00:18:50.720 --> 00:18:57.599
You know, my favorite moment in life was my mother standing over me as I became a mother, just to have those three generations.
00:18:57.680 --> 00:18:59.200
I was just like, this is wonderful.
00:18:59.279 --> 00:19:00.559
And I have sons now too.
00:19:00.640 --> 00:19:01.680
So I have two sons.
00:19:01.920 --> 00:19:05.279
So I have a different experience because they will have wives, hopefully.
00:19:05.680 --> 00:19:11.119
But I say this I have to learn how to mother and not smother because they're boys, they're men.
00:19:11.279 --> 00:19:13.920
And so giving them the room to be the men they need to be.
00:19:14.000 --> 00:19:15.839
So how do you parent differently with your son?
00:19:16.160 --> 00:19:20.079
Well, the one thing that you made me think of is my mother is alive at 88 years old.
00:19:20.480 --> 00:19:23.119
Not just alive, but sharp, witty.
00:19:23.279 --> 00:19:23.359
Wow.
00:19:23.599 --> 00:19:28.319
All of they she and my father, who are who was 99, they just drove to Nashville.
00:19:28.480 --> 00:19:31.759
No, and they still drive, they still travel, they fly, everything.
00:19:31.920 --> 00:19:32.240
Oh my god.
00:19:32.480 --> 00:19:36.720
So it's four generations my mother, me, my daughter, and my grandson.
00:19:36.799 --> 00:19:36.880
Wow.
00:19:37.119 --> 00:19:42.319
And we all in this, you know, this family are appreciative of what it is the parents want.
00:19:42.799 --> 00:19:48.640
And so, you know, I I think um with my children, I definitely was a helicopter mom.
00:19:48.799 --> 00:19:53.759
I had a lot of guilt about being a working mom and and not being there for all of the activities.
00:19:53.839 --> 00:19:56.640
And so when I was there, I probably did smother.
00:19:57.039 --> 00:20:03.119
But certainly my children have put me in my place around what's my business and what's their business.
00:20:03.519 --> 00:20:04.160
They make sure of that.
00:20:04.319 --> 00:20:06.160
So now I've learned when to step back.
00:20:06.319 --> 00:20:07.759
I never stop parenting.
00:20:07.920 --> 00:20:09.119
I'm still giving lessons.
00:20:09.200 --> 00:20:11.920
I'm still, and my son will sometimes say, I've got this mom.
00:20:12.400 --> 00:20:17.359
Or my daughter was telling me the other day, well, if you don't want to take, you know, feedback, I was like, no, no, I want to hear.
00:20:17.680 --> 00:20:20.559
I want to hear because I'm learning now, it's the reverse learning.
00:20:20.640 --> 00:20:21.440
I'm learning from them.
00:20:21.599 --> 00:20:21.920
Exactly.
00:20:22.079 --> 00:20:25.200
And of course, my mom is always filled with wisdom.
00:20:25.359 --> 00:20:26.640
Every day I talk to her.
00:20:26.799 --> 00:20:32.400
If I give her, and I talk to her every day, if I give her a situation, she rolls it through and she says, you know what?
00:20:32.640 --> 00:20:37.200
What I'm thinking is or what I'm feeling is, and she's got this intuition about people and situations.
00:20:38.319 --> 00:20:38.960
That's just beautiful.
00:20:39.119 --> 00:20:43.279
So yeah, I knock on wood because I am fortunate and I have an amazing husband.
00:20:43.359 --> 00:20:44.799
We've been together 38 years.
00:20:45.519 --> 00:20:52.079
So two beautiful children, a grandchild, my parents, you know, life wonderful friends that I love.
00:20:52.319 --> 00:20:52.400
Yeah.
00:20:52.640 --> 00:20:54.400
So you're like, my countenance is beautiful.
00:20:54.480 --> 00:20:59.119
So if you had to say A plus B plus C is success, what's your A B?
00:20:59.680 --> 00:21:00.480
And maybe C.
00:21:00.799 --> 00:21:02.160
Sujay, what a great question.
00:21:02.400 --> 00:21:03.119
I try to ask you.
00:21:03.359 --> 00:21:09.279
You're doing more than trying, because I've had I've done several interviews, my A, B, and C of what equals success.
00:21:09.519 --> 00:21:14.240
Well, I think the first thing is knowing that you're worthy of it, right?
00:21:14.400 --> 00:21:15.519
Wanting to be successful.
00:21:15.839 --> 00:21:17.519
Because the desire fuels what you get.
00:21:17.839 --> 00:21:18.559
What do you want?
00:21:18.960 --> 00:21:24.559
And early on I used to ask for things that I wanted, but then I found the peace to ask God for what I needed.
00:21:24.960 --> 00:21:26.480
Don't give me what I want, give me what I need.
00:21:26.640 --> 00:21:30.000
But I felt that I was worthy of being happy and successful.
00:21:30.160 --> 00:21:30.960
I was worthy of that.
00:21:31.200 --> 00:21:32.000
I'd say the first thing.
00:21:32.160 --> 00:21:40.240
The second thing, and and I credit my mom with give instilling me with that confidence and understanding because there are a lot of things that she had to make sure that I did well.
00:21:40.480 --> 00:21:43.680
I followed that then with having picked the right partner in life.
00:21:44.000 --> 00:21:48.640
A lot of where you go and what you can do is who's on that journey with you.
00:21:48.799 --> 00:21:49.119
Yes.
00:21:49.279 --> 00:21:58.000
You know, and if I had picked someone other than Greg Smith to be my partner, where he'd say he would check me when I was wrong, he'd support me and cheerlead me when I did things that were well.
00:21:58.079 --> 00:21:58.960
There was no competition.
00:21:59.119 --> 00:21:59.759
Yes, yes, you know.
00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:02.960
I could salute and celebrate him, and he could do that with me.
00:22:03.279 --> 00:22:08.960
We have the same values about the children that we wanted to raise and how we wanted to raise them and making time for that.
00:22:09.279 --> 00:22:14.799
And so I would say, you know, desire and then the right kind of network and group.
00:22:15.119 --> 00:22:21.200
And then putting myself in situations where I could flourish, where I could be myself and be valued and respected.
00:22:21.440 --> 00:22:21.839
That's good.
00:22:21.920 --> 00:22:24.799
And they say, what's good to success if you have no one to share it with?
00:22:24.960 --> 00:22:26.640
So you have many villages.
00:22:26.799 --> 00:22:31.599
You have your work village, your Becca village, your family village, Sack Harper Village.
00:22:31.920 --> 00:22:35.039
So is there another village we don't know about that brings you joy?
00:22:35.200 --> 00:22:35.759
I live in Boca.
00:22:35.920 --> 00:22:38.400
I live in Boca Ratone, Florida, part of the time too.
00:22:38.720 --> 00:22:41.119
So that brings me a lot of joy, especially in the winter.
00:22:41.359 --> 00:22:42.559
Oh, I know that's right.
00:22:42.720 --> 00:22:46.480
I spent last winter in Fort Lauderdale, and I think I'm gonna be a snow bearer.
00:22:46.720 --> 00:22:47.039
Oh, really?
00:22:47.759 --> 00:22:48.960
I'm leaning towards it.
00:22:49.279 --> 00:22:50.000
We'd love to have you.
00:22:52.160 --> 00:22:52.960
Oh, it's wonderful.
00:22:53.119 --> 00:22:54.079
Yeah, it's wonderful.
00:22:54.400 --> 00:22:59.119
You hosted me, you and Greg hosted me when I came to London as the U.S.
00:22:59.279 --> 00:23:00.000
Ambassador.
00:23:00.240 --> 00:23:02.000
What were you doing in London at that time?
00:23:02.240 --> 00:23:05.039
So when I was in London, I just moved from Helsinki, Finland.
00:23:05.519 --> 00:23:11.119
I moved to from New York to Helsinki to be the executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Nokia.
00:23:11.440 --> 00:23:11.599
Yes.
00:23:11.920 --> 00:23:16.319
And so Nokia is based in Helsinki, and that was an amazing experience.
00:23:16.559 --> 00:23:19.279
And after living in Helsinki, then I moved to London.
00:23:19.440 --> 00:23:20.720
And so that's where I was.
00:23:20.799 --> 00:23:24.960
And we really, you know, as a New Yorker, you thought that I lived in a very diverse world.
00:23:25.039 --> 00:23:25.279
Yes.
00:23:25.519 --> 00:23:34.640
You moved to London and you realize that it's such a rich environment of cultures and languages and customs.
00:23:34.880 --> 00:23:37.920
And you know, even though we speak the same language, it's very different.
00:23:38.079 --> 00:23:38.240
Yeah.
00:23:38.400 --> 00:23:39.359
But I really loved it.
00:23:39.440 --> 00:23:43.359
And the beauty of London is like it's the center of the universe in terms of traveling to Europe.
00:23:43.440 --> 00:23:45.839
And so you could get to anywhere in an hour.
00:23:45.920 --> 00:23:47.119
And we took full advantage.
00:23:47.519 --> 00:23:47.920
Oh, yeah.
00:23:48.000 --> 00:23:49.119
Well, thank you for the invitation.
00:23:49.279 --> 00:23:51.519
The night I came was the barrister's dinner.
00:23:51.759 --> 00:23:52.480
Right, that's right.
00:23:52.640 --> 00:23:52.880
Yes.
00:23:53.200 --> 00:23:53.359
Yes.
00:23:53.839 --> 00:23:54.880
You are good, CJ.
00:23:55.119 --> 00:23:56.079
You are good, Sujay.
00:23:56.160 --> 00:23:56.720
You don't forget.
00:23:57.039 --> 00:23:57.920
I try not to.
00:23:58.079 --> 00:23:59.759
But it was just good to see you flourishing.
00:24:00.240 --> 00:24:04.240
Well, you're a world traveler, so we were honored to have you to have us on one of your stops.
00:24:04.400 --> 00:24:06.160
Yeah, you know, I'm glad to be back home now.
00:24:06.240 --> 00:24:07.920
I'm glad that we have Sag Carver.
00:24:08.079 --> 00:24:08.240
Yes.
00:24:08.400 --> 00:24:11.279
You know, I had all 199 countries in my portfolio.
00:24:11.359 --> 00:24:12.480
So they had me on a plane.
00:24:12.559 --> 00:24:13.599
They were like, where do you live?
00:24:13.680 --> 00:24:15.519
Or on whatever airline I was flying on.
00:24:15.680 --> 00:24:16.960
But what an experience, though, right?
00:24:17.119 --> 00:24:17.839
Quite an experience.
00:24:17.920 --> 00:24:20.160
And you know, to see the family also enjoy it.
00:24:20.319 --> 00:24:22.960
Now there was a day you talk about going to the events.
00:24:23.119 --> 00:24:24.799
I was trying to be a helicopter mom.
00:24:24.880 --> 00:24:28.160
I flew from China to my son's pin relays.
00:24:28.400 --> 00:24:29.119
He was a shot put.
00:24:29.680 --> 00:24:34.720
And you know, you try to do the things you could as a mother, you know, and when he looked up, boys only look up for four seconds.
00:24:35.039 --> 00:24:39.119
But they see there, I was like, you know, I love being a parent and I love what I'm doing.
00:24:39.359 --> 00:24:42.160
So what's a highlight for you of your life?
00:24:42.480 --> 00:24:43.759
Just being a grandmother.
00:24:44.000 --> 00:24:47.680
It is, it is, oh my God, it brings me so much joy.
00:24:48.079 --> 00:24:56.000
And you know, there are things that I would have done and could have done where I would not have been as present as I am now in his life.
00:24:56.480 --> 00:25:01.039
And at the time I looked at it as like disappointing, but now I see God's plan.
00:25:01.359 --> 00:25:03.920
Like if I had done that, I wouldn't be able to be here.
00:25:04.079 --> 00:25:09.039
They live in the city in Chelsea, so they come and they spend, you know, Thursday through Sunday with me.
00:25:09.359 --> 00:25:11.119
Oh, I just love it.
00:25:11.200 --> 00:25:13.200
And I can go to the city and spend time with them.
00:25:13.279 --> 00:25:17.200
And if I was doing some of the things that I would have done, I wouldn't have been able to do that.
00:25:17.279 --> 00:25:20.799
So I'll never get this time back in his life, and I'm enjoying it.
00:25:21.039 --> 00:25:21.839
I'm so glad.
00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:22.960
You mentioned God.
00:25:23.119 --> 00:25:24.799
Does faith play a role in your life?
00:25:25.039 --> 00:25:25.519
Absolutely.
00:25:25.680 --> 00:25:32.960
And you know, the thing about it is that I have so many friends that how religion lives either outwardly or inwardly.
00:25:33.200 --> 00:25:35.359
And I would say I'm more inwardly than outwardly.
00:25:35.920 --> 00:25:40.079
But what I know is that I have always embraced the fact that God has a plan for me.
00:25:40.240 --> 00:25:40.559
Yes.
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That I believe that what he does for me is divine for me.
00:25:44.319 --> 00:25:44.559
Yes.
00:25:44.720 --> 00:25:50.960
And that I have to be able to recognize, appreciate, celebrate, and love him as he loves me.
00:25:51.119 --> 00:25:51.359
Yes.
00:25:51.599 --> 00:25:59.039
And so when I think about my parents and my children and my gifts and my blessings, I do thank God for that.
00:25:59.359 --> 00:26:00.559
Wow, what a blessed woman.
00:26:00.720 --> 00:26:06.720
So SAC Harbor allows me to live my faith inwardly because I'm so outwardly on all the time.
00:26:06.880 --> 00:26:11.119
So to find a place where I can have just my time with God is wonderful.
00:26:11.279 --> 00:26:16.720
So the beauty of the ocean, the beauty of the bay is wonderful, and the beauty of wonderful neighbors and friends.
00:26:16.799 --> 00:26:18.720
So I thank you for being a guest with us.
00:26:18.799 --> 00:26:24.160
So we didn't get a chance the other night, but can you look right there and say, Happy 75th anniversary Azure?
00:26:24.799 --> 00:26:26.880
Happy 75th birthday, Azure Est.
00:26:27.200 --> 00:26:29.279
And happy 75th anniversary Azure.
00:26:29.839 --> 00:26:31.039
And thank you for sharing with us.
00:26:31.119 --> 00:26:34.640
And my special guest has been Jerry DeVard, founder of Becca.
00:26:34.960 --> 00:26:36.559
And we are so glad that you joined us.
00:26:36.720 --> 00:26:37.680
You can join us Wednesdays.
00:26:37.839 --> 00:26:39.200
We're also going to be on the website.
00:26:39.359 --> 00:26:44.160
A shout out to my crew who made this happen, and a shout out to you for sharing this time with us.
00:26:44.319 --> 00:26:48.559
You can find me at globalblackwomencc.org or you can find me right here.
00:26:48.720 --> 00:26:50.319
Until the next time, be well.
00:26:50.400 --> 00:26:51.759
Take care and God bless.
00:26:52.480 --> 00:26:56.000
It's been an amazing, an amazing show today.
00:26:56.160 --> 00:26:58.640
Jerry DeVard, founder of Becca.
00:26:58.960 --> 00:27:01.440
It's been amazing also because you've been with us.
00:27:01.599 --> 00:27:07.279
And so we thank you so much for all that you do to share with us and tune in each week.
00:27:07.440 --> 00:27:13.440
Continue to send in your comments to askdrsuj.com and just visit my website, Dr.
00:27:13.599 --> 00:27:14.640
Sujay Global.
00:27:14.720 --> 00:27:17.839
That's D-R-S-U-J-A-Y Global.com.
00:27:18.079 --> 00:27:19.279
Find out what we're up to.
00:27:19.440 --> 00:27:25.680
We've got exciting things for men and women who are leaders in this world that are making a difference.
00:27:25.839 --> 00:27:31.039
We want to help take you to your next level of impact and influence.
00:27:31.279 --> 00:27:32.480
That's what I do.
00:27:32.559 --> 00:27:33.680
That's who I am.
00:27:33.759 --> 00:27:34.720
That's my mission.
00:27:34.880 --> 00:27:35.759
And Ask Dr.
00:27:35.920 --> 00:27:39.839
Sujay and Soul Fully Sujay are helping to take us farther.
00:27:40.000 --> 00:27:43.680
So visit us, stay in touch with us, share it.
00:27:43.920 --> 00:27:49.119
A share is better than a comment, and a comment's better than a like, but we need all three of them.
00:27:49.279 --> 00:27:52.240
So do that and stay tuned with Ask Dr.
00:27:52.480 --> 00:27:53.200
Sujay.
00:27:53.359 --> 00:27:56.480
Until next time, stay well.
00:27:59.279 --> 00:28:02.000
So that's it for today's episode of Ask Dr.
00:28:02.160 --> 00:28:02.799
Sujay.
00:28:02.960 --> 00:28:08.720
Head on over to Apple Podcasts iTunes or wherever you subscribe to listen to the show.
00:28:08.960 --> 00:28:21.839
One lucky listener every single week who posts a review on Apple Podcasts or iTunes will win a chance in the grand prize drawing to win a fifteen thousand dollar private VIP day with Dr.
00:28:22.000 --> 00:28:23.200
Sujay herself.
00:28:23.920 --> 00:28:29.839
Be sure to head on over to askdrsujay.com and pick up a free copy of Dr.
00:28:30.000 --> 00:28:33.519
Suja's gift and join us on the next episode.
